Frequently Asked Questions

The 2024 Annual Conference will take place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

Please Note: there are two conference centers in Calgary - the BMO Centre on Stampede Park and Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. All meetings, program sessions, General Session events, and Exhibit Hall events will take place at the BMO Centre on Stampede Parke. The BMO Centre on Stampede Park is located about a mile from the conference hotels. This will require a 15-20 minute walk or a train ride.

Accreditation Hearings and Executive Leadership Development Program will take place at the Calgary Marriott Downtown.

Depending on where you are traveling from you may need a visa, Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or only your passport. Simply answer a few questions on Canada's Government website to see what's right for you. When asked, "what do you plan to do in Canada?" be sure to select "attend a meeting, conference, or trade show".

Visit our Know Before You Go page to learn more about how to prepare for your trip.

AZA has contracted with six official hotel partners that are offering discounted rates for 2024 Annual Conference attendees and exhibitors. There is no headquarter/main hotel.

The discounted rates are only available for registered individuals. You will find your unique reservation link in your registration confirmation email. The hotels will not be accepting call-in reservations. Discounted rates are only available until the room block sells out, or Friday, August 16, whichever comes first.

Visit our Hotel and Travel page for more information on the Conference hotels.

Registered attendees can sign up for a Pre- or Post-Conference tour, or purchase additional tickets to the Icebreaker or Zoo Day for a guest, in the Attendee Service Center (ASC). Your ASC login information will be found in your registration confirmation email.

Once logged into the ASC: 

• Click: Update Your Registration - update your contact information, purchase additional event tickets
• Click: Edit
• Go through the registration form until you get to the page that says Additional Items
• Add the event/tours you want
• Finish the registration process

Renowned for its warm western hospitality, Calgary prides itself on being the Ultimate Host City. With one of the world’s most modern, welcoming airports, world-class accommodations and venues, an exploding culinary, arts and culture scene, and an impressive list of attractions and activities to suit every type of visitor, Calgary is a city that delivers a remarkable experience from arrival to departure.

Learn more about the attractions and activities you can enjoy while in Calgary!

Attendees representing a zoo, aquarium, non-profit organization, or government agency are not required to be individual members of AZA or work for an AZA-accredited institution in order to register for the Conference. 

AZA Commercial Membership is required for any individual representing a commercial entity (a company that provides products and services, including consultants). Non-member registration is only open to individuals employed by a zoo, aquarium, non-profit organization, or government agency. Non-member registration is not open to individuals employed by a non-member commercial entity. Consultants or individuals representing a commercial entity that is not a current AZA Commercial Member, Conservation Partner, or Exhibitor, are not eligible to register for the Conference.

Visit our Policies webpage to learn more.

Food will be provided at the Convention Center (see schedule below), the Icebreaker (heavy appetizers and dinner), and Zoo Day (lunch and dinner). However, you can never have too many snacks, especially during a jam-packed day of conference sessions and networking. Pack healthy and easy-to-eat choices such as granola bars, nuts and dried fruit.

Yes! You can add pronouns during the registration process. If you have already registered, update your pronoun field in the Attendee Service Center (ASC). Your ASC login information will be found in your registration confirmation email.

Once logged into the ASC: 

• Click: Update Your Registration - update your contact information, purchase additional event tickets
• Click: Edit
• Go through the registration form until you get to the page that has the pronoun field
• Choose your pronouns
• Finish the registration process

You can list your food allergy/dietary restrictions in the registration form. If you are already registered log into the Attendee Service Center to update your registration. Your ASC login information will be found in your registration confirmation email.

Once logged into the ASC: 

• Click: Update Your Registration - update your contact information, purchase additional event tickets
• Click: Edit
• Go through the registration form until you get to the page that allows you to add food allergies/dietary restrictions
• Select your restriction or select "other" to type one in
• Finish the registration process

You can get to the BMO Centre on Stampede Park by foot, CTrain, or rideshare. The address is:
20 Round Up Way SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Canada
Calgary's public transit network consists of buses and two Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, known as the CTrain. Registered Attendees will be able to ride the trains for free using their badge as "proof of purchase". You must carry your conference badge with you on the CTrain, however you do not need to wear it. Transit routes operate on varying schedules throughout the city.

For complete information and to plan a trip, visit Calgary Transit, download the Transit App on Google Play and the Apple Store, or use Google Maps, which is completely integrated with Calgary’s transit system. You may also view the CTrain Map (PDF).

Yes, there are "everyone" bathrooms located throughout the BMO Center on Stampede Park.

Yes, the exact location will be noted in the Program Guide.

Yes, the exact location will be noted in the Program Guide.

There is no business center. However, there is a concierge desk on the 1st floor of the BMO Center on Stampede Park that can assist answering questions.

Yes, a message board and information table will be located at the Conference Registration Desk at the entrance of the Exhibit Hall. The message board and table are for professional networking and conservation/education programs only. No commercial solicitation permitted at the information table, or any other location throughout the convention center or hotels.

Visit our Exhibits & Sponsor page for more information or reach out to Grace Hamilton, Coordinator of Integrated Marketing and Development.

Yes, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is offering free admission for Conference attendees, September 9-22. Show your name badge or registration confirmation for admission.

For guests, Wilder Instittue/Calgary Zoo is part of the Reciprocity program. AZA members receive a 50% discount on admission for up to 4 guests.

The Edmonton Valley Zoo, a Pathway Toward Membership participant, is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, approximately 3 hours from Calgary. Edmonton Valley Zoo is offering free admission for Conference attendees, September 9-22. Show your name badge or registration confirmation for admission.

For guests, Edmonton Valley Zoo is offering a 50% discount on admission for up to 4 guests.

At this time, AZA is only an approved provider of CEU credits for Certified Fund Raising Exeutives (CFRE). View the CFRE tracking form for more information on what sessions are approved for credits.

Yes, there is a Conference app. It contains the full schedule, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, maps, FAQs, and other helpful information.

To download, go to your app store and search "AZA Meetings and Conferences". You do not need to log in to view the schedule, maps, etc. However, to utilize the My Planner features you will need to login. Those credentials can be found in your conference registration confirmation email.