New York Vet 2024, held Nov. 7–8 at the Javits Center, drew 2,300 veterinary professionals, compared with 1,800 in 2023—a 21% increase in attendance year over year. With 52% of delegates attending for the first time, the trade show floor featured 200 suppliers and continuing-education (CE) content across its eight theaters. 

We were on site to attend the show and meet with exhibitors, attendees, and the show team, including CloserStill Media President North America Yancy Weinrich, NY Vet Event Director Joseph Kowalsky, CloserStill Media Group Sales Director Lauren Filicia, and CloserStill Media CMO Alexia Maycock. Here are our top curated highlights from the trade show for the veterinary community. 

Back story: Produced by CloserStill Media, NY Vet was launched in 2017. The first-ever Vet Show was launched in 2009 in London, and CloserStill has expanded its portfolio of vet shows with Deutsche Vet, Wild West Vet, Singapore Vet and BVA Live. CloserStill produces events across a wide range of sub-vertical sectors within business technologies, healthcare, and future transport and infrastructure across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with operations and 800 staff in the U.K., U.S., Germany, Spain, and Singapore. 

Exhibitor experience. We interviewed Sandi Garfinkel and Brittany Hayes Garfinkel from Comfurt Collar, a woman-owned business that has exhibited at NY Vet for the last seven years, to get their perspective on the show experience. “Trade shows represent the biggest marketing spend for the Long Island, NY-based small business,” said owner Sandi Garfinkel.  NY Vet draws a number of veterinarians from the tri-state area who the Garfinkels try to connect with in person or via email throughout the year. “One vet is actually here, and we've been trying to get them (as a customer),” said Brittany Garfinkel. “They've been ignoring me. I understand, life gets busy. They're busy. They're not going to email me back. I saw her today, and I got an order from her. It really does make a difference being face to face in an environment where everybody's open to seeing and trying new things.” Watch or listen to our full interview here. 

Connecting employers with talent: Before the show opened, CloserStill held a career fair on Nov. 6. The pre-event initiative featured dedicated speed networking sessions, three 30-minute talks from leading sponsors, and invaluable opportunities for connecting top talent with employers. 

Content was king: For many delegates, one highlight was the conference program, featuring clinical content curated by Clinician’s Brief, a media publication for small animal veterinarians. With three clinical tracks, a business theater, two veterinary technician tracks, a practice operations theater, and sponsor-led workshops, NY Vet attendees could earn up to 16 hours of RACE-approved CE credits. Plus, a dedicated theater, curated by NAVTA and Veterinary Practice News, offered specialized content for veterinary technicians. The Business & Operations Theater spotlighted inspiring practice owners, trailblazers in veterinary innovation and recruitment specialists, creating a platform for meaningful conversations about all stages of running a successful practice. 

What attendees are saying: "New York Vet is a haven for the best CE lectures I've ever attended. Every speaker was informative, well-spoken and so personable, it felt like we were coworkers. It just gets better each year,” said Akankaye Waul, Licensed Veterinary Technologist at ASPCA. Maureen McNulty, Veterinarian at Forlorn Hope said, “The breadth of subjects and expertise of the speakers draws me back to NY Vet. I really feel like my knowledge is refreshed and updated.” 

Networking and more: New this year, a DJ was stationed near the front entrance, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere as attendees entered the show floor. Show organizers worked with sponsors to provide interactive activations on the expo floor, including a pickleball court, a headshot station, and a spa where attendees could sign up for massages. 

Exhibitor rebooking: At the show, 80% of the 2024 exhibitors rebooked for 2025. “It was exciting not only to see how many people were satisfied with the event but also that many were increasing their footprint in anticipation of our continuously growing audience, with the largest increases among veterinarians and practice owners,” said Kowalsky. 

Exclusive giveaways: One lucky attendee won a trip to Malawi with the World Veterinary Service (WVS), while others had a chance of winning tickets to New York Vet 2025 in the social competition.

What the show team is saying: “Over the past two years, we’ve worked as a team to make NY Vet a hub of community for veterinary professionals in the Northeast and beyond,” Kowalsky explained. “In 2025, we’ll build on this incredible momentum and aim to make NY Vet a must-attend event for everyone in our industry. We’ve got something special happening, and our team has embraced a mantra of swinging big and going for it all.” 

Looking ahead: New York Vet 2025 will be held Nov. 6-7 at Javits Center. 

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