Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are proud to host this year’s BIAZA Awards Dinner and Conference. This year’s event promises to be another lively and informative one with the focus of the conference being on technology.

The Awards Dinner, in the Island Restaurant at Paignton Zoo will be on Wednesday 3rd November at 7.00 p.m.

The conference will look at the advancement of technology in everything that we do, including the visitor experience, how we educate and engage our visitors and how we attract them in the first place. We will explore both sides of the argument – do we embrace technology or do we shy away from it and keep the experience very much hands on and real life? We have attracted many experts in their field who are will give us examples and points of focus.

Speakers for the joint conference include BBC Natural World Producer, Andrew Cooper, Simon Mann, Chester Zoo’s Development Director and Professor of Education at University of Exeter, Elizabeth Wood.

The subject of this year’s debate is to what degree modern technologies will become part of the zoo experience. A panel of expert witnesses will each give an account from their point of view on how the zoo experience will encompass the new technologies during the next decade. There will then be an open discussion encouraging the audience to briefly give their current experiences and views on how things will go in the future.

After the chance to walk around Paignton Zoo’s 80 acres of natural habitats, the day will be rounded off with a choice of two workshops, either HLF funding or social media marketing.

For details for the full programme, including Friday’s education and marketing conferences click here.

We have secured excellent rates at both the Grand Hotel in Torquay and Beverely Holidays in Paignton.

The Grand Hotel, situated on the seafront is one of Torquay's luxury hotels. It is known for the standard of its 4 star hotel accommodation, food and facilities and loved for its dedicated team of staff that makes every effort to deliver a warm welcome and a professional, friendly service. Testimony to its good food is the award of an AA Rosette - an honour in the industry for a hotel of The Grand's size.

£35 per person per night on a bed and breakfast basis. You will be required to pay a £20 deposit upon booking. Please quote Paignton Zoo when booking. Telephone Reservations on 0800 005 3905

The majority of marketing and education delegates will be staying at Beverley Holiday Park. If you wish to stay there, click here for details.