December 6, 2019

From Ideation to Fruition: Recent Client Successes

In our business we work on many projects each year—19 in 2019 alone to be exact—but because our services are often needed in the earliest stages of ideation and planning, we don’t always have the benefit of seeing aspects of our work come to fruition until years in the future. But, as we near the end of 2019 (how can that be possible?!), we’re pleased to see so many new exhibits and project grand openings which on various levels Zoo Advisors played a role. Please join us in congratulating the following clients on their successes: 

  • El Paso Zoo’s Chihuahuan Desert: This $16 million exhibit recreates the native Chihuahuan desert habitat for the animal species that once roamed in the Desert Southwest. It was financed by voter approval of the 2012 quality of life bond which has supported over 100 projects for El Paso. The exhibit houses new animals, improved landscaping, over-head animal pathways, a simulated flash flood, and the Copper Canyon Challenge ropes course. Zoo Advisors developed a business plan integrated with the Zoo’s new master plan to show the feasibility of the project. The new exhibit is proof of the benefits of public funding support where El Paso passed a $50M quality of life bond initiative. Learn more about The Path to Public Funding by downloading our white paper here. #PathToPublicFunding

  • Akron Zoo’s New Pride of Africa Debut: A new pride of three lions are now inhabiting a portion of a $17 million expansion that also includes Wild Asia (opening next summer). The three-acre Pride of Africa was inspired by the savannas of Kenya and Tanzania to promote conservation and education to its visitors and is the first time the Zoo will manage a pride of lions. The expansion was funded with an $11 million levy and a $6 million “Roar” fundraising campaign. Zoo Advisors partnered with Zoo President Doug Piekarz and his team to develop a new strategic plan and then conducted an economic impact and feasibility study to show the value the Zoo provides to the community. Learn why conducting an economic impact study is imperative for all endeavors. #EconomicFeasibility

  • Naples Zoo’s Glass Animal Hospital: This $4.4 million, 10,000-square-foot vet is a far cry from the old 200-square-foot “vet shed”—containing a full surgical suite, hospitalization rooms, a necropsy exam room, diagnostic lab, pharmacy, holding areas, and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the best animal welfare possible for the Zoo’s growing animal collection. Zoo Advisors provided strategic planning and early master planning services several years ago that identified a number of these early infrastructure projects. It’s great to see this major leap into such a modern facility and a focus on #AnimalWelfare.

  • Sequoia Park Zoo’s Redwood Canopy Walk: This unique-to-North-America construction project of an up-to-100 feet above ground walkway through the Park’s redwood trees was recently announced to be on schedule to open in spring of 2020. While canopy walks have become increasingly popular tourist attractions around the world, Sequoia Park partnered with Zoo Advisors to prepare a business plan and feasibility study to ensure an ample boost in both regional and national attendance would warrant the project investment and provide an opportunity for the Zoo to become a tourism attractions leader. Learn how Zoo Advisors approaches conducting an economic impact study. #FeasibilityStudy

Recent Insights

‘It’s Been Hot! Are Visitors Still Coming?’

‘It’s Been Hot! Are Visitors Still Coming?’

Canopy’s Business Analyst, Gabe Buckley, uses our Audience Analytics Platform to dive into the question ‘does this intense heat drive away visitors to zoos and botanic gardens, while concentrating visitors at indoor venues like aquariums?’

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Stop Guessing. Know Your Audience.

Stop Guessing. Know Your Audience.

Canopy’s new Audience Analytics service leverages the power of cellphone location data to provide valuable insights into the demographics of your audience.

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Dr. Frederick Lahodny

Even though using “lorem ipsum” often arouses curiosity due to its resemblance to classical Latin, it is not intended to have meaning. Where text is visible in a document, people tend to focus on the textual content rather than upon overall presentation.