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Full Conference Schedule

Meetings and events will take place at the Renaissance Palm Springs and Palm Springs Convention Center. Schedule is subject to change. If you have questions about the schedule or would like to reserve meeting space, please contact Cheryl Andrews. The Mid-Year Meeting is an in-person meeting only and there will not be a virtual component offered. No sessions or meetings will be recorded or live-streamed and video-conferencing will not be available for people unable to attend. 

*Meetings that are listed as Executive Session are only open to members of that particular Committee or Program. If a meeting is not listed as Executive Session, it is open to all registered attendees as an observer only.

View the Program Guide (PDF). Copies will be available onsite at the registration desk.
 

Sunday, March 23
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM SOLD OUT! Pre-Conference Tour: San Diego Zoo Safari Park (additional $75 fee)
 
Monday, March 24
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM Registration Open Mesquite H
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Penguin TAG Steering Committee (Executive Session*) Mesquite C
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM SAFE North American Bison Ventura
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Marine Mammal TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite A
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Parrot TAG Steering Committee (Executive Session*) - CANCELLED  
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Wildlife Conservation Committee (Executive Session*) Smoketree C
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session*) San Jacinto
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Animal Population Management (APM) Committee (Executive Session*) SmoketreeAB
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Executive Leadership Development Program (Invite Only*) Pueblo
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Safety Summit Madera
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ambassador Animal SAG (Executive Session 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM*) Pasadena
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Population Management Center (PMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Reproductive Management Center (RMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Advancement Committee Sierra
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE Black Rhino (Executive Session 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM*) Ventura
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE African Vulture - Office Hours Mesquite DE
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Piciformes TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite C
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Provided for Attendees Oasis Hall 4
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SAFE Action Indonesia - Anoa, Babirusa, and Banteng Mesquite C
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Giraffe SSP - Management Meeting and Office Hours (Executive Session 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM*) Mesquite DE
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Advancement Summit Sierra
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volunteer Management Committee (Executive Session*) Smoketree F
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Avian SAG Steering Committee (Executive Session*) Mesquite B
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Charadriiformes TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite C
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Animal Care Manuals Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM SAFE Program Leaders (Executive Session*) Pasadena
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM Ungulate TAGs - Office Hours Catalina
 
Tuesday, March 25
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM Registration Open Mesquite H
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Tree Kangaroo SSP Mesquite DE
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Primate TAGs Collaborative Think Tank Session (Executive Session 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM*) Ventura
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Marine Mammal TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite A
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Marketing Committee (Executive Session 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM*) Mesquite B
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session*) San Jacinto
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Avian SAG General Session Mojave Learning Center
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Green Summit (RSVP Requested) Pueblo
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Safety Summit Madera
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ungulate TAGs Catalina
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research and Technology Committee (Executive Session 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM*) Smoketree F
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Marine Fishes TAG Smoketree C
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Population Management Center (PMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Reproductive Management Center (RMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Advancement Summit Sierra
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Diversity Summit (RSVP Requested) Pasadena
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM SAFE Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea Mesquite DE
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM New World Primate TAG Ventura
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE Maned Wolf Smoketree AB
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Community Protection Against Species Trade: SAFE Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea, SAFE Radiated Tortoise, and SAFE Asian Hornbill Mesquite DE
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Provided for Attendees and TAG & SAFE Mart
Shop and support conservation! TAGs and SAFE programs participating include:
  • Anseriformes TAG
  • Avian SAG
  • Charadriiformes TAG and Penguin TAG
  • Coraciiformes & Bucerotiformes TAG
  • SAFE Andean Bear
  • SAFE North American Bison
  • Small Carnivore TAG
 Oasis Hall 4
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SAFE Perdido Key Beach Mouse Mesquite DE
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SAFE Red Panda Smoketree AB
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Species of the Andean Ecosystem: SAFE Chinchilla and SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo Smoketree F
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TAG Chairs Ventura
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Social Science Research and Evaluation SAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite A
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Wildlife Trafficking Alliance Mesquite C
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM SAFE Seascapes (Executive Session*) Smoetree AB
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM Marsupial & Monotreme TAG (Executive Session 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM*) Mesquite DE
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM African-Eurasian Monkey TAG Smoketree F
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Prosimian TAG Smoketree F
 
