Abstract Submissions for the 2026 ZAA Annual Conference (Nov 9-13, 2026)

The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) invites professionals, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for presentations and poster sessions at the 2026 ZAA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

With anticipated record attendance, this conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to share your work with one of the largest and most engaged audiences in the zoological community.

We welcome abstracts that highlight innovative practices, research findings, case studies, and practical applications that advance the field.

Suggested Topics

Topics may include:

Animal care, husbandry, and welfare advancements
Behavioral training techniques and enrichment strategies
Conservation initiatives and measurable outcomes
Emergency preparedness, safety protocols, and risk management
Education programming and community engagement
Organizational leadership, staffing, and professional growth
Marketing, branding, and public perception of zoological institutions

If your work moves the needle—even a little—we want to hear about it.

Why Present at ZAA?

Because this isn’t just a conference—it’s a working ecosystem of ideas.

Your work could influence how facilities operate, how animals are cared for, and how our field evolves.

Bring your data. Bring your stories. Bring the thing you tested that actually worked.

We’ll bring the audience and the NOLA atmosphere!

Presentation & Poster Details

Oral Presentations:
- Limited to 20-minute sessions
Poster Sessions:
- Ideal for sharing research, pilot programs, or emerging ideas
- Selected poster presenters will be invited to submit a finalized version prior to the conference
Speaker Benefits:
- All selected presenters and poster authors will receive a reduced conference registration rate

What We’re Looking For

Strong abstracts will:

Demonstrate clear relevance to the zoological industry
Provide practical takeaways for attendees
Highlight innovation, outcomes, or lessons learned
Be clearly written and well-organized

All submissions will be peer-reviewed by a committee of ZAA professionals representing a range of disciplines and expertise.

Several focus areas will be covered at the conference. Please select one or more of the following areas that your submission may be considered for: *

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts must be 300 words or fewer
Clearly outline the purpose, methods, and key outcomes or takeaways
Submissions should align with one or more of the focus areas listed above
Presenters will be asked to provide a brief bio and headshot to support program development

Please note: Workshop and panel proposals will not be accepted for the Annual Conference. These opportunities will be available for the 2027 Semi-Annual Meeting.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Notification of Acceptance: By July 1, 2026

Name, institution, and title of primary presenter: *

Name, institution, title, and email of second presenter (if applicable):

Name, institution, title, and email of third presenter (if applicable):

Title of your session or the paper you will be presenting a poster on: *

Provide a brief bio (less than 200 words) for each presenter: *

Upload the headshot for each presenter below: *

Brief description of your topic for presentation or the abstract of the paper you will be presenting a poster on. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words. *

Presentation preference: *

20-minute presentation

Poster session

Note that abstracts for workshops and panels will not be accepted for the Annual Conference, but will be accepted at a later date for the 2027 Semi-Annual Meeting.

If you selected a presentation but are not selected, would you be willing to present a poster? *

Yes

N/A (requested a poster session)

I have read and agree to abide by the ZAA Code of Conduct Policy. *

Yes

Code of Conduct Policy: https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/GZkEnjj191nalXyulDao/media/680aac579020da5d4e80a27e.pdf

I agree to allow ZAA to use my image in photos and videos taken at the event. *

Yes

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