Extracurriculars at VMX focus on wellness, giving back and entertainment

The 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) kicks off in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, January 17. Veterinary professionals attending in-person or through the virtual participation have 5 days of continuing education (CE) opportunities as well as access to exhibiting vendors from throughout the industry, and presentations on new veterinary research.

There is also a variety of activities and special events available to attendees that focus on physical and mental wellness, community service and entertainment. Here are some of those “extracurricular” events:

Wellness activities

Throughout VMX, various fitness and wellness initiatives are available to attendees. Whether looking for relaxation and enjoyment or physical well-being for attendees and their pets, there is a variety of activities from which to choose. These include the following:

• Puppy Playground and the Cat Nap Café, with both spaces featuring live animals.
• Relaxation lounges

• Zen Garden, which offers yoga, meditation, art, therapy and giveaways.
• Rabies titer testing and biochemical assays
• Fitness and well-being center, which offers scheduled yoga, Pilates, stretching and more for the mind and body.
• The 5K Fun Run, starting 6:30 AM on January 19, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency hotel.

Giving back

The 2026 VMX theme celebrates “Champions of Care” in veterinary medicine. In the spirit of the theme, the following activities provide opportunities for attendees to serve their communities:

• Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service Million Meal Pack: This initiative helps fight hunger the Orlando community with volunteers packing and distributing healthy meals. Attendees can sign up for one of several 90-minute sessions to help pack meals.
• Blood drive: A bus collecting donations will be parked outside the South concourse of the convention center. Donors will receive a long-sleeved t-shirt, a $20 e-gift card and a full wellness checkup.
• Pet adoption: Dogs and cats available for adoption at the end of VMX can be found at the Puppy Playground and the Cat Nap Café
• NAVC Gives: Submit a nomination for an achievement or advancement in animal wellness that deserved to be recognized.

Entertainment on site

The 2025 VMX theme focused on the arts. This year, NAVC is bringing back elements of that theme with a continued celebration of veterinary artists. Attendees will view artwork in various mediums—paintings, drawings, photography, textiles, digital illustrations, etc.—submitted by veterinarians, technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers and other team members and industry professionals as well as students.

Additionally, actor John Travolta will serve as the headline speaker for VMX’s welcome address, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, on January 17, 2026, according to the host organization North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). The Grease and Pulp Fiction star is replacing actor Patrick Dempsey with his VMX appearance. Although NAVC previously announced Dempsey as the headliner, filming schedule conflicts were cited as the reason the Grey’s Anatomy star’s appearance was canceled.

Other entertainment includes a concert by country musician Riley Greene on January 18,2026, which is exclusive to VMX attendees; and a party on January 19, 2026, with music, food, dancing and areas to watch a football championship game. Finally, during the closing ceremony on January 21, 2026, the stars of Nat Geo’s TV show “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” Vernard L. Hodges, DVM, and Terrence Ferguson, DVM, will be the featured speakers.