29 Jan 2020
Clare Balding opened congress before delegates got stuck into more than 50 hours of varied business and well-being CPD at Celtic Manor, south Wales.
James Westgate
Job Title
Gillian Page, VMG outgoing president, Clare Balding and Cat Curtis, outgoing SPVS president, at the 2020 joint congress.
TV presenter Clare Balding was the star of the show as SPVS-VMG Congress 2020 was hailed another massive hit.
Held from 23-25 January at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, more than 500 delegates and 75 exhibitors were in attendance at the UK’s largest veterinary business event.
Mrs Balding, who has covered the past six Olympic games for the BBC and also presents Crufts, opened congress on Friday morning with a well-received speech, touching on various aspects of her working life, and also her close connections with animals.
Two days of varied business CPD included streams covering everything from well-being in practice and management mastery to equine and large animal practice and sustainability.
A full social programme featured, followed by the traditional changing of the guard, with VMG president Gillian Page and her SPVS counterpart Cat Curtis both bowing out after completing their respective terms in office.
Mrs Page was replaced as VMG president by Richard Casey, while Anna Judson is the new president of SPVS.
Mr Casey said: “It is so exciting to hear from our delegates that congress content just keeps getting better. Obviously, Clare Balding and all this year’s speakers are going to be a hard act to follow. But 21st century veterinary practice calls for 21st century leadership, and I’m sure we can raise the bar that little bit higher. Watch this space.”
Dr Judson added: “Delegates, as well as exhibitors, told us SPVS-VMG Congress 2020 was vibrant, inclusive, moving, entertaining and friendly.
“As the largest UK non-clinical veterinary event, we will continue to air conversations and subjects that are relevant, original, topical and give inspiration for the future.”
