Thank You for Joining Us!

The 2016 AZA Annual Conference, hosted by the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego, took place September 7-11. Thank you to the tremendous staff and volunteers from these three member institutions that put in countless hours to make the conference a success!

Conference Attendees = 2,772
Total Host Volunteers =   240, volunteering 1,563 hours
Sponsoring Companies and Organizations = 16
Exhibiting Companies and Organizations = 161
Poster Presentations = 108
Concurrent Program Sessions = 80
Committee and Animal Program Meetings = 94
Speakers = 426
First Time Attendees = 659
Students = 69
Dollars Raised in the CGF Silent Auction = $12,000

Lifetime Achievement Awards Presented

R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
In 1978, AZA established its highest award for professional excellence, named for its first recipient, R. Marlin Perkins. The recipient must show excellent and unstinting service to AZA; be strongly committed to the causes of education, conservation, scientific investigation, and recreation as part of zoo and aquarium activities; make outstanding contributions to the zoo and aquarium profession and/or its science or technology; and show steadfast resolve in furthering the purposes of AZA and the mission of zoos and aquariums. The 22nd receipent of this prestigous award, presented at the Annual Conference in San Diego, is Charles L. Bieler, Director Emeritus, San Diego Zoo.

The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
In March 2014, AZA established an award to recognize outstanding scientific research contributions to the field(s) of animal management, education, and/or conservation within the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community. This award, named for its first recipient Devra Kleiman, honors an individual’s long-term commitment to using science-based research and mentoring others to advance the zoo and aquarium profession.  The 3rd receipient of this award, is Jonathan D. Ballou, Ph.D., Research Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution.

2016 Conference Proceedings Now Available!

Mid-Year Meeting and Annual Conference Proceedings, dating back to 2004, are available for download to AZA members.  If you're looking for older proceedings, contact Cheryl Wallen.

Upcoming Conferences and Meetings

2017 Mid-Year Meeting
March 26-31, 2017
Albuquerque, NM
Hosted by ABQ BioPark
More information will be available in late October

2017 Annual Conference
September 9-13, 2017
Indianapolis, IN
Hosted by the Indianapolis Zoo

2018 Mid-Year Meeting
March 24-29, 2018
Jacksonville, FL
Hosted by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

2018 Annual Conference
September 23-27, 2018
Seattle, WA
Hosted by the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo

2019 Annual Conference
September 7-11, 2019
New Orleans, LA
Hosted by Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

2020 Annual Conference
September 13-17, 2020
Columbus, OH
Hosted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Questions about Conferences and Meetings?

General questions - Contact Cheryl Wallen, Meeting Planner

Exhibiting or sponsorship questions - Contact Gina Velosky, Manager of Business Development & Marketing