Meeting Virtually at CanWest 2021

This year’s CanWest Veterinary Conference promises to live up to its long-standing reputation for providing world-class continuing education while providing numerous networking opportunities to delegates. The conference will be hosted virtually, Oct. 16-19, 2021. The conference will welcome expert speakers in Companion Animal, Equine, Food Animal RVT, and Veterinary Team. NEW THIS YEAR! CanWest is excited to introduce morning keynote sessions suitable for all delegates featuring several renowned speakers. Traditionally the CanWest Conference has also included a strong industry component, featuring a sold out trade fair year after year. This year’s virtual event will still offer industry partners an opportunity to sponsor a number of sessions and to participate in our virtual exhibit hall.

An excellent line-up of Keynote Speakers

The 2021 CanWest Conference features an all- star keynote lineup including: Dr. Sarah Boston, Dr. Dave Nichol and Dr. Michael Blackwell

Too Stubborn to Quit? Join us as Dr Sarah Boston provides this impactful and inspiring keynote on the power and importance of resiliency in the profession. Dr Sarah Boston is a Canadian veterinary oncologist, cancer survivor, best-selling author, comedian and co-founder of the CageLiner, a satirical newspaper for veterinary peeps.

It’s Time to Thrive, Not Just Survive! Dr. Dave Nicol will deliver a message meant to motivate the entire veterinary team to boost happiness, well-being and performance in veterinary teams. Delivered by 2019 VMX speaker of the year,  Dr. Dave Nicol is a marketing, performance management and leadership expert from the United Kingdom. He has written three books, publishes the weekly Freewheelin’ Vet Biz Q & A Show on YouTube, and hosts the Blunt Dissection Podcast. Through his VetX:Ecosystem, Dr. Dave helps pets and their people live happy, healthy lives by teaching the tools, habits, lessons and systems that help vets and leaders reach their full potential.

Delivering Health Care to Bonded Families. Dr. Blackwell’s thought-provoking keynote presentation on the final day of the conference will reiterate the critical role the veterinary profession plays in One Health. Dr. Michael Blackwell has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards in the US, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and two Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medals. His career has been anything but traditional. He currently serves as the Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity, College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His mission is to improve access to veterinary care, especially for families with limited means. He chairs the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition. Previously, Dr. Blackwell served as chief of staff, Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S., chief veterinary officer of the U.S. Public Health Service, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, and chief veterinary officer of the Humane Society of the United States.

Building on a strong legacy
The CanWest Veterinary Conference has a well earned reputation for being one of the most engaging and informative veterinary annual events in Canada. The conference is also the largest annual veterinary conference hosted in western Canada. The first CanWest Veterinary Conference was held in 2004 and featured a partnership with ABVMA and BCVMA. In 2010, the BCVMA moved on from partnership hosting and in 2011, the ABVMA became the primary hosts of the CanWest Veterinary Conference. Average attendance has ranged from 700-900, however in 2019 the Conference crossed the 1000 delegate threshold by hosting 1003 attendees. Last year, in 2020 the Virtual CanWest Conference had 710 delegates.

Registration information for 2021
Be part of this important event, Oct. 16-19, 2021, registration for the CanWest Veterinary Conference is now open, visit www.canwestconference.ca for full details.