As I am sure you will recall, my last message described the uncertainty surrounding the format of the 2021 AASV Annual Meeting. Well, it is now late November (actually the night before Thanksgiving or, as the journal staff so politely calls it, “way past the deadline!”), and the decision to go virtual was confirmed by the AASV Board of Directors during their fall meeting on October 2nd. Since that time, the AASV staff has been hard at work exploring the numerous options for virtual providers.
Virtual meeting facilitation seems to be a rapidly expanding specialty with lots of innovation designed to provide participants with an effective platform to share information and interact with fellow attendees. One thing is for sure, they speak a different language than I do. Who would have thought that the word “session” could mean so many different things? I have to hand it to Sue, Abbey, and Sherrie, they have hung in through what seems like countless demonstrations of the various chat functions, poster session formats, exhibitor opportunities, and the challenges of live versus semi-live presentations. After wading through all that, I am confident that by the time you read this we will have selected a provider and be well on our way to finalizing registrations and organizing speaker videos.
It became evident as we progressed through the stages of understanding virtual meetings that they are different than the in-person experience we all value so much. We came to realize that the more we tried to reproduce the in-person feel, the more contrived it seemed to be. The ability to meet in the hallway and greet someone you have not seen in a year with a fist bump, elbow bump, toe tap, or knowing nod of the head all the while wishing the name tag print was larger so you could remember who this person is cannot be replicated to the same effect virtually. Thus, it is good to go into a virtual meeting with realistic expectations.
While a virtual meeting will not replace the traditional face-to-face gathering, it can be a very worthwhile platform for the exchange of information and even a little fun in its own right. For example, I have attended several virtual events since the onset of COVID-19 and have noticed that there seems to be much greater attendee question and answer interaction with presenters via the chat function than we normally see during a traditional meeting. In addition, the electronic medium enhances the ability to share information in multiple communication types including proceedings, chat exchanges, slide shows, and video presentations. It also provides the ability to view sessions on demand promoting the opportunity to take in many more presentations than you could during a traditional meeting.
Over the next few months, the AASV staff will be working diligently to ensure the platform provides the needed functionality and ease of use that will make our meeting a technological and organizational success. Likewise, the leadership and session moderators will be focused on providing the educational experience you expect from the Annual Meeting. The ultimate key to a meeting’s success, however, does not differ between a virtual and in-person format. That key element is you and your participation, attitude, and willingness to work with the format or the venue to get the most out of the presentations and glean the take home messages that can enhance your professional and personal lives. Ok, so the food can also influence the success of the meeting, but in 2021 you are responsible for the food so there should be no complaints there.
This format will be new to all of us, so it is even more important this year that you watch the e-Letter and email announcements for instructions regarding how to access the virtual meeting. Thanks to the AASV staff, leadership, and planning committee for working so hard to make the 52nd AASV Annual Meeting the best virtual meeting we’ve ever held! Come join us and do your part.
Harry Snelson, DVM
Executive Director