Don’t Just Attend WVC Vegas, Absorb It
Let's talk about the dirty secret of veterinary conferences: some of us treat CE like a checkbox. We sit in the back of the lecture hall, half-listening while scrolling through emails. We attend sessions based on what fits our schedule rather than what we actually need to learn. We walk away with a certificate and zero practical knowledge we'll use on Monday morning.
But what if you could actually transform your clinical skills at WVC Vegas instead of just surviving it?
Dr. Jessica Trice, Co-Founder of Vetique Chicago and one of Vet Candy's four WVC Vegas 2026 ambassadors, is the kind of veterinarian who geeks out over medical education. She's the one taking notes during lectures, asking questions during Q&A sessions, and genuinely excited about the latest research on everything from antimicrobial stewardship to advanced imaging techniques.
"WVC Vegas has some of the best veterinary educators in the world presenting cutting-edge content," Dr. Trice says. "But most people don't know how to actually extract value from a conference this massive. They get overwhelmed by the options and end up learning nothing deeply. I want to change that."
If you're ready to get your nerd on and actually level up your clinical skills at WVC Vegas 2026, Dr. Trice has a battle plan for you.
Build Your Schedule Like a Curriculum, Not a Buffet
The WVC Vegas program has hundreds of sessions spanning every species, specialty, and skill level. That's both a gift and a curse.
"The biggest mistake I see is people trying to sample everything," Dr. Trice explains. "They go to a cardiology lecture, then a dermatology session, then something on practice management, and by the end of the day their brain is mush and they can't remember anything from any of it."
Her recommendation: pick 2-3 clinical topics you genuinely want to improve, then build your entire schedule around deep-diving those areas.
"If you want to get better at dentistry, commit to attending every dentistry session available," she advises. "Go to the beginner session even if you think you know the basics. Go to the advanced session even if you're not there yet. Go to the wet lab if there is one. By the end of the conference, you'll actually feel confident implementing new dental techniques in practice."
This approach requires saying no to sessions that sound interesting but don't serve your learning goals. That's okay. You can't learn everything in four days.
Front-Load the Foundational Stuff (Even If It Feels Basic)
Dr. Trice recommends starting the conference with sessions that cover fundamental concepts, even if you've been practicing for years.
"I don't care if you've been a vet for 20 years, go to the 'Dermatology Basics' session if derm is your weak spot," she says. "So many experienced veterinarians skip the fundamentals and jump straight to advanced topics, then they're lost because they never actually mastered the basics."
She also points out that "basic" sessions often feature different approaches or updated guidelines that challenge what you learned in vet school.
"I went to a 'Feline Medicine Essentials' session a few years ago thinking I knew everything already," Dr. Trice admits. "That one 'basic' session improved my quality of care for every single feline patient."
Take Notes Like You're Studying for Boards Again
Most conference attendees either don't take notes at all or they snap photos of slides and never look at them again. Dr. Trice has a better system.
"I bring a notebook dedicated to the conference and I handwrite notes during sessions," she says. "Research shows that handwriting improves retention compared to typing. Plus, it forces you to synthesize information in real time rather than just transcribing slides."
Her note-taking strategy includes:
Key clinical pearls or protocols she wants to implement
Questions to research further when she gets home
Specific references or studies mentioned that she wants to read
Action items for how she'll change her practice based on what she learned
"At the end of each day, I spend 20 minutes reviewing my notes and highlighting the top three things I want to remember," Dr. Trice explains. "That review process is what moves information from short-term to long-term memory."
Actually Ask Questions
The Q&A portion of sessions is where the real learning happens. But most people stay silent.
"I promise you're not the only person in that room wondering about the thing you're wondering about," Dr. Trice says. "If you're confused about how to apply a technique in general practice, or you need clarification on a dosage, or you want to know what to do when the textbook protocol doesn't work, ask."
She recommends writing down questions as they occur during the presentation, then being one of the first people to raise your hand when Q&A opens.
"The speakers want questions," Dr. Trice notes. "They prepared this content to help you. Let them help you. Plus, asking thoughtful questions helps you remember the content better and signals to the speaker that you're actually engaged."
And if the session runs out of time for your question? Approach the speaker afterward. That's how you turn a lecture into a mentorship opportunity.
Hit the Wet Labs and Hands-On Sessions
Lectures are great for foundational knowledge. But if you want to actually improve your clinical skills, you need hands-on practice.
"The wet labs at WVC Vegas are incredible learning opportunities," Dr. Trice emphasizes. "You can practice surgical techniques, learn new diagnostic procedures, tune up your ultra sound skills, and get real-time feedback from experts. This is stuff you can't learn from a PowerPoint."
She recommends registering for wet labs and hands-on sessions as soon as registration opens because they fill up fast.
These sessions also tend to have smaller groups, which means more individualized attention and better opportunities to ask questions.
Connect Learning to Real Cases
The best way to retain conference education is to immediately connect it to your clinical experience.
"During sessions, I'm constantly thinking about specific patients where this information would have helped," Dr. Trice says. "When a speaker talks about a diagnostic approach for chronic diarrhea, I'm mentally reviewing cases where I struggled with that exact problem."
She also recommends scheduling time during the conference to discuss what you're learning with colleagues.
"Some of my best learning has happened over coffee with other veterinarians comparing notes on a session we both attended," Dr. Trice explains. "They caught things I missed. I understood concepts they didn't. That collaborative processing helps both people learn better."
The Bottom Line
WVC Vegas 2026 offers an unparalleled opportunity to level up your clinical skills and learn from world-class educators. But only if you approach it strategically.
Come with specific learning goals. Build your schedule around deep-diving key topics. Take real notes. Ask questions. Practice new skills in wet labs. Connect learning to your actual cases.
The veterinary patients you see next month will thank you for getting your nerd on at WVC Vegas.
Want to connect with Dr. Jessica Trice and other education-focused veterinarians at WVC Vegas 2026? Follow @ MyVetCandy to find your fellow learning nerds and for conference coverage and to connect with all four Vet Candy ambassadors on the ground.
