Learning what it takes to advance to the next level of performance will be the theme of the 38th annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), March 3-6, 2007 in Orlando, FL.

“AASV: From Good to Great,” follows best-selling author Jim Collins’ book, “Good to Great,” in offering a program that challenges and attempts to answer the major questions facing swine veterinarians today.

Leading off discussion of that theme at the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture March 5 will be Tom Burkgren, DVM, executive director of the AASV for the past nine years.

A new feature of the March 5 general session is a lecture series in honor of the late Alex Hogg, DVM. A former president of the AASV, Hogg was known internationally for his expertise in swine disease. Abilene, KS, swine veterinarian Steve Henry will present the inaugural Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture, “Swine medicine: what we must do to have a seat on the bus.”

Four concurrent sessions are offered in the afternoon program on March 5, with discussions on finishing diseases, epidemiology of swine pandemics, economic opportunities or threats and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

The March 6 program focuses entirely on porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), with an introductory general session on the topic, followed by three concurrent sessions, each dealing with a different aspect of PCVAD.

Pre-conference seminars March 3 and 4 provide attendees with in-depth information on specific areas of interest.

A poster session – new this year ¬– begins at noon on March 4 and provides veterinary students and commercial companies another venue for sharing information.

The afternoon of March 4 also offers the popular student seminars, industrial partners and research topic sessions.

Registration materials will be mailed and online registration will be available in late December. To make hotel reservations, contact the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando at (407) 351-1000.

For more information, contact the AASV by phone (515) 465-5255; fax (515) 465-3832; e-mail aasv@aasv.org or visit the Web site, www.aasv.org/annmtg