VET Festival 2017 Inspires As It Celebrates A Record Year
7 years ago 
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14th June, 2017 13h26
On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June, VET Festival, in partnership with Centaur Services, returned for its third year delivering ‘Veterinary Education for Tomorrow’ to a record number of over 1400 delegates. The two-day outdoor conference held at Loseley Park, Guildford, truly lived up to its name as it provided unparalleled inspiration and education of the highest possible standard.
Held in a fun, festival environment, VET Festival featured 36 international speakers that delivered the most relevant CPD applicable to small animal practice today, supported by 39 leading exhibitors. The 2017 conference theme of ‘Wellness’ was truly at the heart of the festival. Delegates enjoyed a collegiate, relaxed and vibrant atmosphere with a Wellness Hub, festival games and healthy food to enjoy between lectures.
Founder of The VET Festival, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick personally selected all 36 speakers for their enthusiasm and dedication to veterinary education. The programme featured Orthopaedics, Neurology, Oncology & Soft Tissue, Nursing, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Cardiology, Reproduction, Exotics & Behaviour, Feline Medicine & Surgery, Rehabilitation and Wellness & Team Building streams.
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick said: “VET Festival has always been so much more than just another CPD event. These two days are all about providing food for the heart, mind and soul of the veterinary professional in a beautiful grassy field with a genuine sense of community.
The atmosphere in Loseley Park this year was buzzing - full of enthusiasm, inspiration, relaxation and fun, all at the same time as delivering world-class knowledge from global leaders with a wealth of experience which can’t be learned from books.
The theme of Wellness was extraordinarily well received and the community of compassion we are trying to build for the greater good of the profession – and for wider society – resonated with absolutely everyone that attended. It was a privilege to be able to talk to Russell Brand about the struggles that everyone has in life and to relate that to veterinary professionals who can often feel stressed, lonely, isolated and depressed. Mental health issues are at an all-time high in our profession and what was really great is that together we looked in the mirror and wanted to do the very best we can for each other.
My sincere hope is that everyone takes a little bit of the love and fulfilment they felt at the VET Festival inside them back into their professional lives as a ray of light in difficult times. We really are all in it together. We are lucky to be part of what I consider the greatest profession on planet earth and for these two days every year, we celebrate this. The vibe in the field came as a much-needed reminder of why we all joined the profession in the first place.
All of the people in the field made the event what it was, and many people said to me that they had the absolute best time, which was the reason I set out to do it in the first place – to listen to what the profession want from lectures and atmosphere, to environment and food.
I really hope that we have set a new standard for the delivery of education and inspiration, and one thing I know for sure -- we had a fabulous time in the process. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
Centaur Services were the Headline Partner of VET Festival 2017 who supported the conference theme of Wellness, and sponsored the Wellness and Team Building stream.
Once the lectures ended on Friday, the music began for delegates to unwind with friends and colleagues at the VETFest™ Party Night. Acts included Radio 2 DJ James Carpenter, VET Festival regulars Hunter & The Bear as well as busking legend Kevin. Delegates spent the evening reconnecting with old friends and making new ones in a real festival atmosphere after a busy day of CPD.
Delegate feedback from VET Festival 2017:
“Thank you VET Festival for providing balance, relaxation and education.”
“Great weekend and so well organised! Definitely be back next year.”
“It was an amazing programme, great set up and you couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere… Looking forward to next year already.”
“Amazing two days of education, networking and fun in the sun.”
“You just can’t stop learning at VET Festival.”
To register your interest in attending VET Festival 2018, please contact Caroline on [email protected].
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