Last week I attended this year’s annual AZA Directors’ Policy Conference to meet with CEOs, and directors from AZA accredited zoos and aquariums across the nation and from around the world. I don’t recall exactly when we began holding this meeting of zoo and aquarium leadership but do remember it came about when colleagues determined that a couple of meetings held at the annual AZA Conference was not enough time to discuss everything members needed. Hence, the organization developed this policy conference to allow directors to get together and discuss common concerns, look at trends within the business, and receive information pertinent to the operations for both zoos and aquariums. It is also an opportunity to catch up with old friends and to visit the conference hosts facilities.

This year’s conference was held in Galveston, Texas, and hosted by the Moody Gardens Aquarium and Rainforest. The Moody Gardens Hotel and all that surrounded it made for an amazing facility. I could only imagine how busy this place must be during the summer season. Acres of waterpark surround the hotel and within a short walk across the parking lots are the large glass pyramids housing the aquarium and rainforest facilities. Prior to the meetings in Galveston starting, we were invited to attend a reception at the new Galapagos exhibit at the Houston Zoo. Spending my career working in small zoos, I am constantly amazed at the amount of money spent to create new facilities, but in this case, I have to say that the money was well spent creating an awe-inspiring experience for their visitors.

I spent the ride up to Houston sitting next to Myfanwy Griffith, the executive director for the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). It was an interesting ride as we discussed the differences in animal management between U.S. zoos and our European counterparts. We discussed how societal cultures impact how we manage our animals and the similarities of some issues between the two.

The meeting itself touched on everything from Global Trends and Issues to how animals are managed in a cooperative system to ensure each institution is working with others for the overall well-being of animals across the spectrum. Breakout sessions created deeper dives into Funding our conservation mission, Experiences in federal permitting and licensing, How are we growing talent, and finally, Safety, security, and the guest experience. Honestly, you could write an entire article on any of the four sessions. There were deep discussions on employee mental health and how we are taking care of our people. We discussed the ever-changing accreditation process and a deep dive into navigating the updated animal program-related standards and policies. We ended the meeting with a guest speaker, Dr. Roxanne Mullaney, the deputy administrator, for APHIS, a department within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that has regulating authority over institutions such as our zoo.

Each facility has its own challenges, and the Roosevelt Park Zoo is no different. In all, it was an educational week, but it’s time to get back to work and in the infamous words of Dorothy, there’s no place like home.