Hosted By:
What is Echo?
Mike Clifford, Director of Innovation & Partnerships, discussed ECHO23’s theme
“Everyone is influencing the people around them one way or another” – Robin S. Sharma
As leaders and as organizations, we inevitably influence the world around us. Our actions have the capacity to transform individuals, move communities, and shake systems. And as Jane Goodall has said, it’s up to us to decide what kind of difference we want to make. At ECHO23, join us in learning from brilliant thinkers who have leveraged their role and organization for meaningful and lasting change.
ECHO is a small, annual gathering hosted by GLMV Zoos, the Zoo Division of GLMV Architecture. Previous host Zoos have included Sedgwick County Zoo (twice!), The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Akron Zoo, and North Carolina Zoo. Its 6th year will be held at the Birmingham Zoo.
ECHO exists because Zoos and Aquariums have unparalleled potential to captivate, fascinate, and empower future conservationists. To do so in an ever-complicated world, leaders must constantly reach for new and innovative ways to effectively deliver on their organization’s missions. Unlike many other industry conferences, ECHO provides space to explore challenges and opportunities through the lens of non-zoological experts.
Limited to 35 zoo & aquarium leaders, conversations are deep & connections meaningful. By crafting collisions between provocative ideas and courageous, creative people combined with candid dialogue, ECHO advances a vision for a revolutionary future of Zoos and Aquariums.
Chris Pfefferkorn, President & CEO of the Birmingham Zoo
invites you to Birmingham for ECHO23.
What Attendees Are Saying
Schedule
Speakers
David Bindewald
Director
Center for Play & Exploration
Diane Benscoter
Founder
Antidote.ngo
Cult Deprogrammer
Niya Pickett Miller, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of
Communication Studies
Samford University
Libba Vaughan
Executive Director
Leadership Birmingham
Schedule at a Glance
Tuesday, May 16
Attendees Travel to Birmingham |
|
| 5:15pm | Visit the Vulcan Park & Museum |
| 6:30pm | Welcome Reception & Dinner, Location Top Secret |
Wednesday, May 17
| 8:00am | Breakfast at Birmingham Zoo & Tour Zoo's Pollinator Property Extension |
|---|---|
| 10:00am | Welcome from Birmingham Zoo Leadership |
| 10:15am | Key Thought Partner Session: Dave Bindewald, Center for Play & Exploration |
| 12:15pm | Lunch & Giraffe Feeding Experience |
| 2:00pm | Key Thought Partner Session: |
| 4:45pm | Siesta at Hotel |
| 6:00pm | Dinner & Play at the McWane Science Center |
Thursday, May 18
| 8:00am | Breakfast at Birmingham Zoo |
|---|---|
| 9:30am | Innovation Sessions: TBA |
| 10:30 am | Innovation Session: |
| 12:15pm | Lunch and Tours at Trails of Africa |
| 2:00pm | Innovation Sessions: TBA |
| 5:00pm | Attendee Choice: Remain at Zoo or Siesta at Hotel |
| 6:15pm | Closing Reception & Dinner at Birmingham Zoo |
Registration
ECHO23 is an All-Inclusive Experience
Your $1,495 Registration Fee Includes:
- Programming: 2 days and 3 nights of workshops, presentations, and networking
- Travel: Roundtrip airfare or mileage/car rental reimbursement
- Transportation: Event-related ground transportation
- Lodging: Hotel room for 3 nights
- Dining: Event-related food & beverage
Attendance at ECHO is invitation only. Our curated guest list includes executive-level leaders from zoos and aquariums in the U.S. and Canada. If you are not yet on our guest list and would like to be considered, please email echo@glmv.com. ECHO is a high-energy, deep-thinking, and intimate gathering, and as such, seats are limited. A small number of scholarships are available for leaders who may not otherwise be able to attend.
Travel information
Travel to ECHO23 is easy! Let us help with arrangements. Registration includes:
- Travel: Roundtrip airfare* or mileage/car rental reimbursement.
- Event-related ground transportation
- Hotel room for 3 nights
*Applies to continental flights.
ECHO23 Conference Hotel
Redmont Hotel Birmingham
Curio Collection by Hilton
2101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Flying to ECHO23
We have partnered with Ken Brodbeck of Prairie Travel to coordinate air travel. Upon registration, Ken will contact attendees to make arrangements.
- Travelers will fly in and out of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
- Arriving flights Tuesday, May 16 will be scheduled for the morning & arrive before 4:00 pm. Departing flights will be scheduled for Friday, May 19.
- Airline tickets will be issued in economy class on the most convenient and cost-effective routes.
- Any changes or cancellations after tickets have been issued will be subject to penalties, which will be the sole responsibility of the traveler.
- Baggage fees, seat upgrades, and other extras will be the responsibility of travelers, but can be arranged with Mr. Brodbeck.
- GLMV will provide transportation to and from the airport.
Driving to ECHO23
Those intending to drive to ECHO23 are responsible for securing their own transportation and should arrive at the conference hotel by 4:00 pm Tuesday, May 16. We will reimburse the roundtrip cost of a rental car, fuel, and parking. If the roundtrip mileage is under 300 miles, attendees may drive their personal vehicles and be reimbursed at the current IRS mileage rate (2023: $0.655/mile). Drivers must submit receipts to receive reimbursement.
Sponsors
Premier
Collaborators
Friends
Photos from ECHO22