Wednesday, March 26
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM Registration Open Mesquite H
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Animal Program Updates Pasadena
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Aquarium Affairs Committee Mesquite C
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Public Relations Committee (Executive Session 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM*) Mesquite B
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session*) San Jacinto
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Avian SAG General Session Mojave Learning Center
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Green Summit (RSVP Requested) Pueblo
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Human Resources Committee (Executive Session 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM*) Mesquite DE
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Safety Summit Madera
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ungulate TAGs Catalina
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Volunteer Management Commmittee (Executive Session*) Smoketree F
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Technology SAG Smoketree DE
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Conservation Education Committee (Executive Session*) Smoketree C
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Advancement Summit Sierra
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Animal Care Manuals Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE African Painted Dog (Executive Session*) - CANCELLED  
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Small Population Management Advisory Group (SPMAG)
SPMAG promotes best-practice applications of population biology to the management of all populations impacted by AZA’s membership, including those in AZA’s Animal Programs and SAFE programs, as well as member animal collections and conservation programs, both ex-situ and in-situ. This will primarily be a working meeting with the following agenda tentative items:
  • SPMAG introduction and summary of the newly finalized 2025-2028 Action Plan
  • Discussion of AZA’s new Animal Program Target Sizes for SSPs
  • Summarizing research publications: SPMAG’s goal of providing a recent publication digest, and exploration of AI including Scholar GPT
  • Continue agenda development and prioritization for SPMAG’s June meeting at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
All are welcome to attend!		 Mesquite C
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) - CANCELLED  
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE Orangutan Ventura
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Provided for Attendees and TAG & SAFE Mart
Shop and support conservation! TAGs and SAFE programs participating include:
  • Anseriformes TAG
  • Avian SAG
  • Charadriiformes TAG and Penguin TAG
  • Coraciiformes & Bucerotiformes TAG
  • SAFE Andean Bear
  • SAFE North American Bison
  • Small Carnivore TAG
 Oasis Hall 4
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Committee Chairs Meeting Smoketree DE
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM SAFE Shark and Ray Pasadena
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Animal Care Manuals Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Population Management Center (PMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Reproductive Management Center (RMC) Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM SAFE Asian Elephant Smoketree AB
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Business Operations Committee Mesquite C
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM Joint Public Relations/Marketing Committees Ventura
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Professional Development Committee (Executive Session*) Mesquite B
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Conservation Education Committee Smoketree C
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Animal Health Committee Mesquite C
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM SAFE Red Siskin Smoketree AB
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Where Do We Get Our Animals From? Building Ethical and Sustainable Acquisition Practices Smoketree DE
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Speed Networking at All Levels
Join the Professional Development Committee for a Speed Networking event and connect face-to-face with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and at various levels of leadership in the zoo and aquarium community. Expand your professional network, share experiences, and make connections in a fast-paced, facilitated environment. We will also provide an update on Professional Development Committee initiatives as well as providing an opportunity to hear your ideas about what professional development experiences would be beneficial. 		 Mesquite B
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Mid-Year Meeting Mixer, hosted by AZA Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel - East Pool Dek
 
Thursday, March 27
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 1:30 PM Registration Open Mesquite H
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM General Session
Join all for a light breakfast and visit with exhibiting product and service providers. Enjoy the morning session featuring AZA’s President and CEO, Dan Ashe, along with a welcome from Allen Monroe, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ President and CEO and guest speaker Meghan Hertel, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, California Natural Resources Agency.		 Oasis Hall 4
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Break with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Herp TAGs Mojave Learning Center
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PR Hot Topics Ventura
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Managing Jaguars for Breeding and Compatibility Smoketree DE
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Diversity Committee - Regional Communities of Practice Pasadena
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Navigating Difficult Donor Conversations and Prioritizing Self-care, led by the Advancement Committee Sierra
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Ambassador Animal Housing Madera
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Aquarium Conservation Partnership Collaborations with AZA Programs Smoketree AB
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Avian TAG Chairs (Executive Session*) Mesquite DE
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM AZA/CPSG Project Monitoring Team Meeting (Executive Session*) Santa Rosa
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Committee Leadership from a Volunteer Management Perspective Smoketree F
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Echidna Husbandry and Population Growth Mesquite B
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Ethics Board (Executive Session*) Mesquite A
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Marine Fishes TAG: The RCP Process is Complete - What's Next for the Species We Won't Be Managing? - CANCELLED  
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Marketing Hot Topics Pueblo
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM SAFE Gibbon (Executive Session*) Chino A
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM SAFE Gorilla Smoketree C
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Safety Committee (Executive Session 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM*) Mesquite C
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM SMART Goals
SMART goals are a valuable tool and can help track progress, but can be tricky to compose. The Animal Population Management (APM) Committee is working on resources to help guide leaders through the SMART goal writing process. Please come join the conversation to help us create the best types of products for you.		 Chino B
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Ungulate TAGs Catalina
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Jaguar SSP Smoketree DE
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
1:30 PM - 9:00 PM Zoo Day at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens  
 
