Virtual Conference Dates:  27-28 October 2025  (conference replay on 29-30 Oct)

Pricing:  $150 member rate; $200 non-member rate.

Abstract Submission Timeline:  The abstract submssion deadline has passed. 
Accepting submissions- until 10 August 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST
Presenters notified- 17 August
Presenters accept/deny- by 24 August
Presentations due- 27 September

Keynote Speaker:
We are excited to announce Tim Sullivan as the keynote speaker for the 2025 virtual conference!

Tim Sullivan has worked for the Brookfield Zoo Chicago for the last 45 years.  He spent the first half of his career as a trainer in the marine mammal department and later as a supervisor in the pachyderm department.  This experience led to his current role as the Zoo's Director of Behavioral Husbandry.  Tim is currently on the instructor teams of the Association of Zoo and Aquariums’ (AZA) annual Animal Training Applications and Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums courses.  He is active in international training organizations and has been an officer on the board of directors of both the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance; an organization he co-founded. 





Invited Speakers:
Ken Ramirez is the Executive Vice-President and Chief Training Officer at Karen Pryor Clicker Training where he helps to oversee the vision, development and implementation of training education programs for the organization.  Previously, Ken served as EVP of animal care and animal training at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where he developed and supervised animal care and animal health programs, staff training and development as well as public presentation programs for more than 32,000 animals.  He worked at Shedd Aquarium for over 25 years and continued as a consultant for several years after.  A more than 50-year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and animal behavior specialist who has overseen or consulted on training projects for many zoological organizations throughout the world.  He began his training career working with guide dogs for the visually impaired and has maintained a close affiliation to pet training throughout his career.  He hosted two successful seasons of the pet training television series Talk to the Animals that compared pet training to the important work done with training and caring for animals in zoological facilities.  He has also worked closely with several search and rescue dog organizations, service dog groups, as well as with bomb and narcotic dogs.  Ramirez has been active in several professional organizations, including the International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association (IMATA), of which he is a past president. He taught a graduate course on animal training at Western Illinois University for 20 years.  Ramirez has written for numerous scientific publications and authored countless popular articles. He authored the book ANIMAL TRAINING: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement, published in 1999.  His most recent book The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust, was published in 2020. Notably, in the past ten years, Ken has received three lifetime achievement awards from different professional training organizations: ABMA (Animal Behavior Manager’s Alliance), IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association), and APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers).

Peter Giljam brings over 20 years of experience in the field of behaviour management, having worked across a diverse range of zoological facilities around the world.  Throughout his career, he has developed and implemented comprehensive behavioural programs for a wide variety of species in both zoo and aquarium environments.  From 2016 to 2018, Peter served as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA).  Beginning his career with marine mammals in the Netherlands, he progressively advanced through roles in multiple parks and countries.  He now serves as the Curator of Behavioural Husbandry at Sea World Australia, where he plays a key role in the development and execution of an extensive behaviour management program.  In 2015, Peter founded Zoospensefull, a platform through which he shares his expertise and passion via workshops, consultations, and presentations.  He remains committed to driving innovation in the zoological field by promoting creative approaches and sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Angelika Rehrig, a seasoned behavioral management expert with 25 years of experience, leads the behavioral management program for the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Rochester.  After honing her skills as a zookeeper and animal trainer for 12 years, Angelika transitioned to research to enhance enrichment practices, socialization, and training across species, from zebrafish to primates.  Her passion lies in finding innovative solutions that prioritize both animal welfare and scientific advancements.  Angelika is particularly interested in applying behavior analytic techniques, such as preference assessments, to enhance animal training, improve medication compliance, and optimize experimental task performance.  Additionally, she delights in crafting creative enrichment strategies and concocting fun food treats to keep the animals entertained.

Anna Oblasser-Mirtl is a graduate of Moorpark College and obtained her professional dog trainer certification (CPDT-KA) in the United States. She then returned to Austria and, in 2006, founded the AnimalTrainingCenter (ATC) near Graz, which has since developed into an internationally recognized institution specializing in positive reinforcement training. The ATC is home to many animals that have lost their original homes. These animals are part of educational programs and help people interested in training to develop their practical training skills. In addition, the ATC is a state-recognized and Austria’s largest training center for assistance dogs, specializing in dogs for people with diabetes and PTSD. Alongside the three-year animal trainer education program, dog training and behavior therapy, the training of assistance dogs, and consulting for zoos and other animal-holding institutions, Anna and the ATC also offer a wide range of animal trainer education programs, seminars, workshops, and lectures on training all animal species. Anna is an internationally awarded speaker, a court-certified expert on dogs, and together with Barbara Glatz the author of the book Medical Training for Dogs.

Barbara Glatz studied behavioral biology and zoology in Austria and has been part of the AnimalTrainingCenter since 2007. Together with Anna Oblasser-Mirtl, she helped build the ATC and co-developed many of its projects. Since 2012, she has spent several months each year in Tanzania, where she oversees behavior management and the training of wild animals at a rescue center at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Since 2016, she has been working independently, supporting zoos and other institutions with her training programs. Together with Anna Oblasser-Mirtl, she published the book Medical Training and produced a DVD (in both German and English). At the ATC, she primarily contributes to seminars, workshops, and the training of animal trainers.



Grayson Ponti is an emerging zoo/aquarium leader and self-advocate for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder.  He is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Diversity Committee and an advisory board member of Modeling Zoos and Aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science (MoZAICS).  Grayson’s background is in zoo conservation education and engagement, having worked at three AZA-accredited institutions working up from teen volunteer to management.  Additionally, he is currently getting his masters in Teaching of Biological Sciences from Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, serves as an advisor to Immerse Universe and is a zoo historian by night.  Growing up with a severely Autistic, epileptic and nonverbal brother and navigating his own diagnoses, Grayson has always had a strong passion for making the zoo and aquarium profession as inclusive as possible.  He has taken every opportunity to use his voice to tell his story and advocate for neurodivergent voices in the zoological community.  Grayson sees great need to nurture and support neurodivergent leaders in the zoo conservation movement and create an environment that sets them up to thrive.  He has been blessed with amazing opportunities and mentors in the profession and wants to ensure all neurodivergent individuals have the same opportunity.  Grayson currently lives in the Salt Lake City metro area with his wife Courtney.  When not doing zoo activities, he is probably wildlife watching, traveling, hiking, enjoying Disney animation, going to a museum or seeing a musical.

Where do you watch the virtual conference?
The virtual confernce will be held on Whova.  The app is live and the schedule is listed in Whova.  Click the screenshot below to access the conference app.  Please note all times listed for the conference are Pacific (PST).  

















Do you need CEU's?  We have those available for attending the virtual conference!
For CCPDT:
Trainers can receive up to 6 CEUs (6.00 Knowledge, 0.00 Skills)
Behavior consultants can earn up to 6 CEUs 
For IAABC:
Attendees can receive between 5.5-6.5 CEUs 

Questions?  Contact us- virtualvp@theabma.org