2017 Annual Conference & Iverson Bell Symposium

Online preregistration is currently closed. Onsite registration will be available Friday, March 10.

Building a Diverse Workforce to Serve Global Needs

The 2017 AAVMC Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium will once again present the ultimate forum for veterinary medical educators to share ideas, best practices, and ways to address the challenges facing academic veterinary medicine in today’s world. 

The conference will focus on several key areas, including cultural competency, the hidden curriculum, climate, and health and wellness issues. Hear experts from around the world share new ideas on veterinary recruitment and admissions, especially as it relates to building the diverse student body and workforce that our profession needs and deserves. Join thought leaders and colleagues for this one of a kind event in academic veterinary medicine.

You won’t want to miss special features like Friday’s Opening Plenary Session, where you'll hear groundbreaking talks on new ways to think about diversity in the learning environment, or Friday night’s President’s Reception, where you can network with colleagues from around the world.

The Iverson Bell Symposium, first held in 1972, is named for the first African-American veterinarian to hold the position of Vice-President in the American Veterinary Medical Association. The primary goal of the conference is to promote diversity and inclusion in academic veterinary medicine.

Conference Location

The conference will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, located in the Woodley Park area of Washington, D.C., which is home to a variety of restaurants and a short distance from Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. Do you want to explore Washington, D.C.? Hop in a taxi or ride the Metrorail, located less than a block from the hotel.

Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street NW
Washington, DC 20008

(202) 234-0700

Room Rate: $239, plus tax and fees

Reservation Website

Hotel reservations must be made through the hotel directly. Registering for the conference does not automatically confirm a hotel reservation. When calling the hotel, please mention you are with the AAVMC Annual Conference to receive the discounted group rate. You may also reserve online by visiting the link above. There are limited rooms available at the discounted rate, which are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline for reserving a room at the discounted rate is Monday, February 13, 2017. After that time, all remaining rooms on the block will be released to the general public and room rate and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Cancellation Policy: All registration cancellations received after February 24, 2017 are non-refundable.