2026 Annual Conference Know Before You Go

Conference Venue

Check-in/Registration Desk Hours

Attendees may pick up their registration packets at the conference venue during the following hours:

• Wednesday, October 28 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 30 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Parking

Conference Venue

Attendees staying at the Hotel at Auburn University may opt for overnight valet ($25/night) or self-parking ($20/night). Attendees driving in daily for the conference will receive parking instructions in the Know Before You Go email. Please be sure to read that email for specifics about accessing the upper levels of the parking deck. The lower levels of the deck are reserved for valet and university permitted parking. Do not park on levels 1-3 without a university A or B Zone parking permit. We cannot waive parking citations from university parking. Oversized trucks, please go to the loop in front of the hotel, and the valets will direct you to appropriate parking options for your vehicle.

Additional Attendee Information

What to Pack

Business casual is appropriate for all sessions and events at Annual Conference. Casual Auburn attire is suitable for the Auburn Football Watch Party on Saturday. Cocktail attire is appropriate for those attending reunions. We recommend that you dress in layers for the education sessions as temperatures in meeting rooms can vary.

Conference Name Badges

All registered attendees and paying guests will receive a name badge. Name badges are required for admission to the lectures, exhibit hall, and meals. Please wear your name badge throughout the conference. Separate name badges will be provided for class reunions on Saturday evening.

Proceedings

Lecture notes, when provided by the speaker, are available online for all registered attendees wishing to print in advance. Details for accessing the notes will be sent in the Know Before You Go email. Please review that for the link and password. Electronic access will remain available until the end of the year.

Wi-Fi at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center

Wi-Fi will be provided for our conference at no charge; use AU_Guest. No password is needed.

Education

This year’s conference will offer attendees up to 20 hours of CE with options in multiple areas of interest. View the full schedule and speaker details on our conference website. Except for the pharmacy course, the joint injection lab, and the QPR Gatekeeper Training, there is no advance registration required to attend any specific education lecture. However, space may be limited within individual lecture rooms.

• Small Animal Arthrocentesis & Joint Injection Wet Lab
  Registrants will receive separate communication with details specific to this course.
• Pharmacy CE Course
  Veterinary Rules & Regulations with Opioid Dispensation Guidelines is scheduled for Thursday, October 29. Pre-registration is required. Registrants will receive separate communication with details specific to this course.
• QPR Gatekeeper Training
  QPR Suicide Prevention Training teaches people without mental health backgrounds to recognize signs that someone may be considering suicide, establish a dialogue, and guide the person to seek professional help. It can be a critical tool to save lives – and it’s something that all veterinary professionals can learn to do. This training is being offered on Friday, October 30. There is no additional fee, however space is limited to 35 participants. Please use this link to learn more and register if you would like to attend this training: QPR Gatekeeper Training.

Events & Reunions

AVESS

AVESS will be on site at the Football Watch Party, Saturday, October 31, with a limited supply of stock. You will have the opportunity to place orders for Vet Med gear to be shipped to your home or office. Check out the AVESS website ahead of time, if you would like to purchase items in advance for pickup at the watch party event. Pickup orders must be placed by noon on Friday, October 30. AVESS will not be able to accept returns or exchanges on site at the Watch Party. 

Exhibit Hall

The exhibit hall will open at lunch on Thursday, October 29 and exhibitors will close after lunch on Friday, October 30. All meals will be served from the exhibit hall during open hours.

Awards Recognition

Please plan to join Dean Johnson, along with farm animal and equine faculty, on Friday morning at 9 a.m. in the Auditorium as they present this year’s El Toro and J.T. Vaughan Equine Awards.

Social Events

We have a number of social events scheduled for the conference weekend. Please read the Know Before You Go email and be sure to read through the conference program you receive when you check in to learn more.

Class Reunions

Reunion registrants will receive a separate communication with details specific to your class event.