Record-Breaking Attendance at NAVC Conference 2012

Gainesville, FL––The NAVC Conference 2012 exceeded all expectations, attracting just short of 16,000 attendees for the event that traditionally kicks off the year. Of these, a record-breaking 6,245 were veterinarians. Veterinary technicians comprised the next largest group of continuing-education seekers at 1,461, and students accounted for more than 900 attendees.

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Attesting to the quality of the scientific program and the NAVC Experience as a whole, 21% of attendees reported that they had chosen the Conference at the recommendation of another. Indeed, word of mouth continues to be the best impetus to newcomers. Similarly, once sampled, NAVC seems hard to pass up: nearly 50% of attendees say that they attend either every year (~ 29%) or every other year (~ 21%). Moreover, NAVC Conference 2012 received a resounding vote of approval from attendees, with 92% rating their overall experience as excellent or very good.

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Why do those in the profession choose the NAVC Conference for their continuing education? In the estimation of 52% of attendees, it is the “best conference for continuing education.” Specifically, 35% cited the variety and extent of the scientific session topics as a primary reason for attending and 32% noted the quality of the speakers as a deciding factor.

With 42% attending to learn about new procedures, products, services and other developments, the value of the expansive Exhibit Hall cannot be underestimated. In fact, about a third of registrants pointed to the quality of the exhibit hall as a primary reason for attending NAVC Conference 2012, and 94% said that it was helpful to learn about the new products launched at the Conference.

Cutting-Edge Products Part of the NAVC Conference 2012 "New Product Gallery"

High marks were also earned by the new extended session blocks, with 76% indicating that they would like the 75-minute programming slots to continue. The appraisal of the NAVC Online Learning Center was also excellent, with nearly 75% of attendees rating its value at 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5.

The NAVC Conference is in its 29th year of providing relevant, practical continuing education to all members of the veterinary team. It is the cornerstone opportunity in the many educational offerings under the NAVC umbrella. Among the others are the NAVC Institute of advanced learning in the Spring; NAVC Expeditions destination learning opportunities to places such as the Galapagos, the Antarctic, the Amazon and Alaska; its OnCampus program for students at universities and international partnership events such as the LAVC (Latin American Veterinary Conference) and the SEVC (Southern European Veterinary Conference) and the APVC (Asia Pacific Veterinary Conference).