enjoy Cuban inspired cuisine in a lush, resort setting. We will have a cigar roller demonstration during the reception and cigars available for all attendees.

2009 Final Hints - It's Electric!

Boogie woogie, woogie….The Final Hints for the 2009 AVDA Annual Meeting will be sent to attendees via e-mail this year. If you miss your e-mail be sure to check the AVDA website Events page to download your copy. “Now you know and knowing is half the battle” GI Joe.

AVDA Spouse Event: Exploring Downtown St. Petersburg

This year’s Spouse Event will focus on our host city, St. Petersburg and yes it is more exciting than you think. Spouses will gather in the Vinoy lobby on Monday, April 20 at 9:15am for departure and return at 2:30pm. St. Petersburg is the sparkling jewel of Tampa Bay is framed by lush green waterfront parks, towering palm trees, sailboat masts and Mediterranean towers. There is a love of art and culture in city that can be felt throughout the community. DETAILS

Animal Health Institute EDI Business Information Council Roundtable Session and Reception

The Animal Health Institute (AHI) EDI Business Information Council will deliver a brief presentation at the AVDA opening session that will include an overview of AHI, the EDI Special Project and the value it provides to both distributors and manufacturers. The Council will offer a roundtable session at the end of the AVDA program on Monday afternoon where they can learn more about the Veterinarian License Confirmation System, a centralized national database of Vet License information. DETAILS

Tennis Anyone?

AVDA is proud to once again offer a tennis social at the Vinoy courts on Monday, April 20 from 3-6pm. This event will be held afternoon after the general session and is complimentary for all interested attendees. If you are interested please contact Casey Joseph, AVDA Coordinator, at 443-640-1040 x116.

AVDA 2009 Golf Opportunities

The AVDA Scramble Golf Tournament will commence at 12:30 on Tuesday, April 21 at the Renaissance Vinoy’s exclusive 18-hole championship golf course. The registration for this event is $200 per golfer and includes greens fees, cart, transportation, lunch and beverage cart service. Space is still available for this event, contact AVDA Headquarters at 443-640-1040 to reserve your spot in the tournament. DETAILS

AVDA Culinary Institute

The 2009 AVDA Culinary Institute will be held on Tuesday, April 21 from 11:30am to 2pm (during the golf tournament) in the Sunset Ballroom located on the grounds of the Vinoy Golf Club. This is not just for the ladies, all attendees who would enjoy good food and company over and bunkers and 9 irons. The discounted cost for AVDA members is $60. Space is limited; contact AVDA Headquarters at 443-640-1040 if you are interested in attending. DETAILS

AVDA 2009 Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner Dance

AVDA members are invited to gather together for an elegant evening of dining and dancing on Tuesday, April 21 from 7:30pm – 11pm. The AVDA house band will greet attendees with a variety of music from swing to classic rock hits. AVDA will award Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals in our industry who have exhibited endless dedication to AVDA and their peers.

Location, Location, Location: St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Pete/Clearwater is where you want to be! Close to everything, yet miles away. A beautiful peninsula located on Florida's West coast, the area is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and by Tampa Bay to the east. The city is home to America's Award Winning Beaches Caladesi Beach, named America's No. 1 beach in 2008 and Fort De Soto Park named America's No. 1 beach in 2005. St. Pete offers 35 miles of white-sand beaches on some eight major barrier islands. DETAILS

$199 Hotel Room

AVDA has a Stimulus Plan for all of our 2009 attendees, $199 hotel room rates. The new, improved room rate of $199 per night plus tax will save AVDA attendees $120 during their stay for the conference. Attendees who have already booked rooms will have their rates amended. Attendees, who have not yet booked rooms, may call the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club at 1-888-303-4430 to make reservations. This rate is available three days before and three days post meeting. The rate cut-off has been extended to Friday, April 3, 2009.

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
501 Fifth Ave., N.E.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Tel: 727-894-1000

AVDA Announces Lifetime Achievement Awards

The AVDA board of directors is pleased to announce that the 2009 recipients of the AVDA Lifetime Achievement Awards will be Fintan Molloy of Teva Animal Health Inc. and John A. Webster, Jr. of Webster Veterinary Supply Co. The award winners will be recognized during the AVDA Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 21 at the AVDA Annual Conference being held in St. Petersburg, Florida. DETAILS

AVDA Annual Meeting & Election of Officers to be Held in St. Petersburg, Florida

AVDA will be holding its Annual Meeting of Active Members and elections on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida, in conjunction with its Annual Conference.

