Pulse - April 2023 - 17

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Good Times at Western
Veterinary Conference
Elizabeth Goldstone
J
ust as I had expected, the western Veterinary
Conference in Las Vegas on
February 19th through the 22nd, was a big
draw this year!! From the packed plane
departing Orange County, to the massive
crowds of people just walking the floor at
the Mandalay, Delano, Convention Hall,
and packed elevators in the hotels, it was
ON again in Las Vegas!
Also, just as it was 3 years ago just as Covid hit, there
was also a girls volleyball tournament in the same convention
hall, adding to the enormous crowds you had to weave
your way through, coming and going to the conference.
I
have worked the last 6 conferences there, and I just don't
remember there being so many attendees. I had heard that
VMX had twice the among of attendees due to them cutting
the enrollment fee, so I can't imagine how crowded that
must have been! After speaking to those that worked that
conference, I am happy that WVC did not have that type
of attendance, as VMX was a zoo, and very exhausting to
work, as well, from what was reported.
It was also a crazy week, weather-wise, as it snowed twice
in Las Vegas, and there were 70 miles per hour winds on the
Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. Most of the time was
spent in the casino or hotel, so most people thankfully did not
have to walk around in it. And it was chilly to boot. I was
happy that when my plane departed on Tuesday evening, that
the winds were only at 30 to 40 mph.
It was still a choppy
take-off, but I was glad to make it home safe.
Unfortunately, my week was cut short, as I got whatever
upper respiratory bug was going around, and thankfully it was
not Covid.
I felt my throat was a little dry coming in that
weekend, but I attributed it to the winds and the dry air in
the hotel. But, a couple of days in after a few dinners and
time spend at the booth, whatever it was, hit me like a ton
of bricks.
Instead of waiting it out in a room at the hotel, I
decided to depart early, so as not to infect any people. Those
meetings are still spreader events, so I did not want to be a
spreader. It was like that even before Covid, when all we had
to worry about was the flu or a bad cold. Luckily mine was
just a bad cold.
All the illness aside, I still managed to have a great couple
of days seeing clients, coworkers, industry friends, and meeting
new people as well.
I was very disappointed that I did
not have time to walk the exhibitor hall like I usually do first
PULSE
APRIL 2023
17
thing, but our booth was so busy I did not have time to do so.
My clients seemed to be very happy with their breakouts and
meetings, as some of the country's key opinion leaders speak
at this event. Some of my local Certified Vet Practice Managers
also had the privilege to speak at this event. It is also
time to learn about new products and potential equipment for
the clinic. A lot of business was done, deals made, and topics
learned at this 2023 event. Oh, and I forgot to mention, there
was also a lot of fun to be had! Sponsors hosted concerts, offsite
events, parties on site, and a lot of vet school reunions
were also occurring at the conference. There is usually something
for everyone at WVC, and being in Las Vegas adds to
the amount of activities available. Yes, it was a fabulous time,
and hopefully everyone had a very positive experience at this
year's Western Vet Conference. P
Elizabeth Goldstone
Merck Animal Health * 949-379-0201
Elizabeth.goldstone@merck.com
Pulse - April 2023

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