Submitted by: Roy Smith, DVM, AAFP President
Thus far, 2013 has been an exceptional year of accomplishments for the AAFP. We have successfully launched the Cat Friendly Practice consumer campaign, worked in partnership with Bayer HealthCare to help practitioners understand the obstacles to routine veterinary care, and launched a brand new website, as well as new Guidelines. We anticipate that the remainder of the year will be equally as successful. That being said, I would like to thank our members and volunteers for their support and continual efforts that have lead the AAFP to be one of the leading associations in the field of feline medicine.
We have just concluded our 2013 conference, hosted in my home state of Texas. As expected, this year’s conference largely aligned with the successes of the past year. Our distinguished speakers led sessions on Feline Dentistry, Pain Management, and Nutrition, as well as combined general sessions, and a lunch and learn. The topics covered a broad range of feline medicine and included interests such as dental radiographs, stomatitis, anesthesia and analgesia, use of NSAIDS, feline obesity, and many more. Those who had the opportunity to attend the conference had a unique chance to engage with leaders in the field and learn from current data and case studies.
Conference attendees enjoyed themselves professionally and personally. This year’s conference offered a wide array of activities planned outside of continuing education sessions to keep attendees engaged. Some of the events included the Welcome Reception, Exhibitors? Happy Hour Reception, and the Best of the West Offsite Event.
As the President, I would like to thank the following sponsors on behalf of the AAFP for their support of this year’s conference: Boehringer Ingelheim – Platinum Partnership Sponsor and CFP Sponsor, Bayer HealthCare – Gold Partnership Sponsor and CFP Sponsor, Zoetis – CFP Sponsor, Ceva – CFP Sponsor, Elanco – Gold Partnership Sponsor, Hill’s Pet Nutrition – Silver Partnership Sponsor and CFP Sponsor, IDEXX Laboratories – Silver Partnership Sponsor, and Nestlé Purina – Silver Partnership Sponsor.
One of the outstanding benefits you receive as an AAFP member is access to past conference proceedings notes. That means that if you did not have the opportunity to join us in Dallas for this year’s conference, you can still review the material presented. All members of the AAFP will have access to the 2013 Conference proceedings notes 3 months after the event. In addition, don’t forget to visit the AAFP Facebook page to view photos from the conference.
As we look forward to next year, please mark your calendars for next year’s conference, Feline Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, which will take place in Indianapolis, IN from September 18 – 21, 2014.
2013 AAFP Board of Directors