American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium
March 6-7, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine will be hosting the 2026 American Pre-Veterinary Medicine Association (APVMA) Symposium on March 6-7, 2026, in Baton Rouge.
The APVMA Symposium's purpose is to bring APVMA-member students together to gain exposure to opportunities in the veterinary profession. Attendees will have access to several lectures, participate in a hands-on lab, and network with other members of the veterinary community.
Register
Student registration of $145 will open December 19th at 9:00 AM ET and close February 2nd 11:59PM CT. No refunds for cancellations will be given after February 2nd, 2026.
Registration will be limited to the first 450 students to register.
Registration confirmation will be provided after APVMA membership is verified. Please allow time for processing. Students who register and are not confirmed to be an APVMA member will have their request for registration cancelled and fees will be refunded.
Please follow the two steps below to register:
Step 1:
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Step 2:
The registration link above will close once 450 student registrations have been received. If you are not able to register, please email your name, University name, and Club ID # to APVMAatLSU2026@gmail.com to request waitlist placement.
Our offices will be closed December 24th through January 1st. Responses to requests received during that time will be delayed until our return.
Student Lodging
Student Attendee Lodging and opening night dinner (Friday) will be held at the Renaissance Baton Rouge (7000 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810). Reservations must be made by direct call-in to (866) 469-5448. Reference “APVMA 2026 Symposium” of by booking at this GROUP RATE LINK . Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to arrival or 1-night room and tax will be assessed. Attendee room rate is $169 per night prior to other fees. Group rate only applies for a March 6th - 8th stay. Reservations by attendees must be received on or before Friday, February 6, 2026.
Please register for the conference prior to booking hotel.
Advisor Information
Advisors should register at the same link as students on the first tab of this page. Please select an advisor ticket. Advisors should also email APVMAatLSU2026@gmail.com to request an registration discount code before proceeding with registration Step 2.
A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Cook Hotel and Conference Center on LSU’s campus for club advisors. These rooms must be reserved through direct call-in at 225-383-2665. Reference “Spring Symposium.” The room rate is $209 per night prior to other fees. Reservations must be received by the hotel no later than Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Sponsor and Exhibitor Information
Sponsors/exhibitors should email APVMAatLSU2026@gmail.com to request sponsor registration and to confirm availability of sponsor level as well
as provide details associated with the sponsorship tier.
If you would like to have additional representatives over the number included in the
sponsorship tier, $50 will be added for each additional attendee.
A separate registration/information request will be sent to advisors closer to the
event to get attendee details.
Hotel blocks have not been specifically reserved for sponsors. We do recommend a number
of the Downtown Baton Rouge hotels, which are located a very short distance from the
School of Veterinary Medicine where all Saturday events will take place.
- Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
- Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge
- Watermark Baton Rouge
Sonesta ES Suites Baton Rouge at Southgate is another option on the edge of LSU's campus and near LSU Vet Med.
If you would like to mail items to the school prior to your arrival please send to:
Office of Admissions & Student Success
Attn: Gretchen Delcambre
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
1213 Skip Bertman Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Agenda
Friday, March 6th
- 3-5 PM Hotel guest arrival and check-in at the Renaissance Hotel
- TBD - 5PM-6PM Symposium registration check-in
- 6- 6:30 PM Opening Ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel
- 6:30 - 8 PM Dinner and Keynote at the Renaissance Hotel
- 8-9 PM Business Meeting at the Renaissance Hotel (Closed Session)
Saturday, March 7th
- 6:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel for hotel guests
- 9 AM - 4 PM Exhibitors Fair opens at LSU Vet Med
- 9 AM - 3 PM Lectures and labs at LSU Vet Med
- 10 AM - 2 PM Advisors Meeting at LSU Vet Med
- 12 PM - 1 PM Lunch at LSU Vet Med
- 5:30 PM - 8 PM Closing Ceremony and Celebratory Dinner at LSU Union
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Board Elections at LSU Union
Parking and Transportation
More information regarding parking will follow. Although ample parking is available near the School of Veterinary Medicine, we always encourage carpooling and group rideshare services.
Renaissance Baton Rouge to LSU Vet Med drive time approximately 18-20 minutes.
The Cook Hotel to LSU Vet Med drive time approximately 10 minutes.
Downtown Hotels to LSU Vet Med drive time approximately 5-8 minutes.
LSU Vet Med to Union Square Parking Garage for closing ceremony drive time approximately 8 minutes or 25-minute walk (1.1 miles).
Airports
Both the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) and Louis Armstrong International Airport New Orleans (MSY) are reliable airports for travel to Baton Rouge.
Travel time to LSU from BTR is 15 min and from MSY is 1 hour and 10 min. Please add 30-45 minutes of travel time at MSY if you rent a vehicle from the airport in New Orleans. The rental counters are located at the old MSY terminal by shuttle.
Stay for a day!
Lagniappe is a Cajun French word that means "a little something extra." If you find yourself here for an extra day, visit these websites for more exploration ideas: