Countdown clock
0
Months
0
Days
0
Hours
Join Us for an Unforgettable Event
Welcome to the AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference – where innovation sparks inspiration. Get ready to immerse yourself in forward‑thinking ideas, meaningful discussions, and collaborative opportunities that strengthen and support the vital work of veterinary regulatory boards.
Make Your Voice Heard!
This is your annual opportunity for your jurisdiction to vote on the AAVSB’s Bylaws & Resolutions, in addition to selecting the Board of Directors for 2027. Begin discussing with your Board or Council soon to select a Voting Delegate and, additionally, choose an Alternate Delegate to attend at no cost.
Event Dates:
September 23:
- Committee Meetings
September 24:
Optional Pre-Conference Sessions:
- Affiliate Members’ Summit
- Member Board Training
September 25-26:
Annual Meeting & Conference:
- Delegate Assembly
- Education Sessions
About the Event:
The AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference brings together Member Boards in order to connect, collaborate, educate, and conduct business to strengthen the veterinary regulatory community.
Friday Night Fun!
Make sure your plans include joining in our fun-filled Friday night at the Roger Williams Park Zoo! It will be a great chance to get out of the hotel and explore while engaging with your peers! Attendance included with registration.
Event Location:
Contact Us
Have questions or need more information? Feel free to email the Member Services team.
Registration is currently open!
Early Bird pricing ends on July 15. Registration for In-Person attendance will close on August 21.
Register NowAvailable Funding Policies –
Fully funded opportunities
Delegate Funding
Recognizing the critical role you play in the regulatory landscape, the AAVSB will fund two (2) participants who meet the qualifications of Delegate or Alternate Delegate from each Member Board to attend the AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference and participate in the Delegate Assembly. This funding will cover the registration fee and all reasonable travel expenses, including flights, accommodations, and meals, to ensure your jurisdiction is represented.
Delegate Funding ProgramLegal Counsel Funding
The AAVSB Board of Directors is committed to helping Member Boards better understand the Association and its services. The Member Board Legal Counsel Funding Program supports this goal by providing travel assistance for a Member Board’s legal counsel to attend the AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference. This program is available to the first twenty (20) Member Boards that register their legal counsel.
Legal Counsel Funding ProgramCommittee Members, AAVSB Board of Directors, AAVSB Staff
The AAVSB is committed to providing reasonable travel expenses incurred while conducting Association business. This includes attending Association meetings and representing the Association at other functions. This travel policy shall apply to the AAVSB Board of Directors, members of Association committees, task forces, and Association staff.
Committee and Staff Travel PolicyThe OMNI Providence
- Attendees do not need to contact the hotel.
- The AAVSB will manage all hotel reservations, based on your flight itinerary.
- Rooms are reserved at the same property where the event will be held: the OMNI Providence.
- A confirmation number will be provided as soon as they are available.
- Room Block rate: $209 + 15% tax per night
Speakers
Need to submit the Speakers and Sessions for approval? Download the full Speaker Lineup here!
2026 Speaker LineupFriday September 25th
Regulatory Boards as Champions for Informed Veterinary Workforce Policy: Standardized Data Collection
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Sound veterinary workforce policy depends on sound workforce data, yet across the country, state policymakers and program leaders are making high-stakes decisions about the animal health workforce without reliable, profession-specific information.
State veterinary regulatory boards sit at the intersection of professional oversight and public protection, giving them a strategic vantage point and a data collection opportunity that no other entity can match.
The session will examine why standardized data collection across states is critical to understanding veterinary workforce trends at both the state and national level. Attendees will be introduced to the Cross Profession Minimum Data Set (CPMDS), a practical, field-tested resource originally developed for health care that is now being applied to help veterinary regulatory boards collect consistent, comparable workforce data across professions and jurisdictions.
Dr. Hannah L. Maxey is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of the Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the health workforce, improve data infrastructure, and expand access to care.
She is also a founding partner of Veritas Health Solutions, advising health care organizations and public sector clients on strategy, policy, and workforce development. A nationally recognized expert with over 20 years of experience, she has advised state and federal leaders, provided legislative testimony, and served on key Indiana health workforce and public health commissions.
