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Additional Fee
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By Invitation Only
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Preregistration Recommended
Preregistration Recommended
Recorded for On-Demand
Recorded for On-Demand
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ACVS MOC
ACVS MOC

Frequently Asked Questions


ACVS Foundation

Donate online anytime at Donate (acvs.org). We encourage you to stop by the ACVS Foundation at booth #611 in the exhibit hall to learn more about the Foundation.

Attendance at the Celebration of Giving is by invitation only. Invitees will gather Thursday, 7:30–9 pm, in the the 3rd Floor West Ballroom Foyer.


ACVS Recent Diplomates' Breakfast

The ACVS Recent Diplomates’ Breakfast is by invitation only, Friday, 6:30–7:45 am, in room 213ab.


Annual Business Meeting

The 2024 ACVS Diplomates’ Business Meeting is open only to ACVS Diplomates. They are encouraged to attend Thursday, 11:45 am–12:45 pm, in West Ballroom 301a. Please bring your dated lunch voucher.


Attendance

Some events at the Summit are by invitation only, but regular seminars are open to all registered attendees. Seating and access to seminars that do not require pre-registration are not guaranteed.


Committee Meetings

If your committee is meeting during the Summit, your ACVS staff liaison will communicate with you directly.


Continuing Education

RACE provider #50-26221: The ACVS Surgery Summit has been approved for 243 hours of continuing education in jurisdictions that recognize Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE), with 35.25 hours available to an individual attendee.

There are three ways to track your CE credits.

  1. Track by seminar using the CE certificate of attendance form on pages 63 and 64 of the printed Program Guide you received during onsite check-in.
  2. Track by lectures using the Surgery Summit mobile app. Download the mobile app. For instructions, visit acvs.org/surgery-summit/app. You must log in once using your ACVS website username and password. Forgot your login information? Visit acvs.org/login.
    Once logged in, search for the lecture or laboratory attended and select “CE Survey” at the bottom. You will be directed to complete a short evaluation. The evaluation must be completed for each lecture or laboratory attended to add the credit hours to your CE certificate. Once completed, click “Submit.” This will add your CE credits to your certificate. Once the evaluation is complete, click “Submit to Complete Task.” You can add additional lectures at any time.*
  3. Track by lectures at acvssurgerysummit.org. Log in with your ACVS website username and password. Select “CE Certificate” in the navigation. Under “Tasks,” click “Select Lectures Attended and Complete Lecture Evaluations.” Search for each lecture or laboratory attended and evaluate to add CE credit to your CE certificate. Once evaluations are complete, click “Submit to Complete Task.”* You can add additional lectures at any time.*

* For options 2 and 3:

  • To add additional lectures, click “Select Lectures Attended and Complete Lecture Evaluations.” Search for your lecture, complete the evaluation, and submit to add hours to your CE certificate. Evaluations must be completed within 12 months of the Surgery Summit.
  • Once all evaluations are complete, select “Download/Print Certificate.” You can view, save as a PDF, print, or email the completed certificate at any time.

If you have questions, contact ce@acvs.org, (301) 916-0200 x113.

Log into acvs.org/login using your ACVS website username and password.

Once you have evaluated all lectures and laboratories attended, select “Download/Print Certificate.” You can view, save as a PDF, print, or email the completed certificate at any time.


Dietary Preferences

Gluten-free and vegan options are available at lunch on a first-come, first-served basis. Common allergens are also labeled on each lunch selection.


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ACVS is committed to and values diversity, equity, and inclusion and embraces the perspectives that they generate. Attendees are encouraged to attend the DEI-dedicated seminar at the Surgery Summit.

  • Saturday, 1:30–3:45 pm: Creating an Inclusive Environment seminar in room 101ab. Sponsored by ACVS Premier Sponsor MedVet.

Dress Code

Please dress comfortably in casual business attire. Air-conditioned rooms can be chilly; a light sweater or jacket is suggested for optimal comfort.


Exhibit Hall

Yes, name badges are required to enter the exhibit hall. You may purchase badges for guests who would like to attend the receptions and exhibits at the Registration Desk.

For safety reasons, children under 12 years of age are not permitted in the Exhibit Hall at any time.

The Exhibit Hall is in Exhibit Hall 2 of the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

  • Thursday, 9 am–7:30 pm
  • Friday, 9 am–5 pm
  • Saturday, 9 am–2 pm

A list of exhibitors is available under Browse by Company on the Surgery Summit website, on page 55 of the Program Guide and in the mobile app.


Fitness

The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Phoenix feature well-equipped fitness centers that include cardio machines and free weights.


Identification and Name Badges

Yes, name badges are required for identification by the Phoenix Convention Center. Your name badge conveniently holds your daily lunch and reception vouchers, so it's an important item to keep on you!

Please go to the Registration Desk for help with lost name badges.


Lost and Found

The Phoenix Convention Center provides an official lost and found location located in the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues West Building. Contact the Operations Center at (602) 262-7271 to inquire about lost or misplaced items. The Phoenix Convention Center assumes no responsibility for any lost or misplaced items.


Luggage Storage

Check your luggage at your hotel for later pick-up. There is no storage available at the Phoenix Convention Center.

ACVS is not responsible for holding luggage or any personal items and cannot watch your luggage during the Surgery Summit.


Lunch

Dated lunch vouchers are attached to your name badge. Detach your daily voucher to receive complimentary lunch at one of the lunch stations in the exhibit hall on Thursday, 11:30 am–1 pm, Friday, 11:45 am–1:15 pm, and Saturday, noon–1:30 pm.

Please check in at the Registration Desk for help with lost lunch vouchers.


Maintenance of Certification

The 2024 ACVS Surgery Summit is an ACVS Diplomate maintenance of certification (MOC) activity.

To have ACVS record this activity on your MOC record, ACVS Diplomates must complete the evaluation questions in the Surgery Summit mobile app for each lecture they attend by October 29, 2024. ACVS will upload the 2024 ACVS Surgery Summit activity to MOC records on October 30, 2024.

ACVS Diplomates who attend the 2024 ACVS Surgery Summit but do not complete the post-presentation questions by October 29, 2024, may still claim their activity points by adding the meeting to their MOC records themselves.


Merchandise/Scrubs

ACVS scrubs and other merchandise are for sale beginning Thursday at 1:30 pm in the registration area.


Mother's Room

Room 204 on the 200 Level is designated as a Mother’s Rooms for nursing or pumping mothers. There are three areas in the room available on a first-come first-served basis.

Additionally, the Phoenix Convention Center offers a private Mamava nursing pod in the atrium. Guests can unlock the pod by downloading the free Mamava app or by visiting the Information Desk and speaking with a Guest Experience Representative.


Photography and Videography

Attendees should be aware that ACVS may take photographs and video during the Surgery Summit. These images are used exclusively for ACVS's nonprofit purposes in publications and other media. Please visit the ACVS Registration Desk if you have any questions.


Proceedings

Proceedings notes are available to all registered attendees. View them using the Surgery Summit mobile app or view and download Proceedings by visiting acvs.org/surgery-summit/proceedings.


Recording

To maximize your learning opportunities while at the Surgery Summit, ACVS is recording four seminars and lectures from two laboratories for on-demand purchase. Each on-demand recording offers additional hours of continuing education credits. For the list of recordings and to pre-purchase on-demand recordings, learn more.


Refreshments

Refreshment breaks are located in the Exhibit Hall, except as noted below.

  • Thursday, 9:30–10:15 am
  • Thursday, 3:45–4:30 pm
  • Friday, 9:30–10:15 am
  • Friday, 3:45–4:30 pm
  • Saturday, 9:30–10:15 am
  • Saturday, 3:45–4:30 pm, seminar foyers

Refunds

At this time, cancellation requests are granted only in cases of extenuating circumstances (e.g., death in the family, medical emergency) and must be supported by written documentation. All refunds and changes must be requested in writing to ACVS, email: surgerysummit@acvs.org, fax: (301) 916-2287.


Registration

Yes, visit the Registration Desk on the Lower Level of the Phoenix Convention Center West Building to register onsite.

If you arrive on Wednesday, we highly encourage you to register upon arrival to avoid the rush on Thursday.

  • Wednesday, 9 am–6 pm
  • Thursday, 7 am–7:30 pm
  • Friday, 7 am–7:30 pm
  • Saturday, 7 am–6 pm

Onsite registration and pre-registration badge pick-up are at the Registration Desk on the Lower Level of the Phoenix Convention Center West Building.

If you arrive on Wednesday, we highly encourage you to visit registration upon arrival to avoid the rush on Thursday.

  • Wednesday, 9 am–6 pm
  • Thursday, 7 am–7:30 pm
  • Friday, 7 am–7:30 pm
  • Saturday, 7 am–6 pm

Residents Events

Wednesday

  • AO Program for Education and Excellence in Research, 8 am–5 pm, 212c (pre-registration was required)

Thursday

  • Residents’ Forum: Large Animal, 1–5:30 pm, West Ballroom 301c
  • Residents’ Forum: Small Animal, 1–5:30 pm, West Ballroom 301d
  • Scientific Poster Presentations and Reception, 6–7:30 pm, Exhibit Hall 2

Friday

  • Surgery Residents' Awards Ceremony, 12:15–12:45 pm, 104ab (bring lunch voucher)

Scientific Poster Presentations and Reception

The Scientific Poster Presentations and Reception is in the Exhibit Hall, Thursday, 6–7:30 pm.


Speaker Ready Room

Speakers may prepare, download, and print their lecture materials in room 202 on the 200 Level, Wednesday–Friday, 7 am–6 pm, and Saturday, 7 am–1:30 pm.


Sponsors

ACVS is very grateful for the 2024 Surgery Summit and laboratory sponsors. A complete list is available on page 2 of the Program Guide and in the mobile app.

ACVS would also like to extend its sincere appreciation for our 2024 ACVS Premier Sponsors: Arthrex Vet Systems, Elanco, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, J&J MedTech, Medtronic, MedVet, Mobile Veterinary Specialists (MOVES), Movora, Securos Surgical, and Sontec Instruments.


Transportation

Convenient transportation to and from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport comes by way of the free PHX Sky Train. This driverless people mover transports passengers between the airport and the 44th Street/Washington Street station, where you can then easily hop on the Valley Metro Rail to travel downtown. The Valley Metro Rail costs $2 per trip; an all-day pass is $4.

The airport is a short 10-minute drive from the Pheonix Convention Center. Taxi and ride-sharing options are available to travel to and from the airport. Please note that drivers are in high demand, so plan for possible wait times or schedule your ride in advance.


WiFi

Yes, free WiFi is available on the 100, 200, and 300-level of the Convention Center. The free WIFI network is ACVS2024 and the password is acvs2024.


Working Groups

Participation in the working groups was on a first come, first served basis for ACVS and ECVS Diplomates and residents. Pre-registration was required to join a working group and cannot be added for the working groups that have been filled. Please check with the Registration Desk to see if a working group has available seats.


2025 Surgery Summit

The 2025 Surgery Summit is in Seattle, WA, on October 23–25, 2025, with laboratories on October 22, 2025.



Can't find the answer to your question?

For assistance prior to the 2024 Surgery Summit, please email surgerysummit@acvs.org.

For onsite assistance, visit the Registration Desk on the Lower Level of the Phoenix Convention Center.