Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the symposium, including details about registration, abstract submission, travel, and accommodation. If you have any additional queries, please contact us at corne@savetcon.co.za
ISWAVLD 2027 Code of Conduct
Our goal is to host a Symposium that is friendly, safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive to all our attendees.
To make sure that everyone has a common understanding of “show respect and courtesy to each other,” and ensuring our attendees feel safe, we have designed the following code of conduct.
Expectations
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
- Attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
- Be respectful to all visitors and guests of our event and venue.
Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviours are considered harassment and are unacceptable within the Symposium:
- Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
- Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
- Inappropriate photography or recording.
- Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching them.
- Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour.
- Sustained disruption of talks and presentations.
Unacceptable behaviour from any attendee, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
If an attendee engages in unacceptable behaviour, the Symposium organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the Symposium without warning (and without refund).
What are the dates and location for ISWAVLD 2027?
The 22nd International Symposium of the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (ISWAVLD), will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from 8–11 December 2027.
ISWAVLD 2027 is being organised by The South African Association for Veterinary Technology (SAAVT), under the theme: “Diagnostics Driving One Health: Innovations from Africa to the World.”
How can I register and what form of payment is accepted?
REGISTRATIONS WILL OPEN ON 4 MAY 2026.
All persons attending the symposium must complete an online registration form.
Registration Payments
To be entitled to the super-early and early registration fees, you must have registered and paid by the respective closing dates. Payments not received by the closing dates will automatically be transferred to the next registration category.
Payment Options
- Invoice (EFT)
- Credit Card* – VISA, MasterCard (via PayFast or PayPal)
- Credit Card* – Discovery and AMEX (via PayPal)
- All fees will be processed in ZAR.
*All credit card payments will be subject to a 5% processing fee to cover the associated online card transaction charges.
What is included in the registration fee?
Full Registration entitles delegates to the following:
- Symposium promotional material.
- Access to all sessions and exhibition area
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- 1 x ticket to the Welcome Reception
- Mobile app containing official Symposium information
- EXCLUDED: Official Symposium Dinner
Day Registration entitles delegates to the following:
- Symposium promotional material.
- Access to all sessions and exhibition area on the day of attendance.
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Mobile app containing official Symposium information
- EXCLUDED: Welcome Reception and Official Symposium Dinner
Accompanying Person Registration entitles attendee to the following:
- Access to exhibition area
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- EXCLUDED: Welcome Reception and Official Symposium Dinner
How can I submit an abstract for presentation?
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS WILL OPEN ON 4 MAY 2026.
The ISWAVLD 2027 Scientific Programme Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts from around the world that make an original contribution to the field. The symposium will consist of abstract-based oral and poster presentations, running in concurrent sessions.
More information is available on the Abstract page.
How can I become a sponsor for ISWAVLD 2027?
We welcome all sponsors!
Detailed information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits can be found on our Sponsors page. For further inquiries, please contact our organisers at corne@savetcon.co.za.
Will there be any social events during the symposium?
Yes, ISWAVLD 2027 will feature two social events, including a welcome reception and a gala dinner showcasing the best South Africa has to offer!
These events provide great networking opportunities in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Welcome Reception (included in your registration fee)
Thursday, 9 December 2027, 17:00pm
CTICC Exhibition Hall
Official Symposium Dinner – R1,650.00pp (optional – fee includes transport to and from the venue and a 14-dish tasting menu)
Throughout the dinner, you’ll learn about each dish and their country of origin, traditional cooking techniques and the rich spices that bring each dish to life. With live performances throughout the evening, we invite you to fully immerse yourself in the richness of African culture. Experience traditional dancing and Mali puppetry all while vibrant marimba percussion echoes the heartbeat of Africa.
Friday, 10 December 2027, 18:30pm
GOLD Restaurant
Can I cancel my registration?
Yes, cancellations are allowed but are subject to our cancellation policy.
Please refer to the Registration page for specific details regarding the cancellation process and deadlines.
How do I book by accommodation?
More information will soon be available.
I need a Symposium invitation letter
We’d be happy to assist! Invitation letters will be sent to registered delegates who require letters for organisational approval.
All requests can be sent to Corné Engelbrecht at corne@savetcon.co.za
I need a VISA invitation letter
Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid passport.
- Passengers travelling to South Africa must be in possession of a passport with two unused pages required for endorsements.
- Two unused pages when presented for purposes of endorsing a port of entry visa, visa, permanent residence permit, or entry of departure stamp.
- The passport must be machine readable however, the foreigner may be admitted into or depart from South Africa with a non-machine-readable passport provided that:
- He or she is from a foreign country that is issuing machine readable passports and has not completely phased out the non-machine-readable passports; and
- Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure.
Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including USA, Canada, UK, Japan, and the EU can visit South Africa without a visa. A list of countries that currently do not require a visa can be found at the South African Government website.
Information regarding visas can be obtained from your travel agent or the South African diplomatic or consular representative in your area. Delegates requiring visas, and who intend taking tours to neighbouring Southern African countries, are advised to secure a multiple entry visa. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means of support for the duration of their stay in the country and return /onward tickets.
- Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Mozambique.
- Asia: Thailand (30 days), Singapore (30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Qatar, South Korea, Macau, Hong Kong.
- Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana
- Europe: Georgia, Kosovo, Russian Federation.
- Middle East: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.
Click here to view the visa requirements to enter South Africa.
How can you get VISA invitation letter?
In order to receive a VISA Invitation letter, you need to be registered and paid up for the Symposium as proof of registration is required to be submitted with your application.
The organiser will issue an official invitation letter for you to ease your visa application process. This letter will serve as confirmation of your participation in the conference and can be submitted along with your visa application to the embassy or consulate in your country.
We would require:
- Full names as in passport
- Date of Birth
- Nationality
- Passport Number
- Passport Expiry Date
All requests can be sent to Corné Engelbrecht at corne@savetcon.co.za
Who should I contact for more information?
For any additional questions or information, please contact the ISWAVLD 2027 Symposium Organisers.
22nd International Symposium of the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Symposium Organisers
Ms Corné Engelbrecht, CEPA, CMP
General Enquiries: iswavld2027@gmail.com / corne@savetcon.co.za
Website: https://iswavld2027.com/
Can I register onsite the day of the symposium?
Although the ISWAVLD 2027 Symposium is a pre-paid event, onsite registrations and payments can be made on arrival. Only VISA/MasterCard payments will be accepted.
Do you offer any kind of group discount?
For group registrations of more than 5 persons, please contact corne@savetcon.co.za for more information.
Will I get an attendance certificate for this symposium?
Yes.
We will be applying for CPD Accreditation through the South African Veterinary Council. All South African attendees’ points will be directly uploaded onto the SAVC portal once accreditation has been approved.
All attendees will receive an attendance certificate at the event. This certificate is to be collected from the Information Desk at the registration area at the end of the Symposium.