Dr. Maxey’s research and leadership continue to shape health workforce policy and public health systems across the United States, with a focus on sustainable, data-driven, and community-centered solutions.
Community Readiness as a Workforce Strategy: Lessons from FJF’s State Program
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Launched in 2022, Farm Journal Foundation’s Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program addresses the U.S. shortage of rural and food-animal veterinarians — a gap threatening food safety, disease control, and rural economic health.
Working with NASDA and 40+ stakeholders, FJF built a State and Community Readiness Infrastructure to convert national awareness into local action. The two-phase model maps stakeholders, builds state coalitions, and assesses workforce readiness across academic, financial, and business dimensions before activating locally tailored solution frameworks.
Current state partners include Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and Oklahoma. State assessments integrate agricultural demand data, veterinary supply and licensure information, workforce pipeline indicators from secondary through graduate education, and practitioner financial health metrics — building a comprehensive picture of shortage conditions from the ground up.
Dr. Clint Neill is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in veterinary economics for the Cornell Center of Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship and Managing Partner for Applied Economics Consulting. Dr. Neill focuses on creating sustainable solutions for the broad scope of issues that face the veterinary industry. His current work with the Farm Journal Foundation is focused on working with students, veterinarians, policymakers, and industry partners to educate and advocate for a better future for the veterinary profession. Dr. Neill completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural and Applied Economics at Texas Tech University, and received his Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University. In addition to his research Dr. Neill focuses on bringing his academic research to real solutions for the veterinary and food industries.
Veterinarian Technician Utilization: Roundtable Panel with AVTE, AVMA, NAVTA, and AAVSB
Pending, more details to come!
Saturday September 26th
Top Legal Cases Impacting the Veterinarian Profession
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Join legal expert Dale Atkinson as he delves into the most significant legal cases affecting the veterinary community. In this insightful presentation, Dale will explore key rulings that have shaped veterinary practice, from malpractice lawsuits to regulatory issues.
Gain a deeper understanding of the legal challenges veterinarians face and how these cases influence the future of veterinary care and professional responsibilities. This session is essential for veterinary professionals seeking to stay informed on the legal landscape of their field.
Dale J. Atkinson is a licensed Illinois attorney and sole managing member of The Atkinson Firm in Eden, Utah (formerly in Northbrook, Illinois). With over 30 years of experience in regulatory law, he advises not-for-profit associations on operations, licensure programs, disciplinary actions, and model legislation. For over 10 years, Mr. Atkinson has been a valued supporter of our organization. A frequent speaker and author, he also served as Executive Director of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards for over 21 years, promoting education and public protection in regulation.
“’Minds Shared’ captures my commitment to the firm, my dedication to client representation, and comprehensive collaboration with the regulatory community and the public served.”
AI-Powered Complaint Triage: Practical Tools and Governance for Veterinary Regulators
3:45pm – 4:45pm
This session will describe a practical approach to using AI to support complaint intake and triage workflows for veterinary regulatory organizations. Using real-world regulatory scenarios, the presentation will walk through how modern AI tools can help identify key allegations, extract critical facts, flag risk indicators, and route matters for appropriate follow-up—while maintaining human oversight and clear accountability.
Attendees will learn an implementation-minded framework that emphasizes transparency, auditability, and bias/quality controls, including how to set guardrails, validate outputs, and document decision-making. The session will also address common operational questions (what data is appropriate to use, how to manage confidentiality, how to evaluate vendor claims, and how to communicate limits to staff and stakeholders).
The talk is designed to be adaptable to the audience’s interests and can include a short demonstration and/or deeper discussion of governance, policy considerations, and change management. Participants will leave with concrete steps and a checklist to evaluate and pilot AI-enabled triage in a way that improves consistency and efficiency without compromising fairness or trust.
Frank Meyers is Director of Regulatory Innovation & Member Services at the Federation of State Medical Boards, where he leads initiatives on governance, regulatory modernization, and the responsible use of AI in healthcare regulation. He helps boards assess physicians’ use of AI and apply it to functions like complaint triage. Previously, he spent over a decade in state regulation, serving in legal and executive roles in Missouri and Washington, DC, overseeing boards and programs for nearly 90,000 licensees. A frequent national and international speaker on healthcare regulation, he has also served on the FSMB Board, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, and multiple national workgroups on telemedicine, emergency preparedness, and board governance.
