Planners who want to provide extra wow need look no further than the animal world. Venues that involve animals—zoos, aquariums, safari parks, outdoor adventures—automatically add that extra kick to grab and hold attendees that even superstar human keynoters can’t deliver.
“Animals are a universal conversation, a natural talking point,” says Gary Marr, managing partner of Access Destination Services in Chicago. “There is something intrinsic about animals that transcends companies, transcends industries and transcends cultures to grab attendees and captivate them.”
Leah Sheforgen, program manager, global meeting services at M&I, a Milwaukee meetings management firm, saw the allure of animals in full effect when a corporate client booked an internal meeting at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The group held a sit-down dinner and executive presentation at Sea Otter Cove, part of the attraction’s Abbott Oceanarium.
Attendees were entranced by swimming beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and innumerable fish during dinner. When the presentation, a Q&A with top executives, began, so did the animal sound effects—with sea lions and sea otters barking, chirping and clapping directly behind the podium.
“The animals helped provide comic relief during the presentation,” Sheforgen says. “The theme was the company moving forward, something that can be challenging for some audiences. Instead, the speakers incorporated the animals, thanking them for their vocal support of the new program, treating their random noises like applause for specific points in the new program. It did wonders for the mood in the room and added impact that you just can’t get in a more traditional venue.”PageBreak
A Venue to Match Your Needs
Sheforgen says that as with any event, the venue has to support the client’s needs, goals and aspirations.
Clients who want attendees to focus on the program can look for a wildlife park with no cell phone coverage. Sponsors who need to foster personal connection can look for an outdoor adventure provider that uses horses, llamas or other animals. Groups with social responsibility goals can work with domestic or wild animal rescue centers to give attendees a hands-on experience that contributes to the greater good.
Sheforgen’s client wanted an off-site venue in Chicago, but not the typical restaurant. The venue had to be close to downtown but unlike anything attendees had ever seen at a company event before. For Sheforgen, that suggested animals. And in Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium is the closest animal venue to downtown hotels. Lincoln Park Zoo is another popular animal venue for Chicago events, Marr says, but transportation costs can be higher because of the location.
Like other large aquariums in cities from Vancouver to Miami, the Shedd offers multiple venues for groups from 10 to 2,500. The entire Oceanarium can handle 1,000 for a reception. The classical Greek-style Main Foyer seats 160 for dinner, while the Caribbean Reef and Aquarium can seat nearly 900.
“We probably have the best view of the city of any venue in Chicago,” says Denis Frankenfield, director of events catering for the Shedd. “You want to see something unique for your event, whether you are in Chicago or any other city. For Chicago, the Shedd fits that perfectly. There is an added connection for your attendees because of the animals. It’s not just another hotel ballroom like they saw last year and the year before that.”
Chicago planner Elizabeth Tulipana, of Anticipation Events, is an enthusiastic supporter of animal venues for her clients, with the Shedd at the top of her list.
“Seeing the marine mammal show without the crowds, just for your group, is unforgettable,” she says. “Around the rotunda having cocktails or dinner is one of the most gorgeous and unique settings in the city. And they are usually able to have a diver go into the tank while you are there wearing your logo t-shirt to personalize the event. Most adults end up acting like little kids, excited and amazed and able to let their guard down a little bit. Having the animals there is really like being in a whole other world.” PageBreak
Use the Familiar
Familiarity and reputation are also factors to consider in selecting a venue. The Shedd has been the most visited attraction in Chicago for years. In St. Louis, that title goes to the St. Louis Zoo, the best-attended zoo in the nation for 2012.
“The animals mean we can offer a number of engagement opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else,” says Jennifer Poindexter, director of sales and private events for the zoo. “The zoo isn’t just the animals, it is a way to celebrate and incorporate local culture and history into your event.”
St. Louis also makes it easy for planners to rent the entire zoo for a day or for a few hours. For planners who don’t need space for 10,000, the zoo has a variety of smaller banquet facilities, meeting rooms, and animal attractions. One of the most popular venues is the Sea Lion Encounter, which opened in 2012 with a walk-through transparent tunnel that shows sea lions in their own environment, in the water. Meeting Groups can not only enjoy the public side but delve behind the scenes.
“There is a lot the public doesn’t see that attendees can touch,” Poindexter says.
A Fit for Any Group
In Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the world and surely one of the most spectacular as well. When it comes to group fun, the massive venue is at its best, with behind-the-scenes tours, interactive possibilities such as Dolphin Encounters and Swimming with Whale Sharks, and a veritable ocean of unique function areas.
“With a variety of well-planned event spaces and a 1,600-space parking deck, this dynamic destination can comfortably host everything from intimate receptions to larger events for up to 5,000 guests,” says Will Ramsey, the venue’s vice president of sales. “The 16,400-square-foot ballroom anchors the aquarium’s event space and can comfortably seat 1,100 for dinner or accommodate up to 1,500 for a reception.”
Additional event spaces include AT&T Dolphin Tales, where attendees can view these captivating critters playing underwater, and Ocean Voyager—with the largest aquarium viewing window on the continent.
Fred Gebhart will never forget finding himself eye-to-eye with a humpback whale while boating on Prince William Sound.
