Every year, the American Animal Hospital Association set up an annual conference to connect veterinary professionals for some days of education, networking, and forward-thinking conversations.
In 2026, AAHA CON heads to Portland, Oregon, and it is shaping up to be one of the most well-curated events on the 2026 conference calendar.

Here is what to know before you register.

AAHA Con 2026 Details

• Event: AAHA CON 2026
• Dates: September 17 to 19, 2026
• Location: Portland, Oregon

AAHA has been setting standards for small animal care for more than 90 years, and this year's conference theme leans into that legacy while still looking ahead.

Organizers expect around 851 attendees, 42 speakers, and more than 75 sessions over the three days, along with 62 vendors in the exhibit hall. That is a manageable crowd for a national conference. Attendees can take their time between sessions, have conversations with speakers and exhibitors, and explore the exhibit floor without feeling overwhelmed.

Continuing Education at AAHA CON 2026

AAHA CON 2026 is RACE-approved for 39 medical hours and 45 non-medical hours. It is also approved for 44 continuing education credits toward CVPM certification through VHMA.

Attendees can apply up to 25 hours per person, allowing them to build a schedule around clinical topics, practice management, or a mix of both.

Note that CE approval is pending and subject to change, so check the AAHA CON 2026 agenda carefully before the event for final details.

Veterinary Exhibition at AAHA CON 2026

For a lot of attendees, the exhibit hall is where the conference really earns its ticket price. With around 62 vendors on site, the floor is where new products get handled for the first time, where reps can walk through what is actually changing in day-to-day practice, and where casual conversations often turn into the most useful part of the trip.

If you are attending AAHA CON 2026, plan to set aside real time for the exhibit hall rather than treating it as a hallway between sessions.

Vendor teams are there specifically to answer questions, demo equipment, and talk through what fits a particular practice's caseload and budget. If you are weighing new instrumentation, supplies, or tools for the year ahead, this is the place to compare options side by side instead of relying on a catalog alone.

Meet Us at AAHA CON 2026

GerVetUSA will be at AAHA CON 2026, bringing its surgical instrument line to the exhibit hall. Stop by to see our products in person, explore the lineup, ask questions, and talk with our team about the instruments that fit your practice and procedures. 

Here’s a look at some of the surgical instruments from our product line, featuring options worth exploring for your practice. 

Neuro Veterinary Kit

The Neuro Veterinary Kit by GerVetUSA includes retractors, forceps, rongeurs, curettes, and other instruments for veterinary neurosurgical procedures. Having the right instruments available can make neurosurgical procedures more organized and allow veterinarians to work with greater control when handling tissue, retracting surgical sites, removing bone, or working in confined areas. The kit also offers a range of instrument variations to suit different procedural needs. 

Mary Berg's Periodontal Kit

Mary Berg’s Periodontal Kit features essential dental instruments for periodontal care in small animals. With scalers, curettes, a periodontal probe, dental mirror, and retractor, the kit supports dental examination, removal of plaque and calculus, and evaluation of periodontal pockets. The instruments are color coated for easy identification and made from German stainless steel for durability and repeated sterilization. 

Canine and Feline Spay Pack, Rose Gold Ring Coated

The GerVetUSA’s Canine and Feline Spay Pack includes 18 instruments selected for routine spay procedures in dogs and cats. The set includes hemostatic forceps, tissue forceps, scissors, a needle holder, and Snook ovariectomy hooks to support tissue handling, bleeding control, dissection, suturing, and access to the reproductive organs. The rose gold ring coating gives the instruments a distinctive finish, while the European-grade stainless steel construction allows them to be sterilized and reused. 

Super Sharp Mayo Dissecting Scissors Curved

GerVetUSA’s Super Sharp Mayo Dissecting Scissors are designed for cutting and dissecting dense or deeper tissue during veterinary procedures. The curved design provides access to deeper surgical areas, while the tungsten carbide blades offer a sharp cutting edge for precise tissue and suture cutting. They are available in 5 1/2", 6 3/4", and 9" curved variations, allowing veterinarians to choose the length that fits the procedure and their preferred handling style. 

Advanced Orthopedic Surgery Pack

The Advanced Orthopedic Surgery Pack has a selection of surgical instruments designed for veterinary orthopedic procedures involving bones, joints, and supporting tissues. The set includes bone-holding forceps, osteotomes, rongeurs, retractors, Steinmann pins, K-wires, orthopedic wire, and cutting instruments to support bone preparation, fixation, manipulation, and surgical access. A range of instrument sizes provides versatility across different orthopedic procedures and surgical needs. 

Rabbit Extraction Surgery Kit with New Mini Handle

The Rabbit Dental Extraction Kit includes instruments selected for dental procedures in rabbits, including incisor and molar extractions, root fragment removal, periodontal surgery, soft tissue manipulation, and dental examinations. It features rabbit luxators, molar forceps, root extracting forceps, periosteal elevators, and a mouth gag to support dental access during procedure. The specialized instrument selection gives veterinarians tools suited to the unique dental anatomy of rabbits. 

Kelly Hemostatic Forceps

Kelly hemostatic forceps are used to clamp and hold blood vessels and tissue during veterinary surgery. Serrated jaws give a secure grip, and a ratchet lock holds the instrument in place when in use. GerVetUSA offers Kelly hemostatic forceps in 5 1/2 inch straight and curved variations, giving veterinarians options based on the surgical site and their handling preference.

Gelpi Retractor Standard

The Gelpi Retractor Standard is designed to hold back tissue and maintain surgical exposure during veterinary procedures, including orthopedic and spinal surgeries. Its hooked prongs provide tissue retraction, while the ratchet lock keeps the retractor in position during use. GerVetUSA offers this retractor in multiple sizes, from 3 1/2 inches to 11 inches, along with options such as ball and stop grip and sharp ball tip designs. 

GerVetUSA: Built for the Demands of Veterinary Surgery 

GerVetUSA focuses on giving veterinary professionals surgical instruments they can rely on across everyday procedures and more demanding surgeries. From individual instruments to procedure-specific kits and packs, our range is designed around the needs of veterinary practice. 

Why Should You Buy From Us?

Because

We Not Only Sell But Also Manufacture Our Surgical Instruments

That difference is more significant than it might seem. When a company manufactures its own instruments rather than reselling someone else's line, it controls the material quality, the tolerances, and the finishing at every stage. 

See You in Portland

AAHA CON 2026 brings together a strong mix of education, community, and a well-sized exhibit floor, all set against a backdrop that has plenty to offer outside the conference center too.
Whether you are chasing CE hours, exploring new equipment, or just looking to reconnect with colleagues from around the country, September 17 to 19 in Portland is worth having on the calendar.
If you will be there, come find us on the exhibit floor. GerVetUSA Inc. will be on site throughout the conference, ready to talk instruments, answer questions, and help you figure out what belongs in your surgical suite this year.