VMX 2026 is in the books, and this week on Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, share their observations from one of the biggest veterinary conferences ever, VMX in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Our hosts reflect on record-breaking attendance, the growing presence of veterinary technicians and support staff, the rise of booth-based CE, and how AI continues to weave itself into nearly every corner of the exhibit hall.

They also spend time on a topic that sparked real conversation on the show floor: the increasing presence of live animals in the exhibit hall. Drawing from international perspectives, personal experience, and a deep commitment to animal welfare, Ernie and Becky explore where enthusiasm, marketing, and responsibility intersect, and sometimes collide.

And one question keeps coming up: “If we wouldn’t recommend this environment to our clients for their pets, we have to ask why we’re comfortable normalizing it at our own conferences.”

This episode isn’t about easy answers. It’s about noticing patterns, asking better questions, and thinking carefully about what the future of veterinary conferences should look like.