"People Helping Parrots, Parrots Helping People"
Happy HOLIDAYS from Flight Club!
SAVE UNTIL January 2nd!!
30% off one item USING HOLIDAY25
Welcome to our Featured Speaker Series
Thank you for contributing to our fundraising efforts by attending our Featured Speaker experts from around the world! Get YOUR parrot questions answered from the professionals we visit globally and bring to you in person and online!
We visit and contribute to many parrot-related conferences throughtout the world to bring you the people we ourselves learn from; are our mentors; and are inspirational. We focus our Featured Speaker Series in three main areas annually: Behavior, Veterinary and Conservation. ALL FEATURED SPEAKERS are not JUST LECTURES, they are INTERACTIVE! Please ask questions regularly, they are ENCOURAGED!
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Go SUPERBIRDS! As a SUPERBIRD REGISTRANT, you are an amazing superstar! Enjoy the perks of our all-access pass to our Featured Speaker Room all weekend long; our annually COMMEMORATIVE SHIRT for free; a swag bag full of sponsor goodies; AND LUNCH ON US ALL WEEKEND LONG (wristband pass).
Horray GOODBIRDS! As a GOODBIRD REGISTRANT, you are wonderful! Enjoy the perks of our all-access pass to our Featured Speaker room all weekend long and our sponsor/exhibitor swag bag FULL of fun things!
NEW FOR 2025! WORLD PARROT TV! Take part in the comfort of wherever you are in the world and still learn from the top professionals featured at World Parrot Expo! We encourage as many faces as possible to join us with the gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Rainier behind you during breaks! Grab a mimosa before the next session! NICK TV is providing an amazing interactive video feature where ALL can participate, ask questions and MORE!
2025 Featured Speakers
****IF you are volunteering and still want to see the talks, we are recording them for those who put in full time work for the weekend with Flight Club Foundation.****
Register TODAY to see:
TOPICS:
An interactive workshop titled "Talking Back: Communication, Choice & Consent for Empowered Parrots".
DAY 1 Sponsored by LaFeber Foods
Day 2 Sponsored by Harrison's Bird Foods.
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FLYING TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM FLORIDA:
Jen O'Connor is an attorney, writer, international speaker, and adjunct assistant professor at Texas A&M University, focusing on animal cognition and communication. Her award-winning research has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, and The Washington Post, and her manuals and trainings have been translated and distributed throughout Europe and Japan. Her work was recently developed into a feature documentary, Parrot Kindergarten, by Director Amy Herdy. Jen has written articles for the International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants Journal and is a frequent lecturer at science conventions and companion animal gatherings around the world. She collaborates with researchers from MIT, Northeastern University, University of Glasgow, and University of Miami on projects related to animal communication, technology design, and literacy. Jen is co-founder of Parrot Kindergarten, Inc., an online training program for parrot caregivers..
TOPIC: Aviculture's Role in Conservation
Sponsored by: HARI foods
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FLYING IN TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM CALIFORNIA:
Steve is a life-long aviculturist and bird watcher with a passion for nature photography. He began raising pigeons at age 11 and now has over 50 years of experience with many different species of birds in captivity. In 1988, he established a commercial bird farm, Avian Resources, which he continues to run today. The assortment of birds currently includes a variety of softbills, doves, gamebirds, cranes, and a large variety of parrots including some rare color mutations. The facility is now USDA licensed.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. As part of his degree, he completed an internship at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. In addition to running two businesses, Steve is an adjunct professor at Mount San Antonio College teaching the following courses in the Pet Science Department: Aviculture, Pet Shop Management, Reptile Management and Aquarium and Pond Management.
TOPIC: "Parrots of the Continental United States: Past, Present and Future".
Sponsored by National Parrot Foundation
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FLYING IN TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM TEXAS: Daniel Sigmon is a published writer on avian topics. He has spoken nationally and internationally about birds and Reconciliation Ecology. He is a certified Aviculturist Level II and a member of AFA, ASA, ICA, IPS, and the Texas Ornithological Society. He has long been associated with the National Parrot Rescue and Preservation Foundation where he coordinated the Parrot Festival from 2016 to 2020 and is currently serving his third non-consecutive term as a member of the Board of Directors. In his professional life, Mr. Sigmon is an award-winning composer of music for choir, soloists, orchestra, chamber ensemble, and organ. He has composed three one-act operas and one full-length opera, all of which have been produced. He is a performer as actor, singer, and conductor. In 2019, Mr. Sigmon was honored to be a semifinalist for the American Prize in Music.
TOPIC: BIRDIE BASICS: Birdie Basics: Behavioral Questions Answered!​
Sponsored By: Emerald Downs
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FLYING IN TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM TEXAS:
Jack Pine is a professional animal caretaker and the creator of the Hi Red Bird! YouTube Channel. Jack has spent his professional career working with a wide variety of animals (everything from budgies to elephants) and utilizing a vast array of animal care approaches. The Hi Red Bird! YouTube channel he created is a culmination of all the tips and tricks he has honed over the years. With a particular emphasis on enrichment and training, Jack hopes to help other animal lovers develop the skills needed to make the keeping of pets and exotic animals more exciting, more affordable, and ultimately more enjoyable.
