Time to Change: Creating an Inclusive Guest Culture to Meet Rapidly Changing Demographics

Zoos and aquariums play an important role within their communities as leaders in conservation, environmental education, animal care, and family fun. However, just as important as this ability to lead is the willingness and agility to adjust to their communities’ needs. As visitor demographics, habits, and expectations change, what are zoos and aquariums doing to meet these new audiences? The goals of this session are to outline research regarding the changing trends in visitor demographics while exploring the actions that several institutions are taking to engage communities in new and unique ways.

Research shows that visitor demographics are changing dramatically for all visitor attractions over the next 25 years. What does this mean to Zoo and Aquarium marketing, attraction design, expectations, and visitorship? PGAV Vice President John Kemper will present the latest findings from Voice of the Visitor.