WVC conveys ease, practicality for 2004

Las Vegas-Improved traffic flow, roomy lecture halls and off-site registration are some of the enhanced perks for the 76th Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) kicking off next month at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

WVC leaders, expecting to once again hold the nation's largest DVM-attended conference with more than 6,000 practitioners, promise to better manage seating overflow, provide satellite registration and streamline access to the convention's exhibit hall.

"Mandalay Bay was a new venue for us last year, and we've had to since work on some problems with room sizes," WVC Executive Director Dr. Steve Crane says. "We've expanded the conference over to the Four Seasons Hotel, which is connected to Mandalay Bay. The whole thing is still under one roof."

With more than 700 varied topics of continuing education available and more than 30 hands-on labs, it's hard to predict well-attended sessions, Crane says. They seem to be determined by the speaker, he adds.

"It's a black art," Crane says. "You think you know and you look at census number and never get it right. These attendees seem to pick the speaker rather than the subject. We're now trying to predict who is popular rather than what is popular. We've upped the number of available chairs and rationalized the layout of the rooms. It's amounted to lots of behind-the-scenes work."

The conference traditionally offers plenty of practice management, clinical and behavior seminars offering practical, relevant messages, Crane says.

WVC features

New courses include three days of real-time linear imaging demonstrations. The exhibit will take place in an 18-wheeler parked outside the facility.

Scientific topics include behavior, oncology, critical care and other leading programs and techniques taught with reality in mind, WVC officials say.

There also will be plenty of activities planned for attendees and their families, including a concert Feb. 18 sponsored by Bayer HealthCare featuring rock group Hootie & the Blowfish.

Just for fun

A silent auction will be held Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, offering products and services in an effort to raise funds for veterinary student scholarships.

An extensive spouse and guest program also is available, which includes trips to Las Vega's Fashion Show Mall, Shark's Reef at Mandalay Bay and Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.