We network.

We build.

We Protect.

Nature changes. Our members meet change with
solutions at zoos and aquariums around the world.

AZFA 2017 John Ball Zoo

A HABITAT FOR CONNECTION.

The Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association (AZFA) is a non-profit organization made up of facility professionals from aquariums, zoos and similar animal conservation facilities. We’re architects, engineers, management personnel, tradesmen, animal keepers, grounds and housekeeping staff, and more. We’re a collective of professionals who are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of animal habitats, facilities and related equipment.

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Becoming a member

Sign up to become a member of the AZFA. For a small annual fee you gain access to the latest trends in design, management and growth of aquariums and zoos around the country. You also connect with a community that believes in the sharing of ideas, successes, what needs improvement, and anything that helps us build better habitats for animals, and the people who frequent them.

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Member Directory

THE 2020 AZFA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

AZFA 27th Annual Conference
Wednesdays, September 23-October 4, 2020

Conference Information

Due to COVID-19, the AZFA will be hosting a virtual conference this year in place of the annual conference that was planned for Louisville. It will be held on 4 consecutive Wednesdays, starting September 23^rd. All sessions will occur on Zoom and begin at 3:00 p.m. EST and last for an hour. Our final session on October 14^th will run a bit longer and include our annual business meeting and election of officers. Each session will include 1-2 Vendor Spotlights and prizes will be raffled off to all pre-registered members.

In light of COVID-19 and the economic challenges of our members’ institutions, our goal is to ‘Pay it Forward’ for current professional members by waiving their AZFA membership fee for 2021. To encourage participation in each of our weekly conference sessions, we will be raffling off prizes for those pre-registered and on the call at the time of the raffle. To help the AZFA offset this cost, we are offering up Sponsorship opportunities and Vendor Spotlights to our AZFA Commercial Members. Vendor Spotlights are 15-minute sessions to be used to communicate to the virtual attendees new products, highlights, etc. and to continue strengthening AZFA family relationships.

Session 1 (September 23^rd, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST) Anticipated audience 25-30+
Vendor Spotlight 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. EST Pay it Forward support $750
Session – Re-opening an Aquarium in a Major City During a Pandemic with Civil Unrest
Presented by Bob Wengel, Senior Vice President of Facilities and Security – Shedd Aquarium 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. EST
Raffle at 4:00 p.m. for pre-registered members

Session 2 (September 30^th, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST) Anticipated audience 25-30+
Vendor Spotlight 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. EST Pay it Forward support $750
Session – Diversity & Inclusion Panel
Presented by Nikky Myers, Director of Facilities Operations & Maintenance – Denver Zoo 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. EST
Raffle at 4:00 p.m. for pre-registered members

Session 3 (October 7^th, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST) Anticipated audience 25-30+
Vendor Spotlight 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. EST Pay it Forward support $750
Session – Vision for Sustainability: Houston Zoo Looks to 2022 and Beyond
Presented by Florence Tang, Project Manager – Design & Engineering and Erin Donato, Sustainability Manager – Facilities – Houston Zoo 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. EST
Raffle at 4:00 p.m. for pre-registered members

Session 4 (October 14^th, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST) Anticipated audience 45-50+
Business Meeting & Election of Officers 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Vendor Spotlight 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. EST Pay it Forward support $1,500
Raffle at 3:45 p.m. for pre-registered members
Sponsorship Spotlight 3:45 – 4:05 p.m. EST Pay it Forward support $1,750
Raffle at 4:05 p.m. for pre-registered members
Session – Session Title, TBD
Presented by Mark Fisher, Vice President – Facilities, Planning, and Sustainability – Cincinnati Zoo 4:05 – 4:45 p.m. EST
Raffle at 4:45 p.m. EST for pre-registered members
Virtual Toast Mixer 4:45 – 5:00 p.m. EST