Independent Vet Growth Summit 2026
Wed 30th September 2026 | Bournemouth Hilton
Practice. Plan. People. Growing together.
One powerful, interactive day designed to help independent practices thrive, not just survive.
Date
Wed 30th September 2026
Time
9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth
CPD
1 day business & team-focused CPD
The Independent Vet Growth Summit 2026 is a one-day CPD event created exclusively for independent veterinary practices who want to grow a stronger health plan, a more resilient practice, and a happier, more engaged team.
This is a focused, practical day designed to give you clarity, confidence and actions you can put into place immediately – followed by an optional evening dinner and fun networking with like-minded independents.
Why attend?
Running an independent practice today can feel relentless. Rising costs, stretched teams, increasing client expectations and constant change.
This summit is your opportunity to step back for one day, focus on what really moves the needle, and leave with a clearer, calmer plan for growth.
By the end of the day, you will:
- Understand how to grow and strengthen your pet health plan as a foundation for predictable income
- Know how SEO, AEO and AI are shaping the future of vet practices’s online visibility – and what that means for your own veterinary business
- Map a Customer Success Journey that turns new clients into loyal advocates
- Feel more confident supporting your team’s wellbeing, engagement and performance
- Leave energised, optimistic and ready to take control of your next chapter
Three pillars. One focused day.
The summit content is built around three core pillars, each designed to give you something concrete to take back to your practice.
Practice
Your business and visibility
Website SEO and AEO fundamentals for independent practices
Search is changing – how AI will influence your future online presence
Improve visibility – practical steps to improve how local pet owners find and choose your vet independent practice
Conversion machine – quick wins to supercharge your website’s ability to convert visitors into new clients
Plan
Your Pet Health Plan
- Identify and clarifying how your health plan supports practice stability and growth
- Ensure your online messaging tells the story of your plan clearly and confidently
- Using your plan to smooth your client journey and increase pet owner loyalty
- New ideas to engage your team so they feel comfortable recommending your plan
People
Your Pet Health Plan
- Customer Success Journey (CVJ): plotting the ideal path from unknown pet owner to best advocate
- Identifying the moments that matter most to your clients
- Reducing friction for reception and clinical teams
- Live Q&A with key leads – bring your real challenges and questions
Keynote Speaker
Two powerful sessions from Veterinary Business Consultant Dave Nicols.
Keynote Speaker
Session 1
It’s time to thrive, not just survive!
Session 2
Business Is booming, but people are breaking
Dave Nicols
Veterinary Business Consultant and Speaker
The day opens with a powerful one-hour keynote from Dave Nicols, setting the tone for the summit.
Session 1: It’s time to thrive, not just survive!
There is no shortage of evidence that young veterinarians the world over are struggling with their career. There is also no shortage of people with explanations as to why this is. Unsuitable university entry criteria, gender bias, corporatisation, poor leadership and millennial work ethic are the usual suspects.
The unspoken story being told in the mind of many vets and business owners is that veterinary medicine is broken. But such pessimism and finger pointing will guarantee only more pain. So, what can we collectively do to re-engage and support the next generation?
In this rousing keynote, delegates will understand six basic principles that can be applied to life in practice to boost happiness, wellbeing and performance in their veterinary teams and leave them empowered and energised to take control of their careers.
Session 2: Business Is booming, but people are breaking
Your business is probably booming, but let me guess, your people are on the verge of
breaking? In this session, we’ll reveal the fundamentals behind the brewing crisis in vet med and explore the options available to leaders in order to take back control and run a profitable and sustainable business in the post covid world. Let’s learn how to do medicine where people and pets can thrive!
- Explore the real pressures affecting today’s veterinary teams
- Understand six practical principles that improve happiness, wellbeing and performance
- Feel empowered to re-engage their teams and take control of their own careers
Itinerary Overview
A high-impact, one-day programme, balancing inspiration with practical application.
Welcome & Keynote 1
Welcome and keynote session 1:
"It's time to thrive, not just survive"
With: Dave Nicols
SEO & AI:
A deep dive into what every independent practice needs to succeed in an evolving online environment
With: VetSuccess Marketing Team
Keynote Session 2
"Business is booming, but people are breaking"
With: Dave Nicols
Workshop: Customer Value Journey
Customer Success Journey (CVJ) workshop
With: Jacqui Lay
Health Plan Growth
Practical health plan and growth discussions
With: VetSuccess Marketing Team
Q&A
Reflection
6:30 pm – 10 pm
Evening Dinner
The evening networking dinner is designed to give you space to step out of that – and into a room full of people who genuinely understand it.
You’ll be surrounded by other independent practice owners and leaders who are:
- Navigating the same highs and lows
- Balancing care, culture and commercial reality
- Feeling the same pressures around recruitment, retention and growth
- Experiencing the same freedoms – and the same responsibility that comes with them
It’s a chance to relax, have some fun and talk openly about challenges you don’t always share, hear how others are handling similar situations, realise you’re not alone, and leave with practical ideas and renewed confidence.
More than networking, it’s connection, perspective and support in one room.
Tickets & Pricing
All prices excl VAT – 3 for 2 option available on all tiers
Standard
| Ticket | Non-VS price | VS price |
|---|---|---|
| Day delegate | £189 | £150 |
| Day delegate 3 for 2 | £378 | £300 |
| Full summit (day & dinner) | £235 | £195 |
| Full summit (day & dinner) 3 for 2 | £470 | £390 |
Early Bird
| Ticket | Non-VS price | VS price |
|---|---|---|
| Day delegate | £149save £40 | £125save £25 |
| Day delegate 3 for 2 | £298save £80 | £250save £50 |
| Full summit (day & dinner) | £189save £46 | £165save £30 |
| Full summit (day & dinner) 3 for 2 | £378save £92 | £330save £60 |
Purchase Tickets
Join independent vet practices from across the UK for one focused, inspiring day.
Built for Independent Vet Practices
This summit is ideal for independent practices who want to grow sustainably.
If you’re in any of the following roles, this day is for you:
Practice Owners & Partners
Practice & Business Managers
Clinical directors & lead vets
Head nurses & team leaders
Client care & reception leads
Anyone driving growth in an independent practice
We strongly recommend attending with at least two team members so you can plan and implement together.
About VetSuccess
VetSuccess helps independent veterinary practices build sustainable, profitable businesses through stronger health plans, smarter marketing and practical, hands-on support.
We understand independent practice life – which is why this summit focuses on what actually works, not theory or generic advice.
Ready to grow your practice, plan and people?
Places are limited to keep the day interactive and practical.
View the full itinerary and secure your places today.