The Joys of General Practice: Join us at the 51st ASAV Annual Conference – Together with VBG
28 May 2026
The 51st ASAV Annual Conference will be held from Monday 17 to Thursday 20 August 2026 at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort at Twin Waters, Queensland. Across four days, more than 350 veterinary professionals are expected to attend a program that combines clinical and business-focused professional development.
For 2026, the Australian Small Animal Veterinarians Group is again partnering with the Veterinary Business Group (VBG), following the collaboration between the two groups in 2024. The conference brings clinical content together with business insight under the theme The Joys of General Practice, with the ASAV stream running the full four days and the VBG stream on the Wednesday and Thursday. The partnership reflects the reality that running a small animal practice involves both clinical capability and sound business management, and the program is structured to address each within the one event.
Held at the stunning Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
The program
As the premier small animal event on the AVA calendar, the 2026 scientific program is case-focused and built for practical application. Sessions cover anaesthesia, pain management, euthanasia, the management of chronic illnesses, and a range of related clinical topics. The emphasis throughout is on tips, techniques, and approaches that can be applied directly in the clinic on return, rather than theory alone.
The dedicated VBG stream runs alongside the clinical program and addresses the business of veterinary care, with sessions on practice management, leadership, and business growth. Together, the two streams are structured to suit a broad cross-section of attendees, from new graduates through to experienced clinicians and practice owners, allowing teams to split across clinical and business content according to their roles.
The full scientific program is available here. Plenary sessions, the clinical stream, and the VBG stream are timetabled so that delegates can move between them as their interests and responsibilities require.
Speakers include:
Dr Duncan Lascelles
BSc, BVSC, PhD, FRCVS
Dr. Lascelles is the Dr. J. McNeely and Lynne K. DuBose Distinguished Professor of Musculoskeletal Health, and Professor of Translational Research in Pain and Surgery.
Since his PhD training at Bristol, UK, he has devoted is professional career to improving our ability to recognize and treat pain in animals. His research program (Translational Research in Pain [TRiP]) develops methods to measure pain associated with spontaneous disease in animals and seeks to understand the underlying neurobiology with the goal of improving our understanding of how to control pain in companion animals and facilitating analgesic development in human medicine.
Dr Sheilah Robertson
BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), FRCVS
After graduating from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, Dr Robertson undertook specialized training in anesthesia and pain management. She is board certified in anesthesia and animal welfare by the respective American and European Colleges and holds a certificate in small animal acupuncture and shelter medicine. She has published widely on the recognition and alleviation of pain in companion animals and has co-authored numerous clinical guidelines and resources. She has worked in private practice, academia and in the Animal Welfare Division of the American Veterinary medical Association. Dr Robertson is a medical advisor to Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a large network of veterinarians dedicated to end-of-life care and is a courtesy lecturer in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida.
Noel Whittaker
International bestselling author, finance and investment expert, radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist and public speaker, Noel Whittaker is one of the world’s foremost authorities on personal finance.
Noel reaches over three million readers each week through his columns in major Australian newspapers all over in Australia, is a regular contributor to magazines and websites, and appears on radio and television.
He is one of Australia’s most successful authors, with 26 bestselling books achieving worldwide sales of more than two million copies. His new book Wills death & Taxes is now on the best seller list as well.
Valentina Lwin Bailey
Valentina Lwin Bailey is a Principal Consultant at Great Place To Work® ASEAN & ANZ, where she partners with business and HR leaders to shape and enhance employee experience through culture transformation. Drawing on insights from large and complex organisations—including multinationals, conglomerates - as well as SMEs, and not-for-profits, Valentina brings over two decades of experience in organisational development, talent management, and employee engagement. She has coached hundreds of leaders across industries, helping them unlock the potential of their people and build high-trust, inclusive workplaces. Her approach is grounded in a deep belief in the power of culture to drive performance and wellbeing. Valentina also mentors emerging professionals and contributes to thought leadership across the region.
Beyond the scientific sessions
Delegates can earn VetEd points across the week, with additional points available through masterclasses, sponsored breakfast sessions, and hands-on workshops. A trade and industry exhibition will feature many of the sector's key suppliers, along with current products, services, and innovations, giving delegates direct access to the companies operating in the small animal space.
The social program includes the combined ASAV and VBG Awards Gala Dinner, which recognises the achievements and contributions of members across both groups, as well as a golf afternoon. The coastal venue also provides opportunities to connect with colleagues and industry contacts outside the formal sessions.
Value for you and your team
By bringing together two of the AVA's largest membership groups, the conference is designed to deliver efficient, cost-effective professional development at a busy time of year. Clinical and business learning are available in the one location, which reduces time out of the office while broadening the range of content on offer. For practices sending more than one team member, this combined format is a practical way to cover a wider spread of development needs in a single trip.
The four-day format also concentrates a significant volume of CPD into one event, which can help practitioners and practices plan their professional development for the year in a single registration rather than across multiple separate courses.
Details of what is included at each registration level are set out on the pricing and inclusions page.
Registration
Early Bird registration is now open, with a saving of $400 available to those who register early. Register now to confirm your registration and lock in the cheaper pricing before it closes.
For further information, contact the AVA events team at events@ava.com.au.