"People Helping Parrots, Parrots Helping People"
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 Confirmed 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:
DAY 1 Sponsored by LaFeber Foods: An interactive workshop titled "Talking Back: Communication, Choice & Consent for Empowered Parrots"
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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: TBD
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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: Performing Parrots showcasing "Celebrate Parrots" LIVE DAILY at 1pm!
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 her anywhere else but at World Parrot Expo!
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2025 Invited Featured Speakers
TOPIC: BIRDIE BASICS: TBD
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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: TBD
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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.
