VMX 2024
by Jenny Alonge
VMX returns to balmy Orlando, Florida, from January 13 to 17, 2024. The “Show of Shows!” theme aims to provide veterinary professionals with a world-fair type of experience that offers exhibits, cultural innovation, entertainment, and numerous continuing education (CE) opportunities designed to surprise and delight. Participants can attend live or virtually to access more than 1,200 hours of CE that includes content for all veterinary team members.
Learning tracks
The conference offers a wide variety of program tracks held simultaneously throughout the five-day event, which include:
- Small animal — The numerous topics for companion animal veterinary professionals include acupuncture, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, geriatric medicine, holistic medicine, nutrition, oncology, pain management, shelter medicine, and much more.
- Farm animal — Large animal topics include:
- Backyard farm animal care
- Equine lumps, bumps, and pruritus
- Mares and foals
- Ophthalmology in stallions
- Addressing the poor performing equine
- Exotics — Exotics topics include aquatic and avian medicine, exotic medicine careers, exotic companion mammals, poultry medicine, reptiles, wildlife medicine, and zoo animal medicine.
- Veterinary nurses and technicians — Veterinary nurses and technicians can attend presentations about anesthesia, career and culture, dentistry, emergency, equine, general practice, imaging, and nutrition.
- Practice management — Practice management topics include customer service, Fear Free, happiness in veterinary medicine, human resources, legal, personal, and practice finance, recruitment and retention, veterinary nurse and technician empowerment, and wellness and communication.
- Professional development — Professional development topics include diversity, equity, and inclusion, leadership, progress over progression, and wellbeing.
Extra program electives
For an additional fee, attendees can participate in more advanced CE opportunities, such as:
- Masterclasses — These two-hour roundtable sessions explain to participants how top practitioners managed their most unusual or challenging cases. Most masterclasses are $40.
- Meet the professor luncheons — For $75, participants can share a meal and discuss experiences and strategies with leading clinicians and like-minded colleagues. These 90-minute sessions help participants gain invaluable insights and make connections that can enhance their practice.
- Hands-on workshops — Attendees can participate in hands-on sessions led by seasoned instructors who teach specific skills. Fees vary. Workshops include:
- Dental radiology
- Small ruminants for small animal practitioners
- Oncologic and reconstructive surgery for small animals
- Canine cooperative veterinary care
- Ophthalmic surgery
- Canine flexible GI endoscopy
- Emergency and critical care team training
Behind the Scenes Tour
The VMX Behind the Scenes Tour is an all-day excursion to the Manatee Encounter & Homosassa State Park. For $350, participants can swim with the gentle giants in the morning and enjoy lunch at Kings Bay, a favorite local restaurant. After lunch, attendees will explore the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where they may encounter endangered and declining species such as the whooping crane, wood stork, red wolf, and Florida panther. Birds of prey, shorebird, black bear, and alligator sightings are also possible.
Expo experience
Hundreds of exhibitors will offer new products, services, and equipment. Other expo experiences include:
- VMX Expo night — From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on January 14, VMX attendees can visit the expo hall for snacks, drinks, games, and prizes.
- Classic carousel ride — The expo hall will boast a classic carousel where VMX attendees can pick their mount of choice and take a trip down memory lane.
- Bark and Brew — Attendees can grab a coffee or something a little stronger to wet their whistle while strolling through the exhibit hall.
- Learning theaters — CE sessions will be offered throughout the day in the expo’s three learning centers.
- New product gallery — Veterinary professionals can explore exclusive veterinary medicine innovations at the new product gallery.
- Relaxation lounges — VMX attendees can take a much-needed break or network with peers in the expo’s relaxation lounges.
- Puppies and kittens — Whether you prefer puppy breath or kitten cuddles, the VMX Expo has you covered with their puppy playground and cat nap cafe.
Entertainment
Veterinary professionals will be able to take breaks from intensive learning sessions to attend fun and entertaining events, including:
- VMX Kickoff with Dan Levy — At 11:15 a.m. on January 13, Dan Levy kicks off the conference with his charm and humor. Levy is an Emmy award winning showrunner, writer, actor, director, and best selling author most known for his work on the show Schitt’s Creek.
- VMX Show of Shows Costume Party — Attendees are invited to party and dance the night away dressed in a costume of their choice. Photo props will be provided so you can remember this special event. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. on January 13, immediately following the veterinary nurse/technician reception.
- VMX Concert featuring Tyler Hubbard — On January 15 at 8:00 p.m., VMX attendees will be treated to a concert featuring Tyler Hubbard. As a member of the multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line, Hubbard has 21 number-one country music singles and is now stepping out with his own self-titled solo album.
- Eighth annual 5K Fun Run — At 6:30 a.m. on January 15, VMX attendees can lace up for a 5K fun run that raises money for veterinary causes.
- VMX Talent Show — VMX attendees can showcase their talent at the VMX talent show on January 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Register today to secure your spot at VMX 2024.
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