In addition to a lineup of fantastic speakers, industry partners will be at the Expo Market Place, showcasing the latest products and services available.
The VHA Expo features an opening keynote, four program tracks, and closing keynote, covering content for all members of your veterinary team! The 2025 VHA Expo is worth up to 6 CE credits.
Date: Friday, November 21st, 2025 | 8am – 4:30pm
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
Pricing:
Member General – $140
Non-Member General – $200
(3% Service Fee for Credit Cards)
Click Here to Book Your Room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington!
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations received on or before November 12, 2025 will receive a full refund. Cancellations after this date are non-refundable. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
Curious what’s in store? Click below to download the schedule!
Join us bright and early at the VHA Expo for a special Brunch ‘n Learn session!* Grab your breakfast and learn about:
If you’re exploring retirement plan options for your team or simply want to stay ahead of upcoming requirements, this is a great opportunity learn, ask questions, and enjoy breakfast with fellow members!
*This is an informational session only and does not count toward CE credits.
Brunch ’n Learn Speaker: Rebekah Hartmann, MS, DVM, MBA is a Colorado State University graduate and has worked in academia, military, and private practice. Dr. Hartmann is mission driven and dedicated to empowering veterinary practices.
Speaker – Stith Keiser
Stith Keiser, CEO of Blue Heron Consulting, partners with veterinary practice owners to enhance team culture, client experience, profitability, and patient care. An international speaker, author, and adjunct faculty member, he also owns multiple practices. Outside work, Stith enjoys outdoor adventures with his veterinarian wife, daughters, dogs, and horses.
Keynote – “The Heart of the Hospital: Leading with Purpose, Building with Culture”
In the fast-paced world of veterinary medicine, where burnout is real and change is constant, one thing remains true: culture is not a buzzword—it’s a lifeline. Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a mindset. In this keynote, Stith Keiser invites veterinary professionals to pause, reflect, and reignite their sense of purpose. With stories from the trenches of veterinary hospitals and lessons from life both in and outside the exam room, this talk explores how culture is built one conversation, one choice, one act of courage at a time.
You’ll be challenged to reimagine leadership as an act of service, to see culture not as something you inherit but as something you shape daily, and to step into your role—regardless of your title—as a culture keeper and a light bearer. Whether you’re a technician, a manager, or a practice owner, this session will leave you inspired to lead with heart, align your team with purpose, and build a hospital where people and patients thrive.
Learning Objectives:
Speaker – Wendy Hauser, DVM
Wendy Hauser, DVM is the founder of Peak Veterinary Consulting and has
practiced for 35+ years as an associate, practice owner and relief veterinarian.
She has worked in the animal health industry as a pet health insurance executive
and as a technical services veterinarian.
Keynote – “Reconnecting the Pieces: The Role of Employee Engagement in Practice Success”
Veterinary practices today face unprecedented challenges—from burnout and staffing shortages to changing client expectations and economic pressures. At the heart of these challenges lies a powerful and overlooked solution: employee engagement. In this transformative keynote, Dr. Wendy Hauser will explore how engaged team members are not just more productive—they’re more resilient, collaborative, and committed to delivering exceptional patient and client care.
Drawing on data-driven insights and practical strategies, this session will illuminate what true engagement looks like in the veterinary workplace and how to cultivate it at every level of the practice. Attendees will learn how to create a culture of purpose, recognition, psychological safety, and growth—turning disengaged employees into empowered practice advocates.
Attendees will walk away with immediately applicable tools to strengthen communication, empower leadership at all levels, and build a cohesive, energized team that stays committed for the long term.
Learning Objectives:
Track – Practice Management (This track is categorized as non-medical CE.)
Speaker – Stith Keiser
Stith Keiser, CEO of Blue Heron Consulting, partners with veterinary practice owners to enhance team culture, client experience, profitability, and patient care. An international speaker, author, and adjunct faculty member, he also owns multiple practices. Outside work, Stith enjoys outdoor adventures with his veterinarian wife, daughters, dogs, and horses.
Culture isn’t just what we say—it’s what we do every day. A strong team culture doesn’t happen by accident; it’s intentionally shaped by the behaviors, values, and expectations shared by every member of the veterinary hospital. This session empowers veterinarians, managers, and technicians to actively participate in building and maintaining a positive, high-performing culture. From communication and trust to accountability and recognition, we’ll explore practical tools to align teams, reduce drama, and create an environment where people—and patients—flourish. Whether you’re a hospital leader or a team member, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to make culture a cornerstone of your hospital’s success.
Poor communication is one of the top stressors in veterinary medicine—yet it’s also one of the most fixable. Whether it’s unclear expectations, unresolved conflict, or missed follow-through, the ripple effects of ineffective communication can erode culture, drive turnover, and impact patient care. This session focuses on the practical side of professional communication: how to give feedback, hold each other accountable, and navigate tough conversations with clarity and confidence. With real-world examples and team-tested strategies, attendees will leave with tools to improve communication across all roles and shifts—without the drama.
Leadership is not defined by title—it’s a mindset and set of behaviors that can and should be cultivated across all roles within a veterinary hospital. From the exam room to the treatment area to the front desk, effective leadership drives team morale, client satisfaction, and medical excellence. This session explores how veterinarians, managers, and technicians alike can step into leadership roles, regardless of position. We’ll examine core leadership principles, discuss how to lead by example, and share strategies for fostering a culture of accountability, communication, and growth. Whether you’re managing a hospital, mentoring a peer, or supporting clients and patients, this session will equip you with practical tools to lead with intention and impact.
