Attendee FAQs

Attendee FAQs

SWVS will be held on September 25-28, 2025 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-392-6338
https://www.fortworth.com/convention-center/

The continuing education program begins the afternoon of Thursday, September 25th, and runs through noon of Sunday, September 28th.

A maximum of 28 CE credit hours are available for the SWVS General Symposium. Additional credit hours are available through the purchase of ticketed events (Interactive Labs, Master Classes and CE Tours). In addition, DVMs licensed in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Texas may claim 2 hours of CE for visiting the SWVS Exhibit Hall. Please check with your state veterinary medical licensing board for specific CE allowances and requirements. It is the individual’s responsibility to maintain and submit CE records as required. Attendees are encouraged to consult their state licensing board for specific allowances and any restrictions on the number of hours accepted for specialty and nonscience sessions (practice management).

*SWVS is not responsible for and does not endorse the topic or content of speakers’ presentations or their affiliations.

DVMs, technicians, veterinary assistants, veterinary and technician students, practice managers, office staff, and suppliers that provide products and services that support veterinary medicine are welcome. SWVS reserves the right to determine attendance and participation for non-veterinarians. The Symposium is not designed to accommodate interests of the general public or other professionals unrelated to veterinary science. Only paid professional registrants with official SWVS 2025 badges are allowed to attend continuing education sessions and all events included with registration fees. Children age 17 and under do not require a name badge but must be accompanied by a registered attendee in the Exhibit Hall only. Children are not permitted in any CE sessions.

2024 Registration Pricing

Veterinarian
Early-Bird

Feb. 1 – July 31

Standard

Aug. 1 – Sept. 29

Full Registration

$485

$585

First Year DVM

$250

$300

Thursday-Only

$250

$350

Friday-Only

$260

$360

Saturday-Only

$260

$360

Sunday-Only

$250

$350

Thursday-Friday

$490

$590

Friday-Saturday

$490

$590

Saturday-Sunday

$490

$590

Technician & Veterinary Assistant
Early-Bird

Feb. 1 – July 31

Standard

Aug. 1 – Sept. 29

Full Registration

$220

$300

Thursday-Only

$70

$140

Friday-Only

$160

$250

Saturday-Only

$160

$250

Sunday-Only

$70

$140

Thursday-Friday

$225

$315

Friday-Saturday

$225

$315

Saturday-Sunday

$225

$315

Practice Manager & Office Staff
Early-Bird

Feb. 1 – July 31

Standard

Aug. 1 – Sept. 29

Full Registration

$220

$300

Thursday-Only

$70

$140

Friday-Only

$160

$250

Saturday-Only

$160

$250

Sunday-Only

$70

$140

Thursday-Friday

$225

$315

Friday-Saturday

$225

$315

Saturday-Sunday

$225

$315

Students & Guest
Early-Bird

Feb. 1 – July 31

Standard

Aug. 1 – Sept. 29

Students

$75

$100

Guest w/ Paid Attendee Registration

$55

$80

Guest w/ Paid Attendee Registration — includes Lunch Tickets (Friday)

$85

$110

Guest w/ Paid Attendee Registration — includes Lunch Tickets (Saturday)

$85

$110

Guest w/ Paid Attendee Registration — includes Lunch Tickets (Thurs/Sat)

$120

$145

Complete 4-day registration includes access to all lectures (with the exception of Interactive Labs/Master Classes/CE Tours), complimentary lunch for both Friday and Saturday, Exhibit Hall, Exhibit Hall Sip-n-Shop, Exhibit Hall refreshment breaks, complimentary Coffee & Pastries (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and Exhibitor Lunch & Learns. IMPORTANT NOTE: Any mailed or faxed registration forms postmarked after registration deadlines will not qualify for the discounted registration rate – no exceptions.

One-day registration includes the following: access to all lectures and events (with the exception of Interactive Labs/Master Classes/CE Tour) scheduled for that day (access to the Exhibit Hall exclusively for the day the registration is valid, complimentary Coffee & Pastries, complimentary refreshments during breaks, and access to any non-ticketed social events occurring the day the registration is valid. If you register for Friday or Saturday, complimentary lunch is included. If you register for Friday, a complimentary drink at the Exhibit Hall Sip-n-Shop is included.

VISA, MasterCard, American Express and checks are accepted for payment. WE DO NOT ACCEPT DISCOVER CARD. All checks must be made payable to “SWVS” and must be drawn on a U.S. bank. If you want to register online and pay by check, a payment option for “check” is available, and your registration will only be considered confirmed upon receipt of the mailed check. IMPORTANT NOTE: Checks must be postmarked by the deadline for discount pricing. Any payment received after the discount registration deadline will be assessed the registration fee applicable to the date the check is received. Checks must be received within 5 business days after registering online.

