Social Events
Pre-Conference Tour: Sedgwick County Zoo
Saturday, March 25, 7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Additional $75 fee per person
Explore the Sedgwick County Zoo and discover why it has been ranked among the best zoos in the country and is the No. 1 outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas. Home to nearly 3,000 animals of more than 400 different species, SCZ has been recognized with national and international awards for its support of field conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. During your day at SCZ, you’ll have access to behind-the-scenes tours of some of our award-winning exhibits and conservation facilities. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the new Stingray Cove as well as the Safari Express - a C.P. Huntington Electric Train manufactured locally by Chance Rides.
Fee includes lunch, afternoon snack, and transportation.
Welcome Reception, hosted by AZA
Oklahoma Station Ballroom, Omni Hotel
Monday, March 27, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
There will be no formal Icebreaker
Included with all registrations
Zoo Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Tuesday, March 28, 1:30 pm - 8:00 pm
One ticket is included in a full registration and 3-day (when Tuesday is selected). Additional tickets can be purchased for $65 each.
Go wild at Zoo Day! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is Oklahoma’s premier destination for connecting people to our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places. Discover the OKC Zoo’s nearly 1,200 animals through naturalistic habitats and up-close viewing opportunities.
On Zoo Day, we invite you on exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences and animal area tours. Enjoy a hard hat tour at the Zoo’s latest and largest habitat expansion in its history, Expedition Africa. Located in the heart of the Zoo and opening summer 2023, the new 12-acre project provides immersive wildlife experiences for guests and larger habitats for animals native to the African continent including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, meerkats, African painted dog, cheetah, lemurs, honey badger and more.
Prepare for awe-inspiring moments when you visit our world-class habitats including Great EscApe home to the Zoo’s great ape species; Cat Forest/Lion Overlook where you will find Sumatran tigers including twins Luna and Bob born July 2022, our African lion pride with four young cubs born September 2022, clouded leopards, jaguars and more; Oklahoma Trails highlights species native to Oklahoma such as mountain lions, bison, black and grizzly bears; explore Sanctuary Asia to view the Zoo’s multigenerational herd of Asian elephants, Indian rhinos and other animals from the Asian continent; and don’t miss Predator Pass is home to iconic predators, African painted dogs and cheetah. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about our conservation projects, education programs, business operations and future expansion plans.
Throughout Zoo Day, enjoy fun activities, unique OKC Zoo attractions, libations and tasty bites. Then enjoy a spectacular sunset dinner with friends and colleagues. The event wraps up 8:00 pm with the buses making stops at the Convention Center and host hotel. Buses will depart beginning at 1:30 pm from the Convention Center and will run continuously throughout the evening. The last bus will depart the Oklahoma City Zoo at 8:15 pm.
Post-Conference Tour: Tulsa Zoo
Friday, March 31, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Additional $65 fee per person
Come explore Tulsa Zoo! This unforgettable day will include exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences throughout our 84-acre park. See our progress as we continue our master plan to rebuild our 90-year-old facility into a world-class zoo. With Phase 1 complete, Tulsa Zoo is now embarking on the most transformative phase in our history with our upcoming Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Preserve which is currently under construction. New exhibits and old favorites all await you during your tour visit.
Fee includes lunch and transportation.
Tulsa Zoo will also offer free entry to all Mid-Year Meeting attendees from March 23-31, 2023. Please identify yourselves to our Admissions staff as AZA Conference Attendees or show your Conference name badge to enter to enter the zoo from 9am-4pm. Contact the zoo at 918-669-6600 with any questions.
Saturday, March 25, 7:30 am - 7:30 pmAdditional $75 fee per person
Explore the Sedgwick County Zoo and discover why it has been ranked among the best zoos in the country and is the No. 1 outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas. Home to nearly 3,000 animals of more than 400 different species, SCZ has been recognized with national and international awards for its support of field conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. During your day at SCZ, you’ll have access to behind-the-scenes tours of some of our award-winning exhibits and conservation facilities. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the new Stingray Cove as well as the Safari Express - a C.P. Huntington Electric Train manufactured locally by Chance Rides.
Fee includes lunch, afternoon snack, and transportation.
Welcome Reception, hosted by AZA
Oklahoma Station Ballroom, Omni Hotel
Monday, March 27, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
There will be no formal Icebreaker
Included with all registrations
Zoo Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Tuesday, March 28, 1:30 pm - 8:00 pm
One ticket is included in a full registration and 3-day (when Tuesday is selected). Additional tickets can be purchased for $65 each.
Go wild at Zoo Day! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is Oklahoma’s premier destination for connecting people to our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places. Discover the OKC Zoo’s nearly 1,200 animals through naturalistic habitats and up-close viewing opportunities.On Zoo Day, we invite you on exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences and animal area tours. Enjoy a hard hat tour at the Zoo’s latest and largest habitat expansion in its history, Expedition Africa. Located in the heart of the Zoo and opening summer 2023, the new 12-acre project provides immersive wildlife experiences for guests and larger habitats for animals native to the African continent including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, meerkats, African painted dog, cheetah, lemurs, honey badger and more.
Prepare for awe-inspiring moments when you visit our world-class habitats including Great EscApe home to the Zoo’s great ape species; Cat Forest/Lion Overlook where you will find Sumatran tigers including twins Luna and Bob born July 2022, our African lion pride with four young cubs born September 2022, clouded leopards, jaguars and more; Oklahoma Trails highlights species native to Oklahoma such as mountain lions, bison, black and grizzly bears; explore Sanctuary Asia to view the Zoo’s multigenerational herd of Asian elephants, Indian rhinos and other animals from the Asian continent; and don’t miss Predator Pass is home to iconic predators, African painted dogs and cheetah. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about our conservation projects, education programs, business operations and future expansion plans.
Throughout Zoo Day, enjoy fun activities, unique OKC Zoo attractions, libations and tasty bites. Then enjoy a spectacular sunset dinner with friends and colleagues. The event wraps up 8:00 pm with the buses making stops at the Convention Center and host hotel. Buses will depart beginning at 1:30 pm from the Convention Center and will run continuously throughout the evening. The last bus will depart the Oklahoma City Zoo at 8:15 pm.
Post-Conference Tour: Tulsa Zoo
Friday, March 31, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Additional $65 fee per person
Come explore Tulsa Zoo! This unforgettable day will include exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences throughout our 84-acre park. See our progress as we continue our master plan to rebuild our 90-year-old facility into a world-class zoo. With Phase 1 complete, Tulsa Zoo is now embarking on the most transformative phase in our history with our upcoming Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Preserve which is currently under construction. New exhibits and old favorites all await you during your tour visit.Fee includes lunch and transportation.
Tulsa Zoo will also offer free entry to all Mid-Year Meeting attendees from March 23-31, 2023. Please identify yourselves to our Admissions staff as AZA Conference Attendees or show your Conference name badge to enter to enter the zoo from 9am-4pm. Contact the zoo at 918-669-6600 with any questions.
© 2023