The Fish and Wildlife Administrative Officers from the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) and the Conservation Business Managers Association (CBMA) throughout the United States and Canada are dedicated to raising the standards and establishing best practices in support of promoting a broader understanding and acceptance of the value of business management as a tool of natural resource management.
This annual conference is an opportunity for State Fish and Wildlife Agency Administrative Staff to interact with their peers from other agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Administrative staff represent the heads of Procurement, Licensing, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance and Budget. The first workshop was hosted by WAFWA in 1961!
Join us for the 2023 WAFWA Administrative Officers Workshop (AOW) and CBMA Joint Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Doubletree
Hilton Lafayette
Room block rate is:
$129, plus 12.45% taxes & fees
Cutoff date for reservations:
August 25th, 2023
Get more information (here)
*Schedule is subject to change
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Registration Open
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Exhibitor Set-up
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Welcome Reception
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Hospitality Suite Open
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration Open
7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Exhibits Open
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Welcome & Keynote Speaker
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Break with Sponsors
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Committee Sessions
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Buffet
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Committee Sessions
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Break with Sponsors
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tour of Avery Island & Dinner
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Hospitality Suite Open
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast
7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Exhibits Open
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Speaker
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Break with Sponsors
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Committee Sessions
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Buffet
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Speaker – U.S. Fish and Wildlife
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Committee Sessions
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Break with Sponsors
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Cocktails & Dinner at Acadian Village
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Hospitality Suite Open
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Executive Session
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM Exhibits Open
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Committee Reports
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Speaker – LDWF
11:00 AM Exhibitor Tear Down
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host/Co-Host State Hand-Off
Overnight accommodations are available at the DoubleTree Hilton Lafayette at a discounted group rate of $129 per night plus 12.45% taxes & fees. These rates will be available until the cut-off date of Friday, August 25, 2023 or until the block is full, whichever occurs first. Click here to book online through the group reservation site.
The Group code to use when calling the reservation line at 800-222-8733 is: WWA.
Doubletree by Hilton Lafayette
Room block rate is:
$129 for Double Bed room/$149 for King Bed room, plus 12.45% taxes and fees
Cutoff date for reservations: August 25, 2023
Cancellation Policy: 48 hours in advance
Flying. Flights are available from Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) and Baton Rouge Airport (BTR). Lafayette’s airport is about 7 minutes from the Doubletree. The drive from Baton Rouge to Lafayette is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Lafayette Regional Airport
Baton Rouge Airport
Your sponsorship of the WAFWA/CBMA Conference would assist us in hosting a world-class event and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to wildlife conservation. In exchange, your organization will have the valuable opportunity to make face-to-face CONNECTIONS with hundreds of fish and wildlife professionals; you’ll have ACCESS to people who need your products and services; and the EXPOSURE will reinforce your brand awareness and maximize visibility in the wildlife community.
As a sponsor or exhibitor promoting your services to Natural Resource Business Professionals, you will have the ability to showcase your business through an exhibit space, attend meals and social functions building relationships with our attendees, and attend a special Vendor cocktail party located within the vendor exhibit space which will provide an opportunity to discuss your products and services. Please check back soon for details on how to become a sponsor!
The Fish and Wildlife Administrative Officers from the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) and the Conservation Business Managers Association (CBMA) throughout the United States and Canada are dedicated to raising the standards and establishing best practices in support of promoting a broader understanding and acceptance of the value of business management as a tool of natural resource management.
This annual conference is an opportunity for State Fish and Wildlife Agency Administrative Staff to interact with their peers from other agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Administrative staff represent the heads of Procurement, Licensing, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance and Budget. The first workshop was hosted by WAFWA in 1961, view the WAFWA AOW objectives and membership (PDF, 99 KB). The first joint WAFWA AOW and CBMA conference was held in 2002. View the Host, Co-Host Responsiblities (PDF, 134 KB).
The WAFWA / CBMA Joint Workshop is a annual meeting held in odd numbered years sanctioned by WAFWA to accomplish this common goal by providing a forum for members to discuss current issues, exchange ideas and information through study, education, research and cooperative communication.