Well, I have pretty much wrapped up the 2024 AASV Annual Meeting. I would judge the 55th Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee to have been a success. Although the venue was large, a frequent comment we heard during the meeting, I think it met our needs. Every venue has its quirks, though. Some rooms could have used a few more chairs (the number of attendees is always a guessing game), and some rooms were more like the Cumberland Caverns making audiovisual a challenge. Hopefully, though, we were able to accomplish the key goal of providing a high-quality continuing education experience with a little fun thrown in.
The value and relevance of the scientific portion of the meeting goes to the vision of Dr Angela Baysinger and the interpretation of that vision by her Program Planning Committee members, moderators, and speakers. The successful coordination and implementation of the meeting is thanks to the hard work of the AASV staff (Sue, Abbey, and Sherrie) and friends (Lee, Dave, Joel, Miranda, Karen, Emily, and Rhea) who gave up their personal time to come out and work long hours for little pay. I hope everyone found value in the meeting. If there was something you think did not work or you have suggestions for how we can make future meetings better, I hope you completed the meeting survey and returned that to the office. We really do look at each of those. Total attendance in Nashville was 1040. Meeting attendance continues to improve but is still lagging the pre-COVID record of 1237 attendees in Orlando during 2019.
As I stop hearing the twang of guitars and finish off the last of the Tennessee bourbon I brought home, I start thinking there might be a little downtime before gearing up for 2025. But alas, it is not to be. By the time you read this, we will have already held the 2025 AASV Program Planning Committee meeting in preparation for the 56th Annual Meeting in San Francisco March 1-4. I am certain Dr Locke Karriker and his committee will put together another fabulous program!
I know a few of you have expressed some consternation with attending a meeting in California, and specifically San Francisco. You have expressed concerns about crime rates and the West Coast’s attitude towards pork production. I hear you but let me give you a couple of things to think about.
First, from a logistical standpoint, remember that the contracts for our meeting locations are signed years in advance – back in 2017 for San Francisco. We were supposed to have gone there for our 2021 meeting, but COVID changed that. In 2020, I was able to renegotiate the contract to move the meeting to 2025 in exchange for some additional concessions on the part of the hotel. Cancelling the contract at that time would have cost the Association more than $650,000.
Second, if you are thinking about not attending the meeting in San Franciso to protest their regulations on pork production, understand that your absence only negatively impacts our association. The AASV is still responsible for the guaranteed minimums agreed to in the contract and the association must pay the difference. That could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, we rely on the profit from the Annual Meeting to support the AASV operations for the year. As far as the crime rate goes, it is a consideration in most cities – big and small. The tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa in January reminds us that senseless violence can happen anywhere. No matter where the meeting is held, I would always encourage you to be smart about safety.
Personally, I have been to San Francisco several times for meetings. Once or twice even at this same hotel, the Marriott Marquis. It is a great hotel with lots of things to do and places to eat within walking distance. However, the real reason we are there is for continuing education, camaraderie, and networking. I am sure those will all be superb even if you never leave the hotel!
In my mind, the best way you can respond to the challenges San Francisco presents are to show up and let them see the dedication and energy you put into ensuring the health and well-being of the animals under our care and the importance you place on the safety and wholesomeness of the pork our clients produce.
So, I am ready to trade in the noise of Broadway honky-tonks for the clanging of streetcar bells, and I hope you make plans to join me.
Harry Snelson, DVM
Executive Director