Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Creating Successful Exhibits

November 9-14, 2009 Wheeling, WV
Cost $700 for AZA Individual Members and $800 for Non-members
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Registration

Until Friday, July 3, 2008 preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After July 3rd, applications will be processed in the order received.

Download the Registration Form (in PDF). Please note that you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type your responses directly into this form, print, and return by mail or fax. You may also print the form, write in your information and return by mail or fax. Each course has a registration form specific for that course.

Travel and Accommodations

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive a confirmation letter containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted. For general information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.

Curious about the costs associated with this course?

The Cost and Logistics page (in PDF) will help you estimate the total cost of attending, including registration, hotel, and ground transportation.

Interested in a Scholarship to attend this course?

The following scholarship opportunities are currently available to aquarium and zoo professionals for the Creating Successful Exhibits course.

Robert O. Wagner Professional Development Award
merit based award
Board of Regents Diversity Advancement Award
for under represented individuals
Disney's Animal Kingdom Diversity Advancement Award
for under represented individuals
Zoo Conservation Outreach Group Conservation Training Award

for colleagues from countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean Basin

International Conservation Training Award
for all foreign zoological colleagues

Types of credit available

Objective

Provides an integrated overview of the exhibit development process by following the phases of exhibit development from concept to operation in chronological order of the tasks, as well as the management of the associated process and technical skills. Full attention is given to techniques that improve an exhibit's interpretive impact on visitors, especially evaluation. In order to model the interdepartmental team approach to exhibit development, course instructors represent a variety of disciplines.

Target Audience

Staff involved in exhibit development, animal care, conservation education, design and graphics, research, facilities, marketing and operations.

Course Topics

Function of Exhibits; Developing Exhibits; Concept Development; Student Assessment Project; Design Development; Construction; Post Opening.

Sample Course Schedule (subject to change)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

Course Instructors (subject to change)

Nancy Hotchkiss
National Aquarium in Baltimore

Doug Piekarz
Akron Zoological Park

Craig Piper
Denver Zoological Gardens

Emily Routman

Jenny Sayre Ramberg
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Alan Varsik
Santa Barbara Zoo

What your collogues have been saying

“Teaching team was fantastic. They proved that learning can be very fun and engaging. Activities were creative and the degree to which the instructors showed their personal investment in the students was amazing.”

“Thank you for reminding me why I’m in this industry-you were really a lot of fun. I learned tons! And I can’t wait to use the knowledge I gained in my own institution.”

Questions?