Continuing to expand beyond its annual conference and year-round continuing education, the North American Veterinary Community has launched an Industry Services Division and the Veterinary Innovation Council. The Industry Services Division aims to assist veterinary associations with their management, planning and conferences. NAVC has been active in the arena, partnering with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America in 2013 on the group’s day-to-day operations and with organizations such as the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition. The senior director of industry services, Adrian Hochstadt, JD, CAE, said one goal of the newly formed division is to help “veterinary industry associations make major strides in their programs for members.” “Each client will have the option of keeping its own brand and identity, while being able to take advantage of being part of the NAVC family,” he said. The division also can help with certification programs, information technology, tax preparation, and website and mobile app development. Hochstadt’s second job title is executive director of the Veterinary Innovation Council, which NAVC described as a nonprofit association tasked with “convening the brightest minds in the profession and industry” to tackle innovation opportunities. “Existing veterinary trade organizations perform vital roles in protecting and advancing the interests of their members,” said NAVC’s CEO, Thomas M. Bohn, MBA, CAE. “But we saw an unmet need for a veterinary organization that works industry-wide to focus on positive change and push the envelope for innovative solutions across professional boundaries. “Initially, [council] initiatives will include enhancing the value of veterinary technicians as well as telemedicine standards,” he said. NAVC is based in Gainesville, Fla.