 

Veterinary and technician students must be enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary college or a AMVA CTEA-Accredited Veterinary Technician program. You are also required to provide acceptable current identification when registering for SWVS 2024. Acceptable documents are: a copy of a current student identification card, a letter of verification, or a letter written on official letterhead signed by a professor. When registering online, students can upload their documentation and proof of Student I.D. verification that is required. This will confirm the student registration immediately, and the student will receive an acknowledgment of his/her registration. Students who choose to fax or mail their registrations must attach a copy of the acceptable proof of identification document with the registration. Students will NOT receive a CE Certificate at the completion of the symposium. High School students can not attend.

No, you must be registered for SWVS 2025 (full or one-day).

Each ticketed event can be selected on the online registration form individually. Pre-registration is required and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum capacity is reached.

If you are on a waitlist, we will email or call you if a spot becomes available and if you are the top of the list.

If a spot becomes available, then we will email or call you if you are at the top of the waitlist.

Yes, attendees can search exhibitors, sessions and speakers while creating a personal itinerary throughout the event. In addition, you will be able to download proceedings and take notes. All registered attendees were sent an email on directions to access the mobile app. 

Once we have more information on this we will send an email to all registered attendees on how to do so through our app.

Yes, it will be held on Thursday, September 25th from 3:00pm – 3:30pm. Network with other first-time attendees and enjoy complimentary food and drinks while learning how to get the most out of our Symposium.

2024 Proceedings are now available online through Veterinary Information Network.

All SWVS 2024 paid registered attendees will have access to the 2024 conference papers online through VIN. Please see the email sent from VIN on how to access them and please reach out to them for any help with proceeding papers only.

Refund Policy-I understand that my cancellation of my registration must be made in writing via email to: info@swvs.org by August 1. Cancellations cannot be taken over the phone. A $50 handling fee will be charged to cover administrative costs for any cancellation at any time. Any cancellations after August 1 cannot be accepted of any kind. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS AFTER THE AUGUST 1 DEADLINE-NO EXCEPTIONS.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TICKETED EVENTS: No refunds of ticketed CE events will be given after August 1 for cancellations. Cancellations cannot be taken over the phone. Cancellations must be submitted via email to info@swvs.org. These ticketed CE offerings require a minimum number of registrants. If a session has less than the minimum number required, it will be cancelled on August 1. Participants will be notified and appropriate refunds will be processed.

If you need to make changes to your registration please email, info@swvs.org

You do not need a ticket for your lunch, we will scan your name badge to confirm you have lunch included in your registration. Complimentary lunch will be provided to all registered professional attendees for Friday and Saturday in the Exhibit Hall. Complimentary lunch will also be provided during the Exhibitor Lunch & Learns on Friday and Saturday. Guest will need to pay an additional fee for lunch.

No lunch is provided on Sunday. The Fort Worth Convention Center does have a grab and go concession area in the 12th Street Lobby.

All guests include family members or anyone who are not veterinarians, technicians, veterinary assistants, office staff or practice managers. All veterinarians, technicians, veterinary assistants, office staff or practice managers must register and pay registration fees. Guest badges are available for $55 before August 1st, price increases to $80 after this date. This allows guests to attend non-CE events, exhibits, and non-ticketed events. Guests cannot attend any CE sessions. Guest lunch for Friday or Saturday can be purchased through the online registration form or at the registration counter.

Guests, spouses, and children are all welcome on the SWVS tradeshow floor. Guest/spouse tickets are for family members or guest who are NOT veterinarians, technicians, veterinary assistants, office staff or practice managers. Guests 17 and under do not need a ticket. No guest or children under 17 are allowed in CE sessions.

Registration fees are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, such contributions and fees may be deductible by attendees under other provisions of the IRS code. Please check with your financial advisor.

No! SWVS WILL NOT sell your personal information to a third party. Your email and phone numbers are never given to exhibitors unless you provide those to them through Lead Retrieval permission onsite in their booth.

Registration confirmations are sent by email, so please provide your email address. If you are considering any Interactive Labs/Master Classes/CE Tours, space is limited; you may want to register online to secure your spot. Mailed or faxed forms require manual processing and there is a chance you may not receive your first selections. PRIVACY NOTE: SWVS WILL NOT sell your personal information to a third party. See the SWVS privacy policy here.

