Veterinary News Network to Hold 3rd Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Western Veterinary Conference
VNN will present first Crane Award; VNN to announce new partnership with Morris Animal Foundation.
Denver, CO (Vocus) January 30, 2008
Veterinarians, journalists and industry representatives will gather for the Veterinary News Network’s (VNN) 3rd Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening, February 16, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The event precedes the annual Western Veterinary Conference (http://www. wvc. org) (WVC), a major sponsor of VNN.
Highlighting the event will be the presentation of the first annual Crane Award, named in honor of Dr. Steve Crane, immediate past Executive Director of the WVC and current Chief Medical Officer and Director of WVC’s Oquendo Center Programs. The Crane Award recognizes one individual each year who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and unyielding support to advancing the goals of the Veterinary News Network. The 2008 Crane Award will be presented to the man for whom it is named. Dr. Crane has, from the very beginning, been VNN's most ardent supporter and without his dedication VNN would not exist today.
VNN will also announce its new partnership with Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), the world’s largest nonprofit foundation dedicated to funding research studies to protect, treat and cure animals. VNN and MAF will work together using VNN’s resources to increase media and consumer awareness of MAF projects such as the new “Cure Canine Cancer” Campaign.
“We are very excited about our partnership with Morris Animal Foundation,” says
Dr. Jim Humphries, VNN President and News Director. “MAF has incredible stories to tell and VNN has the reporter base and professional expertise to deliver the stories to millions of animal lovers. It is a win-win partnership."
Other highlights of this year’s annual meeting include:
Betty White, acclaimed actress and pet enthusiast, will deliver a videotaped welcome message. John Fredericks, meteorologist at KVBC Channel 3 in Las Vegas and recent recipient of the American Kennel Club’s Community Achievement Award, will be the guest speaker. Dr. Jim Humphries will present an update and status report on the amazing growth of VNN.
In addition to the Crane Award, VNN will present the following awards:
The Rising Star Award – Television The Rising Star Award – Radio The Rising Star Award – Print The Rising Star Award – Internet VNN Reporter of the Year Award Conference TV Journal Reporter Awards
Speakers at the meeting will also recognize the WVC, Merial and the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives (ASVMAE) for their support of VNN. VNN is funded by an educational grant through the WVC by Merial, and is endorsed by ASVMAE.
VNN will produce the largest and most complete television coverage of any veterinary conference in the world during its coverage of the WVC conference which opens on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Throughout the conference, almost 40 VNN reporters will serve as on-camera hosts or national media correspondents.
VNN will also be hosting four seminars for veterinarians on the last morning of the WVC conference, Thursday, February 21, 2008. The seminars include:
What to Do When the Media Calls New Marketing Using New Media Highly Effective Client Communications Using Media Techniques Crisis Communications
About Veterinary News Network
The Veterinary News Network (VNN) is a national network of more than 360 veterinarians and affiliate reporters who use VNN-produced resources to broadcast and publish local news stories about current pet health issues and advances in veterinary care. By providing content that is medically accurate and reliable, VNN helps veterinarians deliver these stories to their local media through print, television, radio, Internet blogs and other appropriate outlets. VNN also has a syndication division that includes morning drive radio stations, captive audience networks, podcasts, Internet video channels, blogs and syndicated medical television. VNN has produced 60 news stories and, in 2007, delivered more than 250 million audience impressions. VNN is funded by an educational grant through the Western Veterinary Conference by Merial. Visit www. MyVNN. com.
*Editor’s Note: VNN press kits will available during the Western Veterinary Conference in the Conference Press Room, Coral C, Mandalay Bay Hotel, Level 0. Digital photos of Dr. Crane and Dr. Humphries are available by contacting Crystal Smith at Latorra, Paul & McCann (315) 476-1646 or
CSmith @ lpm-adv. com.
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