AQUARIUMS MOVING FOWARD TO HELP REGENERATE BIODIVERSITY ON OUR BLUE PLANET
64
days
01
hours
32
min
03
sec
October 27-31, 2024 Guadalajara, México
Welcome
We are delighted to invite you to IAC 2024 International Aquarium Congress!
Aquariums for the Regeneration of Life on the Planet.
Mexican axolotls have the incredible ability to regenerate some of its extremities as well as their organs when they lose them.
Today, our planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity have lost some "parts”. Because of this, it is fundamental to join our efforts to regenerate life in our planet by implementing urgent actions. In IAC 2022, it was defined that now aquariums have the essential mission to help with the emergency state that our oceans live in; we want to extend this mission to all ecosystems.
Humans do not have the physical ability of regeneration, but we can regenerate our commitment to work towards a more sustainable way of living to protect our planet.
Taking axolotls as an example, lets regenerate our hearts and work with passion to protect our species and its ecosystems.
IAC 2024 Main Objetive:
Generate a space where assistants can dialogue, reflect, and exchange ideas on how to join efforts to regenerate the equilibrium in ecosystems and living creatures.
Welcome to the 12th International Aquariums Congress
Dear friends and colleagues of the Aquarium World
In 2022 we participated to a brilliant IAC in Boulogne Sur Mer, France. It had been initially planned in 2021, but the pandemic has forbidden us to hold it and that the reason why it has been held one year after. Nevertheless, it is therefore with an immense pleasure that we will be able to meet again two years later in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2024.
I would like to sincerely thank Ricardo Aguilar Duran and the entire Michin Aquarium team, , the partners and sponsors, for organizing this congress. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Paulina Balbontin who has began the process to welcome this 12 th.
We are so eager to get together, to share our experiences in business, conservation, ocean issues, new projects, and also but perhaps above all, to share the friendship that characterized our profession that I am convinced that this event will be a success.
I would also like to thank the members of the steering committee, who come from all over the world and work all year round to keep this organization alive and running, despite the difficulties linked to distances and time differences.
We must also think about the future, as you already know, the next IAC in 2027 will take place in Wuhan, China, and I know that the team is already actively involved and will be in Guadalajara to present this event. IAC 2024 will also be the occasion to designate the host of the Europe/Africa/Middle East region where IAC 2030 will take place.
I am counting on all of you to keep our network alive and strong.
Now Let’s take up the challenge offered by the Michin Aquarium: “Aquariums moving forward to help regenerate biodiversity on our Blue Planet”
I wish you a memorable 12th IAC in Guadalajara.
Philippe Vallette | Chairperson
International Aquariums Network
The future of humankind is directly dependent on the ocean resources.
We need a healthy ocean to benefit from these resources as the world ocean is the life support system of the planet. Aquariums have to consider the future of humanity and the earth through the ocean.
To preserve the ocean resources we need more knowledge, more science, and more education.
The Aquariums have a unique role to play in this field because they are the necessary link between science, politicians, media, decision makers, and the general public.
The aquariums must work to effect a significant transformation in human behavior to ensure a sustainable relationship with the earth’s natural ecosystems and the survival of our civilization as we know it.
Towards this end, public aquariums worldwide should increase their efforts in the following areas:
Public aquariums have a greater role than ever to play in advancing and promoting global conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
- Focus not only on nature but also on human activities that affect global aquatic ecosystems.
- Inspire, engage and empower our audiences to become better stewards of aquatic environments, with special focus on concrete actions that people can take in their everyday lives
- Ensure our institutional management practices are sustainable both commercially and environmentally.
- Improve worldwide communication among public aquarium professionals in order to strengthen capacity building, promote sustainable practices and conserve global aquatic ecosystems.
- Promote technology and expertise exchange among aquariums to provide the best possible environments in our aquariums.
- Raise public awareness about the need for conservation.
- Sustain, encourage and participate in global initiatives for species and habitat conservation
- Establish coordinated sustainable species programs and participate in captive breeding with special emphasis on the threatened species.
