Tampa Makes a Splash for the AZA Annual Conference

September 15, 2025

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Downtown Tampa is taking on a new look this week as the city welcomes nearly 3,000 zoo and aquarium professionals for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Annual Conference—the largest AZA gathering in history.

People stopping to snap a photo at the iconic Tampa sign on Water Street near The Florida Aquarium will see it has a bold makeover, featuring colorful fish, a lemur, and an otter. The new design highlights Tampa’s role in wildlife and conservation and reflects the Aquarium’s impact, “it stays with you,” reminding guests that the memories of a visit linger long after they leave.

Riders exploring downtown on Tampa’s Historic Streetcar will also notice The Florida Aquarium Station transformed with animal-themed signage, including a stingray welcoming visitors to “glide in and stay awhile.” Stop #7 along the TECO line provides easy access to the Aquarium, Water Street, Sparkman Wharf, Benchmark International Arena, and nearby shops and restaurants.

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Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

The conference, held September 13–18 at the Tampa Convention Center, is hosted by The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Tampa is one of only three U.S. cities with three AZA-accredited facilities, and it last welcomed the conference in 2006. This year, the event is expected to bring more than $4.5 million into the local economy.