ANNUAL AZFA
CONFERENCE

Attendee Registration Information

Cincinnati, OH
October 11-15, 2026

Please plan to join us in Cincinnati for the Aquarium & Zoo Facility Association’s 33rd Annual Conference! Here are some of the highlights that we would like to share with you about this year’s conference:

Pre-Conference 
Sunday October 11
Bowyer Farm
Mason, OH

The Cincinnati Zoo has been dedicated to sustainability and conservation not only on grounds within its Avondale location but at its off-grounds property as well. In 1995, a 529-acre farm called Bowyer Farm was willed to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden with the guideline that it could never be developed unless it is to further the mission of the Zoo.

Since then, the property has grown to 600+ acres, and includes a native plant program, wetland restoration, a browse program, a cheetah run area, and sun and sheep farming.

Zoo Day
Wednesday, October 14
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 
Cincinnati, OH

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the oldest and best zoos in the nation. At its core lies an abundance of biodiversity, featuring over 400 species of animals and 3,000 plant species. It is also a world-renowned leader in the areas of endangered species reproduction, groundbreaking education collaboratives, and green practices.

Post-Conference Tour
Thursday, October 15
Newport Aquarium
Newport, KY

Delighting families since 1999, Newport Aquarium welcomes your family to discover the wonder of an underwater world. SEA thousands of the world’s most exotic aquatic creatures as you waddle with playful penguins, meet a rare white alligator, be surrounded by sharks and surprised by smiling stingrays. Encounter thrilling adventures like the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge, where you can cross inches above a tank full of sharks on a rope bridge. Plus, experience the NEW exhibit Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels and explore a long ago-sunken ship and the creatures that call this accidental reef home. All while spending quality time together and creating lasting memories.

 

FEE INFORMATION

Note: In order to register, you must be a current AZFA Member.  If you would like to join the AZFA or renew your AZFA membership, you can do so here.  If your facility has an organizational membership, please contact Sam Peterson at Sam.Peterson@SAZoo.org to process your renewal.

ATTENDEES

Active AZFA Member - $300 on or before 8/31/26, $350 on or after 9/1/26, $375 on or after 10/11

Retired AZFA Member - $150 on or before 8/31/26, $165 on or after 9/1/26, $190 on or after 10/11

Attendee Online Registration

Bringing one or more guests? Please use the online guest registration link below.

Guest (Full Conference) - $200 on or before 8/31/26, $225 on or after 9/1/26, $250 on or after 10/11

Individual guest attendee options are available in the online registration form if your guest will not be attending all conference-related activities.

Guest Online Registration
 
EXHIBITORS
AZFA Exhibitor (Full Conference) - $1,450 before 8/3/26, $1,650 on or after 8/4/26, $1,750 on or after 9/12/26
AZFA Exhibitor (Limited-hotel only) - $1,250 before 8/3/26, $1,450 on or after 8/4/26, $1,550 on or after 9/12/26
 
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Silver Conference Sponsor - $3,000 before 9/1/26, $3,500 on or after 9/2/26
Gold Conference Sponsor - $4,000 before 9/1/26, $4,500 after 9/2/26
Platinum Conference Sponsor - $5,000
Presenting Conference Sponsor - $7,500
 
Thank you for your support! Please select one registration type.
 
 
Bringing one or more guests? Please use the guest online registration form below.

Guest (Full Conference) - $200 before 8/31/24, $225 after 8/31/24

Individual guest attendee options are available in the online registration form if your guest will not be attending all conference-related activities.

Guest Online Registration

Online Hotel Reservations

Questions?

Please contact Katie Blevins, Facilities Administrative Assistant, Cincinnati Zoo
Katie.Blevins@cincinnatizoo.org

Or

Sam Peterson
Sustainability Coordinator, San Antonio Zoo
sam.peterson@sazoo.org

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR CINCINNATI 2026

The AZFA Program & Education Committee has been hard at work putting together our educational sessions for this year's conference.  We know one of the main reason your institution sends you to the annual 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.

Draft agenda available now! Click here.

Agenda, sessions and speakers will be updated regularly. Bookmark this page to check for updates. In the meantime, 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!

Get our official event app,

For Blackberry or Windows Phone, Click here

For feature details, visit Whova