It seems our hog producers and the state of California have shared the news reels all year with regards to sow gestation housing and animal welfare regulation. There is more than enough political fodder on this subject for even the largest consumer of the evening news. My parents fall into that category, by the way. I am concerned that the media shift to narrow-focused political agenda shaping may have created less of what we are looking for and removed all sense of original thinking. Even so, we find ourselves in the news and on the debate floor.
Debate regarding the AASV Annual Meeting at the recent fall AASV Board of Directors meeting leads me to raise this topic. Seven years ago, the AASV Board of Directors voted to hold the Annual Meeting in San Francisco in 2021. Due to COVID-19, the San Fransisco meeting venue had to be rescheduled and now in 2025, we are locked and loaded for a California AASV Annual Meeting.
Many of you know the AASV Annual Meeting is not only a large financial obligation of the organization, but it is also our collective single largest means of membership outreach. We are known for excellent scientific rigor and challenging debate. The AASV Annual Meeting is where relationships are strengthened, personal development goals are discussed, and much animal health business planning is outlined for the new year.
Debate around the San Francisco meeting leads me to encourage our membership to start California dreaming! California is a very diverse state with a great deal to offer. One of my most interesting production consulting clients is a northern California pasture farmer. His spring photos are beautiful. His customers love his product. We were fortunate that he called with some simple herd management questions.
We need to start planning today for San Francisco – AASV personal development activities for our businesses. If you are responsible for the development of veterinarians or the talent of veterinary teams, start planning today to host events and meaningful activities guaranteed to draw a crowd! If you are a student, start seeking fund raising sources today. It is amazing to me the resources available from the AASV Foundation and the various university groups with the specific mission to support student development. As Dr Locke Karriker shared at our recent board meeting, “If you have an axe to grind with California – get to the meeting.” Holding healthy debate is the only way to have your experiences heard. You are the only expert on your specific professional experiences. Plan now to come to the California meeting and share in what is certain to be lively debate.
In the meantime, the 2024 Annual Meeting will be held in Nashville, Tennessee and is anticipated to be very well attended. Nashville is centrally located, easy to get to, and has lots of entertainment opportunities. Check out the 2024 Annual Meeting program in this issue of JSHAP or online at aasv.org/annmtg. Get your hotel room reserved and proceedings papers started!
William L Hollis, DVM
AASV President