VMG Congress: Where VMG magic comes to life
What do you get when you put hundreds of proudly independent veterinary practice owners in a room with leading thinkers about veterinary economics, leadership, and innovation? You get the 2026 Congress of the Veterinary Management Groups!
Every two years, the VMG community gathers for three fun and intense days of networking, brainstorming, mutual support. Past sessions have tackled everything from motivating staff and improving customer service, to implementing the Four Disciplines of Execution to distinguishing fact from rhetoric in veterinary economic literature.
All VMG members and their support staff are invited to attend. Many of our top Preferred Partner vendors are on-site as well, giving members a chance to connect directly with them and explore opportunities without the crowds of the major veterinary conferences.
This year’s theme, Ascend Together: With Altitude Comes Clarity, reflected our deep commitment to growth and collaboration. The schedule was packed, including:
- VMG President and veterinary economist Matt Salois, PhD on the future of the veterinary economy
- Economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics on anticipating and navigating the coming economic changes
- Phil Gwoke, CEO of Bridgeworks, on bridging generational differences in your practice team
- Dr. Dani Rabwin, founder of Ready Vet Go on innovation and shared decision-making
- Dr. Luke Gamble, founder of Mission Rabies, on efforts to eliminate rabies in humans through comprehensive worldwide canine vaccination
- Beth Scott, CPA, member of the VMG Datalink Leadership Team, with a deep dive into the financial performance of VMG clinics –invaluable benchmarking for every VMG practice owner
- Nik Wallenda, “King of the High Wire,” on conquering fear
Like all VMG meetings, Congress is filled with chances to discuss, debate, catch up with old friends and make new connections – all the factors that add up to the total magic of VMG.
Build bridges to your island
For many independent owners, the daily grind can feel isolating. Dr. Elizabeth Clyde, a 14-year VMG member who operates two practices in Illinois, notes that you often ‘can’t go talk to the practitioner down the street about what you want to do.’ VMG changes that dynamic, and Congress makes the bridges between members stronger. ‘It just really solidifies that you’re not an island,’ she says.
Third generation independent practice owner Dr. Kevin Schuler from South Carolina agreed, noting that the biggest surprise for many is that VMG isn’t just a buying group. It’s a place to come off that island of private ownership and share goals with a collective group.
Congress brings members together in person to share their experiences and ideas, making personal connections and building bridges that last beyond the meeting.
Un-fur-gettable connections: The power of peers The power of veterinary peers
The heartbeat of Congress is the face-to-face interaction. Unlike standard ‘big box’ conferences, the energy here is different. Lindsay Peltier, LVT of Centerville Animal Hospital noticed lots of hugs and lots of good feelings and energy that you don’t typically see at other conferences.
Dr. Loren Nations, ABVP diplomate and VMG member in Florida, relies on his VMG Peer Group for solid advice and support. ‘When you have a peer group to bounce [ideas] off of, you don’t have to pay the “dumb tax” by making the same mistakes about problems others have already solved.
Whether it’s discussing fee structures, growing pains, or leadership challenges, the shared wisdom of the group ensures that you have 20 or more other people ready to help you with a problem at a moment’s notice.
Take homes: More than the newest drug protocols
The value of Congress is measured by what you bring home to your practice. Peltier calls it creating ‘shadows’ that she sees throughout the rest of the year: the improvements and results that come as a direct result of implementing what she has learned.
Even experienced practice owners benefit from VMG membership. Dr. Scott Linick, a member since 2011, describes his pre-VMG days as ‘seat of your pants management.’ Through his VMG membership and attending several Congresses, he learned:
- Culture: How to build and manage a thriving team.
- Financial Literacy: Understanding numbers like EBITDA to grow practice value.
- Strategy: Learning how to practice “smarter and not harder”.
You’re learning about dealing with people, dealing with your culture, dealing with business, dealing with your clients. You’re learning everything that you have to do in practice. – VMG member Dr. Scott Linick
VMG membership: Your practice, even better
Congress is a central pillar of the VMG experience. Not only are members face-to-face with key thinkers and business owners in the veterinary industry, they also learn from one another and develop deep, mutually supportive friendships. VMG members know that successful practice ownership is as much about people as it is about animals. Congress, like VMG Peer Group meetings, is a safe place to discuss failures, celebrate successes, and realize that the problems you face aren’t yours alone.
As Dr. Manuel Lima puts it, Congress is simply ‘the best business veterinary conference there is.’
Collaboration and community: Your pathway to independent success
VMG Congress is just one way we help VMG members stay independent but not alone. If you want to take control of your practice’s destiny, grow your profitability so you can take better care of your team, and stay connected to your passion for healing, VMG is your community.
Ready to stop practicing on an island?
Talk with us today about VMG membership and join us at the next Congress. Your seat is waiting!
