Embark on a pilgrimage to the annual veterinary conference in April

Next month veterinary professionals from across the UK will make their annual pilgrimage to the BSAVA Congress – one of the longest running and most successful veterinary conferences in the world.

Held on Thursday April 3 - 6 at the ICC/ NIA in Birmingham, the BSAVA Congress is created by the profession for the profession. Since the first BSAVA Congress in 1958 the profession has evolved, and so has the event – 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. “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.”

This year delegates will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with 120 speakers from across the world.  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, among 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.

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 area of human and animal health on an international scale.

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.

BSAVA Congress has a deserved reputation for the sizzling social on offer – allowing delegates to relax after their lectures and catch up with friends. 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 band Lawson playing their chart topping hits before the late night disco.

BSAVA President Professor Michael Day says: “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.

“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.