Veterinary Events and Conferences

BSAVA Congress – the home of the veterinary profession

vetreportFebruary 7, 2014

BSAVA Congress is one of the longest running and most successful veterinary conferences in the world – and as it approached its busiest time for registration at the start of the year over 3000 delegates and 250 exhibitors had already booked their place for these four important days in Birmingham this April.

Created by the profession for the profession

Since the first BSAVA Congress in 1958 the profession has evolved, and so has the event – often leading that change by presenting the latest scientific knowledge in the lecture halls and the best industry innovation in the exhibition. “BSAVA Congress remains relevant and essential for the whole profession because it is created entirely by the very people it seeks to serve” says Farah Malik, a GP vet and Congress Chair who leads a team of 30 enthusiastic volunteers. “So with a rich history and great experience comes a desire to give vets, VNs and practice managers four days that have a very real impact when they get back to work.”

Face to face with international expertise

This year delegates will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with 120 speakers from America, Australia, Germany, France, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK.  The roll call of talent has never been more impressive and includes the expertise of respected cardiologist John Bonagura, and the dermatology expert Karen Moriello, amongst others.

The Small Group Sessions and Practical Workshops will give delegates the chance to get closer to the speakers in a relaxed and informal setting. Topics include Practical haematology, Feline medicine cases, Spinal surgery, Practical investigation of abdominal disease and Autoimmune skin disease in cats.

Challenge traditional thinking and answer everyday problems

Guaranteed to get people talking is the ‘Big Issues’ stream, covering pet travel, microchipping, and a session with Chief Veterinary Officers from across the UK. It also includes presentations on the challenges of rabies eradication with Sarah Cleaveland and Luke Gamble – two inspirational UK vets who have made huge contributions to this important area of human and animal health on an international scale.

Several streams will challenge traditional approaches and offer a fresh perspective on everyday problems.  The new Medicine on a budget stream is designed to tackle commonplace issues in the current financial climate. In Neurology without an MRI Holger Volk will lead a host of UK neurologists to demonstrate how practitioners can save both time and money by investigating these cases without using expensive equipment. A series of streams covering controversies will debate the latest in orthopaedics and endocrinology, with leading experts presenting an overview before opening it up to the floor.

Good management enables clinical excellence

Over the last three years the Congress Management Programme has evolved to become an integral part of the lecture programme, and there is plenty to be inspired by in 2014. As well as practical guidance on pricing strategies, optimising your team, meeting customer needs and measuring success, delegates will also leave invigorated by Ernie Ward from the USA  who will show how vital it is to look after not only your mind but also your body in order to be successful.

The social network – the old fashioned way
Congress is seen by many as the prime networking event and BSAVA delivers plenty of social opportunities for delegates to get together and share ideas and knowledge. No visit to Congress would be complete without a tour of the trade exhibition where over 250 companies showcase their latest products and services, with many offering special deals you won’t find elsewhere.  After its success in 2013, Congress will once again feature an extensive Exhibitor stream enabling delegates to engage with the latest industry innovations in talks presented by key exhibitors.

BSAVA Publications at Congress

The BSAVA bookshop on the BSAVA Balcony in the NIA is always packed with inquisitive delegates. New titles this year include the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine, the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging and our latest Foundation-level title the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Radiography and Radiology.  This is also the place to see our latest eBook launches and to check out the new apps for companion and Journal of Small Animal Practice, and members are encouraged to collect their new edition of the Formulary and loyalty benefits from the BSAVA Balcony.

Unwind and rewind

BSAVA Congress has a deserved reputation for the sizzling social on offer – allowing delegates to relax after their lectures and catch up with friends they might otherwise hardly get to see. There’s fine dining in elegant surroundings at the Congress Banquet on Friday, and the celebrated Saturday Party Night, which this year features comics Marcus Brigstocke and Rhodri Rhys, as well as the brilliant live band Lawson playing their chart topping hits before the late night disco.

He should know

One man with an impressive record of conference attendance is BSAVA President Professor Michael Day; “I have indeed been fortunate this year to have travelled widely” he admits, “not only representing BSAVA, but also for WSAVA and sometimes as an invited speaker. What continues to set BSAVA Congress apart is simply quality; the quality of the faultless organisation, the quality of the scientific content, the quality of our exhibition, and of course the incomparable social programme.  Delegates return year on year knowing that they will have superlative continuing education and a chance to network and socialise with colleagues.”

Professor Day’s presidential schedule won’t allow him time to attend many lectures at Congress, but there is one he is determined to get to; “I am particularly looking forward to the BSAVA Lecture by Professor Alice Roberts on Thursday afternoon. She is a former colleague from the University of Bristol whose academic and media career has been inspirational.”

Taking care of the new generation

There are a number of innovations in 2014, and one the President has been especially keen to champion concerns the newest members of the profession; “A new element for Congress this year is our Student Bursary Scheme and Student Day.  For the first time, we are offering 50 student bursaries to enable clinical veterinary students to attend Congress as full delegates and we are providing travel and accommodation expenses for these bursary recipients. I hope that this will be valued by our colleagues of the future.”

So whether you are fresh out of University, just returning to work after a break or if you’re well established as a vet or VN in practice, Congress 2014 is your chance to learn, refresh and re-discover why BSAVA Congress has been helping to establish a better veterinary future since 1958.