TOPIC: "Update on the Spix Macaw Release Project"
Sponsored by: Pine Tree Veterinary Hospital
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VIRTUALLY ATTENDING WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM CAATINGA, South America: Experienced Head with a demonstrated history of working in the research and conservation industry. Skilled in Birds, Biodiversity, Public Speaking, Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Environmental Awareness. Strong professional with a PhD focused in Avian Nutritional and Behavioural Physiology from University of Pretoria. Dr. Cromwell is currently the Director of ACTP, Brazil.
TOPIC: Birdie Basics--Nutrition and Conservation Questions Answered!
Sponsored By: From The Ground Up Floral
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FLYING IN TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM NEW JERSEY: Dr. EV Voltura has had a keen interest in birds, especially parrots, since she was about 10 years; and has pursued the study of them for most of her life. EV graduated from Texas A&M University (TAMU) with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Veterinary Pathobiology Department) in 2022. Her doctoral work focused on the health and conservation of parrots; with a strong focus on nutrition and the dietary habits, of both wild and captive parrots. EV is currently working as a Post doctoral Research Associate at the Schubot Center for Avian Health at TAMU. In this position, she leads new studies related to parrot health and nutrition. She and her partner are the guardians of 9 parrots, 3 macaws, 4 caiques, 2 lories, 2 cats and 2 horses. As well as a tripod Irish Wolfhound.
TOPIC: Birdie Basics--Veterinary Questions Answered!
Sponsored By: Anthony D'Ereditida
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"FLYING IN" TO WORLD PARROT EXPO FROM TACOMA, WA:
Dr . Paulette graduated vet school in 2016 from the University of Illinois with a focus on exotic animal medicine . She joined Evergreen Avian and exotic in 2022. "Dr. Paulette" as we affectionately call her has significantly helped many organizations in the Western Washington Parrot Community. Her articulate and fun interview with Robin Shewokis on Leather Elves "To Vet or Not To Vet" is a great example of the amazing depth of knowledge she has despite her modest description online. She will join an amazing panel of three key speakers in our "Birdie Basics" class we offer at the Expo every year. This year, get YOUR questions ready about parrot veterinary needs with "Dr. Paulette", Dr. EV Voltura PhD who is researching parrot nutrition in conservation and Jack Pine who specializes in behavior modification with a long resume working at Zoos and more. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her animals at home, spending time in nature and relaxing.
RIGHT HERE AT THE HOME OF WORLD PARROT EXPO!
Debbie Goodrich is a certified Parrot Behavior Consultant and professional bird trainer who performs with her parrots throughout Western Washington. She and her birds have been featured on the Bob Rivers Show, New Day Northwest, and the SW Washington Fair! Her message of conservation and hope for the future through parrots has given her inspiration to help create Flight Club Foundation, a 501 c3 humane organization that assists parrots and people alike. She will be performing on both days LIVE. Don't forget all of our LIVE guests will be broadcast for our VIRTUAL guests as well! Her performances will be free for children to attend. Check out Jesse the rollerskating Famous Macaw who was on STUPID PET TRICKS APRIL 2024! You cannot meet Jesse anywhere else but at World Parrot Expo!
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TOPIC: Parrot Ambassadors Preshow: Rainforest Expeditions showcase of Tambopata, Peru!
Sponsored by: Rainforest Expeditions
FLYING IN FROM TAMBOPATA, PERU:
Eduardo Nycander first embarked on an expedition to Tambopata at the invitation of Wildlife Conservation Society in 1989 – this began a life-long passion and dedication to the Amazon. In the last three decades, Eduardo has dedicated himself to ecotourism that protects and conserves natural assets of the Rainforest. Eduardo’s wildlife scientific research, has extended nearly three decades, beginning with creating the Macaw Research Project (1989), featured in National Geographic (1994), designing, building, installing and experimenting with artificial nest boxes for macaws. The Macaw Project has become the flagship symbol of the Tambopata Candamo National Reserve and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park in Peru. Similarly, in 1996, Eduardo started the Harpy Eagle Project in Tambopata. In less than one year – the Tambopata National Reserve became known as the best destination to sport Harpy Eagles. After discovering five Harpy Eagle nests, three of them containing chicks, Eduardo built observation towers and organize tours to visit the nests and chicks. It continues to be a major tourism attraction for visitors to Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas.A successful wildlife photographer, Eduardo has published images in international magazines, newspapers and academic publications. Highlights include publication of the first picture of a Blue Throated Macaw taken in the wild in The National Geographic Magazine in 1995. He has extensive experience with wildlife film production, including work with BBC’s Wildlife on One; Germany’s Channel One; Discovery Channel; Travel Channel; others. He works closely with filmmakers on concept development, and management of all logistics, staffing, wildlife sightings/management, to obtain optimal scenes and footage. This includes building infrastructure (blinds, platforms, towers, etc.) for filming purposes.
