This year's theme was 'Many Modes, One Goal', which brought together over 100 members and visitors from 17 countries, all sharing the same interest in the safe and humane transport of animals.

Over the course of the three-day conference, general session speakers included Brandon Fried, Executive Director of Airforwarders Association; Andrea Gavinelli, Head Unit D5 Animal Welfare, DG Sanco, and Daniela Battaglia, Livestock Production Officer for Food and Agriculture Organization, who spoke on the impact of new regulations. Break-out sessions were split into three tracks including, Livestock/Equine, Lab/Research, and Zoological/Companion Animal. Topics ranged from, 'Ventilation Control during Road Transport', to 'Securing Access to Lab Animal Transport', to 'Checked baggage AVI and security issues/ The safe animal passenger', to 'Complying with Lab Animal Transportation Guidance in 2011'.

Kelly Wheeler

During the business meeting, Kelly Wheeler of Aviagen, Inc. was elected President and Suzy Stennett, Crowe Livestock Underwriting, Ltd. was installed as President-Elect. The ATA also presented two awards during this meeting – the ATA Animal Welfare Award was presented to Sharon Cregier of Equine Behaviour Forum, and the Public Service Award to the Brooke Hospital for Animals.

Overall, the conference was a huge success, reaching attendees from all over the world. New bonds were forged which strengthened future cooperation between the ATA and the FAO. The caliber of presenters at the conference was extraordinary. Attendees were engaged in the question and answer portion, held after each session and many new ideas in the industry were generated.

The Animal Transportation Association, an international non-profit organisation, was launched in 1976, and provides an independent forum for the safe and humane handling of all species of animals during multi-modal transport. Members represent airlines, forwarders, truckers, livestock breeders, import/exporters and Government agencies.