Home | AAZK 2026

51st Annual AAZK National Conference
September 13 - 17, 2026
Tacoma, Washington

Hosted by Point Defiance AAZK Chapter

Registration is now open!

Register Now! Click below to start your registration process!

Conference Registration

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Hotel Booking

Abstracts for Paper & Poster Presentations
now being accepted

AAZK is pleased to announce the call for Paper & Poster Presentations for the 2026 AAZK National Conference.

Submission deadline May 1, 2026

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Taking the Rains

Point Defiance AAZK Chapter welcomes you to Tacoma to enjoy the 51st annual conference. We are pleased to offer many unique opportunities from learning in Professional Certificate courses to experiencing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on Zoo Day visits to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Conference Highlights

There is so much to do at the AAZK annual conference. Explore these highlights to start planning your time.

SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker: Ken Ramirez

A 50+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ken Ramirez is a biologist and animal behaviorist who served nine years at Marineworld of Texas. He also was a trainer and coordinator at Ocean Safari in South Padre Island, Texas, as well as acting as a consultant to many zoo and aquarium programs throughout the world.