AZFA Updates

2024 Conference Recap

If you were able to attend the 2024 Conference, we hope everyone enjoyed the events and sessions. I want to give a shout out to our Audubon folks for hosting. It was an incredible conference with some one of a kind experiences. This conference took a lot of hard work. I appreciated that they brought so much of the New Orleans culture and history into the conference. 

I want to apologize if you experienced any issues with the hotel during your stay, this includes our vendors. We have worked with them to resolve some items and will be reaching out to some folks to try and resolve what we can on our end. 

Unfortunately, the breakdown of our ballroom hours early was something out of our control. We recognize it gives the appearance that AZFA is disorganized. We were unaware of the breakdown and our closing session was supposed to be held in that space. After discussions with the hotel, no one can explain where their communication broke down. I think both the hotel and AZFA learned a few lessons in planning this years conference. We will take these lessons into 2025 and future conferences to insure we don't have similar issues. 

We apologize if the conference ended in bad taste for you. If you need to provide feedback or input, please reach out to Conference@AZFA.org. 

Committee Sign Ups

Committees are an opportunity for folks to participate in AZFA at a higher level without an overwhelming time committment. Most of our committees meet monthly or via email.

It's not too late to join a committee. You can reach out to Admin@AZFA.org if you have any questions or an interest in joining. 

Conservation Committee: Supports the Clark Waldrum Fund. Assists in fundraising for the grant fund and reviews any grant applications. Committee Chair: Tom Sehnert St Louis Zoo

Membership Committee: Helps us build and maintain our membership. Committee Chair: John Joy Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Honors and Awards Committee: Goal for this year is to create honor nomination forms. Clarify Honor and Award requirements and prizes. Review any nomination for AZFA Honors and Awards. Assist in engaging AZFA members to encourage Honor and Award participation. Committee Chair: Nikki Dzialowy Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Professional Relations Committee: Helps build and maintain our vendor community. Our vendors are the backbone of our organization. This committee helps recruit vendors and works to engage with them during the conference. Committee Chair: TBD

Publications and Website Committee: Build Content for the Outlet. Use the Forums. We have forums and the ability to work together but we struggle to engage folks. I am open to reviewing these together so we can find a way to make them more interactive. Advertising! Our Vendors can advertise on the Outlet. This committee will reach out to our vendors and request content or advertising from them. Committee Chair: Nikki Dzialowy Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

Conference Planning Committee: This committee meets the most frequently. There are two subcommittees, both meeting at least every other week.

Education Session: Assist in developing sessions ideas and provide input on types of sessions, reaching out to folks to request they give a session, completing the agenda by June. Should meet every other week.

Vendor Recruitment: Vendors are a huge part of our conference. This group will assist in reaching out to vendors to encourage them to become AZFA sponsors or exhibitors. Should meet every other week, maybe every 3^rd week.  

Committee Chair: Kirsty Strobridge Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

2025 Conference Planning is  Underway!

The Conference Planning Committee has a goal to have registration and an Agenda posted no later than June. A few notes we can provide now include:

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Hotel: Little America

500 South Main Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801-258-6759

Room Rate: Garden Room $179/day or Tower Room $209/day

Dates: Sunday October 26 - Thursday October 30

Contribute to the Outlet!

The Outlet has a lot of potential to engage our members. Our website has a lot of features that folks aren't using yet. During the conference, I saw a lot of folks discussing challenges they face each day. 

I encourage all of you to use the Forums, even try to reach out via email. I can help connect you with others who could be facing similar challenges. 

If you have a topic you'd like to share, send me an Outlet Article. For every article you submit that is posted to the site, you can earn $5 towards AZFA - either membership or conference registration. 

Sustainability Blurb

THIS SPOOKY SEASON, BEWARE THE ENERGY VAMPIRE!

Does your electricity bill keep climbing despite your best efforts to conserve?  You may be falling victim to vampires – energy vampires, that is!  Otherwise known as standby power or phantom energy, vampire energy is electricity that some devices use when turned off but still plugged into an outlet.  According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, American homes have an average of 65 idle devices permanently plugged in, costing about $165/year per household, or $19 billion total: the equivalent of 50 large power plants’ worth of electricity!  Apart from the impact on our wallets, this extra load needlessly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning fossil fuels.    

Unfortunately, this type of vampire is hard to slay!  Certain types of devices need to draw power even when they are inactive to perform their designated function. Examples include appliances and electronics with internal clocks and continuous displays, thermostats and refrigerators that monitor temperature, sensors for light-activation, and devices that receive signals from remote controls.

However, there are energy conservation tips you can follow to help minimize electricity use and combat phantom load.

• • Check Energy Star ratings and be aware of the types of devices that suck the most vampire energy. The worst offenders are:
  • Televisions – The latest and greatest “smart” devices with Wi-Fi connectivity, satellite TV, and DVR features are particularly power-draining.
  • Computers – Chargers continue converting energy even if the device is unplugged or the battery is fully charged. Always unplug the charger from the outlet to avoid vampire energy.
  • Refrigerators – Try to choose an energy-efficient model. Unplugging is impractical unless you will be away for an extended period.
  • Thermostats – Obviously, these have to stay on continuously, but you can use a smart thermostat programmed for maximum efficiency.
  • Small kitchen appliances – Choose coffee makers, microwaves, toaster ovens, etc. without digital displays and clocks to lower their energy profile.
  • Electric toothbrushes – Avoid leaving these plugged in once they are fully charged.
  • Go low tech! Older styles of toasters and electric kettles lack digital displays and use less phantom power.  Lamps and lightbulbs without “smart” features can simply be turned off instead of unplugged.
  • Unplug appliances when you aren’t using them. This includes chargers.
  • Use a power strip to make it easier to turn off your devices. Advanced models even have options for remote-control, timers, or motion sensors.
  • Choose devices without unnecessary displays or LED lights that are always on.
  • Maintain your appliances and devices in good working order for maximum energy efficiency.
  • For more serious potential savings, consider conducting a home energy audit. Whether DIY or via a professional service, this can help assess ventilation, air leaks, lighting, insulation, appliances, and electronics and identify ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. 

Sources: Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC), Just Energy

Welcome New Members!

Since 9/1/2024

Rachel Brunotte Account Executive, Amazon Business
Darryl Dziadyk Director - Facility Management, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Ross Bloom Managing Partner / CEO, BYXS Commercial
Devynn Haid Commercial Sales Manager, BYXS Commercial
Brian Deurloo President & Founder, Frog Creek Partners
Nina Rowan Commercial Sales Associate, Endureed
Luke Sparks VP of Business Development, Endureed
Mike Bowers COO, Detroit Zoological Society
Kristen Sneed Manager, Ultra Fiberglass Systems
Viviana Nevarez Construction & Exhibitry Project Manager • Zoo Construction Projects, Audubon Zoo
Kate Godinez Owner, Rancho El Capullo
Mike Bajek Vice President of Facilities and Operations, Mississippi Aquarium
Joshua Casto Project Manager, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium