AVMA Convention 2026: Dates, Location, CE Credits & What to Expect

AVMA Convention 2026 is all set to happen from July 10 to 14, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Hosted by the American Veterinary Medical Association, it is the largest annual gathering of U.S. veterinary professionals. The event is expected to bring in 5,000 to 10,000 attendees and 200 to 499 exhibitors, with up to 41 hours of AVMA Convention CE credits to offer.

With the event now just over a week away, here is what veterinary professionals need to know before heading to Anaheim.

When and Where Is AVMA Convention 2026?

AVMA Convention 2026 runs July 10–14, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA. The exhibit hall is open from July 11 to 13.

The AVMA Convention unites the whole veterinary community each year for continuing education, networking, and special events.

It is widely considered the premier CE event for veterinary professionals in the United States, and this year's Southern California location has made it especially popular with attendees bringing family along for the week.

What to Expect: CE, Labs, and the Exhibit Hall

The AVMA event registrants can earn up to 41 hours of continuing education across seven tracks: clinical medicine, surgery, practice management, veterinary technology, leadership, well-being, and professional development.

Sessions run alongside a fully open exhibit hall from July 11 to 13, giving attendees opportunities to explore live demonstrations of veterinary innovations, diagnostic tools, and practice technology from 200 to 499 exhibitors.

This year's keynote address comes from Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science, and Environment at Disney Parks. Dr. Penning will offer an inside look at how Disney's Animal Kingdom and The Seas at Epcot keep their animals thriving and how the company is reshaping the way Hollywood portrays animals in entertainment.

For hands-on learning sessions, attendees who need to bring a live animal to the convention can do so under AVMA's live animal guidelines. Interactive labs and workshops are available for veterinary professionals seeking hands-on skill building beyond the standard lecture tracks.

Who Should Attend

AVMA Convention 2026 is built for the full veterinary team: veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, practice managers, and support staff.

Full convention registrants can attend nearly any CE session on a first-come, first-served basis. That open access makes the event as valuable for a practice owner refining leadership skills as it is for a new technician building clinical fundamentals.

Note that selected interactive labs and workshops require separate registration.

Virtual Programs and On-Demand CE

Anyone who can't make the trip to Anaheim can sign up to attend the virtual program that offers nearly 200 sessions live and recorded for on-demand viewing through Dec. 31, 2026.

Virtual participants can watch the sessions via the AVMA Convention app or the attendee service center. Virtual participants can also sort sessions by livestreamed or on-demand video. This option is ideal for teams seeking convention-level CE for the entire clinic without closing the practice for a week. 

If you want to keep learning after AVMA, explore Vet and Tech’s on-demand veterinary webinars and earn RACE-approved CE credits at your convenience. 

Registration and Key Deadlines

AVMA Convention 2026 registration is open now. The standard cancellation deadline of June 10, 2026, has already passed. Cancellations submitted from this point forward will not be refunded.

Full pricing by registrant type and membership status is available on AVMA's registration page.

With the event opening in Anaheim on July 10, this is the final stretch to confirm travel, book housing through AVMA's official hotel block, and download the AVMA Convention app once it becomes available for session times and room numbers.

How to Make the Most of Anaheim

Anaheim's biggest attraction outside the convention center is Disneyland. The AVMA has built family-friendly perks directly into this year's event.

Registered attendees can access discounted Disneyland and Disney California Adventure tickets, and AVMA is hosting a Disneyland After Dark 2026 event at Disneyland on July 12 with a limited discounted ticket price starting around $35. 

Nearby options include Knott's Berry Farm and its adjacent water park, plus Universal Studios Hollywood about an hour northwest of the convention center. For attendees turning the trip into a family vacation, these add-ons make the week worthwhile well beyond the CE sessions.

Keep Your CE Calendar Full This Season

The AVMA event is the natural next stop in the 2026 veterinary conference list, following earlier events such as VMX, WVC, and PacVet. 

For veterinary teams planning the rest of the year, Vet and Tech's conference roundup covers every major CE event still to come. You can also earn CE credits through Vet and Tech’s free RACE-Approved CE webinars and keep learning between conferences without the need to travel. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is AVMA Convention 2026?

It runs from July 10 to 14, 2026, in Anaheim, California, with the exhibit hall open July 11 to 13.

Where is AVMA Convention 2026 being held?

The event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA.

How much is AVMA Convention 2026 registration?

Pricing varies by registrant type and membership status. It also varies depending on whether you choose full, single-day, or virtual access. Current rates are posted on AVMA's official pricing page.

Who can attend AVMA Convention 2026?

The event welcomes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, practice managers, and support staff, with nearly all CE sessions open to any full convention registrant.

Is there a virtual option for AVMA Convention 2026?

Yes. The virtual program includes nearly 200 sessions livestreamed and available on demand through December 31, 2026.

Who is delivering the keynote address?

Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science, and Environment at Disney Parks, will deliver the keynote at AVMA Conference 2026.