SSA at the AZA 2025

Each fall, we look forward to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference, where we reconnect, share bold ideas, and deepen our partnerships across the cultural attractions' community. This year, from September 13–18, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, SSA will be proud to participate alongside our AZA colleagues through panel sessions, Expo Live, and shared moments with the partners who inspire us. Together, we’ll explore how hospitality, innovation, and strong partnerships can elevate the guest experience in zoos and aquariums everywhere. 

At SSA, our work starts with creating moments of hospitality that have a lasting impact. That is the heart of 452 Hospitality. Our three pillars, Innovation in Action, Operational Intelligence, and Strength in Relationships, are how we make those moments intentional. At AZA, you will see our pillars in action in the conversations we have, the solutions we share, and the ways we work alongside our partners to reimagine hospitality and advance their missions. 

FIND SSA @AZA

Innovation in Action
Innovation is more than a buzzword. At SSA, it’s who we are – it’s how we turn curiosity into real change and meaningful impact to advance our partners’ missions. Curiosity drives our award-winning designs, guest platforms, ticketing solutions, and trendsetting revenue strategies, all rooted in our commitment to sustainable operations and forward-thinking solutions. At AZA we will be highlighting our Innovation pillar in sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday, September 16 | 10:45 am – 11:15 am 
AZA Expo LIVE – Introducing SCOUT

What if the guest experience could be evaluated with the same rigor and insight as financial performance or animal welfare? In this session, SSA’s David Rosenberg and Jason Stover will offer a first look at a new AI-assisted tool currently in development. Built to accompany guest journey walkthroughs, the tool captures real-time observations and translates them into actionable insights tailored to each cultural attraction. Join us for a live demo of SCOUT, our newest guest engagement platform, a tech-forward tool designed to meet modern visitor expectations and keep the experience personal.

“We believe technology should never replace connection — it should amplify it. At AZA, we’re debuting SCOUT to show how data and design can work together to create lasting guest experiences.” – David Rosenberg

“Guest expectations are evolving faster than ever. SCOUT was built to meet this moment as a tech-forward AI tool that allows us to keep experiences deeply personal. AZA is the perfect place to share how it will transform guest engagement.” -Jason Stover 

Tuesday, September 16 | 9:30 am – 6:30 pm 
Wednesday, September 17 | 1:30 pm– 7:00 pm 
AZA Expo Hall 

Meet our partner in Innovation: Cinchio Solutions at booth 552. 

Cinchio is the technology partner behind SSA Group’s digital ordering, POS, and kitchen management innovations. This platform powers mobile ordering and self-service kiosks that help venues boost revenue and streamline operations. Together with SSA, we make it easier for guests to order food and retail items quickly and securely while giving operators the tools to run faster, more efficient back-of-house operations. Cinchio is also the exclusive North American reseller of Attractions.io, the leading guest experience app that helps cultural institutions connect, engage, and drive more value from every visit.

Thursday, September 18 | 8:00 am – 9:30 am 
The Power of Partnerships: Advancing Conservation Through  
Mission-Aligned Sustainability 

Many aquariums and zoos are working to enhance their operational sustainability and have set ambitious goals to reduce their environmental impact, become zero-waste facilities, and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. However, these goals cannot be achieved in isolation; they require the formation of diverse partnerships with organizations that share similar missions. These collaborations create a symbiotic feedback loop that is essential for achieving our collective mission-based objectives and for advancing operational excellence, efficiencies, and value. In this panel, Matthew Beaudin, SSA’s Corporate Executive Chef of Innovation, will share how reimagining food and beverage programs can advance conservation missions and make sustainability delicious. 

"Food is one of the most powerful tools we use to connect people to conservation. At AZA, I’m excited to show how sustainability can be delicious and how reimagining food and beverage programs can help advance our partners’ missions.” -Matt Beaudin

Panelists

• Dr. Debborah Luke, Senior Vice President, Conservation, The Florida Aquarium 
• Jane Casanta, Vice President, Partnership Development, Event Network, Inc. 
• Zack Alvarez, Co-Founder & CEO, Le Roots 
  Daniel Lawse, Principal & Chief Century Thinker, Verdis Group

Operational Intelligence 
Operational Intelligence turns insights into action—combining data, technology, and human connection to strengthen operations, create memorable guest moments, and deliver measurable results for partners. At AZA, our focus on Operational Intelligence will be highlighted in sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. 