The AVDA Nominating Committee has presented a slate of candidates for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors, which will be voted upon by AVDA’s membership at the April 21st meeting.

AVDA Associate members will also be electing an Associate Member Director and Alternate Associate Member director during the Annual Conference.

Click here for a complete slate of candidates.
 

AVDA Networking Reception During NAVC a Success

AVDA’s co-sponsored Networking Reception with the KC Animal Health Corridor during the 2009 North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando on January 19 was a huge success with members and guests. The reception followed the Annual Brakke Consulting Overview. Over 200 representatives from the animal health industry attended a cocktail reception at Auggie’s Jammin’ Piano Bar in the Gaylord Palms Resort. This was the second year for AVDA to co-sponsor this event.

Jackie King, AVDA’s Executive Director, introduced AVDA board members in attendance and welcomed AVDA member representatives and guests. She encouraged members to attend the AVDA Annual Conference in St. Petersburg and to become more involved in the association. She reminded members of the benefits available to them including training programs, advocacy and legislative and regulatory monitoring through access to the State Monitor Service. The reception provided a great opportunity for members to meet with one another and to encourage prospective members to join AVDA.

FINANCIAL NEWS

2009 AVDA Profit Survey

One of the most important benefits AVDA members enjoy is the annual PROFIT Report. Conducted by Dr. Al Bates and the team at Profit Planning Group, the PROFIT Report is the best source for financial benchmarking information in the industry. The information in the report – on gross margin, operating expenses, average collection period and the like – is arranged to provide direct comparisons with your firm. However, the information is available only to those firms that participate in the study. DETAILS

Never Again! Until Next Time of Course: Thoughts on Recession-Proofing the Business

In the current economic environment, firms are placing much more emphasis on financial integrity than ever before. However, the vast majority of potential actions are ones that should have been taken before a recession hits. It proves almost impossible to strengthen balance sheets, for example, when sales and profits are sliding. DETAILS

MEMBER NEWS

Obama Picks FDA Chief, Starts Food Safety Panel

President Barack Obama has chosen public health and biological threat expert Dr. Margaret Hamburg to run the troubled U.S. Food and Drug Administration and announced a Cabinet-level food safety group. DETAILS 

Boehringer Ingelheim Expanding in KC Animal Health Corridor

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., (BIVI) has announced a $150 million expansion of its existing global manufacturing and research and development facilities in St. Joseph, Mo., part of the KC Animal Health Corridor. DETAILS 

AVDA Partners with Veterinary Advantage Magazine

AVDA has entered into an agreement with a new publication that serves the animal health distribution channel called Veterinary Advantage Magazine. Veterinary Advantage is staffed by long time industry veteran Lorne Elder, a former AVDA board member, along with Chris Kelly who has spent most of his career on the human side of the business publishing Repertoire Magazine. We were pleased to add them as members this past January. DETAILS 

NAW NEWS

COBRA Issue Alert Follow Up

In late March, the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) released four model notices employers need to inform former employees of the availability of a premium subsidy for COBRA health continuation coverage. The premium subsidy for certain former employees was enacted as part of the Stimulus Bill signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009. Each of the model notices is tailored to a specific set of circumstances. DETAILS

Do You Know the Difference Between Your Gut and Your Guilt?

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day who was working through a challenge. During the conversation they kept saying that their gut was telling them to do 'X'. I stopped them mid-sentence the next time they went down that road and said, "Is that your gut or your guilt?" Turns out it was guilt, masquerading as gut. DETAILS

Save the Date: 2010 Annual Conference

The 2010 AVDA Annual Conference will be held April 18 – 20 at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California. AVDA invites you to come and experience a truly elegant Napa Valley resort for yourself. Set among the rolling hills of Napa Valley's wine country, Silverado Resort is first class resort that offers championship golf courses, fine dining, luxurious accommodations and tranquil spas. For more information, visit their website. Mark your calendar today or you will miss out on this extraordinary event.