I. Purpose and Philosophy of AVCA Conference Programming

The AVCA Annual Conference is designed to provide high quality continuing education that advances the knowledge, skills, and professional growth of licensed animal chiropractic practitioners. Our goal is to ensure that attendees receive maximum value for the time and resources they invest in attending the conference.

Attendees are mature, licensed health professionals who expect presentations that are relevant, practical, and grounded in current evidence and clinical experience. Presenters are encouraged to design sessions that reflect the principles of effective adult learning, including:

• Practical, direct application to clinical practice
• Active participation and opportunities for learning by doing
• Time for attendees to practice or apply new skills
• Clear alignment between learning objectives and current practitioner knowledge
• Focus on recognized problems and meaningful solutions
• Use of discussion, case based learning, and group problem solving

All presentations must be well defined programs that pertain directly to animal chiropractic and build upon the basic curriculum required to practice in this field.

II. Content Requirements

Conference presentations must:

• Keep attendees apprised of advancements, new developments, and clinically relevant updates
• Build upon foundational animal chiropractic education
• Present material that is accurate, current, and professionally appropriate
• Fit within one of the AVCA’s three CE categories:
  • Clinical
  • Scientific
  • Practice Management / Professional Development

Presenters should review Article II: Program Categories of the AVCA Standards for Continuing Animal Chiropractic Education to ensure proper alignment.

III. Submission Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance and interest to animal chiropractic practitioners
• New material rather than previously presented or outdated content
• Clearly defined learning objectives and measurable outcomes
• Likelihood of influencing or improving clinical behaviors
• Evidence based content supported by literature and/or clinical experience
• Overall quality and balance of material
• Clear examples demonstrating how outcomes or effects are achieved
• A realistic timeline for the presentation
• Past attendee ratings (if applicable)

Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

IV. No Advertising Policy

The AVCA maintains a strict non commercial environment. Presentations may not be used as sales pitches for any product, service, program, seminar, institution, practice, association, or company.

Prohibited elements include:

• Promotional language
• Corporate or business logos on slides
• Product driven case examples presented in a promotional manner

Exhibit space is available for commercial purposes.

A substantial number of attendee complaints regarding commercial content may affect future speaker selection for the presenter and any associated practice, institution, or company.

V. Speaker Incentives

It is an honor to have you submit to speak at the AVCA Conference, and a privilege to present to one’s peers. AVCA does not pay an honorarium. Presenters will receive:

• Complimentary basic conference registration (all lectures) for one
• Admission to the Saturday evening Social Hour
• Hotel lodging (night before the lecture) if booked within the conference room block
• Meal per diem for the day(s) of lecture (main presenter only)
• Lunch vouchers for all three conference days

Additional Benefits for Presenters of Four or More Hours

• Coach class airfare (North America) booked 30 days prior to travel, reimbursed with receipt
  • Main presenter only
  • No airfare reimbursement for presenters living within 150 miles
• OR mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate, NOT to exceed the cost of a basic round trip airline ticket purchased 30 days in advance
  • No mileage reimbursement for presenters living within 100 miles
• International presenters (outside North America) receive a travel stipend

If you wish to donate any travel expenses, per diem, etc. back to the AVCA, please note donation when you submit.

VI. Application Requirements

A complete submission must include:

1. Speaker Contact Information
For each presenter and co presenter:

• Name and degree(s)
• Mailing address
• Daytime and evening phone numbers
• Mobile phone
• Email
• Website and/or social media links

2. Photograph

• Passport style portrait
• JPG format
• Minimum 300 pixels wide, 300 dpi
• Optional: photo with animals

3. Lecture/Lab Title and Description

• 60–150 words
• Must include relevance to animal chiropractic
• Title and description cannot be changed after acceptance
• Submitters may be asked to revise descriptions for clarity or program fit

4. Length of Lecture/Lab

• Lecture units = 50 minutes (10 minute break required after each unit)
• Labs = 60 minutes
• State requested length
• AVCA may adjust assigned hours
• For labs: list realistic participant capacity; final numbers set by AVCA

5. Topic Area and CE Category
Choose the most appropriate topic area and CE category.

6. Teaching Method
Examples include:

• Lecture
• Interactive
• Team based learning
• Problem solving
• Socratic method
• Lab

7. Recommended Audience and Level
Include prerequisites for intermediate and advanced sessions if applicable.

8. Learning Objectives
Objectives must describe:

• What attendees will learn
• Expected changes in professional behavior

9. Speaking References
Provide two references (associations, AVCA approved programs, institutions, companies, or sponsors) from the past three years, including:

• Contact name and title
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Past course titles

