There’s no one way to do CPD. We all have different learning needs, preferences and priorities. CPD isn’t simply about gaining knowledge – it’s also about exploring new ideas, assessing information and considering how we can apply what we’ve learned in practice.
Events such as London Vet Show offer opportunities to learn in different ways, with a huge variety of subjects and experiences to choose from.
So how can you work out what you need from the event and make the most of your time there?
- Decide what success looks like before you arrive
Are you there primarily for clinical CPD, to solve a problem in practice, investigate new technology, think about your career, meet people, or get some fresh ideas? - Build around a handful of must-sees
Pick perhaps three or four things you genuinely don’t want to miss rather than filling every available slot. - Give yourself permission to go off-topic
One of the advantages of a big multidisciplinary event is encountering something you wouldn’t normally seek out. Why not choose one session outside your usual clinical area or job remit and see where it takes you? - Plan the exhibition as well as the lectures
Browsing the exhibition is a good way to see the latest developments, but if there are products, services or business questions you specifically want to investigate, plan in some proper time for those conversations so they don’t get squeezed out of your schedule. - Leave some white space
Leave time for conversations, lunch, following up something interesting or simply discovering something unexpected once you’re there. A completely packed itinerary can make a big event less useful rather than more useful.
To help plan your event, there are some questions you can ask yourself:
- What do I most want to learn?
- What problem could I find an answer to?
- Who do I want to meet?
- What do I want to discover in the exhibition?
- What will make the day worthwhile?
Your answers might lead you towards the clinical theatres, business streams, hands-on wet labs or interactive workshops. Or perhaps you’ll find the greatest value in discussions with peers, discovering new technology or exploring different career possibilities.
It’s also worth considering how you like to learn, and what type of experience would be most useful to you right now. Here are a few ideas from the London Vet Show programme:
When you want to deepen your understanding – listen and ask questions
| Thursday 19 November, 09:15 – 10:05 RVC Clinical Theatre 1 Peeking through the shadows – how to make sense of thoracic radiographs Dr Cathy Beck (Keynote Speaker) |
Friday 20 November 2026 13:30 – 14:20 RVC Nursing Theatre Championing change to veterinary nursing and patient care in practice Lou Northway CertVN(ECC) NCert(Anaesth) RVN |
When you want to develop practical skills – learn by doing
| Thursday 19 November, 08:45 – 12:45 Wet Labs 1 – Platinum Suite Optimised closure, minimal complications Lynda Rutherford |
Thursday 19 November 2026, 14:00 – 14:45 Business Lab How to build a practice that works for you – without burning out John Taylor |
When you’re looking for solutions – learn from others
| Thursday 19 November 2026 15:10 – 16:00 Gallery Suite 6 Finding Your Leadership Voice: Communicating with Confidence, Clarity and Influence Veterinary Women in Leadership |
Friday 20 November, 13:30–13:45 The Studio Disc-o Inferno: Managing Acute Spinal Emergencies in General Practice Thomas Heaselgrave (Member of Vet Shows 30 Under Thirty 2026) |
When you want to discover something new – explore the possibilities
| Friday 20 November, 09:00 – 09:50 Exhibitor Showcase 2 Leading with compassion: How Fear Free reshapes practice culture Vicky Stavropoulou, RVN, Animal Behaviour Consultant – Fear Free |
Friday 20 November, 13:15 – 14:05 BVA Career Development What’s the alternative? Careers outside of traditional clinical practice Gwen Rees, President, Amelia Phillips, Anthony Ridge, Gavin Morris, Jacqui Skelly |
When you need a fresh perspective – step away from the everyday
| Wellbeing Zone Take a little time out of your schedule with a 15-minute yoga or breathwork session led by VetYogi, designed specifically for veterinary professionals. Sessions run throughout both days from 10:45am. |
Vet Show Happy Hour Sometimes the most valuable conversations happen away from the lecture theatres. Happy Hour offers an opportunity to catch up with colleagues, make new connections and enjoy the social side of the event in the Exhibition from 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM on Thursday, 19 November. |
Thinking about how you want to learn, as well as what you want to learn, can help you make more informed choices about your time at the event – and perhaps discover opportunities you might otherwise have missed.
For more ideas, take a look at the Your London Vet Show role-based guides, designed to help you plan your visit around your own role, interests and ambitions.
London Vet Show takes place on 19 – 20 November 2026 at ExCeL London. Register at london.vetshow.com
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