Submit Your Suggestions for 2027!
Have suggestions or requests for specific educational topics or speakers for the 2027 Annual Meeting & Conference? Please submit them here!
Submit SuggestionsCheck back soon for more detailed agendas as our event approaches
Wednesday, September 23:
Committee Meetings
Thursday, September 24:
Optional Pre-Conference Sessions:
- Affiliate Members’ Summit
- Member Board Training
Friday & Saturday, September 25-26:
Annual Meeting & Conference:
- Delegate Assembly
- Education Sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
How do I register?
Registration opens May 1st. Navigate to the Registration tab above, then click Register Now. Once you have completed all the required information, click the green Complete Registration button to finalize and submit your registration.
What is the last day I can register?
Registration for in-person attendance closes on August 21, 2026.
Registration for virtual attendance closes September 14, 2026.
Can I make changes to my registration after submitting?
For any changes you need to make after you’ve submitted the form please click the “Already Registered?….” area and then, after logging in, you will be able to make edits.
After Registration closes, if you need to make any changes please email Member Services.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
If you are no longer able to join us, please email Member Services to cancel your registration.
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Please list any special dietary needs or allergies on the registration form.
Will there be an option to register for Virtual attendance?
Yes. The pre-conference Summit workshop on Thursday and the Friday & Saturday Business Sessions will have virtual options.
Education sessions will not be broadcast live. However, the Business Sessions will have a Virtual option to allow Voting Delegates, Alternate Delegates, and other Member Board Members to participate.
Please email AAVSB Member Services with any questions.
Will there be an On-Site Registration Desk?
Yes, there will be a conference Registration desk where you will pick up your name badge and materials. Early registration begins at 7am EDT on Wednesday, September 23rd at the On-Site Registration Desk.
Location of the Registration desk will be updated before the event.
Hotel Information
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.
The Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is a 15 minute drive from the conference hotel, the OMNI Providence. Ground transportation options include taxi or ride share (i.e., Uber and Lyft). The hotel does not offer transportation to/from the airport.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Hotel check-in begins at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.
Why is the hotel asking for my credit card?
All attendees will be asked for a credit card for incidentals during your stay. For Funded attendees, room and taxes are on the AAVSB account.
Where do I park at the hotel?
Hotel valet parking will be available: $25 for the evening, $45 for overnight.
Miscellaneous Information
Can I leave the Conference early?
For Funded Attendees (delegates, committee members, funded legal counsel), attendance at the entire meeting is required, as noted in the Travel Policies. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be confirmed with the Member Services Team, in order to maintain a Funded status.
What is the dress code for the conference?
Business casual attire is recommended during the conference and casual attire for all social events. A jacket or sweater is recommended for your comfort during the sessions.
What amount of Continuing Education (CE) credits will I receive for attending?
CE credit will be offered for attendance of:
- the Thursday Member Board Training workshop (5 hours)
- the Education Sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoons (8 hours total)
Note: You must stay for the whole session in order to receive full credit.
Will Professional Headshot Portraits be offered this year?
Yes, our photographer will be set up on Friday and Saturday during breakfast, lunch, and breaks to take professional headshots. These photos will be emailed out after the event.
What expenses are reimbursable?
Please see the applicable funding policies:
Can my guest or spouse attend the Conference with me?
You are welcome to bring along a guest or spouse to Providence. However, only registered guests may attend the Conference. Your guests are welcome to attend the Friday Night Event though (add on to your registration form, charges apply).
Can my guest or spouse also eat breakfast and lunch with me at the Conference?
No, meals provided at the Conference are for registrants only.
Can my guest or spouse join for Dinner with Future Friends?
Guests of attendees are welcome to join the evening networking event, Dinner with Future Friends; however, they will be responsible for their own dinner bill.
How do I access the event Wi-Fi?
You can sign into the Hotel Wi-fi with your room number as soon as you are checked into the hotel. A separate Wi-Fi access will be provided for use during the AAVSB meetings.
If I have additional questions, whom should I contact?
Please email Member Services with any additional questions.