LAS VEGAS, February 02, 2012 " More than 900 hours of programming fill the agenda ofthe 84th Annual Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) being held at the Mandalay BayConvention Center in Las Vegas from February 19-23, 2012. Along with nearly 700 hours forVeterinarians, the Conference offers 80 additional hours especially for Veterinary Technicians and 68hours dedicated to Practice Management. In just 5 days, attendees can accrue 45 CE credit hours and havea truly memorable experience. This year’s program also includes more than 30 Hands-on Labs, 42Symposia, 9 Workshops, 4 of which are free with Conference registration, 9 Lunch & Learn sessions, anda complimentary panel discussion for Veterinary Technicians who would like to become Specialists.Conference attendance is expected to reach nearly 15,000.
Held annually in Las Vegas, WVC is recognized as the top convention in the veterinaryfield, assembling first-class presenters from around the globe to focus on high-impact topics withimmediate practical application. WVC President, James E. Creed says, “”You can be assured ouroutstanding WVC staff and dedicated Education Committee have spent most of the past year developing a2012 program fitting for the world’s premier veterinary conference.””
Hands-on Labs are conducted at the Conference’s state-of-the-art Oquendo Center locatedjust minutes from Mandalay Bay. Equipped with today’s most advanced technology and equipment, labparticipants can master specific techniques with the help of concentrated personal instruction from expertsin their specialties.
BRAND-NEW in 2012 is the Conference Orientation program on Sunday evening andMonday morning for first-timers and attendees who haven’t been to WVC for a while, presented by Dr.Jim Humphries. Also NEW this year are a WVC Technology Help Desk for assistance in accessingWVC-Connect and the WiFi network and a complimentary early-morning Health & Fitness Programfeaturing Yoga, Jazzercise®, and Zumba® workouts on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. WVC is alsointroducing two NEW services from 7:00a to 6:00p on Thursday, the final Conference day: LuggageStorage Service and Return Airport Shuttle Service.
Back by popular demand is the WVC VIP Discount Card featuring price reductions on showsand dining as well as local attractions, complimentary WiFi on Levels 2 and 3 of the Convention Center,the easy-to-use WVC-Connect app, and a Mother’s Lounge designed specifically to meet a new mother’sneeds. Of course, the extremely popular broadcasts on WVC-TV® will again be available in a number ofConference hotels as well as in Convention Center walkways.
This year’s star-studded entertainment spectaculars include a Sunday kickoff with BillyGardell from the hit CBS series “”Mike and Molly,”” sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Tuesday eveningBayer Animal Health will invite the audience to rock out with Kool & The Gang and their 70s flashbackconcert, and on Wednesday Virbac Animal Health presents the intriguing Bear Grylls from DiscoveryChannel’s “”Man vs. Wild.””
In 2012 more than 550 exhibitors will display and discuss products and services in theworld’s most complete assembly of veterinary exhibits under one roof. Joel Altman, WVC ExhibitsManager, comments, “Surely WVC offers the most welcoming large exhibition area anywhere. This yearwe’ve brought back the Grand Pavilion and dramatic video wall introduced last year because it was such ahit and we’re adding a WVC & Me photo booth and Memory Board for attendees to capture their WVCExperience on film and video. In addition, we’ve added our new WVC Plaza, a park-like area for restingand refreshing that will make the Exhibit Hall even more accommodating with staple WVC features suchas the Cyber Cafe, Classifieds Board, and the scholarship-supporting Silent Auction and new favorites,Massage Zone and New Product Showcase.”” Attendees will find helpful Mobile Quick-Charge Stations,additional food service areas, water stations, and many show specials to assist with purchasing, too.
It’s never all work and no play at WVC! Special events this year include our now-traditionalWine Tasting, a NEW Beer Tasting, and a NEW Champagne and Wine Tasting; a 5K Canine FunRun/Walk; the annual Golf Tournament; the much-in-demand Wolfgang Puck Cooking Classes; Alumniand International Receptions; and Tuesday’s complimentary Shopping Excursion. Guest Programregistrants will be delighted by their 2012 agenda, which includes a fashion show, professional organizingtips, and a tour of Springs Preserve as well as a light breakfast daily and open access to the Guest Lounge.
The complete 2011 WVC program and other conference information are online at wvc.org.Registration is available onsite. Details about the Oquendo Center and courses offered year-round can beaccessed at oquendocenter.org. Additional information on either WVC or the Oquendo Center is alsoavailable by calling: 702.739.6698 or toll-free 866.800.7326.
About Western Veterinary Conference
WVC is an annual interactive educational opportunity and a networking event for the forward-thinkingveterinary community. The Conference provides comprehensive continuing education to veterinaryprofessionals and related groups in a world-class destination " Las Vegas, The Entertainment Capital ofthe World. International authorities and emerging speakers present the most advanced information insuperb convention facilities and Hands-on Labs in the high-tech Oquendo Center. For information, visitwvc.org. Contact Dr. Guy Pidgeon, guy@wvc.org or 702.739.6698, with questions.
