What Do Your Sponsors Really Want? As many associations are looking to shore up non-dues revenue, a new survey reveals sponsors want to be back at in-person meetings. Experts say mixing in-person events with year-round content options will lead to more productive relationships between sponsors and associations. (Source: ASAE Associations Now Daily News, April 14, 2022) How Do You Price Your Virtual and Hybrid Offerings Correctly? As associations continue to offer online, hybrid, and in-person learning, many are struggling with how to price this mix of offerings. An expert recommends focusing on value, engaging...

In this time of continued uncertainty with concerns about the pandemic and world affairs, I am certain about one thing…VMAE continues to be an invaluable organization which provides great resources, valuable support programs, community insight and collaborative networking! The CEO transition from Ralph to Adrian has been remarkably smooth. Expect some awesome things to come and mark your calendars for a fantastic summer VMAE event in Philadelphia! Randy Wheeler, DVM Iowa VMA...

I just returned from Western Veterinary Conference, where I met with several current and prospective VMAE Strategic Initiative Partners. I was constantly reminded of our organization’s stellar reputation and the respect and interest we garner from the profession and industry. Wrapping up my first five weeks in my role as your CEO, I know how fortunate and blessed I am to work with all of you. Talking with you and your fellow executive leaders of veterinary medicine gives me inspiration and fuel to advance the goals and objectives of VMAE and...

VMAE has been invited to participate in Mind Matters International’s second annual roundtable on the subject of mental health and the sustainable veterinary workforce. The event, scheduled for March 15, will address employee turnover and retention, ways to encourage those who have left the workforce to return, and how we respond to mental health challenges and underpin a more sustainable workforce. Three VMAs will participate in a one-year pilot, starting next month, to provide their members with resources specifically designed for those in need of establishing a “human connection” with whom...

This is a reminder that VMAE developed the Journey guide for use by executive directors and elected leaders at veterinary medical associations. We encourage you to use this great resource, meant to inspire pur organizations to undertake the journey and provide the tools you need to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It will support you in becoming a more effective leader, a more visible ally, and a more articulate voice on why advancing DEI is critical to the future of the veterinary profession. Next, VMAE is collaborating with several other...

Another VMAE initiative you will be hearing more about in the coming months is “GENUS,” promising to deliver to veterinary professionals a digital newsletter of curated content on leadership, communication, people development, and business. This content would be distributed by your organizations, which will have several options from a simple RSS feed to more customized choices. Look for more on GENUS soon....

Mark your calendars for the VMAE Summer Conference taking place at the AVMA Convention in Philadelphia this July! We are lining up a great program and will release details soon. Here is the schedule of events: Friday, July 29 VMAE Annual Awards Luncheon Advancing DEI: From Understanding to Action - Bring your VMA President/President-elect VMAE Member Reception Saturday, July 30 VMAE Professional Development Program VMAE Membership Meeting Luncheon ...

According to the Veterinary Industry Tracker, a collaboration of AVMA and VetSuccess: Revenue per practice across the United States was up 12.3% in the 12-month period ending February 14, compared with a year earlier. Client visits were up 4.3% over the same period. The staff turnover rate at veterinary practices nationwide is about 15%. While COVID isn’t the only contributor to turnover, anecdotal conversations across the profession indicate morale have gone down during the pandemic. Veterinarians saw fewer patients per hour, and average productivity fell almost 25% in 2020, compared...

A new report by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) shows a vast majority of veterinary technicians want their title of “Veterinary Technician” to be protected by law, but most states do not provide such protection. The report, available here, shows that 31 states and jurisdictions have no title protection for “Veterinary Technician” within their veterinary practice acts, while another 10 states have limited title protection. “The veterinary technician profession has long been challenged by a lack of cohesion and standards in the United States,” said NAVTA President...

A group of veterinarians recently established the Veterinary Hope Foundation (VHF), a nonprofit focused on providing education and connection programs to benefit the veterinary community. Built on the belief that there’s hope for veterinarians in crisis, VHF’s mission includes funding small groups which provide veterinary professionals with resources, information, and community support to better handle the stressors and mental health issues. These groups, led by a licensed mental health professional, focus on topics meaningful to practicing veterinarians such as communicating with troubled clients, balancing family and work, handling grief, and...