Choose among the following three membership categories for individuals.
- Associate Member
Designed for zoo and aquarium professionals from both AZA-accredited and non-accredited institutions, as well as other interested parties who support the mission, vision, and goals of AZA. [application in PDF]
- Professional Affiliate
Employees of an AZA-accredited Institution, International Facility, Related Facility, Conservation Partner, or Commercial Members are eligible to apply for Professional Affiliate. [application in PDF]
- Professional Fellow
Management-level employees at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, or Conservation Partners are eligible. Professional Fellows help shape association policy by voting in AZA elections and are eligible to chair AZA committees and serve on the Board of Directors. [application in PDF]
Core Individual Member Benefits
The following are primary benefits for all Associate, Professional Affiliate and Professional Fellow level memberships:
- Stay informed about the zoo and aquarium professional community with member-exclusive subscriptions to AZA’s CONNECT magazine and the monthly member e-newsletter, INSIGHT;
- Access to the Members Only resources of the AZA Web site where you’ll find animal management information, business benchmarking data, conference proceedings and more;
- Serve on an AZA committee or accreditation inspection teams;
- Access the AZA Social Media Report, an industry bench-marking tool.
- Tap into thousands of dollars to pursue training and conservation work through Conservation Endowment Fund Grants – eligibility only available to AZA members;
- Save with deep discounts on conference registrations, publications, and the annual Membership Directory – the ‘who’s who’ in zoos and aquariums;
- Plan field study (and family outings) at other zoos and aquariums and receive discounted or free admissions;
- View AZA’s Job Listings board where open positions are available across the country and internationally at zoos and aquariums;
- Network with your peers on AZA’s listservs– bringing together individuals that share knowledge, best practices and experiences like you;
- Receive priority enrollment and registration discounts in AZA’s Professional Development Training Program, where you’ll learn skills and enhance career advancement opportunities in various zoo and aquarium management courses;
- Take advantage of the valuable Affinity Programs and enjoy deep cooperative purchasing discounts on products and services you use everyday!
Additional Benefits for Professional Affiliates
Professional Affiliate membership requires individuals work at an AZA-accredited institution, Related Facility, Conservation Partner, or Commercial member. In addition to the core benefits listed above, Professional Affiliate level membership provides the following:
- Appear among the ‘who’s who’ of zoo and aquarium professionals with a listing in the AZA’s Annual Membership Directory – printed and distributed to more than 5,000 members – and enjoy your own copy!
Additional Benefits for Professional Fellows
AZA’s premier level of individual membership, the Professional Fellow, requires individuals work in a management capacity at an AZA-accredited Institution, Related Facility, or Conservation Partner. In addition to the core benefits listed above, Professional Fellow level membership provides the following:
- Appear among the ‘who’s who’ of zoo and aquarium professionals with a listing in the AZA’s Annual Membership Directory – printed and distributed to more than 5,000 members – and enjoy your own copy!
- Signify your commitment and leadership with your peers in shaping the policy of AZA with voting rights in association elections;
- Take your commitment one step further by chairing a committee or serving on the AZA Board of Directors;
- Access to Animal Exchange online.