In a busy veterinary practice, strong operations are the backbone of quality care and team satisfaction. Yet all too often, inefficiencies, unclear protocols, or inconsistent communication lead to frustration and burnout. This session will provide practical tools and strategies to help veterinarians, managers, and technicians streamline hospital operations in a way that empowers—not overwhelms—the team. By focusing on clear systems, accountability, and team involvement, you’ll learn how to create operational workflows that support a thriving culture, elevate patient care, and reduce day-to-day chaos. Whether you’re leading a hospital or working on the floor, this session will help you turn everyday tasks into efficient, purpose-driven systems.
Track – Anesthesia and Pain Management (This track is categorized medical CE.)
Speaker – Carolyn McKune, DVM, DACVAA
Dr. Carolyn earned her DVM from Michigan State University, later completing an anesthesia residency at UC Davis and becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Anesthesia and Analgesia. Founder of Mythos Veterinary LLC, she provides global anesthesia consulting, blending expertise, advocacy, and innovation to elevate patient care in every setting.
Explore findings from a global study of over 55,000 dogs to better understand anesthesia-related mortality. This session will highlight key risk factors—such as ASA classification, age, and procedure urgency—and protective strategies like sedative choice and analgesia protocols. Gain practical takeaways to improve anesthetic safety, guide client conversations, and enhance outcomes in general practice and emergency settings.
Stay current with the latest anesthesia recommendations from the 2020 AAHA and 2025 ACVAA guidelines. This session highlights key updates across the anesthetic process, from pre-anesthetic evaluations and drug selection to intraoperative monitoring and post-op care. Special focus will be given to staff training, managing high-risk patients, and minimizing complications through evidence-based protocols.
Cats are not simply small dogs, especially when it comes to anesthesia and analgesia. This session explores the unique physiology, drug metabolism, and pain response of feline patients. From hepatic enzyme differences to individual variability and clinical considerations like NSAID use, opioid effects, and local anesthetics, attendees will gain insights to tailor safer, more effective treatment plans for cats.
Pain management doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This session introduces a tiered, mindful approach to treating acute and chronic pain in veterinary patients. With an emphasis on practical tools, such as pain scoring systems and decision-making trees, attendees will learn how to build confident, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs and condition—starting from what they already know and adding new, effective strategies.
Track – Oncology (This track is categorized as medical CE.)
Speaker – Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
Danielle is a licensed veterinary technician and VTS (Oncology) with over ten years of experience. As Director of Clinical Services Education at MedVet, she leads technician training, scholarships, and strategic planning. She lectures internationally and serves as AIMVT’s Director-at-Large for Oncology, sharing her expertise in oncology, education, and leadership.
Cancer diagnoses often follow patterns, but exceptions challenge these assumptions. This presentation reviews three cases that initially seemed straightforward but shifted as results emerged. It highlights how familiar symptoms can hide rare conditions and emphasizes the importance of diagnostics, staging, and re-evaluating differentials throughout cancer workups.
Cancer is generally diagnosed or discovered during routine visits or when an owner notices something not quite right. 5 of the most commonly seen neoplastic processes through ER are: hemoabdomen, pathological fracture, lymphoma variations, hematuria/stranguria, and epistaxis. This lecture will cover presentations, differentials, diagnostics, and immediate treatments.
Feline lymphoma is a complex cancer with many forms, affecting areas like the GI tract, chest, and skin. Diagnosis and treatment vary depending on the type and severity. This presentation covers clinical signs, diagnostic tools, and treatment options, highlighting how grading helps guide therapy and improve outcomes.
Hypercalcemia in dogs is primarily associated with cancer and is one of the more common paraneoplastic syndromes. After exploring the pathophysiology, we will discuss what happens when it is left unchecked and untreated. Finally, we will examine patient presentations in both incidental and emergent situations, as well as treatment approaches.
Track – Inventory Management (This track is categorized as non-medical CE.)
Speaker – Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP
Nicole Clausen is founder and inventory expert at Veterinary Care Logistics, providing consulting, education, and systems to help veterinary practices streamline inventory and reduce costs. She also launched the Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network, hosts the Inventory Nation Podcast, created the Certified Veterinary Inventory Professional credential, and co founded the inventory tech platform Inventory Ally.
Too much inventory ties up cash and clogs storage. Too little risks running out of critical items when patients need them most. The “inventory sweet spot” is where efficiency, cost control, and patient care meet. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how to calculate and set reorder points for your most-used items, creating a system that supports steady operations without overstocking. Through practical examples and simple formulas, you’ll leave knowing exactly how to balance supply levels for optimal efficiency.
Placing an order is just the beginning; the real magic happens when inventory processes are optimized from start to finish. Using the six pillars of the Inventory Success Framework, this session walks you through proven strategies for ordering, receiving, organizing, pricing, forecasting, and monitoring your inventory. Whether you’re new to the role or a seasoned inventory manager, you’ll gain actionable ideas to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and create a sustainable, stress-free system.
Inventory management isn’t just about products; it’s about keeping the entire practice running smoothly. In this session, we’ll cover the core workflows, responsibilities, and daily/weekly tasks that help inventory managers support the team, control costs, and ensure patient care is never disrupted. You’ll walk away with a clear picture of the essential duties that keep your inventory and your practice thriving.
What separates great inventory managers from the rest? It’s not just attention to detail; it’s a set of proven habits, systems, and strategies that keep a practice running like clockwork. In this session, you’ll learn how top veterinary inventory managers balance having enough stock for exceptional patient care without tying up cash in excess inventory. We’ll explore demand forecasting, reorder points, cycle counting, and how to put your Practice Management System to work for you. Walk away with practical tools to transform your inventory from a constant challenge into a streamlined, reliable system.
