About

Dear Colleagues, 

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On behalf of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, it is my pleasure to personally invite you to join us for the 2026 Mid-America Veterinary Conference, September 25–27, in Lexington, KY. 

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This year's conference has been thoughtfully designed to provide exceptional continuing education while celebrating the people and profession that make veterinary medicine so extraordinary. 

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Whether you practice small animal, equine, food animal, or mixed animal medicine, you'll find educational opportunities led by nationally recognized experts. We are proud to offer two concurrent small animal tracks each day, featuring world-class presenters delivering practical, evidence-based education you can immediately apply in practice. Our equine program is equally outstanding, with topics you won't want to miss and hands-on learning opportunities that continue to make MAVC one of the premier regional veterinary meetings. 

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For those looking to sharpen their clinical skills, we are excited to offer an Intensive Small Animal Dental Wet Lab, along with two outstanding Equine Wet Labs—Podiatry and Endoscopy—hosted by the incredible team at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. 

Our educational offerings extend well beyond traditional clinical medicine. Specialty Food Animal sessions, One Health programming focused on veterinary-specific OSHA regulations and dedicated Veterinary Technician tracks ensure valuable learning opportunities for every member of the veterinary team. 

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I'm especially excited about a brand-new addition to this year's program. Our Power of Ten Leadership Class will present their Capstone Project, leading timely conversations on Mentorship and Access to Care/Cost of Care—topics that continue to shape the future of our profession. These discussions promise to inspire meaningful dialogue and practical solutions that benefit veterinarians, veterinary teams, and the clients we serve. 

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Of course, MAVC is about much more than earning CE hours. 

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Friday evening, September 25, promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend as we gather for a memorable celebration featuring live Bluegrass music, the KVMA Foundation Live Auction, and our Legislative Awards presentation. Together, we'll also commemorate 75 years of partnership with Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, recognizing a relationship that has positively impacted generations of Kentucky veterinarians. And...we may even have a very special guest joining us for the celebration, so stay tuned! 

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This year's conference theme is about celebrating what truly makes our profession special—the friendships we've built, the collaboration that strengthens us, and our shared commitment to the animals, clients, and communities we serve. Veterinary medicine is demanding, but it is also deeply rewarding because of the people who walk alongside us throughout our careers. 

 

When you attend the Mid America Veterinary Conference, you're doing something much bigger than checking a licensing requirement. You're investing in yourself, your profession, supporting advocacy that protects veterinary medicine in Kentucky, strengthening the next generation of leaders, and helping build the relationships that make our veterinary community stronger.

I hope you'll join us in Lexington this September. Come learn. Come reconnect with colleagues and friends. Come celebrate our profession and the future we're building better together. 

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I look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Mid-America Veterinary Conference.

 

Sincerely, 

James Beckman, DVM 

President 

Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association