Welcome
Dear TAG Chairs, TAG Vice Chairs and colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well and roaring with excitement for our upcoming gathering. It is with utmost delight that I extend a warm and heartfelt invitation to the 5th Joint Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Chairs Meeting, to be hosted by Edinburgh Zoo, home of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
From Monday 6 to Thursday 9 May 2024, we will come together at the enchanting Pollock Estate, a truly picturesque venue nestled in the vibrant city of Edinburgh. This location, with its historic buildings, provides an ideal backdrop for meaningful discussions and fostering new connections among colleagues.
As Chair of the WAZA Committee for Population Management and CEO of RZSS, I'm buzzing with anticipation to welcome all TAG Chairs, TAG Vice Chairs, and respected colleagues who hold equivalent positions. Your unwavering dedication plays a pivotal role in shaping our shared mission and we eagerly await your esteemed presence.
The 5th Joint TAG Chairs Meeting offers an extraordinary opportunity for us to come together, celebrate our successes, and learn from one another. It is a time to strengthen our networks, exchange innovative ideas and deepen our connections with fellow stakeholders.
Throughout the event, we will explore critical topics that define our commitment to biodiversity conservation, from our collaboration with the IUCN, to the new WAZA Population Management Goal and other collaborative conservation strategies. Together, we'll delve into harmonious conservation discussions inspired by the delightful music of the bagpipes and sustained by plates of haggis. Welcome to the Scottish way!
Please mark your calendars for the 5th Joint TAG Chairs Meeting, scheduled from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 May 2024. We look forward to welcoming you in Edinburgh.
I eagerly await our reunion and the countless remarkable outcomes that will develop from our discussions.
Yours aye,
David Field
CEO, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Chair, WAZA Committee for Population Management
Registration
From 6-9 May 2024 Edinburgh Zoo (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) will host the 5th Joint TAG Chairs Meeting.
The conference venue is the beautifully located John McIntyre Conference Centre at the Pollock Halls Estate, close to the city centre of Edinburgh.
Pollock Estate, which can host conferences for up to 300 delegates, has three dedicated conference and event venues – the purpose-built John McIntyre Conference Centre, the characterful St Leonard’s Hall, and the classic mid-century South Hall. With two onsite four-star hotels, Summer Campus accommodation and extensive landscaped gardens, the estate offers a residential conference village environment within the city. It is easily accessible on foot or by public transport from the city centre whilst also boasting electric car charging points and parking.
Please note: Registration for the Joint TAG Chairs meetings is by invitation only. If you have not received the invitation email please contact Mirko Marseille.
Admission fees
| Full conference, early rate | €440 |
| Full conference, regular rate | €525 |
| Single day, early rate | €110 |
| Single day, regular rate | €130 |
| Two days, early rate | €220 |
| Two days, regular rate | €260 |
Early bird rate was available until 11 March 2024, student discount fees are not available.
- Farewell dinner participation fee is €92 and requires an additional registration (to be completed in the registration form)
- The participation fee of the optional tour to the Highland Wildlife Park is €45.
Programme
The tentative programme structure (subject to change) is as follows:
- Monday 6 May – TAG meetings conference day 1, Free night
- Tuesday 7 May – TAG meetings conference day 2, Evening Ice breaker with bagpipes and bag pipe lessons, location Pollock Halls Estate (19:00 - 21:00)
- Wednesday 8 May – Joint TAG Chairs Conference day 1, Evening at Edinburgh Zoo with coaches and small bites/drinks included (16:30 - 22:00)
- Thursday 9 May – Joint TAG Chairs Conference day 2, Farewell dinner with ceilidh/disco, South Hall, (18:00 - 0:00)
- Friday 10 May - Optional Highland Wildlife Park day visit
The detailed programmes for the TAG Meetings (6-7 May) and the Joint TAG Chairs (8-9 May) will be shared with the participants via the invitation mailings.
Highland Wildlife Park tour
On Friday 10 May an optional excursion to Highland Wildlife Park is organized. The Highland Wildlife Park is a 105-hectare safari park and zoo near Kingussie, Highland, Scotland. The park is located within the Cairngorms National Park. This tour is only available for registered JTAG24 delegates for the additional fee of €45.
The programme for the day is as follows:
- 8:00 - coach pick up at Pollock Estate. Edinburgh University
- 10:45/11:00 - Arrival to Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Highlands
- Antlers café lunch and drink voucher provided by park on arrival with maps and daily talk programme – delegates free to roam
- 15:30 - Guided reserve tour on coach
- 16:00 - Depart Highland Wildlife Park
- 17:45/19:00 - Arrival back to Pollock Estate
If you are interested in joining please confirm your attendance in the registration form. Please note that max. 50 seats are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Accommodation
At the Pollock Halls estate three different accommodation options are offered within close walking distance of the venue, see recommendations below. JTAG24 delegates can book a room using a promo code which can be found on the homepage of the registration form. For a map of Pollack Halls and the location of the John McIntyre Conference Centre and the three accommodation options click here.
In close vicinity of the Pollock Halls estate JTAG delegates can also find other accommodation options via booking.com or Airbnb. Recommended nearby accommodation is KM Apartments (The special discount rate of 15% also applies here)
Recommended hotels
- The Scott: Nestled among tranquil landscaped grounds adjoining Holyrood Park, the Scott is a luxury 4* hotel that elegantly combined the modern and the traditional. Approximate cost p.p.p.n is €340 (Including promo code 10%, VAT, breakfast)
For booking a room a the Scott click here
- The Scholar: The Scholar is a relaxing and welcoming hotel situated in the award-winning lush, green landscaped grounds of the Pollock Estate, and close to the beautiful natural surroundings of Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park and the Meadows. Approximate cost p.p.p.n is €230 (Including promo code 15%, VAT, breakfast)
For booking a room at the Scholar click here
