Date: October 5-7, 2008
Place: Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel
Atlantic City, NJ

Your conference fee includes Breakfasts and lunches Monday and Tuesday

Educational Topics to Include:

Pre-Meeting Hematology Workshop - The workshop will cover both lectures and slide review relating to red blood cell morphology and how it relates to anemia, as well as white blood cell morphology. Limited to first 20 registrants

• Molecular Testing: Introduction, Technology - Current and Future, Uses in Human Medicine and Possible Veterinary Applications Daniel H. Farkas, PhD, HCLD, Executive Director, Center for Molecular Medicine and Author of "DNA Simplified: The Hitchhiker's Guide to DNA."
• Practical uses of molecular diagnostics in equine medicine. Jennifer Morrow, PhD, Scientist and Equine Consultant, IDEXX Equine Biodiagnostics
• Update on Veterinary Microbiology
  Ching Ching Wu, DVM, PhD., Professor of Microbiology, Head, Bacteriology and Mycology Section, Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University
• Molecular Testing as a Part of a Quality Control Program for Laboratory Rodents: Concepts, Integration & Advances.
  Kenneth Henderson, PhD, Director, Molecular Diagnostics, Charles River Laboratories
• The State of Infectious Disease in Laboratory Rodents
  Anthony Carty, D.V.M., M.S., Clinical Veterinarian, Penn Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology
• Veterinary Cytology:
  • Part I - What Can You Learn From a Smear of Schmutz?
  • Part II - Case Presentations
  Joyce Knoll , DVM, Associate Professor, Clinical Pathology Laboratory Director, Department of Biomedical Sciences Pathology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University

Roundtable Discussions:

• Point of Care Instruments: What are we all using and why.
• Mystery Slides Presentation

Location, Location,

Atlantic City, NJ has something for everyone, including outlet shopping, non-stop gaming action, top-name entertainment, world-class golf and fishing, luxurious hotels and resorts and white sandy beaches. You'll also find information on Atlantic City, NJ dining and shopping, attractions, outdoor recreation and so much more at: www.atlanticcitynj.com.

Company Exhibits

Visit with companies at the exhibits to learn about new equipment and technologies available to the veterinary laboratory. You can learn about their latest products and services.
Exhibitor Registration and Information Packet

Hotel Information

The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. For reservations, call 1-888-627-7212 or book online at the following website: www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/vetlab08

Attendees will have to specify that they are part of the "Veterinary Laboratory Association (VLA)" meeting. The block of rooms are available at a rate of:

• Basic, non smoking room with 2 double beds: $ 129.00 per night
• Basic, non smoking room with a King sized bed: $ 129.00 per night

Air Transportation

Atlantic City Airport (www.acairport.com)

• Atlantic city is 15 minutes from the Atlantic City International Airport
• Direct airline service is available to Atlantic City from: LA, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Newark, Orlando, Tampa and San Francisco. Carriers are Spirit Airlines and Delta.

Philadelphia International Airport (www.phl.org)

• Located 50 minutes from Atlantic City.
• Shuttle service, bus or train transportation is available.

Ground Transportation Options

Rail Service via New Jersey Transit:

NJ Transit's Philadelphia - Atlantic City Rail l Lines runs 13 trains a day between Philadelphia (30th Street Station) and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal at the Convention Center(across from the Sheraton). Amtrak trains, SEPTA regional rail service and a rail line to and from the Philadelphia International Airport all connect at 30th Street Station. For more information phone: (800) 772-2222 or on the web at www.njtransit.com.

SEPTA: Septa runs trains from the Philadelphia International Airport to 30th Street Train Station in Philadelphia. Once at the 30th Street Station, you can take NJ Transit Trains to Atlantic City. For more information visit: www.phl.org.

Taxi and Shuttle Information:

The following companies provide transportation from Philadelphia International Airport and/or Atlantic City International Airport. A more complete list can be viewed at: www.phl.org.

Royal Airport Shuttle: Philadelphia & Atlantic City airports. This is limousine & shuttle service. Phone: (609) 748-9777.

Tropiano Shuttle: Airport shuttle service from Philadelphia and Atlantic City airports. Phone: (800)-559-2040.

For more information
If you would like to receive more information about the Veterinary Laboratory Association and its annual meeting, visit our website at: www.vetlabassoc.com or contact Stacie Hotham at (207) 227-0302 or via email at: jshotham@verizon.net.