Southwest Veterinary Symposium 2026: Dates, CE Hours, and Event Highlights

The Southwest Veterinary Symposium (SWVS) 2026 is coming to San Antonio, Texas, from September 17 to 20.

Combining continuing education with Southern hospitality, this year's symposium offers a full program for veterinary professionals.

SWVS 2026 marks a new chapter with 400+ RACE-approved CE hours across 12 tracks, interactive labs, master classes, and an exhibit hall with more than 250 exhibitors, including GerVetUSA at Booth #202.

Participants can register for the event as an attendee or exhibitor via the SWVS official registration page.

Several official host hotels are located just a few blocks from the convention center, giving attendees several convenient options for their stay.

SWVS 2026 Event Details

• Dates: September 17 to 20, 2026
• Venue: Henry B. González Convention Center
• Address: 900 E. Market Street, San Antonio, TX
• Airport: San Antonio International Airport, about 8 miles away and roughly a 15- to 20-minute drive
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the convention center’s main public areas.

SWVS 2026 Opening Session and Featured Speakers

SWVS 2026 begins on Thursday, September 17, with “The Kid in the Back of the Classroom,” featuring Walter “Skinni Go Live” Brown. The session is scheduled for 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, following the Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception.

The opening session leads into four days of veterinary education, with speakers from across the country covering clinical medicine, practice management, and veterinary team development. Throughout the symposium, attendees can choose from a wide range of educational sessions based on their interests and areas of practice.

RACE-Approved CE at SWVS 2026

SWVS 2026 offers 400+ hours of RACE-approved continuing education across 12 veterinary tracks, with up to 28 CE hours available through the General Symposium and additional opportunities through labs, master classes, and CE tours..

Here’s what attendees can expect:

• General Symposium: Up to 28 CE credit hours.
• Interactive Labs: Ticketed, hands-on sessions with limited seating.
• Master Classes: Additional CE opportunities focused on practical skills and deeper topic sessions.
• CE Tours: Another option for adding CE hours through hands-on experiences.
• Exhibit Hall CE: DVMs licensed in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas may claim 2 additional CE hours for visiting the SWVS Exhibit Hall. State-specific allowances should be confirmed with the appropriate licensing board.
• RACE Approval: The SWVS 2026 program has been reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) RACE committee.
• CE Certificates: Certificates are available through the official SWVS portal after the conference.

Exhibit Hall Highlights: Meet GerVetUSA at Booth #202

With 250+ exhibitors on the show floor, the SWVS Exhibit Hall is one of the symposium's main attractions for hands-on product discovery and one-on-one conversations with suppliers and manufacturers.

Exhibit Hall Hours

• Thursday: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Friday: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Sip-n-Shop, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

GerVetUSA will be exhibiting at Booth #202, giving attendees the chance to explore its veterinary surgical instrumentation lineup and speak directly with the team about instrument selection for their practice.

SWVS Conference Registration and Pricing

SWVS 2026 offers several registration options for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants, practice managers, office staff, and students.

A full veterinarian registration is currently $585, while single-day and multi-day options are also available at different rates. Technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers, and office staff have access to a separate discounted pricing tier, while student registration starts at $100.

Groups registering four or more full conference attendees together receive 20% off their registration fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is SWVS 2026?

SWVS 2026 will take place from September 17 to 20, 2026, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

What are the SWVS 2026 registration deadlines?

Early registration pricing was available through June 30, 2026, with standard pricing in effect from July 1 through the close of the event on September 20, 2026.

Can I still cancel my SWVS 2026 registration?

No. The cancellation deadline was August 1, 2026. Cancellations submitted before the deadline were subject to a $50 administrative fee, while cancellations after August 1 were not eligible for a refund.