Well my first International Companion Animal Welfare Conference was an experience that I will never forget. Often going to conferences leaves you a little bit drained and can be a lonely experience as everyone goes to do there own thing after the seminars.
Every night there was something organised by Dogs Trust, be it a Night Boat trip with meal or a sightseeing trip to see the city, and if there wasn’t anything organised then the Dogs Trust staff would be on hand in the bar for more networking and socialising.
Don’t get me wrong, it was hard work and being on duty 20 hours a day can be draining but it didn’t feel like it at the time.
Many many delegates I spoke to also commented and congratulated us on the event. In many ways the speakers and the information they provide to those attending is only half the story. Much of the work takes place after hours, when like minded people get together over a bottle of wine and share experiences, offer real life advice and help to those who are in situations they once were.
The spirit of ICAWC is to improve animal welfare around the world, this year’s delegation of 280 delegates from 107 organisations and 38 countries left with a really positive ‘can do’ attitude and we hope in a small way we have started them on their way.
Next year we are in Vienna and I look forward or catching up with those I met to see how our conference and the contacts they made have made a difference.
ICAWC 2010 will be held in Vienna on 17-19 November 2010. For more information and to see this years presentations please visit www.icawc.org
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