NAVC builds out a year-round calendar beyond VMX

NAVC is continuing to spread its education programming across the calendar, not just around its flagship VMX meeting. In a recent calendar update published by Today’s Veterinary Practice, the organization highlighted upcoming offerings including a free VetFolio webinar on reptilian CPR, role-specific HiVE conferences for veterinary nurses, technicians, managers, and support staff, and the hands-on NAVC SkillShop event in Orlando. NAVC’s own event calendar lists SkillShop for May 24-28, 2026, in Orlando and HiVE South for May 30-31, 2026, in San Antonio, with additional HiVE stops scheduled later in Charlotte and a western location still to be announced. The broader push follows VMX 2026, which NAVC said drew nearly 29,000 attendees and underscored its strategy of offering year-round education in multiple formats. (theherd.news)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the shift is practical. Large national meetings still carry weight, but shorter, role-targeted, and skills-based programs can be easier for hospitals to budget for and staff around. That matters especially for workforce development, because NAVC’s HiVE series is aimed at veterinary nurses, technicians, practice managers, and support staff, while SkillShop offers 8 to 32 CE hours in flexible hands-on formats. NAVC has also framed HiVE as a more nimble event model built to address workforce and education needs as they emerge. (navc.com)

What to watch: Watch for whether NAVC keeps expanding these smaller, role-specific programs in 2026 and 2027 as practices look for more affordable, targeted CE options outside the major conference cycle. (navc.com)