10. Speaker Biography / CV
Maximum 300 words

11. Signature and Date
Online submissions are automatically dated; acceptance of online policies serves as signature.

VII. If Your Submission Is Accepted

Presenters must provide:

1. PowerPoint or Visual Presentation

• Must match the published lecture notes
• Presenter must provide their own laptop or device

2. Quality Lecture Notes

• Required for conference proceedings
• Must be more than a slide outline
• Must stand alone as a written educational resource
• Power Point outline or lecture summary will NOT be accepted

3. Audio Visual Equipment Provided

• LCD projector
• Screen
• Podium
• One lavalier microphone
• Additional microphone available for co lecturers upon request

4. Deadlines
Presenters must meet all published deadlines for materials and information.

5. AVCA Rights
The AVCA may modify:

• Session titles
• Descriptions
• Final presentations for association, conference, business, or marketing purposes.

VIII. Presentation Notes Submission Guidelines

• Submit in MS Word or Rich Text format
• No PDFs
• 1 inch margins
• No headers or footers

Title and Author

• Title: centered, capitalized (Verdana, 12 pt)
• Author: centered with degree(s)

Body Text

• Times New Roman, 11 pt
• Single spaced
• One space between paragraphs
• No bold type
• No indentation or tabbing
• Minimal underlining
• Bullet formatting allowed

References

• Key references may be included
• Space limitations may require the statement: “References available from the author upon request.”

Please Note

• Proceedings are printed in black and white. All charts, graphs, graphics will be printed in black and white.
• Power Point Outlines or lecture summaries will NOT be accepted. However, a presenter may include copies of the slides throughout the lecture notes if they wish.
• Final formatting will be done in the AVCA office. Special directions may be attached

Notes Submission
Email notes in MSWord or Rich-Text format to avcainfo@junct.comm by the posted deadline. Notes MUST be received in the AVCA office by posted deadline.

IX. Conference Speaker Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

To ensure accuracy, transparency, and integrity in all conference presentations, speakers must follow these guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools.

1. Disclosure
If AI tools are used to assist with drafting, editing, data visualization, or slide development, speakers should briefly disclose this within their presentation or speaker notes.

2. Accuracy and Verification
Speakers remain fully responsible for verifying the accuracy of all AI assisted content. All material must be fact checked and aligned with current evidence and professional standards.

3. Originality and Attribution
AI tools may not be used to generate content that infringes on copyright or misrepresents authorship. Any AI generated images, charts, or text must be original or properly licensed.

4. Confidentiality and Privacy
Speakers may not input confidential, proprietary, or personally identifiable information into AI tools without explicit permission.

5. Professional Judgment
AI may support content creation but may not replace the speaker’s expertise, interpretation, or clinical judgment. Presentations must reflect the speaker’s own knowledge and experience.

6. Live Presentation
Because the conference is fully in person, all presentations and audience interactions must be delivered directly by the speaker. AI tools may not be used to generate real time answers, commentary, or on the spot content unless explicitly approved by conference organizers.

If your submission is accepted, the Submission Guidelines and this Acceptance section—together with the associated Speaker Application and Agreement—collectively constitute the agreement between the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (“AVCA”) and the Speaker.

• I understand that if my submission is accepted, I am required to submit quality notes (NOT a PowerPoint Outline or lecture summary), and other required information by the deadlines AVCA establishes.
• I understand that I must provide my own laptop/presentation device for computer/digital generated presentations.
• I understand AVCA does not provide an honorarium or presenter expenses.
• This agreement does not affect any copyright or other rights that I or any other party may hold in my presentation materials. I may use the materials, presentation, visual aids, and any other content I prepare for the presentation in any manner I choose, including publication.
• I grant the AVCA the right to reproduce and distribute the notes and proceedings materials from my session(s) as part of the AVCA Conference, in both paper and electronic formats, and to distribute conference presentations and materials to participants or other parties as deemed appropriate.
• I understand that electronic files, papers, illustrations, and other submitted materials will not be returned. I acknowledge that the AVCA may modify content—including session titles, descriptions, and final presentations—for business or marketing purposes.
• I agree to comply with the AVCA’s AI Use Policy, including all disclosure, accuracy, and content integrity requirements.
• I understand that my presentation may not be used as a sales pitch for any service, product, program, seminar, institution, practice, association, company, or entity, and may not include business, corporate, or organizational logos on slides.
• I will not libel or slander any person, facility, company, organization, product, or service during my presentation.
• I understand that the views and opinions expressed in my presentation are my own and not those of the AVCA.
• I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the AVCA against any claims, losses, expenses, or damages that may arise as a result of my presentation.
• I will provide the AVCA with ample notice if I am unable to participate in the Conference.