AVA Annual Conference 2022 wrap up
03 Jun 2022
Above: Garth McGilvray from Provet, Sue Crampton from Provet and Dr Alan Guilfoyle from the AVA
The weather was dreary but spirits remained high at the first face-to-face AVA conference in three years. Attendees were thrilled to reconnect with colleagues and soak up the social atmosphere, as well as learn from the 150+ talks delivered by world class veterinary experts spanning a huge array of topics.
Image: all smiles at the 2022 AVA Annual Conference
A highlight of the conference is always the Exhibition Hall, which showcases the industry’s cutting-edge developments including the latest scientifically formulated diets, pioneering technological advances, the newest pharmaceuticals, updates in equipment and so much more.
Image (L-R, back row first): Keith Robertson, Craig Kessack, Nick Kyriakacis, Shai Jordan, Tanya Munn, Sarah Emery, Liz Zagalak, Narissa Corfe, Lucille Labuschagne, Alena Gadoury
Image: Annabel Robertson, Georgia Van Driel and Emma Grant from Hill's Pet Nutrition
Image: Jeremy Mann, Debra Hiles, Julie Summerfield, Mina Hamilton, Belinda Wagg, Bronwen Macrae and Tina Browne from Royal Canin
Image: Donna Lintott, Kim Welling, Claire Hunt and Nick Shortis from Troy
Image: Tom Higgs, Sarah White and Matt Scott from Avet Health
Image: the Vets for Climate Action stand, creating awareness of this important issue
Image: at one of the interactive displays, MQ Vet's Glen Raines watches on as a delegate displays his surgery skills
Image: a view of the Exhibition Hall
Dechra, with its fun strength-tester machine, and Invocare, a pet cremation service, both won best stands.
Image: veterinary student Bridget Webster tries out Dechra's strength-testing machine
The conference could not have run without the help of student volunteers, who greeted delegates upon entry to each session and made sure things ran smoothly.
Image: student volunteers Brianna O'Brien, Annaleys Bennett and Elizabeth Khor
The social program was popular, culminating in the 'Carnival' Gala Dinner which gave recognition to award winners from the past three years, as well as the announcement of the incoming President Dr Bronwyn Orr and Vice President Dr Alistair Webb.
Image: the AVA Annual Conference 'Carnival' Gala Dinner 2022
Wellness was a priority, with the launch of the AVA’s new wellness program, THRIVE as well as daily morning yoga sessions to help delegates kick off each day.
Image: the AVA's THRIVE stand in the 2022 Annual Conference Exhibition Hall
We also celebrated the first practices to achieve Employer of Choice accreditation, an outstanding achievement.
Image: Dr Brian Anderson accepts an Employer of Choice Accreditation plaque from outgoing president Dr Warwick Vale.
As always, the breakfast sessions were well attended, with Hills, Royal Canin, Zoetis and Greencross sponsoring sessions about dermatology, behaviour, feline osteoarthritis and how to keep ‘fuel in the tank’. 
Image: Cathy Warburton presents the Greencross 'Keeping fuel in the tank' breakfast session
The plenary sessions covered everything from Facing Fear, presented by big wave surfer Mark Mathews, to tackling climate issues with Anika Molesworth. There was a veterinary focus in the discussions about technology by Paul Higgins, and Hendra virus with Peter Reid and Ed Annand.
Image: one of the 2022 Plenary speakers - big wave surfer Mark Mathews
And of course, the talks and workshops themselves were also outstanding, providing an immense breadth of knowledge from several of the profession’s leading experts.
Image: Dr Katherine Briscoe discusses hypertension in cats.
Image: Veterinary Business Group's session on 'Great Veterinary Workplaces'
Image: Dr Tias Muurlink presents a talk on wound assessment and triage in horses
Image: WestVETS Equine Hospital hosting the Equine Veterinarian Australia’s Field Radiology and Ultrasonography Workshop
Sarah Emery, ANZ Business Unit Manager of Covetrus, said, “It’s great to see everybody at the AVA conference. Everyone is talking about connection and collaboration … We are all really happy to be back together after a couple of years apart.”
The 2023 AVA Annual Conference will be held at Adelaide’s Convention Centre from 28 May until 2 June 2023. More details will be announced later in the year, but for now mark your calendars for what is certain to be a fantastic event.
