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Most conference activities (unless otherwise noted) are covered in the full registration fee. PLEASE NOTE NEW FOR 2024: While you can still attend the paper session days of our conference as a walk-in with a day price for each, for pre-planning necessities it is not possible to sign up for any other events at the conference itself. The Pre-conference Trip, Night Out, Icebreaker, and Banquet can only be participated in with full pre-registration. The Wednesday and Friday workshops may be available to sign up for at the conference itself but only if space permits (not guaranteed).
Pre-Conference Trip, Wednesday, February 14
Please note: The cost of the trip is NOT covered in the full registration fees. See below for details of cost and maximum participant information.
Located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is home to rare habitats that support thousands of species. Originally, the refuge was established as a haven for migrating Dusky Canada Geese. Today, it is a beautifully preserved sampling of many Oregon habitats. In the winter, the refuge is dense with migratory raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl along with other non-avian wildlife. Following a short, scenic drive, your birding guides will show you the sights as you walk these unique trails. Boxed lunches and beverages are included. Be sure to bring your binoculars, raincoats, and hiking boots to make the trip complete!
Cost: $45
Limited to 25 participants.
Full Day Workshop, Wednesday, February 14
The Art of Training Birds and Producing Extraordinary Shows
Please note: The cost of this workshop is NOT covered in the full registration fee. All proceeds from this workshop go to our conservation fund. CEUs for certified trainers will be available from IATCB.
With no knowledge of the sport, a person experiencing their first basketball game ever might think the high school teams they are watching are as good as the sport gets. They don’t know there is college and professional levels where the game is played at a higher level of artistic expression. In similar ways, with no knowledge of the science and application of animal training practice or producing truly affective shows when zoo directors, supervisors and even veterinarians view animal training or public presentations at their facility they might think it is as good as it gets. Even most animal trainers in zoological facilities don’t know what they don’t know or at what level of competency they perform. This workshop will explore what sets average trainers apart from artistic or expert trainers and how to produce shows that go beyond traditional educational programing to incorporate species-appropriate behavior as vehicles for inspirational messages that lead to conservation action.|
This seven-hour workshop will be facilitated by Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.
Cost: $100
Unlimited participants.
Icebreaker, Wednesday, February 14
Covered in the cost of the full registration fee.
Enjoy an evening of catching up with old friends and a chance to meet new ones. Our Icebreaker is always a great opportunity to make new contacts and meet fellow IAATE members and like-minded people. Don your finest track suit and join our Icebreaker event for a real welcome to Track Town, USA. Enjoy good food and get to know your fellow conference-goers as you take on a series of track and field games only bird people can appreciate. This high energy, low stakes evening will be good fun for all. Special prizes to be awarded for achievement in costumes, spectating, and feats of athleticism for all abilities!! Our Icebreaker will also feature a cash bar.
Night Out, Thursday, February 15
Party Like It’s 1992
Covered in the cost of the full-registration fee.
Pack your dancing shoes, the return of the Night Out is a special one! Help us celebrate the birthday of IAATE Board President and Cascades Raptor Center Bird Curator Kit Lacy in style – by re-living her 1992 prom. Enjoy snacks, beverages, and let loose with your fellow trainers and educators to the tunes of the 80’s and 90’s.
Zoo Day, Friday February 16
Covered in the cost of the full registration fee.
Visit the Cascades Raptor Center, situated near the top of Spencer Butte, just a 15-minute drive from the Graduate Hotel. Founded in 1987, CRC has grown from a one-woman wildlife rehabilitation operation into a 4-acre facility – home to more than 30 resident raptor ambassadors who live and work on exhibit – that educates more than 35,000 guests and treats more than 500 patients per year. The site will be closed to the public for the day so conference goers can take a behind the scenes look, while expert staff will be guiding tours of the raptor hospital and aviary construction, bird encounters, training demonstrations, and more!
Workshops, Friday, February 16
The following workshops have limited capacity. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space permitting, payment reserves your space. These workshops are NOT covered in the full registration fee. All proceeds from these workshops go to fund our Walt Crawford Memorial Scholarship. CEUs for certified trainers will be available from IATCB.
This conference will offer three different workshops in the evening at our conference hotel. Interested participants can choose to attend only one workshop as they run concurrently.
