AZA Mid-Year Meeting

FAQ Regarding the 2020 AZA Mid-Year Meeting, Joint TAG Chairs Meeting, and the Advocacy Days

Is the 2020 AZA Mid-Year Meeting in Palm Springs canceled?
Yes. In consultation with the AZA Board of Directors and due to government actions at the national, state and local levels to limit community transmission of COVID-19, we have no choice but to cancel both the Joint TAG Chairs Meeting and the AZA Mid-Year Meeting in Palm Springs, California, April 1 – 9, 2020.
 

Is the Joint TAG Chairs Meeting scheduled to occur before the AZA Mid-Year Meeting canceled?
Yes. In consultation with the AZA Board of Directors and due to government actions at the national, state and local levels to limit community transmission of COVID-19, we have no choice but to cancel both the Joint TAG Chairs Meeting and the AZA Mid-Year Meeting in Palm Springs, California, April 1 – 9, 2020.
 

How can I get a refund of my registration fee?
All refunds have been processed. If you have a question about your refund, please contact AZA Meetings Department.
 

How can I cancel my hotel reservation?
Please contact the hotel you made a reservation with directly to cancel your hotel reservation. Hotel information can be found on your confirmation you received when you booked your room. AZA will not be cancelling your room arrangements.
 

How do I cancel my airline reservation?
Please contact the airline you made your reservation with directly to cancel your flight reservation.
 

Will the AZA Accreditation Commission hearings still take place?
Yes, the AZA Accreditation staff are working with the Commission and facilities to arrange for hearings to proceed by phone. Each hearing date and time will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs and desires of the member.
 

Will any of the special meetings and workshops that were to take place, like the Diversity Summit, Green Summit, Safety Summit and others still be taking place?
AZA will work with member organizers to determine alternative offerings for these Summits, to include virtual options at a later date.
 

Will any of the AZA Committee meetings take place?
AZA staff liaisons will work with Committee Chairs to make alternative arrangements for their ongoing committee work.
 

Many Committees and groups use the Mid-Year Meeting to plan AZA Annual Conference Call for Paper submissions. Will the Call for Papers deadline be extended?
AZA is extending the deadline for Call for Papers submissions until Friday, May 15 at 11:59 pm PT.

Are applications to AZA's Conservation Grants Fund still due March 16 at 5:00 pm ET?
AZA is extending the deadline for CGF applications until Monday, March 30 at 5:00 pm ET.
 

Is the May Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., proceeding as planned?
The AZA May Advocacy Day is canceled. AZA is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society to explore options for other advocacy opportunities in Washington, DC. Information will be shared when it is available.
 

Where can I find resources to assist with my operational planning?
AZA encourages members to use the AZA Network to share COVID-19 response documents with colleagues. Depending on your area of interest, there are many communities to choose and each has the ability to house resources for download. For more information and instructions on how to do this, contact AZA Member Services at membership@aza.org. You can also find more helpful COVID-19 resources on the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Preparedness, Response and Recovery (ZAHP) Fusion Center website at https://zahp.aza.org.

Future Mid-Year Meetings

2021 Mid-Year Meeting
March 27-April 1, 2021
Long Beach, CA
Hosted by Aquarium of the Pacific