Reminders, packing and preparation, oh my!

Reminder emails being sent out for the 1,000EUR competition can only mean one thing: it's time to pack!

We're all due at Terminal 5 on Tuesday morning, so it's time to get my shirts and skirts in a row and make sure my presentation still feels as fresh and interesting as it did when I first started work on it. I've got supporting documents ready to upload right afterwards so that anyone who needs further information should have it at their fingertips when visiting the ICAWC website.

I'm a little nervous about the presentation, but much more so about the flight! Now it's getting closer I have remembered my dislike of take off, but also started to get quite excited about all the possibilities next week has to offer.

I've already heard from one delegate who is coming all the way from Australia; it will be great to meet her and I guess after that I really can't complain about two hours in the air!

Remember, I'll be blogging about the different presentations and activities here so that if you couldn't make it this year you'll still have a good idea what to expect in the future. Just bookmark this page and head back here on Wednesday.

Alexandra Roumbas, Dogs Trust

Three weeks to go!

I can’t believe ICAWC is now only 3 weeks away! This is my first conference and already I have a sense of how much of a buzz there is about the whole thing. There are still some last minute registrations coming in – if you haven’t yet registered I strongly recommend doing it soon! Some of the activities are already oversubscribed.

I have received emails from delegates all over the world and its great to hear that so many organizations are advertising the conference on their own websites, and are this year bringing with them like-minded peers from their part of the world. That’s what ICAWC is all about – encouraging as much sharing of information and best practice as possible so that we can all do the best for our companion animal friends.

Meanwhile I am busying getting together all the presentations from our guest speakers – they all sound fascinating and I can’t decide which I am most looking forward to hearing.

When you arrive at ICAWC please don’t forget to come to the registration desk, where you will receive a welcome pack, including the full Programme of Events. And I hope we will see you all at the free Welcome Buffet Dinner on Wednesday 29th October at 7.30pm at the Regina Palace Hotel.

Finally, I have been really enjoying reading all your competition entries. Someone has to win the 1000 EUR cash prize!! If you haven’t sent your entry yet, you need to answer the following question in no more than 45 words:

“How do you explain to a potential corporate donor that dogs/cats are worthy of their support?”

Send your answers to hq-icawc@dogstrust.org.uk

Good luck, and see you in Italy!!

Helen Speake, Events Team, Dogs Trust

Chris Laurence on the preparations for ICAWC - including the IT!

ICAWC is always an interesting challenge. Not only do I get to do a couple of presentations, but I also run the IT to make sure that everyone else’s presentations run smoothly as well. Making sure everything works properly is a very time consuming exercise!

But the conference is also such fun. The range of people to chat to is vast and there’s a good social element as well talking far into the night about animal welfare issues (and other things too!). I’m really looking forward to it as I know Stresa is such a lovely place.

Chris Laurence, Veterinary Director, Dogs Trust