EXCITING NEW CONFERENCE FORMAT

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 2 January 2025 – 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 – Sponsored by Boehringer – Elanco – Zoetis
10.30 – 11.00 Arthur Redpath, Stonehaven Consulting – “The latest developments within the global animal health industry” 3 CPD points
11.00 – 11.30 Professor Jude L Capper, Harper Adams University – “Is livestock health the missing piece of the sustainability jigsaw? ” 3 CPD points
11.30 – 12.00 Dave Bartley, Principal Research Scientist, The Moredun Institute – “Livestock Disease Control – Opportunities now and for the future” 4 CPD points
12.00 – 12.30 Sebastian Graff-Baker, Partner, Andersons Midlands – “Prospects for Beef and Sheep Producers” Current economic prospects and projections as to where the industry might be heading. 3 CPD points
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 – Sponsored by Boehringer – Elanco – Zoetis
14.00 – 14.30 Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Assoc. – “Insight into the sheep industry and its future” 3 CPD points
14.30 – 15.00 Neil Shand, Chief Executive, National Beef Assoc. 3 CPD points “Beef Boom! – Progression of the beef trade since Covid and horizon scan”
15.00 – 15.30 Claire Williams, Executive Director, British Equestrian Trade Assoc. – “The British Equestrian industry – the current state and challenges and opportunities in the future” 3 CPD points
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 Complimentary AHDA Champagne Reception with canapes in the Kings Suite, for two day delegates. Sponsored by Lodi
(Brie caramelized red onion, Smoked chicken and tarragon rillettes on roasted ratatouille with grilled ciabatta, Vegan meatball with sweet chilli sauce, Mac and cheese bites, Tartlet of roasted shallot with feta crumble)
19.45 Anniversary Gala Dinner with complimentary wine – Kings Suite
(Roasted Turkey and Bacon Roulade with Anna potatoes, sauteed red cabbage, butternut squash, sprouted broccoli and thyme jus – Rhubarb and Custard Panna Cotta with ginger biscuit – selection of Cheese and Biscuits – Coffee and Chocolate Mints)
To include:
Live Music, Reflections over 40 years to celebrate AHDA’s Anniversary, The Chris Hamilton memorial award, Grand Prize Draw in aid of Cancer Research UK and Mr Peter Slack, Amusing Derbyshire Dairy Farmer.
Tuesday 28th January – Sponsored by Boehringer – Elanco – Zoetis
Farm Animal Presentations
09.00 – 09.30 Phillipa Page BVSc BSc MRCVS, Flock Health LTD – “Addressing the challenges at the Counter. Tips on how to have discussions with farmers to boost engagement and ensure correct prescribing for animal health and welfare.” 5 Enhanced / Compulsory CPD points
09.30 – 10.00 Cat McLaughlin Chair RUMA Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) – “Update on our activities and future focus” 4 CPD points
10.00 – 10.30 Hillary Cowley BVSc MRCVS Deputy CEO (AMTRA) – Evidence Based Prescribing – “Embracing testing and the vet led team to inform prescribing, plus launch of AMTRA survey. 5 Enhanced / Compulsory CPD points
Companion Animal and Equine Presentations
09.00 – 09.30 Tamzin Furtado, PhD BA (Hons), Lecturer in Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare – We know how to manage parasites, what about managing clients? “An introduction to the science of human behaviour” 4 CPD points
09.30 – 10.00 Professor Jacqui Matthews Recognised Specialist (Parasitology), Director of Veterinary Science, Austin Davis Biologics – “Three steps to sustainable tapeworm control in horses ” 4 CPD points
10.00 – 10.30 Royal Canin, Pet Nutrition Hannah Lawrence-Still – Unravelling the Mystery of Pet Food: What do Cats and Dogs Really Need? “The real nutritional requirements of cats and dogs” 4 CPD points
Exhibition Hall presentations and networking for all
10.30 – 12.15 Presentations from a wide range of exhibitors, networking and Self-reflection CPD
Self-reflection CPD – 4 CPD points per hour to a maximum of 12 CPD points
Tea and coffee available – sponsored by Norbrook
(Madeira cake, Cranberry juice, Satsumas and green apples, Cheese twists)
The second day has been completely restructured, with a focus on the Exhibition Hall, where we are introducing self-reflection CPD, which gives scope (depending on category of SQP) to make a self-reflection claim on the AMTRA website and gain CPD points. This open self-reflection section within the exhibition hall is intended for RAMA (SQPs) to network and discuss any subject they wish.
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, to help enhance their self-reflection.
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, again these exhibitor presentations are optional to attend and carry no set CPD points, but count towards RAMA applications to AMTRA for self-reflection. 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.
There is no requirement for RAMA (SQPs) to attend any exhibitor presentations on the second day of the AHDA Conference, these are just an additional element to encourage dialogue, interaction and self-reflection. It will be up to the RAMA (SQP) to apply to AMTRA following the Conference in order to receive their CPD points, please see below.
The information on the AMTRA web site will ask RAMA (SQPs) for the following:
• Date self-reflection CPD took place, within the last three months
• Name of the CPD event – between 6 and 100 characters
• Duration in hours and minutes
• What the self-reflection CPD covered – between 20 and 255 characters
• Your reflection on how did the CPD develop your learning and how will this self-reflection CPD impact the way you carry out your role.
Please see the AMTRA website for more information at amtra.org.uk/CPDreflections
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 (as detailed above)
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 – “The revised VMR – what you need to know” 4 CPD points
15.30 – 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 **
From the AMTRA website:
“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 Conference tickets