Educational labs and excursions

BAT CRUISE LAB EXCURSION

Bats often get a bad rap because, like many wild animals, they can carry rabies. But what many people don't know is how important bats are to our ecosystem health. Downtown Austin is home to North America's largest urban bat colony, and summer is the perfect time to see thousands of them take flight. Set sail on Austin's Lady Bird Lake to learn about these amazing animals from world-renowned bat experts and watch them take to the night skies.

CE credits: 3.0
AVMA members: $395
Non-members: $425

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POLLINATORS, PLANTS, AND HONEY BEES LABS EXCURSION

Veterinarians are vital to the apiculture (beekeeping) industry—particularly when it comes to recognizing, diagnosing, and treating bee bacterial diseases. Join us for discussions with experts at the state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas to learn about pollinator health, diversity, and the plant mutualism that sustain our ecosystems. This event takes place at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

CE credits: 6.0
AVMA members: $395
Non-members: $425

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WET LAB: DENTAL NERVE BLOCKS, PROBING, CLEANING, AND CHARTING

Learn how to do a complete dental prophylaxis oral examination with probing, charting, and administering local nerve blocks. You'll come away understanding proper and safe instrument handling for supragingival and subgingival hand scaling to remove plaque and calculus; polishing; and irrigation. You'll also learn how to place and administer dental nerve blocks as part a multi-modal pain management approach. Explore local block analgesia.

CE credits: 4.0
AVMA members: $575
Non-members: $600

Learn more and register
 

DENTISTRY AND ANESTHESIA LAB

This event is SOLD OUT
This interactive lab gives participants a chance to perform a range of dentistry and anesthesia procedures on live animal patients. Activities include conducting pre-anesthesia evaluations, induction, monitoring, handling intraoperative complications, and pain management.

CE credits: 4.0
 

AVMA Cares

Take some time to give back to the local Austin pet community and aspiring veterinarians with these unique opportunities. Check back this spring for details.

Street Dog Coalition Clinic

Sunday, June 23
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Vet for a Day

Monday, June 24
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Center for Wellbeing

Open daily | Friday – Monday

• AVMA Trust Wellness Booth health screenings 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Mocktails and music from local Austin artists 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Sponsored by

Health and wellbeing are essential to all members of the veterinary community. The AVMA offers many resources to help you take ownership of your wellbeing and make mindful decisions to support your mental and emotional health at work and at home. The Center for Wellbeing—an AVMA Convention favorite—is back with a musical twist in 2024. Stop in to experience firsthand the way music can lift your spirit and improve your mood.

New in 2024: You're invited to "Talk SMACK" about a colleague in the You Matter video booth, sponsored by the AVMA Trust. That's right, we want to hear about the SMall ACts of Kindness that made a big impact on your life and that are a hallmark of our profession.

Don't forget to make an appointment for important health screenings—including Rabies titer and endpoint, cholesterol, vitamin D, PSA, thyroid, and CBC, and more—at the AVMA Trust Wellness Booth. Get a free wellness gift bag with your health screening. Discounted rates are available for AVMA members. Schedule your appointment in advance to skip the line. Walk-ins also welcome.

Make an appointment

Friday, June 21

Morning yoga

Friday, June 21
6-7:00 a.m.

Start the day by centering yourself and finding inner peace. This yoga class is taught by a registered yoga instructor from a local Austin studio, and is appropriate for all levels of experience.

No pre-registration required.

Food Festival Friday

Friday, June 21
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join AVMA for a Juneteenth celebration featuring a wide variety of Texas cuisine and performances from local African American musicians. Food trucks will be lined up right outside the convention center on Fourth Street, where you'll be treated to the soulful music of local artist Aaron Stephens.

Prefer to stay indoors? Head over to the food court in Exhibit Hall 5 where Alesia Lani, aka "The Southern Songbird" will be performing while you dine.

Pro tip: Beat the lines by making your way to the food trucks right when they open at 11 a.m. Check the Convention app this spring for menus, locations, and pricing. Credit card only.

Veterinary Career Mix & Mingle

Friday, June 21
5 – 7 p.m.

The AVMA Veterinary Career Center's annual Mix & Mingle connects potential jobseekers with employers from across the profession. Whether you're an active jobseeker or simply curious about different opportunities, this is the best place to chat with employers from all fields of veterinary medicine and meet the people who can help you advance your career. Make new connections, practice your elevator pitch, and polish your conversational skills in a casual environment. Bites and beverages are included.

Jobseekers, sign up during Convention registration.

Employer registration

Alumni receptions

Friday, June 21
7 p.m.
Various locations

What better way to kick off Convention then with your fellow alumni? Reconnect with old classmates and find new friends to meet up with during your stay in Austin.

