SAVANNAH, Georgia – The International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium (IVECCS) became the largest convention by attendance ever held in Savannah when it brought 5,509 attendees and exhibitors to the city Sept. 14-17, exceeding its original attendance projection by more than 25%.
The event showcased the capacity of the newly expanded Savannah Convention Center, with an exhibit floor that grew nearly 21%, from 35,200 net square feet in 2025 to 42,500 net square feet this year. The number of exhibiting companies remained relatively steady at 232, compared with 229 last year.
The record turnout followed a series of changes made by the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS), which owns and manages IVECCS, in response to attendee feedback. It lowered the base registration rate, made lunch optional and shortened the program from 4.5 days to four full days.
“We’ve always believed growth comes from improving the attendee experience, not simply chasing attendance numbers,” said Sarah Kokernot, CEM, CMP, Vice President of Meetings and Events for VECCS.
Listening to Attendees
As travel, hotel and event costs continued to rise, affordability emerged as a concern. VECCS lowered its base registration rate and separated lunch from registration, allowing attendees to purchase it rather than including the cost in every registration.
Organizers also heard that the previous 4.5-day schedule could mean an additional hotel night and more challenging flight schedules, so they compressed the program into four full days.
“We were able to make IVECCS more affordable, less wasteful and more convenient without sacrificing continuing education opportunities or attendee value,” Kokernot said.
IVECCS featured more than 200 speakers and experts, with programming for emergency and critical-care veterinarians, veterinary technicians and nurses, practice managers, interns, residents and students.
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Making the Exhibit Hall More Than a Marketplace
VECCS applied the same attendee-first approach to the exhibit floor.
After hearing repeated requests for convenient coffee and refreshments, organizers placed two Café Connect locations directly in the exhibit hall, offering complimentary coffee and snacks along with places to sit, recharge and network.
A sponsor-created arcade provided another destination on the floor. According to VECCS, the Café Connect areas and arcade increased exhibit hall traffic and engagement while creating more opportunities for exhibitors to connect with attendees.
The show serves a highly specialized audience, with exhibitors including veterinary medical suppliers, animal nutrition companies and hospitals recruiting veterinarians and technicians.
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Expansion Creates Room to Grow
The Savannah Convention Center’s recent expansion provided the infrastructure needed to accommodate IVECCS’ record turnout.
When VECCS selected Savannah, it projected approximately 4,000 participants. The additional space allowed the show to accommodate concurrent educational sessions, special events and a 42,500-net-square-foot exhibit floor.
“The convention center expansion was the deciding factor,” Kokernot said. “IVECCS requires a substantial amount of meeting and exhibit space, and without the expansion, Savannah simply could not have accommodated the event.”
The expansion doubled the convention center’s size, increasing Savannah’s ability to compete for larger conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings and sporting events.
“Simply put, the event needed the flexibility and capacity the expanded building now provides,” said Kelvin Moore, General Manager and Senior Vice President of the Savannah Convention Center.
The event also had to address the convention center’s location on Hutchinson Island, across the Savannah River from the Historic District, where thousands of attendees were staying. Visit Savannah coordinated shuttle service and additional ferry capacity between downtown and the convention center.
VECCS said attendees embraced the river crossing as part of the Savannah experience rather than viewing it as a drawback.
Giving Back
IVECCS extended its impact beyond the convention center through its VECCS Gives initiative. Working with Renegade Paws Rescue, volunteers helped provide care for more than 400 pets belonging to families in need.
Next year, IVECCS will move to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, followed by Phoenix in 2028, National Harbor, Md., in 2029, and Aurora, Colo., in 2030.
VECCS plans to carry lessons from Savannah forward, with continued emphasis on affordability, flexibility and practical education. It also sees opportunities to expand hands-on learning through wet labs, small-group workshops and simulation-based education, and to reach more professionals in the growing veterinary urgent-care segment.
“Our goal isn’t just to grow attendance; it’s to continually make IVECCS a better event for the veterinary professionals we serve,” Kokernot said.
Featured Photo Credit: RC Photographic Productions. Inc.
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