The ADPA 2025 Training Day was a tremendous success. We welcomed 68 registrants and delivered five courses throughout the day, reflecting strong engagement and continued interest in professional growth across our community. We extend our sincere thanks to both our attendees and the dedicated instructors who made the day possible.
Courses Delivered
- DAN DFA Instructor – Led by Jessica Tammen (Odysea Aquarium) and Shawn Harper (North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island)
- Dive Program Administrator – Led by Jake Emmert (Moody Gardens)
- Empathy at Depth – Led by Courtlandt Butts (LifeGuardian Worldwide, LLC)
- Beyond Basics – Led by Jonathan Langham (Georgia Aquarium)
- Beyond Protocols – Led by Jonathan Langham, Devin Waddell, and Felicia Silva (Georgia Aquarium)
Training Day placed a strong emphasis on leadership development and exploring practical ways we can better support our teams and organizations. The enthusiasm and participation demonstrated the value of continuing education and shared learning within the ADPA community.
We would also like to recognize and thank our Professional Development Committee members for their hard work and commitment throughout the year:
- Jonathan Langham – Georgia Aquarium
- Devin Waddell – Georgia Aquarium
- Sarah Yerrace – Emeritus
- Susan Allen – Shedd Aquarium
- Brendan DeGrim – Audubon Aquarium
- Michael Pamatat – UH Hilo
- Adam Schare – Point Defiance Zoo
During the symposium, the committee discussed several forward-looking initiatives for 2026 and beyond. This included the continued development of a rotating workshop library to refresh offerings every two to three years and exploring new opportunities to provide value to the community throughout the year and not just during Training Day.
We encourage members to share ideas for future workshops or events. Your input helps ensure our programming remains relevant, innovative, and impactful. If you have suggestions or would like to become more involved, please reach out to any committee member.
We are also actively seeking individuals interested in serving on the Professional Development Committee. We welcome professionals who are eager to contribute ideas, assist with workshop delivery, and help shape the future of ADPA professional development. We look forward to an exciting year ahead and continuing to build meaningful learning opportunities together.
