Conference information

AHDA is pleased to announce that the next AHDA Conference will once again be held at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the NEC.

The Exhibition hall will be packed with 50 Exhibitor stands, featuring some of the leading animal health companies along with the VMD, AMTRA, COWS and SCOPS.

As soon as the programme is finalised, we will confirm the title of each session, the name of the speaker and the number of CPD points available. We anticipate that there will be around 45 points available to SQPs over the two days.

Two day programme as at 1 December 2024 – Subject to change and more details to follow.

Conference Programme

Monday 27th January

10.00 – 10.30 Conference and Exhibition Opens

Tea and coffee available – sponsored by Norbrook
(Danish pastries, Greek yoghurt and fruit pot, Pears and red apples, Pretzels)

Main Speaker Room

10.30 – 11.00 Arthur Redpath, Stonehaven Consulting – “The latest developments within the global animal health industry”

11.00 – 11.30 Professor Jude L Capper, Harper Adams University – “Sustainable Beef and Sheep Production”

11.30 – 12.00 Dave Batley, Principal Research Scientist, The Moredun Institute

12.00 – 12.30 Sebastian Graff-Baker, Partner, Andersons Consulting

12.30 – 14.00 Lunch & Exhibition Networking

(Slow cooked pork and apple stew, Vegan chicken stir-fry,  Macaroni cheese with butternut squash, Panache vegetables, Truffled cheese pasta salad, Giant cous cous with Arabic vegetables, Warm pear and ginger pudding, Cassis and white chocolate delice, Coconut and star anise rice)

Tea and Coffee available – sponsored by Norbrook

Main Speaker Room

14.00 – 14.30 Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Assoc. – “Insight into the sheep industry and its future”

14.30 – 15.00 Neil Shand, Chief Executive, National Beef Assoc.

15.00 – 15.30 Claire Williams, Executive Director, British Equestrian Trade Assoc. – “The British Equestrian industry – now and in the future”

15.30 – 16.00 Exhibition networking

16.00 – 17.00 Happy Hour Drinks Reception – Sponsored by Chanelle

17.30 –  Exhibition Hall closes for the evening

18.45 – 19.45 Extended Complimentary AHDA Champagne Reception with canapes in the Kings Suite, for two day delegates. Sponsored by Lodi

19.45 Anniversary Gala Dinner – Kings Suite, incorporating: Three course dinner with complimentary wine. The Chris Hamilton memorial award, Grand Prize Draw in aid of Cancer Research UK and live music.  Short ADHA presentations to celebrate AHDA’s 40th Anniversary including Mr Peter Slack, hilariously witty Derbyshire Dairy Farmer.

Tuesday 28th January

Farm Animal Presentations

09.00 – 09.30 Phillipa Page BVSc BSc MRCVS, Flock Health LTD  – “Engaging with farmers to enhance responsible prescribing”

(Valid for Compulsory Anthelmintic CPD)

09.30 – 10.00 Cat McLaughlin Chair RUMA Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA)

10.00 – 10.30 Hillary Cowley BVSc MRCVS Deputy CEO (AMTRA)  – “Proficient Prescribing”

(Valid for Compulsory Anthelmintic CPD)

Companion Animal and Equine Presentations

09.00 – 09.30 Tamzin Furtado, PhD BA (Hons), Lecturer in Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare

09.30 – 10.00 Professor Jacqui Matthews Recognised Specialist (Parasitology), Director of Veterinary Science, Austin Davis Biologics Ltd – “Saliva testing for horse tapeworm”

10.00 – 10.30 Royal Canin, Pet Nutrition Hannah Lawrence-Still

Exhibition Hall presentations and networking for all

10.30 – 12.15   Presentations from a wide range of exhibitors, networking and self-reflection CPD **

Tea and coffee available – sponsored by Norbrook
(Madeira cake, Cranberry juice, Satsumas and green apples, Cheese twists)

The middle part of the second day has been completely restructured, with a focus on the Exhibition Hall, where we are introducing self-reflection CPD, of which there are a total of 12 CPD points to claim. (TBC)

These sessions are designed for delegates to spend in the Exhibition Hall.  Here, they will have time to discuss, network and interact with exhibitors, explore their stands and attend exhibitor presentations throughout the day, gaining direct information and asking pertinent questions.

