Green Mission

AZA is committed to using as many environmentally responsible practices as possible and feasible for the Annual Conference. The below measures are in place and AZA is committed to carrying out these practices and encouraging all participants and attendees of the conference to do the same.

Conference Promotional Materials

AZA prints all promotional materials on Forest Stewardship Council certified, recycled, double-sided paper, printed with vegetable oil-based inks when available.
In all promotional pre-conference materials, AZA strongly encourages attendees to register online, rather than mailing a hardcopy registration form.

Conference Registration Materials

All registration confirmation materials and badge previews will be emailed to attendees. Emailing a badge preview prevents the printing of multiple, incorrect badges.
Registration bags will be produced from eco-friendly materials. Attendees are encouraged to reuse bags in the future.
Recycling receptacles for attendee registration badges will be located at the registration desk and at Zoo Day to collect unwanted badge holders for re-use at other conferences and meetings.

Conference Program Materials

AZA will be printing the program guide on Forest Stewardship Council certified, recycled, double-sided paper, printed with vegetable oil-based inks. Attendees are encouraged to only take one copy and dispose of in the recycle bins located throughout the convention center.
A mobile app and mobile website will be made available, giving attendees the option to go paper-light.
All directional and room signage is reused by AZA from one event to another, whenever possible.
AZA encourages all speakers to provide their handouts or presentations to be posted on the website after the conference for Member access.

Exhibit Hall

All conference exhibitors and participants are strongly encouraged to use sustainable products for any promotional giveaway items.
Exhibitors are encouraged to participate in Lead Retrieval. Attendees will have a bar code on their registration badges, allowing exhibitors to scan their badge to acquire contact information. This will cut down on the number of business cards being distributed.
Any box lunch in the Exhibit Hall will be offered either without a box, or in recyclable containers or a reusable lunch bag when possible.
All carpet, table clothes and signage in the Exhibit Hall will be recycled or reused as much as possible.
Low lighting and air conditioning levels will be practiced during Exhibit Hall set up and tear down, and a schedule of conservative lighting use during non-event hours will be established.
Attendees are provided or encouraged to bring reusable water bottles.

Green Practices at National Aquarium and Maryland Zoo

In our dedication to the conservation and sustainability of our planet, the National Aquarium and the Maryland Zoo are committed to the core values of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. We strive to continually expand our efforts to make daily operations more sustainable. Each guest that visits us supports our efforts to reduce our impact on the planet and the animals with whom we share it. The National Aquarium is working closely with their food and beverage partner, SSA, to create a zero-waste Icebreaker event.

Offset Your Travel with Baltimore Tree Trust

The Maryland Zoo and the National Aquarium are partnering with Baltimore Tree Trust to help attendees offset their carbon emissions related to conference travel. The Baltimore Tree Trust works to restore the city’s urban forests, green spaces and corridors that provide clean air, encourage community engagement, and nourish an appreciation for Baltimore’s environmental longevity. They plant and care for our city’s trees because of their lasting positive effects on neighborhoods citywide. They contribute to sustainable community development in Baltimore City by investing in the planting and care of trees, as well as the education and development of those who tend to them. Cities that have a robust, equitably-distributed network of trees are equipped with valuable infrastructure that helps to make them cooler, more livable, and more resilient to the effects of global climate change.

Staff and volunteers from the Aquarium and Zoo will partner with the Baltimore Tree Trust to plant trees in Baltimore in the Fall, following the conference.

Be sure to donate when you register for the Conference!

$10 offers life-giving water for 12 trees this summer
$25 plants 3 saplings in a city park or on a school ground
$50 plants 1 street tree on a hot city block
$100 provides a uniform for a Neighborhood Forester
$250 creates a new sidewalk tree well to be planted by our Neighborhood Foresters this fall