For the zoos and aquariums industry, IAAPA 2014 kicked off on Monday with a field trip to Busch Gardens Tampa. At the meet, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) chair Dennis Pate called on attendees to capitalise on the IAAPA "idea factory" and to keep business values central to their decision-making.

Pate, who is executive director and CEO of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, emphasised the importance of the zoo's bottom line. "As a director, I need to show I can balance the books, direct resources in the right way and deliver good guest services," he told the 140 attendees. "You need a successful business before you can drive home to the heart of your mission."

He urged the zoo and aquarium community to explore the "endless aisles, endless ideas" of the week's trade show with a view to strengthening their business operations to in turn strengthen their conservation missions. "When I talk to the business leaders in my community, they're interested when I talk about conservation. But, when I talk bottom line, they really pay attention."

About 140 delegates attended a private viewing of Busch Garden's new live animal show, followed by a tour of different elements of the animal park, including a truck safari.