Micro-raptor Equipment Making: Small, Secure, and Subtle
The importance of secure anklets and jesses cannot be overstated. When it comes to equipment for micro raptors, how do we make secure equipment that is also minimally intrusive on the bird and aesthetically obscure? Learn the importance of secure micro anklets and jesses and how to make your own! One hour will be spent walking through making small anklets and one hour on making micro jesses. Accessibility note: Please bring any needed visual aids. For this workshop we will be tying knots, using x-acto blades, scissors, grommet setters, sewing needles – all of which require attention to detail and dexterity of hands. Materials provided.
This 2-hour workshop will be facilitated by Laura Farah, Cascades Raptor Center
Limited to 20 participants.
Cost: $35
Bring the Scale to the Bird: The Art of Antecedent Arrangement
Artful trainers know that antecedent arrangement can make or break a training session. A brief lecture portion will familiarize or refresh attendees with the A-B-C’s of training. Then, learn to recognize and rearrange antecedents as you become the bird (and the trainer) in hands-on scenarios designed to hone your skill.
This 2-hour workshop will be facilitated by Sidney Campbell, Cascades Raptor Center
Limited to 30 participants.
Cost: $35
Avian Anatomy and Basic Treatments: Essentials to Understand, Evaluate, and Educate
As the champions of flight in the animal kingdom, birds have unique physical features and biological systems that allow them to survive and thrive. Understanding key concepts in avian anatomy and physiology will enable you to become both a better caregiver and communicator. In this workshop we will utilize avian cadavers to take a close look at what makes these fascinating creatures unique and take your skills to the next level.
This 2.5-hour workshop will be facilitated by Kristin Dean, Carolina Raptor Center
Limited to 20 participants.
Cost: $35
Open Board Meeting, Saturday, February 17
Our Open Board Meeting will be held during one of our presentation days. Join your organization’s Board to hear committee reports, financial updates, and general information about the business year in review as well as upcoming endeavors. This is your opportunity to stay updated on the business of your organization and ask any questions you may want to be answered.
Roundtables, Friday, February 16
Covered in the cost of the full registration fee.
This conference will offer three different roundtable discussions during the afternoon of Friday, February 16 at our conference hotel. Roundtables run concurrently, but interested participants are free to go from one to another if they wish. This year’s topics for group discussion will be:
USDA Regulations
Serving on the IAATE Board
Training for Cooperative Care
Paper Session Days, Thursday, February 15 and Saturday, February 17
For a full list of speakers and featured speakers on our paper session days, please see the Speakers page. There you will also find a downloadable document including speaker bios and presentation abstracts.
Cost for each day if not registered for full conference: Member: $65; Non-member: $80; Student: $35
Banquet, Saturday, February 17
Covered in the cost of the full registration fee.
The 2024 conference will wrap up in grand style at this year’s banquet. The banquet is a great time to recognize our fellow professionals through our High Flyer and Service Awards and celebrate a successful conference. Included at the banquet is our Photo Contest slide show and winners’ announcement. Our banquet features a full dinner and a cash bar. Great food and great times are assured.
Hospitality
This year’s hospitality suite is a large room, perfect for mingling. The hospitality suite presents great opportunities to share information and unwind after a long day of intense learning experiences. This is one of the best ways to share ideas and become inspired by your peers.
Raffles
Help support IAATE! Money raised by our raffles goes to fund our Conservation and Education Grants. You will be able to purchase tickets for raffle drawings held throughout the conference. We will once again have our Conservation Raffle during the banquet. If you would like to donate items, please bring them to the conference or mail them ahead of time.
If you are shipping packages, please ship to:
Cascades Raptor Center
32275 Fox Hollow Rd.
Eugene, OR 97405
c/o Kit Lacy or Sidney Campbell
Conference Grants and Contests
Don’t forget to submit your photos to our Photo Contest as well as your videos for our Behavior Showcase and or apply for a Conservation or Education Grant. Deadlines for grant and contest submissions vary. Please see below for deadlines. For the 2024 conference, grant submissions will not be accepted after the deadline. This is to allow the committees adequate time to consider each entry. Please adhere to the individual deadlines! Please see our Awards & Grants webpage to download application forms and for updated details on how to apply. You can’t win if you don’t apply!
Education Grant Submission Deadline: January 8, 2024
Conservation Grant Submission Deadline: January 8, 2024
Behavior Showcase Video Submission Deadline: January 8, 2024
Photo Contest Submission Deadline: January 8, 2024
