Identify a High-influence Approach to Communicating
Total Heartworm Information

• The American Heartworm Society (AHS) mission is to encourage and promote effective procedures for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heartworm disease. To fulfill that objective the AHS Board of Directors scheduled a planning meeting for the purpose of brainstorming new ideas.
• Because several Board members were familiar with Dr. Kathy Gloyd and her work as consultant to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, she was invited to facilitate the meeting.

The idea that became Heartworm University, a series of day-long continuing education programs for veterinarians to address all aspects of heartworm disease, emerged from the original planning meeting.

• When Gloyd Group was awarded the contract to manage the programs, our team of meeting planners coordinated every detail of each program from hotel and travel arrangements to invitations, press releases, signage, and on-site support for each session.
• Gloyd Group’s editorial staff coordinated input from speakers and AHS Board members, helping to blend multiple viewpoints and prepare content for the master presentation.
• Gloyd Group provided interactive audience response technology, creating a dynamic learning environment for attendees and a valuable tool for speakers.

AHS Heartworm University Has Been a Resounding Success.

• In 2009, its first year, Heartworm University programs were held in six locations across the US in conjunction with selected state and regional veterinary association meetings.
• Successful corporate sponsorship was arranged and provided, and an outstanding faculty was assembled. Each meeting was well-attended, and responses were uniformly positive.
• The American Heartworm Society was assisted to fulfill its mission to serve as the global resource on heartworm disease.
• As a result of the success of the Heartworm University programs, Gloyd Group was recently asked to become Association Manager of the organization. Responsibilities include management of all Association business, including membership and financial, providing support and direction to the Board of Directors, publication of the AHS quarterly newsletter, and managing the Triennial AHS Symposium in Memphis in April 2010.