It has been a privilege to be a part of the AETA Board of Directors (BOD) over the last three years and an honor to serve as this year’s president. I have been blessed to be a part of this industry for 20 years. As Paul Harvey said, “The years don’t always add wisdom, but they do add perspective!”
The first meetings I attended were eye-opening experiences, and those BOD members were larger than life to a new college graduate trying to find a place to call home. Over the years, I have watched every BOD deal with their fair share of challenges. Each one, I am sure, feels theirs were the most difficult. We should all take the time to thank Morgan and FASS, and the two past presidents, Matt Dorshorst and Bill Croushore, for navigating AETA through two years of virtual meetings, zoom calls, and hotel contracts. But just as importantly, we need to thank all the businesses that continued to support the association and the industry without blinking an eye!
This is going to be an exciting year! Dr. Greg Schueller already has an amazing program set for our Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, from October 27 to 29, 2022. It is packed with timely and informative topics, and thankfully, for the first time in over two years we will be able to shake hands and interact with colleagues and longtime friends that we have greatly missed seeing. I promise you, Louisville will be a meeting to be remembered for a long time! Mark your calendars and make sure to attend.
In 2013, the AETA developed a strategic plan that is just as important today. It concentrates on 3 targeted areas for growth and betterment of the association, and this year’s BOD has goals to improve each one.
- Education
- Increase participation in poster session at AETA meetings
- Provide more exposure at veterinary school level: Curriculum, interactive courses
- Membership
- Encourage growth from within: Embryo transfer business (ETB) employees
- Increase exposure to new professional graduates
- Increase exposure to academia and encourage participation in our organization
- Increase exposure to other species utilizing assisted reproductive technologies
- Certification
- Improve certification exam format and knowledge base
- Continue to develop ways for members to differentiate and add value to themselves through recognition programs
As I have encouraged the BOD, I will equally encourage every AETA member to think differently than you have the past 20 years. As we propose new ways to recognize or educate members, we will see an increase in membership. As we increase membership, we will have more ETBs working in the industry and educating their clients on the importance of the AETA. This is nothing new to our industry, but it needs our attention again.
I look forward to a productive 2022 and a reunion in Louisville at the 2022 AETA/CETA Annual Convention.
Clay Breiner, DVM
2022 AETA President