We have asked exhibitors to plan short presentations from their stand that are optional but give delegates an opportunity to hear the latest information from different companies and ask any questions that they might have. There will be a programme produced to detail the exhibitor stands that are doing presentations and the times that these will be taking place. During the day as an added assurance of attendance in the exhibition hall delegates will be monitored by having their name badges scanned from time to time.

12.15 – 13.15    Lunch & Exhibition Networking

(Beef stroganoff, Sweet potato, spinach and green lentils, Vegetable lasagne, Quinoa and spiced vegetable salad, Variety of salads, Chocolate cake, Treacle sponge with crème Anglaise, Fruit salad)

13.15 – 15.00   Presentations from a wide range of exhibitors, networking and self-reflection CPD **

14:30 Tea and coffee available – sponsored by Norbrook
(Lemon and poppy seed cake,  Baked aubergine salad with yoghurt and bread sticks, Satsumas and apples, Cheese twists)

Main Speaker Room

15.00 – 15.30 Lee Grist VMD Head of Inspections and Enforcement Division VMR Implementation

15.00 – 15.45 Stephen Dawson AMTRA CEO – Self-reflection explained and what next…

15.45 – 16.00 Bryan Lovegrove AHDA Secretary General – Exciting Times Ahead

How Self – Reflection CPD works **
SQPs may claim up to 30% (or 50% for veterinary nurses) of their overall target from CPD which is not AMTRA-accredited, but which supports the AMTRA RAMA role. Such CPD is subject to self-reflection and must be claimed via the AMTRA website.

Such CPD must be recorded within 3 months of it taking place. and accompanied by appropriate “reflection” – usually a short summary with you describing what you learned, how you might change your prescribing or advice as a result, what further CPD/learning might be appropriate next, or other reactions to the CPD you wish to describe.

AMTRA CPD points will be awarded at the rate of 4 points per hour of reflective CPD but capped at 30% (50% for veterinary nurses) of your overall personal points target.

In order to apply for the self-reflection CPD points SQPs will need to log onto the AMTRA website and click on the button for CPD self-reflection where you will find a form to complete that asks helpful questions and guidance on the process

For more information about Self-Reflection CPD, follow this link

Conference Packages

Two Day Tickets

Two day ticket includes conference notes and delegate pack – Full access to speaker programme on both days – Access to extensive Exhibition Hall – Coffee, tea and snacks – Hot buffet lunch both days – Happy hour drinks voucher – Champagne Reception – Gala Dinner- Overnight accommodation on day one – Full Hilton Breakfast on day two– Complimentary parking – Digital recording of CPD points obtained for each registered RAMA (SQP).

One day package

One day tickets includes conference notes and delegate pack – Full access to speaker programme on the day – Access to extensive Exhibition Hall – Coffee, tea and snacks – Hot buffet lunch – Complimentary parking – Digital recording of CPD points obtained. (Discounted rate for AHDA members on Tuesday 28th is £25.00 + VAT)

Exhibition Timings

The AHDA Exhibition starts at 10.00am on day one with speaker sessions followed by workshops. On day two the exhibition hall opens and speaker sessions start at 9.00am.

Parking

All delegates at the AHDA Conference have car parking as part of the conference package, subject to availability. Each delegate will need to register their vehicle, and instructions will be provided after you have booked.

Accommodation

All bookings must be made through AHDA as rooms have been pre booked. The rooms may not be available until late afternoon.

Hotel Facilities

The Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel provides delegates staying overnight, full use of the LivingWell Health Club, which offers a gym, sauna, steam room and indoor pool.

CPD Points – Approx. 45 points over the 2 days

On booking SQPs need to quote their SQP number. We will record which sessions each delegate attends, and AHDA will inform AMTRA of the points each SQP has earned.

Member Rates

Fully paid up members of AHDA qualify for member rates

Discounted rate for AHDA members on Tuesday 28th is £25.00 + VAT)

Conference Package

Click the link below to find out more about our Early Bird Ticket Deals