Not Just a Party: The Florida Aquarium and SSA Group’s AZA Icebreaker Showcases Sustainability in Action

September 17, 2025

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TAMPA, FL (September 16, 2025) — Nearly 3,000 zoo and aquarium professionals from around the world are in Tampa this week for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference—returning to the city for the first time since 2006. Monday night, The Florida Aquarium and the SSA Group kicked off the conference with its official Icebreaker, turning a welcome party into a zero-waste event.

The celebration featured musician AY Young, who has performed nearly one thousand shows powered by renewable energy, and he shared how his concerts help fund solar power for communities in need. Alongside the festivities, the Aquarium showcased practical sustainability practices.

Tampa is one of only three U.S. cities with three AZA-accredited facilities—The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Hosting the AZA Annual Conference is an opportunity to highlight the region’s leadership in conservation and sustainability. By making thoughtful retail and culinary decisions, cultural attractions can influence entire industries and help reduce the plastics threatening marine wildlife.

“Today’s guests expect experiences that reflect their values,” said Sean McNicholas, CEO of SSA Group. “Partnering with The Florida Aquarium on the zero-waste Icebreaker demonstrates how great hospitality and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand.”

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Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

The Aquarium’s sustainability initiatives highlighted during the event include:

• Zero Waste in Action: Composting onsite and donating leftover food from the event to Feeding Tampa Bay.
• Smart Recycling: Debuting four AI-powered Oscar Sort zero-touch, zero-waste recycling stations.
• Plastic-Free Campus: Eliminating single-use plastic bottles and bags, while featuring sustainable retail items.
• Community Impact: In 2024, Aquarium staff and volunteers removed more than 12,400 pounds of debris from local parks and waterways.

Why it matters: As major buyers of food, beverages, and retail goods, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural attractions can shift supply chains toward more sustainable practices, reduce waste on a large scale, and model responsible behavior for millions of visitors.

The 2025 AZA Annual Conference, running September 13–18 at the Tampa Convention Center, is the largest in its history, bringing together worldwide leaders in wildlife conservation, animal care, and education to share best practices and innovative solutions—many of which were on display at Monday night’s Icebreaker.

To learn more about the Aquarium and how to get involved, visit flaquarium.org.