The Oregon Zoo is preparing to host the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 2026 annual conference at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The six-day gathering is expected to bring more than 2,800 zoo and aquarium professionals from around the world for educational sessions, presentations, discussions and industry activities.
Key Takeaways
- The Oregon Zoo will host the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 2026 annual conference in Portland.
- The conference is scheduled for September 26 through October 1, 2026.
- More than 2,800 zoo and aquarium professionals are expected to attend.
- Representatives from 22 countries are expected at the gathering.
- The schedule includes educational sessions, round-table discussions, poster presentations and an exhibition area with more than 200 companies and organizations.
Oregon Zoo Prepares to Host the 2026 AZA Conference
The Oregon Zoo will serve as the host for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled for September 26 through October 1 in Portland. The main conference activities will take place at the Oregon Convention Center, where zoo and aquarium professionals will gather for meetings, educational sessions, presentations and an exhibition.
The conference is organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which provides professional and educational opportunities for zoo and aquarium members. The organization describes the annual gathering as its largest and most comprehensive professional event.
The Oregon Zoo has previously been the subject of local coverage involving its public events and conservation work. Its role as host for the conference adds another professional component to the zoo’s activities in Portland.
The 2026 conference is expected to bring more than 2,800 zoo and aquarium professionals together. The attendees will include people working across different areas of zoo and aquarium operations.
The Oregon Convention Center will provide the primary meeting space for the conference. Accreditation hearings connected with the event are scheduled separately at the Hyatt Regency Portland.
Portland Conference Brings Thousands of Zoo Professionals Together
Participants will attend committee meetings, animal program meetings, educational sessions and other scheduled activities during the Portland gathering.
The conference schedule includes professional discussions covering areas relevant to zoo and aquarium operations. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has also planned sessions that address animal care, conservation, education and other areas of professional work.
Participants will take part in sessions, round-table discussions and poster presentations. The schedule also includes general sessions during the main conference period.
The event includes an exhibition component at the Oregon Convention Center. More than 200 companies and organizations are expected to participate in the exhibition.
The gathering brings a large group of professionals to Portland for a defined six-day schedule. Meetings, educational sessions and exhibition activities will take place at the convention center, while several related events are scheduled at other Portland locations.
The conference is also taking place in a city that regularly hosts visitor-focused events. A previous report on Portland tourism and economic activity examined the role of tourism-related activity across hospitality, food service, retail and transportation.
International Delegates Are Expected for the Six-Day Gathering
Representatives from 22 countries are expected to participate in the Portland conference. The international attendance brings professionals from outside Oregon and the United States to the city for the event.
The schedule begins with accreditation hearings on September 26. Registration, committee meetings and animal program meetings are scheduled for September 27.
The conference’s main activities continue through October 1. The opening general session is scheduled for September 29, along with the opening of the exhibition hall.
Additional activities are planned away from the convention center. An icebreaker is scheduled at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry on September 28.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is among the Portland-area venues included in the conference schedule. The museum will provide the location for the September 28 icebreaker.
A Zoo Day is scheduled at the Oregon Zoo on October 1. The activity provides conference participants with time at the institution serving as the event’s host.
The Oregon Zoo is also offering conference attendees free admission from September 25 through October 4 with a conference name badge or registration confirmation. Conference information also lists discounts on concessions and rides during that period.
Conference Schedule Includes Sessions and Industry Presentations
The conference schedule includes more than 150 education program sessions, along with poster presentations and round-table discussions. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums said its program committee reviewed 410 submissions covering sessions, individual presentations, Evening Buzz events and posters for the 2026 conference.
More than 110 poster presentations are listed in the schedule. The presentations are assigned to locations at the Oregon Convention Center as part of the conference’s education program.
Sessions cover areas including animal care and health professions, wildlife tourism, conservation education, community engagement and inclusion. Other scheduled sessions address technology and marketing within zoo and aquarium organizations.
The program also includes presentations involving professionals from zoos, aquariums, universities, conservation organizations and other institutions. Speakers and panelists are identified throughout the published conference schedule.
Educational Sessions and Round-Table Discussions
Round-table discussions form another part of the education program. The format allows conference participants to take part in discussions alongside other professionals attending the Portland gathering.
The schedule also includes general sessions and individual presentations. These activities are distributed across the conference period rather than being limited to a single day.
The exhibition hall provides a separate setting for companies and organizations participating in the conference. More than 200 exhibitors are expected to present products and services relevant to zoo and aquarium professionals.
The Oregon Zoo also maintains a public event schedule separate from the professional conference. Its ZooNights family events have included evening activities, animal demonstrations and educational programs for visitors.
Oregon Convention Center Serves as the Conference Venue
The Oregon Convention Center will serve as the main venue for the 2026 AZA conference. Meetings, educational sessions, general-session events and exhibition activities are scheduled there during the conference period.
The venue will host activities across the six-day schedule, including registration, committee meetings, educational sessions and exhibition hours.
The conference also uses other Portland locations for selected activities. The September 28 icebreaker is scheduled at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, while the October 1 Zoo Day is scheduled at the Oregon Zoo.
The event’s use of multiple Portland venues gives conference attendees a schedule that extends beyond the primary convention center site. The Oregon Zoo remains the host institution, while the Oregon Convention Center serves as the principal meeting location.
The Oregon Zoo’s role in the conference also connects the professional event with the institution’s conservation activities. Earlier coverage of the zoo’s African lion conservation work examined its participation in species-management and field conservation efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Oregon Zoo conference in Portland?
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 2026 Annual Conference is scheduled for September 26 through October 1, 2026. The Oregon Zoo is the host institution.
Where will the 2026 AZA conference be held?
The main conference activities will take place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Accreditation hearings are scheduled at the Hyatt Regency Portland.
How many professionals are expected at the Oregon Zoo conference?
More than 2,800 zoo and aquarium professionals are expected to attend the 2026 conference. Representatives from 22 countries are also expected to participate.
What activities are included in the 2026 AZA conference?
The schedule includes educational sessions, committee and animal program meetings, round-table discussions, poster presentations, general sessions and an exhibition hall. Additional activities include an icebreaker at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and a Zoo Day at the Oregon Zoo.
Which organization is hosting the 2026 zoo industry conference?
The Oregon Zoo is hosting the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 2026 Annual Conference in Portland. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums organizes the conference.
