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WSAVA 2009 Sao Paulo Congress Highlights Close to 3,500 attendees from all over the world came together in the bustling and cosmopolitan city of Sao Paulo, Brazil to learn and celebrate the collegiality of veterinary medicine in one of the largest WSAVA World Congresses ever held. Hosted by ANCLIVEPA Brazil, the 34th WSAVA World Congress was held in conjunction with the 30th ANCLIVEPA Brazil Congress, the 9th CONPAVEPA Regional Congress of Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Sao Paulo, and the 6th FIAVAC Congress. In addition to the scientific program that featured over 80 world-renowned veterinary lecturers covering over 30 disciplines in 9 simultaneous session streams, including 5 State-of-the-Art Lectures (SOTALS), there was a WSAVA Animal Welfare stream, a WSAVA Hereditary Diseases stream, a North American Veterinary Conference stream, and 3 Pre-Congress Forums. One centered on the discipline of ophthalmology and was co-hosted by ISVO, CLOVE, and CBVO; another was on Tibial Tuberosity Advancement using XGen plates featuring Professor Cassio Auada Ferrigno; and the third was on Advanced Topics in Acupuncture by Dr. Huisheng Xie.
The international appeal of the WSAVA World Congress was reflected in the attendee diversity, with people attending from 55 countries representing every continent but Antarctica. There was tremendous support from within Brazil with attendees from 26 of the 27 States of the Brazilian Federation.
Evenings were spent meeting old friends and making new ones at a variety of lively social events. The Opening Ceremonies took place on Tuesday, July 21 at the Alfa Theater. Following presentation of the prestigious WSAVA Awards (see below), spirited demonstrations of samba, bosa nova, and football (soccer) took place. The evening closed with cocktails served in the Theater reception area. The following night hosted the elegant Gala dinner that was held at the luxurious Hotel Grande Hyatt with diners serenaded by Brazil’s Band Jazz Trio. The tempo picked up on Thursday night for the Brazilian Party. Held at the HSBC Brazil Hall, the evening featured cultural dances and music from a variety of performers that included the San Marco Band, Mocidade Alegre, and a samba school – and even the Congress Organizers and WSAVA Assembly members, who were invited to the stage to show their newly learned Brazilian dance techniques! As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end”, as Friday saw the Closing Ceremonies where the hard work of the many volunteers was recognized and a presentation by next year’s Congress host – Geneva, Switzerland – ensured that many of those present would be sure to join their colleagues again for the 35th WSAVA Congress to be held from June 2-5, 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Congress was supported by WSAVA Prime Partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition; Gold Sponsors Nutriara, Vetnil, and Royal Canin; and Bronze sponsors Pfizer, Merial, and Biovet. They joined the 300 exhibitor-strong Exhibition Hall, which was combined with the 9th EDICAO Pet South America Fair featuring the latest and most innovative pet care products – a first for a WSAVA World Congress – and expected to attract over 20,000 people. Photo gallery
WSAVA Assembly Meeting
WSAVA President Dr. David Wadsworth welcomed the Assembly members after an 11-month hiatus since the last assembly meeting in Dublin, Ireland on August 19, 2007. He began the meeting with an overview of the last 50 years of WSAVA activities, accompanied by a power point presentation that provided pictorial highlights gathered over the years. All this to launch the WSAVA’s 50th birthday year, which will culminate with several celebratory events in Geneva, Switzerland during next years’ Congress. He then provided assembly members updates from a very active WSAVA leadership, including the Executive Board and various committees, which he highlighted in his Congress President’s Message (see July WSAVA News).
This Assembly meeting marked a milestone year for the WSAVA Assembly as a number of critical and key initiatives were discussed and adopted. These included:
A motion to formalize the WSAVA as an incorporated and not-for-profit entity in Canada. While simply formalizing how the WSAVA has historically operated, this move will also provide the association with legal status, volunteer/member liability protection, and greater transparency and professionalism of activity.
A motion to modify how the WSAVA World Congress is administered was adopted and will see the WSAVA take on a more active role in the areas of Congress finances and scientific program with the host association playing a key role in continuing to oversee the social programs, highlighting the cultural uniqueness of their region – a very popular and unique feature of WSAVA Congresses.
The establishment of a charitable Foundation that will provide greater opportunities for members of the international small animal community to show their support of WSAVA global activities through financial donations.
A report from the WSAVA’s new Treasurer, Dr. Diane Sheehan, that confirmed the association finances to be in good stead, especially considering the current trying economic times, and thanks in large part to the generous support of our sponsors, particularly our Prime Sponsor – Hill’s Pet Nutrition, as well as our growing membership and the high rate of 2008 dues payment.
Dr. Veronica Leong from Hong Kong was elected as a 7th Executive Board member.
In addition, the past and ongoing contributions of Dr. Didier-Noel Carlotti to the WSAVA and international veterinary community were recognized through his receipt of the 2009 WSAVA President’s Award. As well, the assembly members voted in favour of accepting one new full member association – Venezuela; two associate member associations – Cuba and Nepal; and three affiliate member associations – International Veterinary Association of Pain Management (IVAPM), the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC), and the Latin American Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (LAVECCS).
And finally, New Zealand was voted as the host of the 2013 WSAVA Congress to take place in Christchurch, New Zealand in March, 2013.
WSAVA 2009 draft Assembly minutes. 2009 WSAVA Award Winners WSAVA President’s Award
This award is made only periodically by the President of the WSAVA to a member of the WSAVA who is judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the association. This year, the award was made to Didier-Noel Carlotti, Doct-Vet DECVD. Dr Carlotti is a dermatologist based in Bordeaux, France, who has contributed scientifically internationally in his chosen discipline. He has also been a hugely effective force in the wider small animal veterinary field in both France (AFVAC), where he has just concluded his Presidency, and Europe where he was the Foundation President during the formation of FECVA. For more complete information on the WSAVA Award winners, visit the Awards page of the Awards Page of the WSAVA website. Future Congresses
Geneva, Switzerland – June 2-5, 2010
Jeju, South Korea – October 14-17, 2011
Birmingham, UK – April 12-15, 2012
Christchurch, New Zealand – March, 2013
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