Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference 2026: Everything Attendees Need to Know
TGAVC 2026 At a Glance
- Event: The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC) 2026, the 13th annual meeting
- Dates: December 3 to 6, 2026
- Location: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Host: Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)
- Audience: Small animal and exotic veterinary professionals, including DVMs and technicians
- CE hours: Up to 188 for veterinarians and 68 for technicians, RACE-approved
- Wet labs: Surgery, dentistry, ultrasound, lameness and joint injections, and a new HQHESN spay/neuter lab, purchased separately
- Special events: Welcome Reception, Exhibit Hall Happy Hour, raffle, and Holiday Lights Cruise
- Registration: Open through the FVMA Member Portal
What Vets Can Expect at TGAVC 2026
The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC) 2026 will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) hosts the 13th annual event for small animal and exotic professionals at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa.
The main program is scheduled for December 3 to 5, with an additional surgical wet lab on December 6. Topics cover feline medicine, surgery, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, imaging, behavior, and practice management. Wet labs, hotel accommodations, and social activities are available for an additional fee.
Featured Speakers and Instructors
The FVMA has announced a lineup of board-certified specialists, credentialed technicians, and practice managers.
Here’s a list of the featured speakers and their areas of focus.
|
Speaker(s) |
Area of focus |
|
Dr. Petra Cerna |
Feline medicine |
|
Dr. Kristin Coleman |
Surgery |
|
Dr. Amara Estrada |
Cardiology |
|
Dr. Rosanna Marsella |
Dermatology |
|
Dr. Jessica Martinez |
Ophthalmology |
|
Dr. Frederico Grosso |
Ultrasound |
|
Dr. Shannon Holmes |
Radiology and ultrasound wet labs |
|
Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior) |
Behavior strategies |
|
Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC), and Dr. Peter Weinstein |
Workflow, staffing, and practice management |
Continuing Education at TGAVC 2026
TGAVC 2026 offers up to 188 hours of continuing education for DVMs. For technicians, the event offers up to 68 hours of continuing education.
The program is RACE-approved in jurisdictions that recognize the approval. Attendee hours are reported through CE Broker, and each registration packet includes a certificate. Attendees should keep a record of the sessions they attend to document their CE hours.
Surgical Wet Labs and Practical Training
The wet labs are what set TGAVC apart from a lecture-only meeting. Veterinarians can choose from ophthalmic surgery, soft tissue surgery, emergency surgery techniques, abdominal ultrasound, ultrasound-guided aspiration, and advanced lameness assessment with joint injections. Dentistry has its own labs, with canine and feline extractions for veterinarians.
Technicians are covered too. Their labs include comprehensive dental procedures, from oral exams to nerve blocks, plus intraoral radiography positioning.
The newest addition is a “High Quality High Efficiency Spay/Neuter (HQHESN)” surgical wet lab on December 6, open to DVMs only. It runs from 7:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center.
Instructors Dr. Jayme Lauderdale and Dr. Gregory Wolff teach small incision feline techniques, perioperative support, and patient flow. Registration is $495 for FVMA members and $695 for non-members. This lab is offsite, and no shuttle is provided, so plan your own transportation. Seats fill quickly, and a sold-out lab cannot be swapped, so book early.
Exhibit Hall and Expo
The exhibit hall is a core part of the TGAVC experience, giving attendees face-to-face time with leading animal health brands and resource partners. Expect to see tools for staffing, inventory, and new clinical technology.
Two events bring extra traffic to the floor.
- The Exhibit Hall Happy Hour runs Friday, December 4, from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M., with a complimentary drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres.
- The TGAVC Raffle follows on Saturday, December 5, at 1:15 P.M., and you must be present to win.
Browse the FVMA exhibitor page before you go to plan which booths to visit.
Networking and Special Events to Look Forward To
The social calendar gives attendees room to connect between sessions:
- Welcome Reception: December 3, 4 to 7 P.M., Caribbean Foyer, with a complimentary drink ticket.
- Christian Veterinary Mission Breakfast: December 5, 7 to 8 A.M.
- Holiday Lights Cruise: December 5, 8:30 to 10:00 P.M., an optional add-on at $45 for adults and $25 for children (ages 4–16), with children under 3 free.
Tips for Attendees
Use the online schedule to filter by topic and build a personal agenda before you arrive. Reserve wet labs at registration, since they are not included in the conference pass. Book your hotel early, as rooms are also separate. If you are traveling from out of state, a December beach location makes it easy to extend your stay.
Plan Your Conference Calendar
TGAVC closes out a busy year of events. Browse our veterinary conferences page to compare other upcoming meetings. For more coverage, follow Vet and Tech’s Veterinary News section for the latest veterinary news, industry updates, events, and professional development.