Tuesday, September 16 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 
Strengthening Biz Ops Through Leadership Ops 

Think leadership is just for the top job? Think again. Whether you're a rising leader, a seasoned executive, or somewhere in between, this session is for anyone looking to expand their leadership capacity and influence mission impact. This session, moderated by Jill Macauley, COO, Behavioral Essentials, and Travis Kight COO, SSA Group, explores how leadership development and operational strategy create stronger, more agile organizations.  

“Strong operations don’t happen by accident; they’re built by leaders who know how to align people and strategy. At AZA, we’ll share how leadership development can be a game changer for operational success.” -Travis Kight 

Thursday, September 18 | 8:00 am – 9:30 am 
Environmental Megatrend: Preparing for Your Next Climate Impact Event 

Andrew Fischer, VP of Restorative Strategies, will share operator's role in supporting climate impact education, preparation and mitigation

"Climate change isn’t a future risk; it’s a present reality. At AZA, I’ll be talking about strong operator partnerships can help Zoos and Aquariums adapt, prepare, and grow through environmental change while staying true to their mission.” 

Panelists

• Travis Kight, COO, SSA Group
• Cristal Torres DeHerrera, COO, Denver Zoo
• Jason Sefcik, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Texas State Aquarium
  
• Lochlan Wooten, Chief Operating Officer, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
• Eric Donovan, COO, Elmwood Park Zoo

Strength in Relationships 
Every interaction is a chance to build connection. and that’s at the heart of our Strength in Relationships pillar. It’s also why this theme will be woven throughout our AZA panel sessions. From cultivating inclusive teams and creating a true sense of belonging, to celebrating our guests and partners, we believe the small details make the biggest difference. By leading with authenticity and transparency, we strengthen the relationships that sustain our industry and ensure they last well beyond a single moment of hospitality. On Wed, September 17th, two panels will highlight how people-first leadership and collaboration create meaningful impact for our partners and the communities they serve. 
 

Wednesday, September 17 | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm 
Leading with Neurodiversity: Supporting Staff and Volunteers in Zoos and Aquariums 

Tera Greenwood, EVP Brand and Partnership, joins a panel to share strategies for creating environments where neurodiverse staff and volunteers can thrive, unlocking potential and strengthening culture. 

“The strength of any organization lies in its people. Embracing neurodiversity, zoos and aquariums unlock new perspectives, foster belonging, and build teams that are truly resilient and reflective of the communities they serve.” 

Panelists

• Tiffany James, Membership & Donor Relations Manager / Professor, Zoo Knoxville / Miami University
  
• Austin Conley, Teen Programs Coordinator/Educator, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort
• Fisher Colber Prosper, Prosper and Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC
• Lisa New, Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Zoo
  
• Grayson Ponti, Founder/President, Zoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem Inc.
• Tera Greenwood, EVP of Brand and Partnership, SSA Group

Wednesday, September 17 | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm 
But Why?: Challenging Assumptions to Spark Meaningful Change 

In The Blind Spots Within, Jill Macauley will lead attendees through uncovering unseen barriers to progress, inspiring new approaches to leadership and culture. 

“The biggest barriers to progress are often the ones we don’t see. At AZA, I’m looking forward to helping leaders uncover their blind spots, challenge assumptions, and build cultures that develop people and advance missions.”-Jill Macauley 

Learn more about Blindspotting book (ask Jill what she’d like us to link to)

Panelists

• Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President & CEO, Philadelphia Zoo
• Dr. Christopher Kuhar, Executive Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• RoxAnna Breitigan, Chief Operating Officer, The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
• Dr. Hayley Murphy, Executive Director & CEO, Detroit Zoo
• Charles Hopper, President & CEO, Santa Barbara Zoo
• Dr. Mandi Wilder Schook, Science Operations Director, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
• Jill Macauley, COO, Behavioral Essentials
• Stephanie Stowell, Director of Zoo & Aquarium Projects, TESSERE

 

Connect with us!
From co-hosting the AZA kickoff Zero Waste Icebreaker with our partner The Florida Aquarium, to contributing to panel discussions, presenting at Expo Live, and joining our technology partner Cinchio Solutions at booth #552, SSA will be in action throughout the conference, ready to share ideas, spark connections, and bring 452 Hospitality to life.