ANNUAL AZFA
CONFERENCE
Attendee Registration Information
Louisville, KY
October 1-5, 2023
As you start to plan the year ahead, we want to make sure you that you have the Aquarium & Zoo Facility Association’s 30th Annual Conference in Louisville on your calendar as a must attend! Here are some of the highlights that we would like to share with you about this year’s conference:
Pre-Conference Ice Breaker Event
Sunday October 1
Seelbach Hotel Rathskeller, Louisville, KY
The Seelbach Hilton is equal parts historical landmark and architectural masterpiece. It began as the dream of two Bavarian brothers – Otto and Louis Seelbach – in 1869 when Louis came to Louisville to learn the hotel business. In 1903, after several years of running restaurants and gentleman’s clubs, the brothers began construction of a new hotel at the corner of 4th and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali), creating a lavish, turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts Baroque hotel. Sparing no expense, they imported marbles from all over the world, bronzes from France, hardwoods from the West Indies and Europe, linens from Ireland, and valuable Turkish and Persian Rugs. The Seelbach opened in May of 1905 and garnered an incredible 25,000 visitors on opening day. The hotel was so popular that the Seelbach brothers began a 154-room addition in the fall of that same year.
The Bavarian-style Rathskeller Room was constructed of Rookwood Pottery in 1907. A unique work of art and the only room of its kind in the world (that’s still intact), this room is an ornate, preserved part of American history. The decorations of the room were drawn by hand on the clay before firing; the design was a part of the ware. After baking, various glazes were added in subsequent firings. A portion of the ceiling is made of leather and was painted with intricate designs (including the twelve signs of the zodiac). The Rathskeller has been the site of many social and business functions & continues to be, in current times, a popular meeting place at the Seelbach.
Zoo Day
Wednesday, October 4
The Louisville Zoo
Opened in 1969, the Louisville Zoo currently exhibits more than 1,100 animals on 130 acres of natural settings representing zoogeographical areas, specific habitat types or special education areas including: Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits (North, Central and South America), Australian Outback, the HerpAquarium and the Metazoo Education Center. The Zoo’s award-winning Islands, Gorilla Forest and Glacier Run exhibits have been recognized by AZA for their excellence and innovation.
The Louisville Zoological Gardens, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to its mission to “Better the Bond Between People and Our Planet” by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in conservation education. The Zoo’s collections which include botanical gardens are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Louisville Zoo is also an agency of Louisville Metro Government.
Post-Conference Tour
Thursday, October 5
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH
The Zoological Society of Cincinnati was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden the second oldest Zoo in the United States. The Zoo’s original animal collection was very small, originally consisting of just eight monkeys, two grizzly bears, three deer, six raccoons, two elk, a buffalo, a hyena, a tiger, an alligator, a circus elephant, and over four hundred birds, including a talking crow. The Zoo was founded on 65 acres in the middle of the city, and since then has acquired some of the surrounding blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati’s suburbs.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has been dedicated to the conservation of plants and animals since 1875. Proclaimed the “Greenest Zoo in America®” in 2010, the Zoo has continued to lead the way in sustainability and green initiatives by greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment. Through green building, solid waste management, renewable energy, water conservation, storm water management, energy efficiency and community outreach, the Zoo has strengthened its sustainability program to have a positive impact on the planet.
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR LOUISVLLE 2023
The AZFA Program & Education Committee has been hard at work putting together our educational sessions for Louisville this fall. We know one of the main reason your institution sends you to the AZFA conference is for the educational sessions. Our goal is to offer a variety of educational opportunities that broadens the brim your professional facilities hat.
Agenda, sessions and speakers will be updated regularly. Bookmark this page to check for updates. In the mean time, here are a few additional flyers of information that are helpful.
Download the Whova App for the full conference experience! It's a fantastic way to network during the conference!