VSPA Spring 2025 Conference, DC/MD
May 13 - 17, 2025
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Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion
The VSPA Spring 2025 Conference warmly invites the owners and administrators of independently owned veterinary specialty and emergency hospitals that are not in the competitive area of a current member to see what VSPA is about by attending our conference in-person or virtually. Is that you? If so - Welcome!
Check the VSPA Member Directory - Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance (specialtyvets.com)
Unless otherwise stated in the session description, all sessions are open to VSPA hospital team members, invited guests, and sponsors.
We are available anytime by email, text, or phone, and we look forward to hearing from you. pam@specialtyvets.com or 919.219.5210
The conference hotel is Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, NW DC. See the Hotel page and click on the Hotel photo or name for the reservation link.
Or use this link: Embassy Suites RESERVATION
NOTE - the default stay is May 12-16th - make sure to change the dates at the top of the reservations page.
Agenda
Tuesday, May 13
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Board of Directors Meeting
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Ꙭ Informal Gathering
Wednesday, May 14
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Ꙭ Breakfast Served in The Atrio Cafe 6:30am - 9:30am
Please enjoy your breakfast in the Atrio Cafe - it is included in your room rate.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Ꙭ Group Walk
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Member Business Meeting
NDA required - a representative from each practice required, open to all members
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Break
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
Brief Welcome
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Management Statement Presentation
NDA required - members only
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Ꙭ Lunch - guests welcome
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Mgt Stmt - Continued
NDA required - members only
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Mgt Stmt - Continued
NDA required - members only
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Ꙭ General Welcome and Video
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Group Discussions - Guests welcome!
Topics:
1. Small increases to staff that just got a large increase - perception
2. Gain share vs profit share
3. Policies pre-covid vs post-covid; receiving status
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Ꙭ Sponsor Networking - ALL to Attend
Sponsor Networking Session - everyone requested to attend.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Ꙭ Social Reception
Thursday, May 15
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Ꙭ Breakfast Served in The Atrio Cafe 6:30am - 9:30am
Please enjoy your breakfast in the Atrio Cafe - it is included in your room rate.
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Effective training not only ensures that team members utilize proper patient care protocols and equipment, safeguarding both the patient and the healthcare team, but also contributes to improved operational outcomes.
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
This course will explore how organizations can collaborate with distance learning programs to cultivate and expand their pool of skilled technicians.
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Veterinary medicine has not experienced a business recession for the last fifteen years. In this unpredictable economy, we need to find ways to be prepared for an unexpected recession.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
This session explores the role of a Veterinary Social Worker (VSW) in addressing issues like grief counseling, team dynamics, and conflict resolution while demonstrating its return on investment (ROI).
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Learn to create frameworks and scripts in order to have difficult conversations with confidence.
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Hub International presents the common cyber risk challenges facing the veterinary practice as well as newly emerging risks from the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
4:00 PM - 5:20 PM
4:00 PM - 5:20 PM
Group Discussions
Topics:
1. Acuity (tech to patient ratio)
2. Intern Class Action Lawsuit
3.
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Sponsor Networking - ALL to Attend
Friday, May 16
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Ꙭ Breakfast Served in The Atrio Cafe 6:30am - 9:30am
Please enjoy your breakfast in the Atrio Cafe - it is included in your room rate.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Hub International presents workplace violence and the unfortunate rise in incidents within the veterinary industry.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
BREAK :) Visit our Sponsors!
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
A lighthearted yet informative guide for employers on navigating unionization efforts legally, understanding what they can and can’t do, and keeping calm in the process.
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
This talk will review the reasons for maintaining good recordkeeping so that veterinarians and staff can compare their current methods against these standards.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
This talk will help to simplify the role of the medical record and provide guidance on basic dos and don’ts including the utilization of the 3 T’s: technicians, templates and technology,
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
This talk discusses how to provide an employees discount above the IRS regulation of 20% utilizing a pet care stipend and proposes a method to utilize the payroll accruals to perform the calculations.
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Ꙭ Accounts Receivable Survey Presentation and Discussion - Employee & Client
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Group Discussions
Topics:
1.
2.
3.
5:15 PM - 5:25 PM
5:15 PM - 5:25 PM
Conference Closing
5:35 PM - 5:45 PM
5:35 PM - 5:45 PM
Bus to Apex 5:45 sharp!
Meet in the lobby by 5:35pm for a 5:45 sharp departure for Apex Vets, then on to Ben's house for a reception.
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Ꙭ Hospital Tour & Reception
Tour of Apex Vets followed by a reception at the home of Ben Donati.
Saturday, May 17
7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Ꙭ Breakfast Served in The Atrio Cafe 7:00am - 10:30am
Please enjoy your breakfast in the Atrio Cafe - it is included in your room rate.
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Strategic Planning
Each practice asked to send one representative. NOTE: It is essential for your person to stay for the ENTIRE session. Please select a rep who is committed to the event!
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Ꙭ Lunch
