24 Mar 2022
Europe’s largest companion animal veterinary event was one of the first casualties of pandemic when COVID-19 struck in March 2020, but is back as a hybrid event in Manchester.
Paul Imrie
Job Title
Image © BSAVA
BSAVA Congress has thrown open its doors to face-to-face and online delegates today (24 March) as hundreds of veterinary professionals decamped to its new venue in Manchester.
The event was one of the largest early high-profile veterinary events to be cancelled amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, but an online event in was held in 2021.
Now it is back, and featuring a packed programme and innovative presentations at Manchester Central as a hybrid congress.
Speakers include oncology and radiotherapy specialist Juan Carlos Serra talking about what is new in radiology, and cardiology specialists Geoff Culshaw, Domingo Casamian-Serrosal and Chris Linney debating the use of interventional techniques. Blind adventurer and TV presenter Amar Latif will provide the keynote lecture today.
Delegates can expect immersive “a day in the life of…” dramas and the chance to meet speakers, as a well as a full exhibition and social events across the four days.
Speaking to vettimes.co.uk’s sister title Congress Times, Paul Higgs, who chairs the congress programme committee, said: “By moving away from long periods of non-interactive lecture content, we hope delegates will experience renewed energy and find that the whole experience provides continuous, but memorable learning, as well as great opportunity for reflection and processing.”
Mr Higgs added: “I believe the changes we have made could revolutionise our expectations of how we receive CPD in the future – the variety of formats, the drop-in practicals and the immersive experience of the ‘dramas’ cannot currently be found anywhere else.”
After a lengthy spell in central Birmingham, the BSAVA opted for a new venue that puts all parts of the congress together in one place for 2022 onwards.
Sarah Fitzpatrick, BSAVA head of partnerships and events, said: “As a city, Manchester embodies much of what congress is about. It has a proud history in science, as well as politics, music, arts and sports.
“It combines its extensive heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measure.”
BSAVA Congress runs until Saturday 26 March. Full event details can be found at the BSAVA Congress website, or by reading the Congress Times digital issue.
