AAAP.infoThe American Association of Avian Pathologists has announced that its 2021 conference — originally scheduled for July 30 through August 1 in Minneapolis — will be a virtual event to ensure the safety of its members and other attendees.
Pre-recorded presentations will be available to view July 1 through August 30. Live events. including scientific presentations, speaker Q&As and a roundtable with keynote speakers, will begin streaming July 30.
While organizers were disappointed about having to cancel the live event, they remain energized by the record attendance that AAAP saw at its 2020 conference, also a virtual event. “Nothing can replace the fellowship and memories that go with a live conference,” said Bob Bevans-Kerr, executive director for AAAP.
“By the same token, hosting a virtual event in 2020 allowed more people from more countries to attend. This year we’re hoping to attract even more poultry health professionals and students from both the United States and around the world.”
2020 attendance up more than 24 percent
He reported that the 2020 conference attracted 621 registrants, more than a 24 percent increase from 2019 and a new conference record. The event also made it possible for poultry health professionals from 35 countries to attend — approximately 50 percent more than usual.
“Like other conference organizers, we learned a lot last year from our first virtual conference,” Bevans-Kerr said. “We expect fewer technological hiccups this year. We’ll also be introducing new interactive tools that will allow attendees to easily communicate with each other and exchange thoughts on the presentations.”
More than 140 scientific sessions
The 2021 AAAP conference will feature more than 140 scientific sessions on specific poultry diseases, in addition to presentations on immunology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, vaccinology, diagnostics and food safety. The conference will also feature more than 75 posters.
Registration for the 2021 AAAP conference will be conducted through the AAAP website, not through the website of the host association, American Veterinary Medical Association, as in previous years.
