Last week, I gathered with hundreds of zoo and aquarium professionals at AZA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, cohosted by our colleagues from the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). This is our second time working with IMATA (first was in 2014), and I had the pleasure of joining IMATA Board Chair Kelly Flaherty Clark, of AZA-accredited Discovery Cove, in welcoming attendees from 37 countries. AZA and IMATA are stronger in achieving our complementary missions when we work together to share information, expand our research, increase enrichment, improve best practices, and most importantly make the world a better place for animals.
AZA envisions the modern, accredited aquarium or zoo as a purposeful, conservation organization, committed to educating and inspiring a new generation of concerned and engaged citizens. Overwhelmingly we see conservation as our mission; 81% of our accredited facilities have language about this in their mission statement, whether aquarium or zoo.
The AZA conference allows us to come together to share our ideas, celebrate our successes, and grow our brand. The AZA community is growing and thriving. This is positioning us to be even better advocates for wild life and wild places, and presenting opportunities to drive social change at scales we never before imagined possible — locally, nationally and internationally.
In Monday’s Plenary, I joined marine ecologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Enric Sala and renowned animal biologist and behaviorist of Karen Pryor Clicker Training Ken Ramirez in welcoming our guests. Dr. Sala, whose passion to preserve the ocean through the Pristine Seas Project arose from writing the “obituary for the ocean,” inspired us to preserve the planet, and transition from apex predator to apex protector.
Ken Ramirez discussed the benefits of participating in and prioritizing animal training programs to enhance animal welfare: it is essential for daily animal care and has a connection to conservation in the wild. On Tuesday, we also heard from Chief Market Engagement Officer at IMPACTS Research, Colleen Dilenschneider, as she discussed the importance of brand and mission not only to conservation, but to business operations.
Our week was rich in exciting speakers, sessions, and events, including committee hearings, roundtables, and workshops.
We announced the results of our largest accreditation cycle to date and granted accreditation to 31 zoos and aquariums, including 3 new facilities. Two facilities - Prospect Park Zoo and Steinhart Aquarium- were also recognized with the Quarter Century Award for 25 years of continuous accreditation. The Accreditation Commission makes our accreditation what it is—the “Gold Standard” for 21st century zoos and aquariums.
We celebrated significant achievement within our zoological community, recognizing over 20 accredited zoos and aquariums with national awards for excellence in, exhibit design, conservation work, educational programs, sustainable business practices, volunteer opportunities, diversity initiatives, and more. We also honored two individuals for their lifelong commitment and contributions to the zoological profession: Dr. Robert Lacy, and my colleague and close friend, Kris Vehrs.
We thanked outgoing chair Peggy Sloan for her service and welcomed Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, as our new Board of Directors Chair. We honored those individuals who dedicate their time and talent to supporting AZA through our various committees, Species Survival Plans, and Taxon Advisory Groups.
The lessons learned at AZA conferences enable members to remain leaders in conservation, animal care and welfare. Throughout the week, AZA members attended program meetings, roundtables, and workshops on topics ranging from animal management, health and welfare to volunteer and docent management, and much more. Attendees experienced new technology and services in the Exhibit Hall featuring nearly 200 AZA commercial members showcasing the latest wares available to the community.
Social events included visits to the Audubon Aquarium and the Audubon Zoo. Thank you to both of our generous hosts for allowing us this opportunity. This was the fifth time the Annual Conference has been held in New Orleans.
A sincere thank you goes out to our Platinum level sponsors who helped to make this event possible: A Thru Z Consulting & Distributing, Inc., CLR Design, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, Event Network, Gallagher, McRoberts Sales, PGAV Destinations, San Diego Zoo Global, Service Systems Associates (SSA), Sodexo, and Torre Design Consortium, Ltd.
For those of who may have missed the conference, or who want to relive the experience, please visit our YouTube channel to view the playlist of our speaker talks, honors tributes, and Marketing Pizzazz reel.
AZA’s Annual Conference provides an opportunity to network with colleagues, discuss best practices, share new research and explore cutting-edge products and services. See you all next year!
#WeAreAZA!