In less than a week, thousands of veterinarians, vet techs, veterinary students, and industry members will descend upon Anaheim, Calif., for the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention. This year’s event will take place Dec. 1-5 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

What exactly are attendees excited about during this year’s convention? TheHorse.com caught up with Sally Baker, AAEP director of marketing and public relations, to find out the top five things attendees can look forward to when they land in southern California.

Attending educational sessions. Baker explained, "With four full days of sessions on nearly every veterinary topic one could want, deciding which sessions to attend is often the biggest challenge. As veterinarian Luke Bass, DVM, said, ‘I’m looking forward to recharging my mental capacity.’ We’re encouraging all those with a smartphone or tablet (such as an iPhone, Android, iPad, or Android tablet) to download the AAEP Convention app, as it allows you to mark your favorite sessions and pull all events into a personalized calendar."

Catching up with colleagues. "While attendees come for the education, the opportunity to spend time with former classmates and colleagues is just as important," Baker said. "This year we’ve added a networking reception for new practitioners, and of course the alumni receptions are always hugely popular