SWVS will be held on September 17-20, 2026 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Henry B. González Convention Center
900 E Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205-2784
210-207-8500
https://www.sahbgcc.com/

The continuing education program begins the afternoon of Thursday, September 17th, and runs through noon of Sunday, September 20th.

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 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.

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. 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 2026 (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 directions to access the mobile app in their registration email.

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 17th 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.

All SWVS paid registered attendees will have access to the conference papers online through VIN. VIN will be sending all registered attendees an email on September 10th on how to access them through this link. Please reach out to VIN for any help accessing proceeding papers.

Refund Policy-I understand that my cancellation of my registration must be made in writing via email to: maritz@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 maritz@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 call 864-216-7291 or email, maritz@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 except for Coffee and Pastries from 7:00am – 8:00am. The El Puente Café is located in the West Lobby bridge overlooking the River Walk. It also offers coffee, snacks and meals. Enjoy your snack as you look out onto the River Walk through our floor to ceiling windows.

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 $125 before August 1st, price increases to $150 after this date, lunch is included for Friday and Saturday. This allows guests to attend non-CE events, exhibits, and non-ticketed events. Guests cannot attend any CE sessions.

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.

Three simple steps are required to obtain the SWVS CE Certificate of Completion.

1. CHECK-IN – Upon arrival at the Convention Center, check-in at the registration area, where your badge will be scanned to verify your attendance. You only need to scan your badge once.
2. TRACK YOUR ATTENDANCE – Keep a record of your presence at each session you attend.

3. CEU Portal
   To access your CE/RACE certificates for Southwest Veterinary Symposium, visit the CEU portal after the event. It is then your responsibility to submit CE to your state board. SWVS does not submit CE reports for attendees.

   If you would like SWVS to submit your hours to RACE on your behalf, please upload them into the portal by October 31st.

   An email will be sent to your registration address with a link to the portal and login instructions. For assistance, click the “Need Help” button to contact support. Certificates will be available anytime through the portal

RACE APPROVAL STATEMENT

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards RACE committee has reviewed and approved the program referenced above as meeting the Standards adopted by the AAVSB.

Please contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org or 877-698-8482 should you have any comments/concerns regarding this program’s validity or relevancy to the veterinary profession, or if you have questions regarding this notification. For information about certification in each state, visit the American Association of Veterinary State Boards For information about certification in each state, visit the American Association of Veterinary State Boards http://www.aavsb.org/race

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. You can also use the Record of Participation on pg. 33 in the onsite guide to keep track.

CEU Portal

To access your CE/RACE certificates for Southwest Veterinary Symposium, visit the CEU portal after the event. 

If you would like SWVS to submit your hours to RACE on your behalf, please upload them into the portal by October 31st.

An email will be sent to your registration address with a link to the portal and login instructions. For assistance, click the “Need Help” button to contact support. Certificates will be available anytime through the portal.

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.

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 September 1st; otherwise, the negotiated room rates may not be available.

SWVS housing is closed at this time.

Thursday, September 17
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Friday September 18
9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, September 19
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 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! San Antonio offers an array of activities for family members of all ages! For more information on San Antonio check out their Visit San Antonio website.

With the exception of service assistance dogs and animals participating in contracted events, such as dog, cat or cattle shows, animals for the purpose of exhibition are not permitted in the facilities without prior written approval from the assigned Events Services Coordinator for the specified event. Additionally, in accordance with state and San Antonio Metropolitan Health District guidelines, animals are not permitted within fifty (50) feet of any food service preparation or service area, except for assistance dogs. Animal must have a handler at all times for supervision and clean up. 17 Please contact your assigned Events Services Coordinator for more information.

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 2137 inside the Convention Center. Childcare is not provided and children (no matter the age) are not permitted in any CE sessions.

San Antonio always has something new to experience, discover, and explore. From one-of-a-kind events to the best restaurants, attractions, and so much more, a trip to San Antonio is just what you need for your best getaway yet.  Visit San Antonio to learn more.

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 maritz@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.

Yes, if you are a first-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate, you may need to provide additional documents. The acceptable documents typically include: Proof of Graduation: A copy of your diploma from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine, which verifies that you have completed the necessary education.

Yes, on Saturday, Sept. 19th from 9:30am-4:30pm, $50

Use this link to reserve a time or sign up as a walk-in onsite when you have free time. This is a titer’s clinic only this year.