VMX 2024 Showcased Groundbreaking Innovations in Veterinary Medicine
The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) concluded its 41stannual Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX 2024) Jan. 17, kicking off the new year with the latest product introductions and innovations and setting the direction for the $104 billion animal health care industry in 2024. More than 27,000 people attended the event from 82 countries with 8,700 first-time attendees. Nearly 26,000 were in person, representing a local economic impact exceeding $65.3 million.
Across the five-day conference, veterinary professionals learned about the newest technologies benefiting the veterinary industry, most notably breakthroughs in research and advances with artificial intelligence (AI) that allow veterinary professionals to be more efficient and provide the highest quality care to patients. Speakers shared insights surrounding a new bacterial component found in the “mystery dog illness” sweeping the nation, new medications developed specifically for cats and dogs having better outcomes with fewer side effects and a new oral drug class to manage feline diabetes. The “Show of Shows” theme celebrated the innovation, excitement and sharing of cultural traditions in World’s Fair-style featuring a carousel, games and a drone show that lit up the night sky with cats, dogs and other animals. Other trade show highlights included celebrity appearances by Dan Levy, Terri and Robert Irwin and Tyler Hubbard.
“VMX 2024 was truly the Show of Shows and brought the best in education and new technologies and products that are transforming veterinary medicine, plus invaluable networking opportunities and headlining entertainment. The size and scope of VMX and its timing, kicking off the new year, enable veterinary professionals to get ahead of the wave with their continuing education requirements. They can take what they’ve learned here back to their clinics and utilize their new skills right away,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. “At the end of the day, what we’re trying to do is provide the best care for pets around the world. The way to do that is through the best innovations and efficiencies, so that veterinarian professionals can spend more time with patients.”
“At VMX 2024, we saw things that once sounded like fantasy now become a reality,” said NAVC Chief Veterinary Officer Dana Varble. “We’ve been talking about AI for about five years, but this year, we’re really seeing the evolution of this technology from something very theoretical to something undeniable. Equally as exciting, for the first time ever, we’re seeing medications designed specifically for different species of animals improving the lives of pets and their owners.”
The NAVC is the global leader in continuing education (CE) for veterinary professionals, and this year’s event offered more than 1,300 CE hours at the in-person event. VMX 2024 Virtual included more than 245 virtual sessions and more than 200 sessions available on demand. Presented by world-renowned veterinary professionals, sessions covered innovations in oncology, advances in cardiovascular and respiratory disease in dogs and cats, neurological and behavioral problems in companion animals and the latest in animal health, spanning every discipline and species from pythons and bearded dragons to otters and sea turtles.
Click here to access the VNR with highlights from VMX 2024 and soundbites from key spokespeople.