Kerry Hillard Johnson
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The presidential candidates both enjoyed a post-convention ratings bump. I'm basking in the glow of a similar post-convention
high, but it's thanks to our own CVC Central veterinary convention. Attending this educational meeting during the last week
of August was my chance to really get going in my new role as Firstline editor. Sitting in on lectures, I picked up countless tips that we'll pass on to you. Roaming the Exhibit Hall, I ran into
Firstline readers and got the chance to discuss the personal and professional issues that are important to you. And, of course, I played
a little, too. I took advantage of revitalized downtown Kansas City, Mo., by eating at a top-notch seafood restaurant. I loved
it, and I don't even like seafood.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. My whirlwind CVC Central convention week kicked off at advisory board member Shawn McVey's
Managers' Retreat. One of the day's topics was how to write a vision statement that outlines the ideal image of yourself and
your practice. It was inspiring to think about what I can do to be a better editor and manager. Crafting my own vision statement—read
it on
http://dvm360.com/ by checking out my blog under the Community tab—helped me plot where to take this magazine and what we can do to help you
catapult your teams and practices to a new realm of success.
Later in the week, I snuck in to listen to another advisory board member, Debbie Allaben Gair, talk about how to welcome new
hires. Again, the topic was just what I needed. Our Firstline team has turned over 100 percent in the last two months. Even though it was for all the right reasons—to spend time with
kids, be closer to home, and launch a new career—it's still a lot to handle. But thanks to Gair's strategies, I'll be working
to keep our new art director and associate editor—who joins us next month—in the loop and invigorated.
And that's what I hope to do for you, too. Conventions do provide a chance to rejuvenate. But let's not wait for a major meeting
to drum up excitement and keep in touch. Let's do it every month right here in the pages of Firstline magazine and on the Web pages of
http://dvm360.com/.
Kerry Hillard Johnson, Editor
firstline@advanstar.com
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