Zoos & aquariums for the next decade – embracing technology?
During the conference we will look at the advancement of technology in everything that we do, including the visitor experience, how we educate and engage our visitors and how we attract them in the first place. We will explore both sides of the argument – do we embrace technology or do we shy away from it and keep the experience very much hands on and real life? We have attracted many experts in their field who will give us examples and points of focus.

Combined day
The joint sessions will kick off with key note speakers before we delve into our exciting theme - technology, do we embrace the cutting edge or keep to our traditional approach to play and playfulness? Once the pros and cons have been discussed we will launch into a debate, ‘To what degree will modern technologies become part of the zoo experience?’ with the help of our speakers and audience participation of course!

A panel of expert witnesses will give an account from their point of view on how the zoo experience will encompass the new technologies during the next decade. There will then be an open discussion encouraging the audience to briefly give their current experiences and views on how things will go in the future.

Marketing day
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has recently published a paper on digital marketing, looking at where digital marketing may be heading in the next few years; and this is where we will focus our attention for the marketing element of the conference.

The marketing sessions will be very inter-active this year, beginning with a social media marketing workshop and finishing with marketing and the law question time, run by the CIM. The conference itself will see presentations covering a range of subjects including the impact of technology on crisis communication, if technology makes for better marketing research, the future of on-line/off-line ad spend and using technology to forecast visitor numbers. Our speakers are all leading experts in their field, and will share their experiences and impart their knowledge. The programme is shaping up to be exciting and informative.

Education day
Sarah Thomas to complete

Optional Interpretation workshop
Often one of the main ways in which we educate and interact with our visitors is overlooked at conferences. The workshop on Saturday morning aims to put this right. The morning will be spent sharing ideas, with hands on workshops looking at how we plan, write, design and build interpretation and interactives. With four professionals in this line of work the morning is a must for all those who oversee this as part of their role.

Conference Dinner – Murder in the Mangroves
Sponsored by:
Set on the site of the former Victorian Marine Spa and a venue often frequented by Agatha Christie for afternoon tea, and overlooking Beacon Cove, one of Agatha’s favourite bathing beaches, Living Coasts is the perfect venue for a 1920’s Christie inspired murder mystery evening – with a twist.

Get your 1920’s finery on for this interactive murder caper as we go exploring the mangrove forests as part of a research expedition.

You’ll be dying to go…

Click below for more information.

Conference Programme- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza.php

Accommodation- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza-accommodation.php

Booking Information- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza-booking.php

Exhibitor Information- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza-exhibitors.php

Awards Dinner- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza-awards.php

Other Useful Information- http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/about/biaza-other.php