Pet specialists gather in Estonia for 24th FECAVA Eurocongress

Pet specialists from around the continent gather in Tallinn, Estonia this week as the city plays host to the 24th Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) Eurocongress, 14-16 June. The annual get-together of the FECAVA will take place at the Tallinn Creative Hub, with additional workshops and exhibitions accommodated at the nearby Energy Discovery Centre. The high number of delegates expected, around 1,200 in all, makes the event one of the largest scientific conferences to be held in Tallinn this year. “Bringing the FECAVA Eurocongress to Tallinn is a clear recognition of Estonia’s high level of veterinary medicine, the dynamism of our scientists in this field, and our country in general as an international congress destination,” said Kadri Karu, MD of the Estonian Convention Bureau. In keeping with Estonia’s reputation as “the singing nation,” the congress programme includes a joint singing performance by a group of delegates who have written up song lyrics related to the veterinary theme. That show, likely the first of its kind in the history of Estonian conferences, took place today, morning of 15 June, on the steps of the Linnahall building. Today’s programme ends with a Gala Dinner at the Tallinn Seaplane Harbour. Event organisation is being handled by local PCO Publicon, an ECB member. Estonia won the right to host this year’s event in 2014, when it beat out competitors Portugal and Russia. Karu credits the win to dedicated pitching at the time by Janne Orro, who was then president of the Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association as well as a member of the ECB’s Ambassador Programme.