- Provide good guidance in planning and operating aquariums for sustainability.
- Initiate and actively support educational endeavors both within its premises and in outreach programs.
- Welcome, support and conduct scientific research both within its premises and in outreach programs
- Contribute to a free and open flow of information and communicate with fellow aquarium personnel.
- Assist fellow institutions in their efforts in the application of this mission statement.
Preserve the interests of the profession.
IAN Steering Committee
The Steering Committee gathers representatives of aquariums from all continents.
The Steering Committee is composed of 16 members:
Paul Van den Sande
Honorary Chairperson, Belgium
Philippe Vallette
Chairperson
Representatives for Europe
Nadia Ounais
Vice President International Affairs, Musée océanographique de Monaco
Max Janse
Aquarium Curator, Burgers’ zoo, The Netherlands, Chairman of the European Union of Aquarium Curators
Rob Hicks
Divisional Director, Conservation, welfare and Education at Merlin Entertainments.
Representatives for People’s republic of China
Wang Liang
CEO Ocean Aquarium Shangai
Zhang Xianfeng
Director, Institute of Hydrobiology, Wuhan; Zhang Peijung,
Cuihua Yang
Professor, Qingdao Aquarium
Representative for Africa
Michael Farquhar
Director Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town
Representative for Pacific
Kirstin Dobbs
Reef HQ. Townsville. Australia
Stephen Menzies
Reef HQ. Townsville. Australia
Representatives for Japan
Masa Iwata
General Curator, Aquamarine Fukushima
Takuji Oyama
General Curator, Enoshima Marine Corporation
Representative for Latin America
Mauro Tambella
Cons. Mundo Marino, Coordinator Ass. Latin Am. Aquariums
Jaime Alberto Rojas Ruiz
Oceanario Colombia
Representatives for USA – Canada
Julie Packard,
Executive Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Tom Schmid,
President adn CEO, Columbus Zoo Family of Parks
Clinton Wright,
EVP and COO, Expert, Ocean Wise
John Racanelli,
President and CEO National Aquarium
Jon Hoech,
Vice President of Animal Care at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
General Program
*The program will be constantly updated according to the proposals of presentations received.
Invitation Letter
* To generate your invitation, provide only your full name and click the generate invitation button
Registration Fees
FACE-TO-FACE PAVILION
- Early Bird USD
- Until June 14, 2024
- $600.00
- Regular fee USD
- June 15 - October 31, 2024
- $700.00
VIRTUAL PAVILION
- Early Bird USD
- Until June 14, 2024
- $300.00
- Regular fee USD
- June 15 - October 31, 2024
- $350.00
Host Institution
Michin Aquarium is a unique space with a wide variety of entertainment. Here you can see hundreds of different species, play with our interactive games, and have lots of fun in our diverse attractions. Get to know some of the most representative species in our country and the world in our 5 pavilions.
MORE INFORMATIONHost City
Guadalajara is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Jalisco. It’s located in the central region in the Western-Pacific area of Mexico. Guadalajara is the 10th largest city in Latin America and the second most populated metropolitan area in Mexico. The city is named after the Spanish city of Guadalajara, meaning “river/valley of stones”.
Accommodation
Host Hotel
Intercontinental Presidente Guadalajara features luxurious modern rooms and suites, and 2 inviting restaurants. Amenities include a pool and 24-hour Fitness Center, round- the-clock room service and meeting rooms equipped with all the latest AV technology.
- Single
- $133.62 USD
- Taxes and tips not included.
- Double
- $137.07 USD
- Taxes and tips not included.
Contact
- Sponsorship
- Stephany Elizabeth Lopez Martínez
- Mon - Fri 8:00-17:00 hrs
- Helpdesk
- Mon - Fri 8:00-17:00 hrs
- Accommodation
- Tel: (55) 5200 5100 ext. 17397/17380
- Mon - Fri 8:00-17:00 hrs