Companion May 2012 - BSAVA

4 | companion
Record
breaker
The veterinary world
converged on Birmingham
in April, with a record
number of international
delegates representing
six continents. With more
than 7000 visitors joining
the 3000-plus exhibitors,
this was another record
breaking year
The BSAVA was proud to welcome its WSAVA
and FECAVA colleagues and visitors from
around 70 nations to Congress 2012, with a
particularly strong Scandinavian contingent
and many professionals from the USA, Australia, and
the rest of Europe.
The diversity of delegates was celebrated in fine
fashion with a Welcome Reception and Opening
Ceremony at the ICC, featuring speeches from the
Presidents of all three Associations – Andrew Ash,
BSAVA; Jolle Kirpensteijn, WSAVA; Simon Orr,
FECAVA. The Opening Ceremony also included a
moving talk from BSAVA founding father Brian
Singleton, who celebrated the rich history of innovation
of BSAVA Congress.
The Taste of Britain event that followed was a
massive success, where delegates from all over the
world were heard to comment on why BSAVA
Congress was such a draw – Dr Marge Chandler, who
has worked in California, Colorado, New Zealand,
Liverpool and Edinburgh said, “BSAVA Congress has
an excellent international presence, especially
amongst the guest speakers – so lots of expertise. And
it is really nice meeting people at both the CPD and
social occasions – and just running into them around
the event.”
Congress opened its exhibition doors on Thursday
when the lectures also began in earnest. With so many
additional delegates there was always a buzz in both
the NIA and ICC. The usual social events had sold out
weeks before the event – the Banquet had to be
expanded to 950 – all eating restaurant-quality food
and enjoying great live music. Party Night tickets were
hot property and thousands packed in to see superb
comedy and enjoy Olly Murs’ X-factor performance.
All three lecture programmes – vet, nurse and
management – were described as “fresh”,
“challenging”, and “inspiring”. The How To (inspired
by the companion feature of the same name)
and Controversy lectures really sparked
delegates’ imaginations. ■