The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) held its annual conference in Tampa, Florida, from September 13 to 18, 2025. Hosted at the Tampa Convention Center with support from local attractions like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and The Florida Aquarium, the event brought together industry professionals to explore the evolving issues of conservation, animal welfare, and entertainment.
Trends in zoos and aquariums
One major trend highlighted is the shift toward larger, more naturalistic animal habitats. Speakers at the AZA trends report session noted that in the future, zoos will house fewer animals for longer periods, placing a premium on designing expansive, enriched environments. It’s not just about animal welfare; it’s also about meeting visitor expectations for seeing animals in more natural settings. Alongside this trend, zoos are increasingly incorporating non-animal attractions to create additional revenue streams and engage guests with memorable stories.
Technology’s role
In a session on technology and education, the conference delved into the role of virtual reality and personalized tech. While immersive VR experiences, projection domes, and AI-driven tours can enhance visitor engagement, those tools are seen as complements rather than replacements for live animals. While virtual experiences max out after about an hour, a real-world zoo visit remains a multi-hour, sensory-rich adventure.
Personalized technology, such as AI being able to provide tailored information to individual visitors, is on the rise, but the heart of the zoo and aquarium experience remains grounded in real-life animal encounters.
Ethics, empathy, and edutainment
Ethics were also front and center, with discussions on how to balance animal welfare with the guest experience. Ultimately, empathy, education, and ethical consideration are all part of the evolving zoo model. Edutainment was also highlighted as a way to generate revenue and foster deeper community engagement, blending themed entertainment techniques with a facility’s conservation goals.
In and out of the hall
The trade show floor hosted a wide assortment of exhibitors and included a solid representation from themed entertainment companies. AOA, B Morrow Productions, Cost of Wisconsin, Imagine, Nassal, SPRK Lighting, and Vortex were just some of the companies exhibiting at the event, highlighting the importance of the zoo and aquarium community to themed entertainment.
The final day of the conference included a full day of activities with the association’s annual Zoo Day, taking place at both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park. Attendees were treated to behind-the-scenes access and were able to fully explore both locations.
Portland 2026 and beyond
AZA is already planning for next year’s conference in Portland, scheduled for 26 September to 01 October 2026. Cleveland will host the event 28 August to 02 September 2027, and the association’s next Mid-Year Meeting will take place 21-26 March, 2026 in Atlanta.
