Every time I log in to my blog, I am reminded about how I need to write more about my experiences.
Can I just start by saying, 15 months of non stop study, flights, events and the like has left me scrambling to juggle all the activities I am invested in. It has be nigh on impossible to do everything but looking back, I have done a pretty remarkable job of sharing.
So… I can just say, when I get a few moments, I have a few other pieces in hindsight, I would like to write about. Christmas time I will do what I can especially as I approach the final home straight of this degree. Being on a very difficult rotation at the moment means that I am focused on that as it stands!
This one opportunity I have to write about though.
Context!
Not long after my trip to India with Worldwide Veterinary Service had finished (check the Facebook for VLOGS), I was approached by VetsNow (The biggest emergency critical care specialist service provider in UK) about going to their 14th and biggest yet Congress at the grandiose Majestic Hotel in Harrogate. I know right? Pretty exciting opportunity, especially as the field of Critical Care is an area that I am exploring as a possible route for my career. To add to that, I had wanted to attend previously but it had never come to fruition… so being invited as a guest was just a huge honour.
After some persuasion from my clinical rotation supervisor, I was able to wangle the time off so I could attend. Might I add, I would have had the biggest tantrum had I not been able to attend!
The Congress itself is a mix of several streams, an exhibition and obviously, the typical boozy evening events and obligatory dress up themes. The outline that you would normally expect for a Vet Congress, correct? But what ECCUK17 does is take all those features we as vets/nurses/technicians etc expect and add so many more levels that I had personally never experienced before at events full stop, never mind one for vets.
The venue for the Congress
I arrived on the Wednesday night just before the welcoming evening events and met my lovely liaison, Kirsty and the marketing team for VetsNow. Not long after I had arrived, I was already mingling with a complimentary drink of prosecco. The reception area where the mutterings of ‘free alcohol’ were enough of a incentive to attract people, was soon full. Shortly after we were chaperoned be seated for the evening and of course, be fed.
Between waiting for each the meal courses and making light work of the bottles of wine, the increasingly raucous veterinary attendees were given what I describe as ‘upsettingly impressive’ magic act. I would divulge the details but I still have no words to explain what exactly happened in the act. It involved, ipads, drones, a three layered locked box and Sue Perkins. It is as odd as it sounds to be quite honest with you but I can tell you it was very well received.
Later that very evening, post-food and the red wine had been flowing for several hours, I decided with the marketing team and a few vets in tow to make use of a dance floor that had been put together. The DJ playing had all the classics that you would expect a Veterinary Congress! Unbeknownst to me, the time had progressed up until the early hours (as it tends to do with wine). So I then made the arduous 30 second walk from the now very blurry, Majestic Hotel to my hotel I was booked in.
The next morning, I was up, somewhat “bright” and early for the day of lectures and perusing the exhibition.
Lectures. What I love about our community is that nearly everyone involved is so very committed to the field and this was shown in the lectures/speakers. They were sublime. I can’t quantify how brilliant so many vets/nurses/technicians are and every congress, I am always reminded how much information is out there. Being present in the lectures with the very people you had to take direction from in Youtube videos or research articles and hearing what the creators of many of the routine procedures you perform on a regular basis, is always a humbling experience. Each stream was always attended by large numbers and that’s always a fantastic sign that the quality of everything and everyone involved was astronomically high. Megan Breasher from the US is someone who throughout my veterinary degree, I’ve come back to as source of information. I even mistook her for being a vet because she is that good. A particular highlight for me personally.
Remember everyone, NEVER underestimate the ability of your vet techs, nurses and peers. They are a hugely talented group of people and Megan Breashear is a shining example.
So after a full day of lectures the Strictly Come Dancing themed night was upon us. What can I say about this that hasn’t already been said about big award shows. As the pictures show, it was a very swanky state of affairs. The food, the Strictly Come Dancing entertainment with the entertaining pair of James and Ola Jordan and again some dancing to some classics in all our Strictly Dancing finery. Now for those in the vet community and for those who have attended any fancy dress events, know that vets do not hold back by any stretch of the imagination. You ask anyone involved, to jump for a fancy dress theme and most will say how high? It is that serious. So much so that even the entertainers arguably had a more muted approach to their costumes than many of the people in attendance! Of course the food was great, in particular the chocolate cake which kept the tables quiet for at least a few minutes. Photo booths, an unplanned cameo from one of the audience with James Jordan and generally a very bubbly atmosphere contributed to a memorable evening. I myself, left just after midnight with last nights efforts catching up to me but rumour has it, attendees were still skulking home at nearer to 2am. Not surprised in the slightest.
The second day, I was up early to make the most of the days streams especially as I was scheduled to make my way back to Birmingham that evening. That day, I was very much looking forward to one particular lecture led by a human doctor, Dr Karen Jones. She was a specialist in head trauma with interests with sporting injuries. She also was employed by largest local rugby team, Worcester Warriors so I was interested to see what emergencies and type of concerns, she had in her field of work. The crossovers between human and vet med is much closer than many outside of the field give credit for. Seeing how the information Dr Jones shared, resonated with veterinary medicine and some of the more common ailments, was an all important reminder of why we need to share more proactively.
Unfortunately, Harrogate isn’t the easiest place to get to by public transport and I had to leave a tad earlier than before the very end of the day so I could be on a train for three hours back to the land of the Brummies. On my journey home, I was recapping the two days. I soon realised that this Congress was by far the most complete in terms of overall experience I had attended thus far. From the lectures and the events, the venue, the organisation… everything was done to such a high standard, I’d love to attend again in the future.
For anyone who likes to not only learn but wants to be part of a completely brilliant experience, then look no further. It seems to be vet communities worst kept secret and its not likely to stay that way!
So for my one sentence review of it…
Now we are talking
Next year #ECCUK18?
Dready Vet 