The Northeast Veterinary Pathology Conference (affectionately known as Cobleskill) was the idea of Dr. John M. King. After taking several trips to attend the Southeast Veterinary Pathology Conference held each May in Tifton, GA, he thought a similar conference held in this region would be a great learning experience for residents and pathologists.

Dr. John King (Courtesy of Dr. Eric Blomme)

In the fall of 1994 Dr. King sent questionnaires to pathologists in the area. He inquired about general interest, possible locations, format, and cost. He even asked if having the conference in the same place each year was a good idea (12 responders said yes, 11 responders suggested it change each year, and 4 suggested that it be decided at the first meeting)! Cobleskill was selected because it was fairly central to those who responded. It also had a site (State University of New York at Cobleskill [SUNY]) that we could use and still keep the cost within the expected range.

The first conference was October 21 and 22, 1995 in Warner Hall on the SUNY Cobleskill Campus. Dr. Alexander deLahunta was the guest speaker and the topic was New CNS Diseases. The Saturday evening dinner was held at the university's "ski lodge". Subsequent guest speakers included Drs. Danny Scott, Herbert Van Kruiningen, Tracey McNamara, Donald McGavin, Roy Poole, Dennis DeNicola, and Marin Calderwood-Mays. After several of the earlier conferences Dr. King conducted gross pathology "Show and Tell" outside.

In 2002 the group elected to change the meeting venue to the Best Western Inn in Cobleskill. In 2007, the group elected to move the meeting to another venue altogether and Saratoga Springs was chosen for the 2008 site.