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AVMA Putting Wellbeing and
Networking First

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) places a strong emphasis on well-being and mental health for its members, many of whom are healthcare professionals who face high levels of stress.

As part of their annual convention, AVMA sought to integrate a unique, health-focused activity that would not only provide physical wellness but also offer an informal networking opportunity and a chance to explore the host city, Austin, Texas.

AVMA collaborated with Go! Running Tours to organize morning running and brisk walking tours for convention participants. These tours were designed to fit seamlessly into the busy convention schedule, promoting mental and physical health while allowing participants to experience the local sights., and also network in an informal setting.

Objectives

The AVMA aimed to offer multiple well-being activities during their convention, and running and brisk walking tours were an ideal fit as they focus on:

  • Physical and Mental Wellness: Veterinary professionals have among the highest rates of stress and burnout in healthcare, making it vital to offer stress-relief activities such as running tours.
  • Informal Networking: By fostering interaction outside the formal conference setting, the tours enabled attendees to connect in a more relaxed, scenic environment.
  • City Exploration: Many attendees travelled from outside Austin and had limited time to explore the city. Therefore, the running and brisk walking tours offered a welcomed snapshot of the Austin’s history and charm while promoting physical health.
Erika Martinez - Senior Event Planner AVMA

Erika Martina

Senior Event Planner, AVMA

Go! Running Tours services gives us a chance to showcase the city and include well-being at the same time. Most of our attendees come from outside the city, so this was a perfect way for them to experience Austin.

Why Go! Running Tours?

Erika Martinez, a key event planner at AVMA, spearheaded the decision to include Go! Running Tours services. As a runner herself, she recognized the appeal of an active start to the day before a long and busy conference day. 

After researching various providers, Go! Running Tours emerged as the best choice for their ability to offer:

  • Private, Customized Tours: Instead of a running race which is costly and takes a lot of organisation, Go! Running Tours’ tailored approach and private tours suited AVMA’s requirements.
  • Price: The Go! Running Tours services suited the AVMA’s budget.
  • Flexibility: Up until the very last minute, AVMA was able to adjust the number of participants, ensuring that as many as possible could join the event. 

Execution

  • Format: Delegates could choose from two options: 1) 5 km in-person guided running tour 2) 3 km in-person guided brisk walking tours. Both options included a sightseeing element where the local guide would stop and share history and anecdotes about the city’s sights.
  • Organisation: Delegates were divided into smaller groups of 10-15 delegates with a private guide leading each group. This enabled smooth and safe running through Austin. 
  • Sign-ups: 120 delegates signed up for the brisk walking and running tours
  • Feedback: Delegates rated the running and brisk walking tours as “good” or “very good”

Impact

The running tours achieved AVMA’s well-being and networking goals by providing:

  • Mental Health Support: Veterinary professionals, who often face high levels of stress, benefited from the mental and physical break offered by the tour.
  • City Exploration: Despite a packed convention schedule, the running tours allowed attendees to see more of Austin than they would have otherwise.
  • Positive Networking Environment: The tours facilitated informal conversations in a relaxed setting, allowing participants to connect on a personal level outside the convention.
Erika Martinez - Senior Event Planner AVMA

Erika Martina

Senior Event Planner, AVMA

“Would we do it again? Absolutely. Yep… ”

Conclusion

Go! Running Tours provided AVMA with a tailored, health-focused activity that enhanced their convention experience by combining wellness, networking, and city exploration. With such positive feedback from participants, Go! Running Tours successfully met AVMA’s objectives, positioning themselves as a trusted partner for future events.

The collaboration between AVMA and Go! Running Tours is a testament to how active, engaging experiences can make a postive impact from high-stress professions and how it is possible to easily include wellbeing and networking activities that do not interfere with the original agenda. Looking ahead, both organizations are excited to explore more opportunities to bring wellness to veterinary professionals across the country.