The complete guide to U.S. veterinary conferences in 2026
At HappyDoc, we know how important conferences are for staying current, earning CE credits, and connecting with peers. In 2026, there are opportunities of every size and focus, from large national gatherings to regional and specialty events.
Here’s a (growing) guide to veterinary conferences in 2026. Bookmark this and return — more events will be added as details become available.
Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC)
Date: January 8–10, 2026
Location: Chicago, Illinois
CE credits: Offered
Focus: Leadership skills, governance, networking
Who should attend: Veterinarians, students, association executives, and others pursuing leadership
The VLC blends continuing education with AVMA governance sessions, making it unique among veterinary conferences. Attendees not only sharpen leadership and communication skills but also gain insight into the policymaking side of the profession. With tracks dedicated to career development and association leadership, VLC is ideal for anyone interested in shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) 2026
Date: January 17–21, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
CE credits: Hundreds of hours, RACE-approved
Focus: Broad veterinary education—clinical, management, specialty, hands-on labs
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, practice managers, students
VMX is one of the largest veterinary conferences in the world, bringing together tens of thousands of professionals. The program covers every specialty, from small animal to equine to exotics, plus practice management and leadership. Hands-on labs let attendees practice skills, while the exhibit hall showcases the latest products and services. VMX is a must for anyone looking to maximize CE hours in a single event.
Crossroads Veterinary Conference
Date: February 5–7, 2026
Location: Noblesville, Indiana
CE credits: Up to ~21 hours
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, practice managers, students
Crossroads is known for its welcoming, community feel paired with a strong CE program. It’s highly accessible for practitioners in the Midwest and delivers sessions across small animal, large animal, and practice management. Affordable rates and a convenient location make it especially appealing for teams who want to attend together.
Learn more about Crossroads Veterinary Conference
Western Veterinary Conference (WVC), Las Vegas
Date: February 15–18, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
CE credits: 900+ hours, 60+ hands-on labs
Focus: Clinical, specialty, practice management, immersive labs
Who should attend: Entire veterinary teams—vets, techs, support staff
WVC has earned its reputation as one of the biggest CE events in North America. With nearly a thousand hours of learning and dozens of hands-on labs, it’s a prime opportunity for both general practitioners and specialists. The Las Vegas setting adds to its appeal, with endless networking opportunities both on- and off-site.
Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC)
Date: February 26–28, 2026
Location: Columbus, Ohio
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Comprehensive regional CE
Who should attend: Veterinary teams from the Midwest
Hosted by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, MVC provides high-quality, affordable CE that feels like a national conference but is accessible for regional teams. The program spans companion animal medicine, food animal care, exotics, practice management, and wellness. It’s one of the Midwest’s most well-attended veterinary gatherings.
Oregon Veterinary Conference (OVC)
Date: March 7–9, 2026
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Companion animal medicine, regulatory topics, specialty updates
Who should attend: Regional veterinarians, specialists, practice staff
OVC is a reliable West Coast option for CE, hosted in partnership with Oregon State University. Its tracks balance companion animal updates with regulatory and specialty content, making it especially useful for regional professionals who want high-quality education without major travel.
Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) Annual Conference
Date: March 14–21, 2026
Location: Big Sky, Montana
Focus: Orthopedics and rehabilitation therapy
Who should attend: Veterinarians with an interest in orthopedic surgery or rehab
VOS is a niche meeting for veterinarians who want to go deep into orthopedics. With sessions on advanced surgical techniques, rehabilitation, and case discussions, it combines rigorous education with a relaxed, mountain setting. Attendees come away with both professional growth and time to recharge.
Fetch/DVM360 Conferences
Dates and locations:
- Charlotte, NC: March 13–14, 2026
- Nashville, TN: May 29–30, 2026
- Kansas City, MO: August 28–30, 2026
- National Harbor, MD: September 18–19, 2026
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Clinical CE, practice management, wellness, technician tracks
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, practice teams
Fetch events are boutique-style gatherings designed to balance clinical updates with wellness and management tracks. Each location offers a slightly different flavor, but all prioritize accessible, engaging CE and opportunities to connect with peers in a smaller, supportive environment.
Mountain Veterinary Conference
Date: April 19–22, 2026
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina
CE credits: 20+ hours
Focus: General CE, lectures, labs, demonstrations
Who should attend: Veterinarians and technicians in the Southeast
This conference is a long-running favorite in the Southeast. It delivers a mix of traditional lectures, live demonstrations, and labs, making it a practical choice for those who want actionable skills to bring back to their practices.
Learn more about Mountain Veterinary Conference
Veterinary Laser Surgery Symposium (VLSS)
Date: May 15–16, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
CE credits: RACE-approved
Focus: CO2 laser techniques and applications
Who should attend: Veterinarians interested in laser surgery
VLSS focuses on the expanding role of CO2 lasers in veterinary practice. From airway and dermatologic conditions to routine procedures, the sessions highlight real-world applications. Hands-on labs allow veterinarians of all experience levels to build practical skills.
Sun ’n Fun Veterinary Conference
Date: May 17–20, 2026
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
CE credits: 20+ hours
Focus: General CE, wellness, family-friendly setting
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, families
Sun ’n Fun combines professional CE with the perks of a beach resort. Attendees can balance learning with family time, while sessions cover everything from clinical updates to practice management and wellness.
Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference
Date: May 27–31, 2026
Location: Miramar Beach, Florida
CE credits: RACE-approved
Focus: Clinical practice, diagnostics, management
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, managers
Set along the Gulf Coast, Emerald Coast is as much a retreat as it is a CE event. The agenda spans clinical topics, surgery, and diagnostics, while the relaxed setting encourages networking and downtime.
Learn more about Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference
UC Davis AggieVET Conference
Date: May 30–31, 2026
Location: Davis, California (with virtual option)
CE credits: Up to 16 hours (pending approval)
Focus: Small animal, equine, exotics, wellness, behavior, technician tracks
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, educators
Backed by the academic strength of UC Davis, AggieVET delivers cutting-edge sessions across species and specialties. It’s particularly strong in wellness, exotics, and behavior tracks. A hybrid option makes it accessible nationwide.
ACVIM Forum
Date: June 11–13, 2026 (Specialty Symposium June 10)
Location: Seattle, Washington
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Internal medicine specialties
Who should attend: Specialists and GPs seeking advanced knowledge
The ACVIM Forum is the premier event for internal medicine. Sessions cover cardiology, neurology, oncology, nutrition, and multispecialty topics like business and wellness. It’s also a hub for research abstracts and technician education.
Great Lakes Veterinary Conference (GLVC)
Date: June 14–16, 2026
Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Regional CE across species
Who should attend: Veterinary teams in the Great Lakes region
GLVC offers strong CE in a picturesque island setting. Tracks span companion animals, large animals, and practice management, with plenty of time to enjoy the destination.
Pacific Veterinary Conference (PACVET)
Date: June 18–21, 2026
Location: Sacramento, California
CE credits: CVMA-sponsored CE
Focus: Wide-ranging clinical and management CE
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, practice managers
PACVET is the West Coast’s flagship veterinary conference, covering a wide spectrum of clinical and business topics. The conference emphasizes accessibility for regional practitioners while still offering national-caliber education. Networking events and an exhibit hall round out the experience.
VetGirl U
Date: June 19–21, 2026
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Case-based, practical CE
Who should attend: Veterinarians and technicians
VetGirl U emphasizes interactive, real-world learning. Case-based sessions and practical labs help attendees translate CE directly into daily practice.
AVMA Convention
Date: July 10–14, 2026
Location: Anaheim, California
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Broad veterinary topics, leadership, public health
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, students, industry professionals
The AVMA Convention is a profession-wide gathering that blends CE with governance, leadership, and policy. It’s a must for those who want exposure to every dimension of veterinary medicine, from clinical updates to public health.
Learn more about AVMA Convention
WVC Nashville
Date: August 15–18, 2026
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Hands-on labs and CE in a regional setting
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, regional attendees
A newer addition to the WVC family, the Nashville edition brings the same quality CE and hands-on labs as Las Vegas, but in a smaller regional format.
Learn more about WVC Nashville
IVECCS – International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium
Date: September 14–17, 2026
Location: Savannah, Georgia
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Emergency, anesthesia, trauma, critical care
Who should attend: Veterinarians and technicians in ECC
IVECCS is the leading meeting for emergency and critical care professionals. Attendees gain advanced training through lectures, labs, and case-based sessions designed to improve performance in high-stakes settings.
AAHA Con 2026
Date: September 17–19, 2026
Location: Portland, Oregon
CE credits: Up to 39 medical hours (plus non-medical and VHMA hours)
Focus: Small animal practice excellence
Who should attend: Small animal veterinarians, practice managers, hospital staff
AAHA Con emphasizes leadership and practice management alongside clinical CE. It’s the go-to meeting for small animal practices seeking excellence in medicine and operations.
Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS)
Date: September 17–20, 2026
Location: San Antonio, Texas
CE credits: To be announced
Focus: Comprehensive CE across clinical and management topics
Who should attend: Veterinarians, technicians, managers in the Southwest
SWVS delivers a multi-track program with labs, master classes, and CE tours. It’s the premier event for the Southwest region, offering both depth and breadth of content.
Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference (PNWVC)
Date: September 25–27, 2026
Location: Tacoma, Washington
CE credits: To be announced (historically 150+ hours)
Focus: Regional CE across clinical, business, and public health
Who should attend: Veterinary professionals in the Northwest
PNWVC is a robust regional meeting tailored to Pacific Northwest professionals. It balances clinical and management education with sessions on public health and regional challenges.
How to prepare for 2026 conferences
- Watch for updates. Many conferences haven’t published full agendas, CE hours, or tracks. Check back periodically on the official sites.
- Prioritize by your interests. If your main focus is exotics, emergency, leadership, or large animal, filter accordingly.
- Plan travel and registration early. Especially for big ones (VMX, WVC, AAHA)—they often sell out or offer early-bird discounts.
- Mix national, regional, and state events. The large expos bring breadth; regional and state meetings offer deeper local networking.
- Save this list. We’ll continue updating it as more 2026 veterinary conferences are confirmed.
This list already covers a wide spectrum of 2026 events, and we’ll keep expanding it as new ones confirm. Whether you’re focused on leadership, clinic work, wellness, or specialty practice, there's something for everyone!
