Insights

New horizons, fresh perspectives, diverse voices: Explore actionable insights, in-depth analysis, updates, expertise, and more.

AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Yasmine Gaudin

AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Yasmine Gaudin

Meet Yasmine Gaudin: Assistant Supervisor of Day Camps & Family Programs at the Phoenix Zoo and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.

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The Benchmarking Trap: Why Cultural Organizations Need to Experiment More

The Benchmarking Trap: Why Cultural Organizations Need to Experiment More

Benchmarking is incredibly useful in business and strategic planning, but there’s a downside that doesn’t get talked about much. When the industry’s comfort zone shrinks, caution turns into conformity and safety turns into sameness. A level of risk is necessary if cultural organizations want to survive — and that means experimenting beyond the benchmark.

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AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles

AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles

Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles: Research Program Manager at the Audubon Nature Institute and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.

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Client Spotlight: Kentucky Science Center

Client Spotlight: Kentucky Science Center

Several years ago, the Kentucky Science Center was just a sole location in Louisville, working to serve the whole state and neighboring regions. We interviewed Mike Norman, CEO, to hear his perspective on how Canopy’s market-driven feasibility study led to the Science Center’s expansion — creating sustainable growth, broader community impact, and vital education access.

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2025 AMLAZ Program Update: Cohort Highlights and Final Projects

2025 AMLAZ Program Update: Cohort Highlights and Final Projects

Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of MIAZS’ Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program! We caught up with several participants to capture their highlights from the program, as well as an overview of the impactful final projects they completed for their respective organizations.

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Data-Driven Decisions: Turning Audience Insights Into Strategic Growth

Data-Driven Decisions: Turning Audience Insights Into Strategic Growth

Do you have clarity around who’s walking through your gates, who’s not, and where the opportunities lie? Learn how Canopy uses audience analytics and mapping tools to align mission and margin, empowering cultural attractions to make data-driven decisions that support strategic growth and impact.

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From Vision to Viability: Integrating Business and Master Planning for Cultural Organizations

From Vision to Viability: Integrating Business and Master Planning for Cultural Organizations

A bold design concept needs a practical foundation — one that connects mission and margin, creativity and feasibility. That’s why the process of integrated planning is so valuable for cultural organizations. In this conversation with Unknown Studio’s Partner & Co-Founder, Claire Agre, we discuss collaboration, client readiness, and the evolving role of design in shaping sustainable, connected places.

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AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Yasmine Gaudin

AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Yasmine Gaudin

Meet Yasmine Gaudin: Assistant Supervisor of Day Camps & Family Programs at the Phoenix Zoo and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.

read more
The Benchmarking Trap: Why Cultural Organizations Need to Experiment More

The Benchmarking Trap: Why Cultural Organizations Need to Experiment More

Benchmarking is incredibly useful in business and strategic planning, but there’s a downside that doesn’t get talked about much. When the industry’s comfort zone shrinks, caution turns into conformity and safety turns into sameness. A level of risk is necessary if cultural organizations want to survive — and that means experimenting beyond the benchmark.

read more
AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles

AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles

Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles: Research Program Manager at the Audubon Nature Institute and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.

read more

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.