About the MVC
Hosted by the OVMA, the Midwest Veterinary Conference is packed with opportunities for veterinarians, technicians, hosptial staff, shelter professionals and students to get educated, get connected and get informed. The MVC is considered to be a national convention, and each year, it draws between 5,000 and 6,000 veterinary professionals from across the United States and Canada. Year after year, attendees give high marks to all aspects of the Conference, from speakers and education to the Exhibit Hall and special events.
Get Educated
The Conference, held annually during the last week/weekend of February, brings together myriad expert speakers to converge with veterinary professionals and students from all disciplines of veterinary medicine. With more than 400 hours of continuing education sessions and wet labs in nearly two dozen tracks, the MVC is truly an educational event that can't be missed.
Topics range from the familiar (like pet animal and behavior) to the exotic (such as aquaculture and alternative medicine), and attendees will hear from speakers with experience working in research, government, academics, zoos, shelters, and veterinary clinics. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to expand their personal and professional development with sessions on ancillary topics — including stress management, social networking, interviewing, internal controls and performance evaluations.
Our speakers include well-known names in veterinary medicine: in the past, the MVC has hosted Temple Grandin, Ken Ramirez, Kathy Sdao, Edward Breitschwerdt, Charlotte Lacroix, Marsha Heinke, Ernie Ward, Kate Hurley and Harold Davis. Year after year, attendees give high scores to our presenters; in 2011, 92 percent of Conference-goers rated the speakers as "excellent" or "very good."
| Learn more about education offerings and the speakers at the MVC. |
Get Connected
On top of the educational opportunities, the MVC also boasts several special events. During its four-day duration, the Conference hosts events that encourage attendees to network, relax, and have fun.
Perhaps the crowd favorite is MVC Live!, a Saturday evening event with live stage entertainment for attendees and guests. Past entertainers include Cirque du Soliel and comedian Henry Cho. During MVC Sundy Lunch, attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary meal while hearing from a hand-picked keynote speaker. Veterinary students are invited to network with their future colleagues at the Student Appreciation Reception, which is held on the first day of the Conference. The Auxiliary to the OVMA also hosts a handful of events, including Family Fun Time and the Auxiliary Silent Auction, which raises money for veterinary students scholarships.
| Learn more about special events at the MVC. |
Get Informed
With nearly 200 booths in the 98,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, it would be impossible not to find something new or different that you could use in your practice, clinic or laboratory. Dedicated Exhibit Hall time allows attendees to meet and greet with representatives from industry organizations, learn about new technology, find different ways to streamline everyday processes, and find up-and-coming companies for future partnerships.
| Learn more about the Exhibit Hall at the MVC. |