CVC Kansas City posts solid attendance, organizers say

Kansas City -- CVC Kansas City registered more than 6,000 veterinary professionals this year, according to conference organizers.

The conference closes today, and here's a look at total attendance:

Veterinarians: 2,087

Technicians: 777

Practice Managers: 225

Veterinary students: 111

Guests: 1,106

Exhibitors: 1,725

Peggy Shandy Lane, director of Conventions, Meetings and Events for CVC, reports that the conference connected veterinarians with experts in a variety of disciplines and more than 300 exhibiting animal-health companies.

In conjunction with CVC Kansas City, a special event titled "Biosecurity: Our Regional & National Response" drew more than 200 attendees. The program was sponsored by Kansas State University, Kansas Bioscience Authority, Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, KC Animal Health Corridor and the University of Missouri.

Keynote speakers included Drs. Jerry and Nancy Jaax, who spoke about their experience in combating a Reston, Va. outbreak of Ebola virus. Their work inspired the top-selling book "The Hot Zone." Dr. Tracey S. McNamara of Western University of Health Sciences talked about her role during the outbreak of West Nile virus. Dr. David R. Franz, of Midwest Research Institute, presented on the new demands facing this country when it comes to national biosecurity.

Joint programs at CVC Kansas City also included tracks from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and the American Veterinary Medical Law Association.

Pre-convention program featured a Hospital Design Conference, Progress in Practice, Managers' Retreat and Firstline Live.

Advanstar Communications owns CVC Kansas City, CVC San Diego (Nov. 4-7), CVC Washington D.C. (May 4-7, 2011), dvm360.com, DVM Newsmagazine, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Economics and Firstline magazine.

For more information about upcoming meetings and registration, go to www.thecvc.com.