A CE Checklist will be provided to each attendee electronically through the mobile app and email for recording session attendance. This form is for you to keep and/or send to your state licensing board.

After the completion of the Symposium on Sunday, your Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Maintain the certificate along with the CE Checklist in your files. Anyone registered as a Student will not receive a CE Certificate.

If you need past years CE Certificates, please email info@swvs.org to have one sent to you.

Our hotels are screened and chosen for convenience in a wide range of prices and amenities.

Our hotels are close to the convention center or connected by Molly the Trolley routes.

Using SWVS Official Hotels keeps your registration costs to a minimum.

Staying at SWVS hotels offers great networking opportunities to meet colleagues and make new friend.

All housing requests must be received on or before the deadline; otherwise, the negotiated room rates may not be available.

SWVS has negotiated and selected popular hotels with a range of prices and a variety of amenities that are convenient to the convention center or are in walking distance. Reservations need to be made through the online registration form when you are registering for SWVS.

Click here to see hotel details.

Thursday, September 25
2:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Friday September 26
9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, September 27
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

We have a fun way for SWVS attendees and exhibitors to network while earning a chance to win awesome prizes. To play, simply find a participating booth and have the booth staff stamp your Scavenger Hunt sheet. Once completed you turn your Scavenger Hunt Sheet in for swag and a chance to win fabulous prizes.

The Scavenger Hunt has proven to be a successful venture for our exhibitors as well. Exhibitors will drive engagement, and collect valuable leads by participating in this program. In the past, feedback from exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive and brands have used it as a great way to make connections and start conversations.

If your company would like to participate in the 2025 Scavenger Hunt, contact angie@swvs.org

Your name badge will have a QR code on it with your contact information encoded, which most exhibitors can scan so you don’t have to carry a large amount of business cards. Do bring some, however, to share with new friends and colleagues!

In addition to the many CE courses offered, the SWVS experience includes a variety of networking and social opportunities. See more details on our SWVS Events page.

Absolutely! Fort Worth offers an array of activities for family members of all ages! For more information on Fort Worth check out their Visit Fort Worth website.

Yes! With the exception of service animals and animals that are part of a contracted event, animals are not allowed in the FWCC. Pets are not permitted.

For contracted events that include live animals, several policies must be followed to ensure the safety of the animals, public and staff:
• Animals must be confined to a specific area by means of a pen, stall, fence, cage, collar or harness.
• Animals must be attended to and held in such a manner that they do not present a danger to the public or themselves. Hoofed animals tend to slip on smooth concrete; therefore, rubber matting or some type of bedding material must be used. All bedding material is subject to fire marshal approval. FWCC’s carpet must be protected when animals are brought into the building. If an animal soils the carpet, a cleaning fee will be charged to licensee’s account.
• An animal handler must remain with the animal(s) the entire time the animal(s) is in the FWCC.

Service Animals
A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals.
Individuals with disabilities may bring service animals in all areas of the FWCC where members of the public, program participants, customers, patrons or invitees are allowed. A service animal can be excluded from the FWCC if its presence interferes with legitimate safety requirements of the FWCC. A service animal must have a harness, leash or other tether or be under the handler’s control through voice commands, hand signals or other effective means.

NO, childcare is not provided. Children age 17 and under do not require a name badge but must be accompanied by a registered attendee in the Exhibit Hall only. Children (no matter the age) are not permitted in any CE sessions.

Yes, there is one located in room 112 inside the Convention Center. Childcare is not provided and children (no matter the age) are not permitted in any CE sessions.

Yes! If you are looking for a cup of coffee, soft drink or a quick snack and grab and go food, the Fort Worth Convention Center has a concession area in the 12th Street Lobby.

Visit Fort Worth has information on dinner reservations, tickets, shopping, tours and travel to all of the exciting sites in Fort Worth and the surrounding area. Through the “Worth Savings” Show Us Your Badge program, attendees can enjoy free or discounted appetizers, meals, drinks, desserts and Fort Worth gifts just by showing your conference badge, card and mobile. For a list of participating establishments, click here.

The weather is in the upper 60s to the upper 90s from June to October in Fort Worth.

Please email info@swvs.org with your updated mailing address.

Pursuant of the American with Disabilities Act – If you have a disability that may impact your participation at SWVS, you need to indicate this on your registration form and then please send an email to info@swvs.org and briefly describe your needs. Please Note: SWVS cannot assure availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification of the need 30 days prior to the start of the event. If you do require specific needs onsite with out prior notification you will be responsible for the cost.

We will not be offering an online virtual option this year or any videos to watch after the completion of SWVS 2025.