Saturday, June 22

Austin running tour

Saturday, June 22
6-7 a.m.
Sponsored by

Get your legs pumping and your blood flowing as you get a tour of Downtown Austin's most popular landmarks. Hear about the mysteries of the Driskill Hotel and experience the splendor of the Texas State Capitol. Led by professional running tour guides, this tour is for all paces.

*Tickets are $35 per person, available during Convention registration. Jogging strollers are permitted with no extra charge.

Keynote: Making the magic happen
Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Basketball legend and entrepreneur
Saturday, June 22
10 a.m.
Doors open at 9:45 a.m.
Sponsored by

Having left the hardwood for the boardroom, Earvin "Magic" Johnson has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity from the basketball court into the business world. His success didn't come easy—and he couldn't do it alone. Johnson understands and lives by the importance of teamwork and building up those around him, both in his personal and professional life. As chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, Johnson and his team provide high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities. He is dedicated to ensuring access for all, and his keynote address will inspire each of us to focus on service to others and how teamwork is critical to "Making the Magic Happen."

Exhibit hall opening

Saturday, June 22
Noon, immediately following the keynote

In order to stay relevant, veterinary professionals need to know the latest trends and how to implement them in their organization. With more than 300 exhibitors offering the newest products and solutions, there’s no better place to take the pulse of the industry than in the AVMA exhibit hall.

The hall is open from Saturday until Monday with six (6) unopposed hours and the opportunity to earn two (2) hours of CE just for visiting.

Technician Appreciation Event

Saturday, June 22
6-7:30 p.m.
Bull & Bowl, located less than 1 mile from the Convention Center.

AVMA would like to extend a big thank you to veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses who play integral roles on our healthcare teams. In appreciation for all that you do for the veterinary profession, AVMA is taking over Austin's historic 6th Street for a night of food, music, and games! Coined the ultimate playground for grown-ups, Bull & Bowl features duckpin bowling, private karaoke rooms, arcade games, mechanical bull riding and more. Then, enjoy early access to Live Life, Love All.

Young Professionals Event

Saturday, June 22
6-7:30 p.m.
Bull & Bowl, located less than 1 mile from the Convention Center.
Sponsored by

Join us for an event created for veterinarians and veterinary students who are just starting their professional journeys. Hosted by AVMA's "My Veterinary Life" podcast, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues while enjoying a night of food, music, and games. AVMA is taking over Austin's historic 6th Street. Coined the ultimate playground for grown-ups, Bull & Bowl features duckpin bowling, private karaoke rooms, arcade games, mechanical bull riding and more. Then, enjoy early access to Live Life, Love All.

Live Life, Love All

Saturday, June 22
7-9 p.m.
Bull & Bowl, located less than 1 mile from the Austin Convention Center.

Y'all means ALL at AVMA! Let's celebrate all the beautiful things that make us different and the profession that brings us together. For this year's Live Life, Love All event, AVMA is taking over Austin's historic 6th Street! Coined the ultimate playground for grown-ups, Bull & Bowl features duckpin bowling, private karaoke rooms, arcade games, mechanical bull riding and more. After you've conquered the bull, head into the Mayfair room for silent disco where you get to control the music delivered straight to your headset from live DJs. You won't want to miss this amazing and inclusive experience!

Sunday, June 23

F45 fitness class

This event is SOLD OUT
Sunday, June 23
6-7 a.m.

Are you ready to take part in one of the latest fitness trends? Join an F45 instructor for a private studio class combining elements of circuit, functional, and high-intensity interval training for a dynamic experience.

Line dancing

Sunday, June 23
6-7 a.m.

Get ready for Sunday night's concert with a line dancing class! An instructor will take you through all the basics so you can show off your moves later that night. No pre-registration required.

Exhibit hall break

Sunday, June 23
3-4 p.m.

Take a break from CE and meet over 300 exhibitors while enjoying some Austin food favorites, including Churros, Willie’s Munchie-Mix, and more.

AVMA Concert featuring Brothers Osborne

Sunday, June 23
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Stubbs BBQ
Sponsored by

Grammy award-winning country duo Brothers Osborne will be headlining this year's AVMA concert. Known as one of country music's freshest and most consistently adventurous bands, John and T.J. Osborne have been performing together their entire lives. Since hitting the Nashville scene with their identifiable blend of country and rock, the brothers have been nominated for 12 Grammys in total and stand as six-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year and four-time ACM Duo of the Year.

Tickets available for purchase during registration or at the event.

Adults: $5
Children 18 and under: FREE

Admission includes a bbq dinner from the world-renowned Stubb's and an unforgettable performance.

Stubbs BBQ is located .5 mile from the Austin Convention Center. For the best experience, attendees are encouraged to walk to the venue. Shuttles also will be available and run continuously. The venue offers limited outdoor seating with a dirt floor. Appropriate shoes and attire are recommended.