This page covers veterinary conferences in January 2026, with six events worth tracking if you work in clinical practice, pet industry retail, or animal health policy.
The selection spans professional association meetings and trade-focused summits, giving you a useful mix of audience types and networking contexts across a single month. The AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago runs January 7 through 9 and draws practice owners and association leaders focused on the business side of veterinary medicine. Later in the month, the Pet Industry Leadership Summit in Phoenix covers the commercial pet sector, which rarely overlaps with clinical crowds. If your sales cycle targets veterinarians, practice managers, or pet industry buyers, January gives you multiple entry points before Q1 budgets are committed. Use this page to compare dates, locations, and likely attendee profiles so you can decide which events fit your pipeline right now.
Quick numbers
Total Vets & Pets conferences: 10
Largest city by count: Puerto Costa Maya (1)
Tier mix: 2 Tier A / 1 Tier B / 4 Tier C / 3 Tier D
Price mix: 1 $ / 7 $$ / 1 $$$
Date range: Jan 05, 2026 to Jan 31, 2026
Breakdowns
Here are two views on how the set distributes.
States by Vets & Pets conference count in January 2026
State
Conferences
Illinois
1
Florida
1
Louisiana
1
Arizona
1
Georgia
1
Nebraska
1
Montana
1
Minnesota
1
California
1
Vets & Pets conferences in January 2026 by tier
Tier
Conferences
Tier A
2
Tier B
1
Tier C
4
Tier D
3
Takeaways
Within the 10 Vets & Pets conferences scheduled in January 2026, 2 rank as Tier A.
Puerto Costa Maya hosts the most events in this cut, with 1 on the calendar.
January is the busiest month, with 10 conferences scheduled.
Ticket pricing splits 1 at the $ tier and 1 at the $$$ tier, so entry costs vary widely across the set.
IPPE International Production & Processing Expo tops the Tier-ranked list, held in Atlanta.
The most common stated purpose is Training / Certification, covering 6 of the 10 events in this cut.
Event length averages 3.7 days across the set, with the longest running 6 days.
Ranked list
10 conferences
1
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Pet Pro Cruise Boarding Package has cemented its place as a niche event in the Vets & Pets industry. Attendance pricing of $ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, and the Orbital team rates it in the specialist tier using a framework weighted toward decision-maker access and verified exhibitor ROI. For teams targeting the Vets & Pets market, the show merits inclusion in your annual conference calendar.
2
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 7–9, 2026·Chicago, IL·500–1k attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Based on 500–1k annual attendees, AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference ranks solidly as a reliable conference within the Vets & Pets sector. Entry at $$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, which is why Orbital rates it at Silver informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. Exhibitors focused on the Vets & Pets vertical, the show should be on your shortlist.
3
PlatinumOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 16–20, 2026·Orlando, FL·10k+ attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Considering 10k+ registered participants, VMX Veterinary Meeting & Expo stands as a top-tier gathering for the Vets & Pets vertical. Registration at $$ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, leading Orbital to rate it as a Platinum event based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. If you're selling into the Vets & Pets vertical, the show deserves a line item in your event budget.
4
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 20–22, 2026·New Orleans, LA·500–1k attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Based on 500–1k annual attendees, AAFCO Midyear Meeting ranks solidly as an entry-level conference within the Vets & Pets sector. Entry at $$ signals a serious operator audience, which is why Orbital rates it at Bronze using a framework weighted toward decision-maker access and verified exhibitor ROI. For teams targeting the Vets & Pets industry, this show is worth a serious look.
5
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Pet Industry Leadership Summit stands as a Silver-rated gathering for the Vets & Pets vertical. Registration at $$$$ signals a serious operator audience, leading Orbital to rate it as a Silver event drawing on multi-cycle exhibitor feedback and verified attendee role data. If you're selling into the Vets & Pets space, this gathering belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
6
PlatinumOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 27–29, 2026·Atlanta, GA·10k+ attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Considering 10k+ registered participants, IPPE International Production & Processing Expo stands as a top-tier gathering for the Vets & Pets vertical. Registration at $$ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, leading Orbital to rate it as a Platinum event based on a combination of attendee quality, exhibitor ROI data, and industry relevance. If you're selling into the Vets & Pets vertical, the show belongs on any serious exhibitor's planning list.
7
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 28–31, 2026·Kearney, NE·<500 attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Given its <500 expected attendees, Nebraska VMA Winter Conference has cemented its place as a dependable event in the Vets & Pets industry. Attendance pricing of $$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, and the Orbital team rates it in the mid tier informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. For teams targeting the Vets & Pets vertical, this show is worth a serious look.
8
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 28–30, 2026·Bozeman, MT·<500 attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
With <500 industry professionals on the floor, Montana VMA Winter Meeting sits firmly as an accessible show across the Vets & Pets space. Ticket pricing at $$ reflects a deliberate barrier that filters for committed buyers, and our team places it among Bronze events reflecting a holistic view of buyer density, lead quality, and industry footprint. Exhibitors focused on the Vets & Pets industry, this event should be on your shortlist.
9
GoldOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 28–31, 2026·Minneapolis, MN·1k–2k attendees·$$ ticket
Our take
Based on 1k–2k annual attendees, MVMA Annual Conference ranks solidly as a high-value conference within the Vets & Pets sector. Entry at $$ points to a buyer-rich attendee base, which is why Orbital rates it at Gold reflecting a holistic view of buyer density, lead quality, and industry footprint. Sales teams working the Vets & Pets market, this conference should be on your shortlist.
10
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Jan 29–31, 2026·Toronto, CA·1k–2k attendees·$$$ ticket
Our take
Considering 1k–2k registered participants, OVMA Conference stands as a Silver-rated gathering for the Vets & Pets vertical. Registration at $$$ implies a vetted crowd of decision-makers, leading Orbital to rate it as a Silver event informed by verified attendance composition, post-show exhibitor outcomes, and editorial assessment. Exhibitors focused on the Vets & Pets category, this event should be on your shortlist.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
PlatinumOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
PlatinumOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
BronzeOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
GoldOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
SilverOrbital’s proprietary rating for how valuable a conference is for selling to businesses in that vertical. Based on attendee quality, exhibitor ROI, and industry relevance.
Frequently asked questions
How many Vets & Pets conferences are happening in 2026?
This guide covers 10 Vets & Pets conferences for 2026. Scroll up to see dates, locations, and details for each event.
When is the biggest Vets & Pets event?
AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference is one of the largest events on this list with approximately 500–1k attendees. It takes place Jan 7–9, 2026. Location: Chicago, IL.
What's the cheapest Vets & Pets conference to attend?
Pet Pro Cruise Boarding Package has the lowest ticket price on this list ($). It's held in Puerto Costa Maya, MX.
Further reading
More Orbital conference guides in related industries
Orbital's verified directory covers 1,924 trade events across 12 industries — with attendee counts, ticket pricing, exhibitor costs, and tier ratings for every listing.
