The Visit Jacksonville Downtown Visitor Center will be closed for renovations starting Friday, May 22 and will reopen Tuesday, June 2.
More InfoApril 23, 2026
Date:
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time:
3:00–3:30 PM: Welcome & Networking
3:30–5:00 PM: Visit Jacksonville Updates + New Attractions Panel
5:00–6:00 PM: Networking, Cocktails & Guided Tour of the Manatee River Habitat
Location:
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218
*Parking is free and open to the public. After parking, please enter the event venue to the right of the new VyStar SkyScape entrance, where a Visit Jacksonville staff member will be available to direct you.*
Visit Jacksonville invites community members and partners to an engaging meeting at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, featuring updates on initiatives, programs, and upcoming opportunities to support the city’s tourism industry. Attendees will hear a presentation on Jacksonville’s newest attractions, followed by a panel discussion with the leaders behind these experiences. The event will conclude with a networking cocktail hour and a special tour of the Zoo’s new Manatee River Habitat, offering a firsthand look at one of the city’s latest additions.
Panelists:
Haley Perry: Director of Sales, ChipShot
Daniel Moffatt: Owner, The Block Jax + Kanine Social
Dr. Jeffrey Ettling, Ph.D.: President + CEO, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Bill Olson: President + CEO, Jacksonville Fairgrounds
Daryl Joseph: Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, City of Jacksonville