Friday, March 28
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Registration Open Mesquite H
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM General Session
Join colleagues for breakfast with exhibitors and hear from Denise Verret, Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens; and, the 2024–2025 AZA Chair of the Board of Directors. AZA’s Fifth Promise: A Panel Discussion We will continue discussion about our continued, collective commitment to creating welcoming and accessible environments for all people and communities. The panel will include representatives from AZA’s Board of Directors, Accreditation Commission, Diversity Committee, and Human Resources Committee.		 Oasis Hall 4
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Time with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Raptor TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite B
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Movin' On Up: Demystifying Mentorships
One of the most common professional development opportunities next level leaders search for are mentorships. While there are formal mentorship frameworks/programs that exist, there is a perception that reaching out to ask someone to be a mentor is still a barrier. This session will provide an opportunity to hear from colleagues who have used mentorships for themselves or those they lead to advance their professional growth.		 Sierra
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Rodent, Insectivore, Lagomorph (RIL) TAG Ventura
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM SAFE Snow Leopard Smoketree AB
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE African Penguin (Executive Session 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM*) Smoketree DE
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Volunteer Management Committee Smoketree C
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Aquatic Collection Sustainability Committee (Executive Session 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM*) Madera
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Diversity Committee Pueblo
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Small Antelope Consortium (Executive Session*) Mesquite DE
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Small Carnivore TAG (Executive Session 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM*) Mojave Learning Center
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM Green SAG (Executive Session 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM*) Mesquite C
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM AZA Board of Directors Santa Rosa
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Common Warthog SSP Planning Meeting Mesquite A
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Rhino TAG/Rhino Research Council Catalina
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CPSG Presents: An Opportunity to Update Your Animal Management and Conservation Program Plans
The IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) will host an open workshop, available to all AZA program leaders involved with species/conservation planning as it relates to SAFE, SSP, TAG, or other cooperatively managed programs, as well as any CPSG mentees or trainees seeking experience working with AZA programs for their mentorship program or professional development. Individuals seeking more information about CPSG’s facilitation of species conservation workshops or the IMLS-funded partner opportunities between AZA and CPSG are warmly welcomed as well. Regardless of your progress or deadlines, bring your drafted objectives, plans, or problems for real-time assistance by CPSG’s planning resources and to connect with CPSG-trained facilitators who may be able to assist with your conservation planning needs in the future. Please RSVP to Christina Dembiec with your intent to attend.		 Chino B
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Turaco/Cuckoo TAG (Executive Session*) Mesquite B
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors Oasis Hall 4
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SAFE American Turtle Smoketree AB
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Canid and Hyenid TAG Madera
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Aquarium Conservation Partnership Mesquite DE
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Southern Tamandua SSP Chino B
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Trends Committee Mesquite B
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Avian SAG Workshop - How to Identify Keeper Level Field Conservation Opportunities and What is Involved Mojave Learning Center
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CPSG's Facilitating Species Conservation Planning - Trainee Practicum
Open to anyone who has completed CPSG’s Facilitating Species Conservation Planning Workshops online course; We will convene a four-hour practice session, utilizing various facilitation tools, and offering real-time, hands-on practice and feedback. Please email Christina Dembiec for more information and to RSVP.		 Pueblo
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Navigating Risk in Animal Care: Strategies for Sustainability, Welfare, and Resilience (RSVP Requested)
This workshop is designed for current and aspiring curators, focusing on developing a comprehensive understanding of risk tolerance and comfort with risk. Participants will explore innovative solutions to common challenges, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, conflict management, and professional networking.		 Pasadena
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Joint People Committees Chino A
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Animal Care Manuals Helpdesk Mesquite Pre-function
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM SAFE Coral Smoketree AB
 
Saturday, March 29
Times Meeting Name Room
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Registration Open Mesquite H
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Rhino TAG Planning Meeting Catalina
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM AZA Board of Directors Santa Rosa
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM SAFE North American Songbird - CANCELLED  
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Provided for Attendees Smoketree CD
 

*Meetings that are listed as Executive Session are only open to members of that particular Committee or Program. If a meeting is NOT listed as Executive Session, it is open to all registered attendees as an observer only.