January 2009               return to newsletter contents page

AVDA 2009 Annual Conference:

Thriving in Dynamic Times

Alan Beaulieu   Michael Staver

AVDA will convene its 2009 annual conference in St. Petersburg, Florida April 19 - 21 at the Renaissance Vinoy® Resort and Golf Club. AVDA has developed a dynamic program addressing the fiscal and business issues of our members. Strengthening the relationships between animal health distributors and suppliers has been a consistent focus of the AVDA Annual Conference. The 2009 conference will continue to offer a host of networking opportunities and outstanding speaker presentations during the three day event. This year’s conference includes a strong line-up of contemporary speakers addressing variety of business concerns. Alan Beaulieu from the Institute for Trend Research will return to deliver an Economic Update and explain how we can Thrive in these Dynamic Times. Michael Staver from the Staver Group will engage AVDA members with truthful life and business lessons everyone needs to learn now. Tim Evans from Vetnosis will speak on the Global Trends in Animal Health. A panel of veterinarians will address trends impacting practices, key issues veterinarians are struggling with; and recommendations for improvement. The panel will feature a speaker from National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) as well as equine and large animal veterinarians. The schedule for the 2009 conference has been restructured to allow for maximum networking

opportunities. In addition to the Welcome Reception, Scramble Golf Tournament, Tennis Social, Culinary Tour and the Awards Banquet and Reception, speaker sessions will end early on Monday to allow for more informal networking. Once again, the Awards Banquet will feature a local dance band to entertain AVDA members, spouses and guests.

The AVDA Scramble Golf Tournament will be played on the Renaissance Resort’s exclusive 18-hole championship golf course. Designed by the renowned Ron Garl and first opened in 1925, this challenging course provides the quintessential Florida golfing experience in beautiful, natural surroundings. Your tournament fee includes green fees and cart, lunch, beverages and transportation. Join your AVDA colleagues for an afternoon of golfing pleasure in this golfers’ paradise.

This year’s Spouse Event will focus on our host city, St. Petersburg. Framed by lush green waterfront parks, towering palm trees, sailboat masts and Mediterranean towers, downtown St. Petersburg is the sparkling jewel of Tampa Bay. There is a love of art and culture in St. Petersburg that can be felt throughout the community. Spouses will tour the Salvador Dali Museum, featuring the world's most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dali. Guests will be awed by the size and complexity of some of the largest Dali paintings in the world. This private guided tour will feature all styles of Dali’s famous works. After the museum, guests will dine at the Parkshore Grill famous for their cuisine as well as their open gourmet kitchen that turns every meal into a spectator sport. The afternoon ends with shopping along Beach Drive and Baywalk which feature boutiques, specialty shops and galleries. This event is complimentary for all registered spouse and companions.

AVDA is proud to once again offer a tennis social and golf alternative cooking class. The tennis social will be held on Monday afternoon after the general session and is complimentary for all interested attendees. The 2009 AVDA Culinary Institute will be held on Tuesday during the golf tournament and will focus on Mediterranean cuisine. The Renaissance Vinoy® Executive Sous Chef and author, Mark Heimann, will introduce attendees to a new world of appetizers and meal options that will delight everyone.

The conference will conclude with the 2009 Awards Dinner and Dance on Tuesday evening. AVDA members will gather together for an elegant evening of dining, awards dancing and perhaps a bit of singing.

The Renaissance Vinoy® Resort and Golf Club captures the golden age of Florida resorts and transports guests back to a time when elegance reigned supreme, service was an art form and grand surroundings made every guest feel special. The Vinoy® is the showplace of St. Petersburg's waterfront and is the only four diamond, luxury resort on Florida's West Coast. The Vinoy® offers a private marina, 18-hole golf course, 12-court tennis complex and spa. The Vinoy® fitness center offers an extensive array of exercise machines and weights as well as Salsa dance lessons. The Vinoy® was meticulously restored in 1992 at the cost of $93 million dollars. The resort is a superb example of 1920's Mediterranean Revival architecture and has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Spacious guest rooms combine the elegance of the past with the amenities of the present, like high-speed Internet access which is available in every guest room.

AVDA has arranged a special guest room rate of $239 per night (single or double occupancy) plus 12% tax. You may secure your reservation online by calling toll-free 1-888-303-4430 and identifying yourself as a member of AVDA. The special conference rate is available three days prior to and three days following the meeting dates. The deadline to secure reservations is March 18, 2009. After that date, the group rate and availability cannot be guaranteed.

More conference information will be posted to the AVDA website soon. Check your mail for conference programs in January.