LAS VEGAS, February 5, 2013 " Veterinarians and Veterinary Staff from around the globewill attend the 85th Annual Dr. Jack Walther Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas fromFebruary 17-21, 2013. Held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the Conference offers more than800 hours of programming for Veterinarians, as well as 64 additional hours dedicated to VeterinaryTechnicians and 66 hours focused on Practice Management. The 5-day meeting enables attendees toaccrue up to 39 CE credit hours. This year’s program also includes 152 hours of Hands-on Labs, 137hours of complimentary Symposium sessions, 30 Workshop hours, and 8 hours of Lunch & Learns.Conference attendance is expected to reach 14,000.
For only the sixth time in Conference history, WVC is named for an individual to whom itsgratitude is unending. WVC Clinical Proficiency Coordinator, Dr. Jack O. Walther has attended theConference for more than 4 decades and proudly says, “”My first visit to WVC occurred in 1965 and Ihave never missed a Conference since.”” A driving force behind the success of WVC and a leader in thearea of student scholarship, Dr. Walther is a singular visionary the Conference is proud to honor.
In 2013, WVC is conducting 30 Hands-on Labs at its high-tech Oquendo Center, located ashort, free shuttle ride from Mandalay Bay. Lab participants are able to expand their knowledge and learnnew techniques that will improve quality of care in their practice. Oquendo Center is fast achievingrecognition as veterinary medicine’s premier hands-on learning facility and features the latest knowledgeand technology in its well-designed, well-equipped instructional spaces.
This year’s WVC agenda also includes nine Workshops, six of which are free with Conferenceregistration, and three evening Special Presentations on controlled substances, online marketing, andhealthy practices in tough economic times. The session on financial health, first in a series of similarWorkshops, is being conducted using an interactive “”town hall”” format that enables registrants to sharepersonal practice challenges and advice. In addition, seven Late Night Learning sessions are offered from6:00-8:00p on Tuesday evening. Along with their dedicated learning tracks, Veterinary Technicians canenjoy an information-based Technician Fair and daily access to the Technician Lounge.
NEW IN 2013, the Vet Detective Exhibit Hall Experience qualifies participants for a chanceto win cash prizes totaling $10,000! Grand Prize is $5,000, Second Prize is $3,000, and Third Prize is$2,000. Conference attendees browse the Exhibit Hall using a Guidebook containing clues that requirefacts from specific exhibitors.
More than 500 exhibitors will display and discuss products and services in the world’s mostcomplete assembly of veterinary exhibits under one roof. The spacious lounge area in the GrandPavilion is returning for its third year, with a video highlight wall, and mobile recharging station forportable devices. Introduced in 2012, the park-like WVC Plaza returns with its Massage Zone (sponsoredby Boehringer Ingelheim); Cyber café (sponsored by VIN); New Product Showcase, with more than 20recently released items; and a job board as well as the Silent Auction Gallery, which supports studentscholarships. The Exhibit Hall also features food service areas. Many exhibitors offer terrific showspecials during Conference week. And the new Vet Detective Exhibit Hall Experience is sure to keep theatmosphere energetic as participants search for answers.
Three dazzling performance events will wow WVC attendees and guests! On Sunday,February 17, popular comedian Jake Johannsen will deliver his hilarious take on ordinary elements,courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Megastar Kenny Loggins, songwriter, rock star, performer andsoundtrack legend, will command the stage on Tuesday, February 19, sponsored by Bayer HealthCare.Celebrity speaker Jillian Michaels, author, fitness maven, and star of TV’s “”The Biggest Loser,”” willmotivate attendees to get healthy and live well on Wednesday, February 20, presented by Virbac AnimalHealth.
WVC offers every Conference registrant a VIP Discount Card valid for reduced prices onshows, dining, and local attractions. Other standard Conference perks include complimentary WiFi onLevels 2 and 3 of the Convention Center, the easy-to-use WVC-Connect app and a WVC TechnologyHelp Desk for app and WiFi assistance, plus complimentary early-morning Yoga, Jazzercise®, andZumba® health and fitness workouts, and a Mother’s Lounge for attendees with infants or young children.As in past years, the extremely popular broadcasts on WVC-TV® will be airing in many Conferencehotels as well as in Convention Center walkways. In 2013 WVC is again offering Luggage StorageService and Return Airport Shuttle Service from 7:00a to 6:00p on Thursday, the final Conference day:
NEW ATTRACTION: A first this year, WVC attendees can sign up for an all-day trip tothe fascinating new Mob Museum, which showcases the battle between law enforcement and organizedcrime via a futuristic theater, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. Now classic at WVC, the Conferencecontinues to schedule the popular Wine Tasting and Beer Tasting, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, the annual GolfTournament, the always-in-demand Wolfgang Puck Cooking Classes, Alumni, International, andVeterinary Student Receptions, and Tuesday’s complimentary Shopping Excursion. Guest Programregistrants will enjoy a tour of Springs Preserve, an expert look the confusion about human nutritionaladvice, and the importance of urban wildlife health as well as a light breakfast daily and open access tothe Guest Lounge.
The complete 2013 WVC program, online registration, and other Conference informationare available at wvc.org. Full Conference and 1-day Onsite Registration is available. Oquendo Centeryear-round courses are described at oquendocenter.org. Additional information on either WVC or theOquendo Center is also available 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-thinking veterinarycommunity. The Conference provides comprehensive continuing education to veterinary professionals and relatedgroups in a world-class destination " Las Vegas, The Entertainment Capital of the World. International authoritiesand emerging speakers present the most advanced information in superb convention facilities and Hands-on Labs inthe high-tech Oquendo Center. For information, visit wvc.org. Contact Dr. Guy Pidgeon, guy@wvc.org or702.739.6698, with questions.