The convention, which runs through July 23 at McCormick Place in Chicago, coincides with the AVMA’s 150th anniversary. Part of the anniversary celebration includes the traveling display "Animal Connections: Our Journey Together,” an interactive, truck-based exhibit designed to teach young people about science, animals, veterinary medicine and the human-animal bond. The exhibit will be open to conventioneers starting Saturday at the back of the Exhibit Hall before it moves July 23 to the nearby Museum Campus for three days of public viewing. The display later will travel to six Chicago parks before visiting New York City on Aug. 9. The trade show portion of the convention lasts three days, with nearly 300 exhibitors displaying their products and services in the Exhibit Hall. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Education is the overriding priority of the convention, and each hour of programming is worth one hour of CE credit for license renewal purposes. Two hours of CE credit is available for participating in the Exhibit Hall, AVMA reported. The learning isn’t only for veterinarians. Educational sessions and labs, ranging from "Blood Typing and Cross Matching” to "Advanced Periodontal Techniques,” will help veterinary technicians develop their skills. Among other convention highlights: • The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations will hold its conference in conjunction with the AVMA meeting. • Veterinarians may participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Accreditation Program. • Conventioneers may volunteer their time Saturday in the West Building lobby by assembling adoption kits that will be presented to local animal shelters. The work is part of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s "Our Oath in Action” Volunteer Project. • Attendees may kick back at several events, including A Taste of Chicago on Friday night at the Shedd Aquarium, a concert by Cheap Trick on Saturday night and family night at the Lincoln Park Zoo on Sunday. • The Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association will celebrate its 20th anniversary during the convention. More information about the convention and a complete schedule is available at AVMAconvention.org. <HOME>
