WVC attendees have access to more than 900 hours of continuing education (CE) sessions. Viticus Group, a nonprofit and provider of veterinary and healthcare education, is currently hosting its 97th WVC Annual Conference at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, from March 2-5. Known as one of the largest and oldest veterinary continuing education (CE) events in the U.S., this year’s conference offers more than 900 hours of education, 44 hands-on lab training, and entertainment. With the theme “Game On!,” Viticus introduces gamified learning methods, such as a board game titled Forbidden Clinic, and “side quests” to provide several multi-modal tracks for participants to earn badges. The nonprofit has also announced its upcoming expansion to Nashville, TN, to mark a key milestone in its nearly 100-year history. This expansion includes the launch of WVC Nashville in 2026 and a bioskills training center. The new facility aims to further group’s mission of providing hands-on education for veterinary professionals. To learn more about the industry trends shaping this year’s conference and the upcoming Nashville expansion that aims to “empower” vet professionals, Veterinary Practice News caught up with Anthony Pease, DVM, MS, DACVR, chief veterinary medical officer (CVMO) of Viticus. What are the biggest challenges you think the industry is facing today? Anthony Pease, DVM (AP): “I think the veterinary profession right now—not just veterinary medicine, but in general—is dealing with data overload. Vet school is now more about training people on where to find information rather than just memorizing it. I think even veterinary schools are struggling to teach this transition. I was an educator for 15 years, working as a professor at Michigan State and North Carolina State before that. What I think is interesting is while people come out of school with a lot of knowledge, they don’t always have the confidence to apply it. I think [vet schools] are training really good diagnosticians. They are excellent at diagnosing but often refer cases because they lack hands-on experience and confidence. That’s where we come in. At Viticus Group, with conferences like this one, we’re offering hundreds of hours of education, including 44 hands-on wet labs over the course of four days. We aim to provide an opportunity for people to meet with industry experts and board-certified professionals and get real-time answers to their questions, which builds their confidence. That’s really where the veterinary profession is post-graduation. There are so many online resources like YouTube, but the key is engaging with an expert who can show you how to do something, how to communicate it.” What trends do you see shaping the industry right now? AP: “I think the biggest trend, and what everyone’s talking about, is artificial intelligence (AI). The application of AI is a huge time-saver. It’s like having a tool we’re not entirely sure how to use yet. As a radiologist, we felt the same way when MRI technology came out. We had it but weren’t sure how to make the best use of it. It’s up to veterinarians to figure out how to use AI effectively. Veterinarians are busier than ever, with instantaneous access to specialists. Now, any veterinary clinic could technically be a specialty hospital. However, the confidence gap still exists when it comes to performing procedures. The goal is to make veterinarians feel empowered to do more. That’s why we offer national conferences and hands-on training centers in Las Vegas and Nashville.” What is your big message for professionals who are resistant to embracing AI? AP: “One of the biggest problems we face in veterinary medicine is time [management]. We graduate knowing how to diagnose and treat patients but aren’t trained in tasks, such as managing medical records. Veterinarians are so busy that they end up working long hours just to keep up with paperwork. AI can help with this. Wearable AI technology, for instance, can assist with data entry. AI should be seen as a tool that makes us more efficient and builds confidence rather than as something that replaces us.” How does the organization support continuing education (CE) for vets, veterinary technicians, practice managers, and owners? AP: “We focus on health and well-being because giving people the tools they need to do their job confidently is key. Our education is practical and immediately applicable. We don’t focus on selling a specific product but on teaching about diseases and current trends. We work with board-certified professionals to help tackle challenges in the practice and show how to improve training to reduce cases that need specialist intervention—so specialists can focus on the complicated cases. The goal is to maximize everyone’s roles and help them understand what they’re capable of, whether they’re a certified surgeon or a general practitioner. It’s about knowing what you can and can’t do and having the confidence to refer, when necessary, much like how I trust my tax preparer to do what I can’t.” How do you think this will impact your audience? AP: “In August 2026, we’re launching a whole new conference. We’re also opening another set of buildings near the airport in Nashville, providing year-round hands-on training. It’s important to emphasize that Nashville won’t just be a repeat of our Las Vegas conference. We’ll challenge our speakers to address the latest trends and provide more case-based learning. Our sessions will focus not just on diseases and treatments, but on the thought process behind decision-making. It’s about helping attendees understand that there are no simple answers and that each case is a journey.” What’s your advice for veterinary professionals looking to maximize the value of continuing education, especially as you expand? AP: “Time concerns are the biggest obstacle. We recognize that, which is why we’re building training facilities that offer condensed but meaningful education in shorter timeframes, such as three days. We also provide specialized tracks so attendees can focus on their area of interest, like surgery, and earn badges for their efforts. This gamified approach encourages engagement and allows participants to track their progress. It helps people realize that they’re improving and gives them confidence. We also offer ongoing courses through our academy to help professionals stay engaged and re-energized. Continuing education shouldn’t just be about learning new content but also about building confidence. When professionals realize they’re up to date with the latest tools and techniques, it boosts their self-assurance in practice. We’re focused on making education fun and meaningful—helping veterinarians feel they are staying current and keeping up with the field.”
