VPMA/SPVS joint congress comes to a close

The first ever VPMA/SPVS Veterinary Business & Management Congress is coming to an end, as the hundreds of delegates attend their last lectures and the many exhibitors begin to pack away their stands.

The event, held at the Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire, has provided its attendees with various networking opportunities, allowing practice managers and owners to exchange their experiences and advice, as well as a selection of lectures for continuing professional development (CPD).

More than 300 delegates have also been able to meet representatives from numerous businesses, to discuss services and put faces to the names heard on a daily basis within the veterinary industry.

Both days have been packed with back-to-back lecture streams, sharing valuable information and discussing important topics. The host of talented speakers included Karen Felsted, Sharon Wesselby and Helen Frewin.

Friday evening also provided the opportunity to grill the BVA, RCVS, VMPA and SPVS presidents, as well as the CEO of NOAH in a Q&A session. The issues discussed included decoupling antimicrobials, the new vet school in Surrey, and whether the organisations could and should be working closer together.

After a very lively banquet and singalong, followed by a short awards ceremony, congress attendees were able to let their hair down at the casino and disco, before waking up to day two's presidential handover.

Pauline Graham, VPMA president for 2012, talked of the work she has done and what the association has achieved over the last year. She then welcomed Helen Sanderson to her new presidential role and congratulated her with a bouquet of flowers.

Once given her new title, Helen proceeded to explain her hopes for the year ahead, adding that this year's joint vet management congress has been a great success.