New Diplomate
Induction & Celebration

Friday, October 25

4:00PM - 5:30PM
CHATHAM b & C

The New Diplomates’ ceremony has been moved to Friday afternoon, to allow everyone to participate and celebrate our newest college diplomate members! This format will proceed from 2024 forward, as described below. The CE session breaks at 3:15pm to allow for a 45-minute break with vendors and transition. During this time any conference attendee, colleague or family member is welcome to be seated in the general session room. Only registered attendees will be allowed in the exhibit hall, but guests and friends may be seated in the general session room for the ceremony any time after 3:20. 

Beginning at 4pm, we will honor and celebrate each new diplomate individually, this year there are 29. If they’ve provided the information, there will be a PowerPoint slide put up with their photo, name, institution, and fun fact about them. An emcee from the ABVO will announce each new diplomate, clapping is allowed as they walk forward, then the emcee will review some fun facts from their PPT as they walk up. Each new diplomate will proceed up to the stage, enter on the right side stairs and meet the Exam Committee Chair and ACVO President to received their certificate, receive a hand shake and professional photograph. After the individual photo is taken, the emcee will announce the next new Diplomate, and this person will walk across the stage, down a separate set of stairs, and receive a gift bag as welcome from the ACVO. They are asked to gather on the side of the room to await a post-ceremony, professional, group photo. After the last person receives their certificate/photo/bag, all will be guided to gather back on the stage for a professional group photo, with the black uplift background. At this time guests may also take photos of them on the stage, just please allow the professional photographer room. Once the group photo and applause are complete, everyone may stay and mingle, enjoying complimentary sparkling cider and champagne, provided in the back of the room (and passed). We have set aside 1.5 hours in total for this celebration, which should conclude at 5:30 and people will need to make their way out of the convention center. This should allow time for anyone to transfer to the Vision for Animals Foundation fundraiser across the river as needed.

The photographer photos will be provided to all New Diplomates in digital format, via email, when available. This will be provided as a gift from the College. Contact the office after the conference with any questions and allow up to 2 weeks for the photos to be available.

REMINDER: Be sure to attend the AMVM and ABVO meetings the following morning, new Dips are encouraged to attend both.