The Elephant Managers Association (EMA) is proud to present our 47th annual conference, hosted by the Maryland Zoo on October 4-8, 2026.
EMA partners with elephant programs that stand out as leaders in the elephant community to host the annual conference. The annual gathering promotes the cooperative exchange of information, open channels of communication, and meaningful networking opportunities for all elephant care professionals. Host facilities are chosen based on their commitment to elephants, their support of conservation and research efforts, their hospitality, and their demonstrated willingness to foster growth and development in all who work closely with elephants.
EMA's annual conference is the most accessible and affordable opportunity for elephant care professionals to expand their knowledge and professional network. Delegates will receive cutting edge information focusing on professional elephant management trends and will have the opportunity to see firsthand the methods employed by other established elephant programs.
With the help of EMA's Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, our conference host—Maryland Zoo—will have the opportunity to showcase the features that make them a premier elephant program. Join us October 4-8, 2026.
For all conference-related information, please keep an eye on this page, or you can contact the EMA Conference Committee at conference@elephantmanagers.com.
Conference Schedule
Coming Soon!Conference Registration
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Hotel Accommadations
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Conference T-Shirts
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2026 EMA Key-Note Speaker
EMA and Maryland Zoo are proud to announce that our 2026 keynote speaker is Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. Susan is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University and the owner of Behavior Works Consulting, LLC. Susan has co-authored chapters on behavior change in five veterinary texts, and her popular articles have been translated into 17 languages. Susan teaches seminars and courses on animal learning online (How Behavior Works: Living & Learning with Animals), which has been attended by students from 64 countries so far. Susan consults with zoos and animal organizations around the world and teaches yearly for the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Animal Trainer Accreditation program. She was appointed to the Fish & Wildlife Service’s California Condor Recovery Team from 2002 – 2010, after which the team was retired due to the success of the birds in the wild. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Committee of American Humane Association (AHA) Film and TV Unit. In 2022, Susan was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. See behaviorworks.org and facebook.com/behaviorworks. Her latest initiative is Behavior Works Zoo School (BWZS), opening in October, 2026. Welcoming animal care professionals working with all species, BWZS will apply a natural science approach to practical training supported by compassion, collaboration and confidence. Join us in hearing a different approach to training.
Call for Papers
Coming Soon!Conference Scholarships
EMA will award the following scholarships for our 2026 conference:
- $1,000 Ashley Sheppard Scholarship (in memory of Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Elephant Manager, Ashley Sheppard), available to EMA members who are elephant caretakers. Sponsored by Janet Dray
- $1,000 Inclusive Culture Scholarship, awarded to an EMA member who identifies with a cultural group historically underrepresented at EMA conferences.
- $2,000 scholarship available to an international EMA member (i.e., a member not working in the US).
- $1,000 scholarship available to any EMA member.
Sponsor the 2026 EMA Conference
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Donate to the Conference Silent Auction
Each year during the annual conference, the host facility gathers items for a silent auction. The silent auction is held during the conference's banquet night. All proceeds from the silent auction help fund our annual scholarship awards and expenses. We are currently gathering elephant books, art, clothing, and collectibles. Even if you are not able to attend the 2026 EMA conference, you can still donate your items. We encourage all donors to donate items via mail before the conference. All donations must be submitted with a donation form and shipped to the address indicated on the form. To donate, please complete the EMA Silent Auction Donation Form, print the form, and send with your items to the address listed on the form.