VisitDuluth.com :: Membership News Brief

February 18, 2009

MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Gail Walkowiak, Director of Market Services, Visit Duluth

THE DISNEY WAY MEMBER LUNCHEON
Visit Duluth will be hosting an exclusive luncheon for its members on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The keynote speaker will be Bill Capodagli, author of “The Disney Way.”

Watch for your invitation coming soon!

BROCHURE EXCHANGES
The first of five brochure exchanges will be held Friday, March 27 from 2 pm-4 pm in the Visit Duluth conference room. If you have brochures, we would love to display them. Bring in your brochure and pick up other members’ brochures, as well as the new 2009 Visitor Guide. We will distribute your brochures to the waterfront information center as well.

Snacks and beverages will be served. Hope to see you all there!

Future dates:
Thursday, May 14
Thursday, June 11
Thursday, July 16
Thursday, August 6

SPOTLIGHT ON A MEMBER
Lori Steinbach, Travel Information Manager, Visit Duluth

Our spotlight on a member for February is the Lake Superior Zoo. Visit Duluth extends our appreciation to Anita Johnson, Marketing & Development Director, for her response.

“The Lake Superior Zoo, formerly known as the Duluth Zoo, has a long history in our community, dating back to 1923. The zoo is located in West Duluth’s Fairmont Park, situated on 16 acres right below Spirit Mountain’s rocky hillside. The zoo started with the vision of Bert Onsgard, a West Duluth businessman, and a single white tailed deer named Billy. The community rallied to build the zoo in its early years and community support continues today, as zoo operations shift from a city-run attraction to a non-profit conservation and education organization. The Lake Superior Zoological Society will assume full operation of the zoo beginning February 17, 2009,” according to Anita.

“Since 1923, millions of area residents have made memories visiting our zoo. Here are some of our favorite animals:

Bessie the elephant, who resided at our zoo from 1937 to 1974.

Mr. Magoo - he is undoubtedly remembered as the most famous zoo resident because of the official Presidential pardon from President John F. Kennedy, who spared his life in the early 1960’s.

Bubba (our better than average polar bear) is remembered for his fervor for playing with his big red ball and dazzling children and adults with his charming antics. What about making new memories? Zoological Society is planning new and exciting opportunities for visitors to create memories at their zoo,” says Johnson.

Anita states “the Lake Superior Zoo has been a member of Visit Duluth for many years. The primary reason is the Zoo sees value in networking with our peers and take advantage of the marketing that Visit Duluth does throughout the region.

Our favorite thing is to watch Berlin, our polar bear, enjoy a watermelon melon or ice cake. She gets her treat every Saturday at noon. If you ever have been lucky enough to see her do this, you would certainly understand why this is our favorite thing! Our favorite event is Boo at the Zoo in October, because it is so much fun to see children and adults dressed up in their Halloween costumes!

In the world today, the role of zoos is changing - zoos are evolving from recreational facilities to conservation education organizations. This is important because people gain a stronger connection to nature and understanding of the importance of wildlife conservation by visiting their local zoo.

We invite everyone to get out of the house and stretch your legs. A visit to your zoo offers a healthy alternative to virtual entertainment, plus the opportunity for quality interpersonal interaction that builds strong relationships. The zoo is open year-round, 7 days a week. Many of our animals love winter and are out and waiting for you! Check out our website: www.lszoo.org.”

Thank you, Lake Superior Zoo for being our spotlight on a member.

Lake Superior Zoo
(72nd Avenue West & Grand Avenue)
7210 Fremont Street
Duluth, MN 55807
(218) 730-4900
(218) 723-3750 Fax
info@lszoo.org
www.lszoo.org

CONVENTION SALES NEWS
Julie Johnson, Senior Sales Manager, Visit Duluth

RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
The Religious Conference Management Association tradeshow was held in Grand Rapids, MI the end of January. Educational sessions focused on conducting business in uncertain times, along with a variety of other beneficial topics planners and exhibitors could connect with.

Visit Duluth and the DECC participated in this show and returned with six qualified leads. This is the first show this year as part of our continuing efforts in expanding the religious market.

If you would like additional members of your staff to receive the Membership News Brief, please contact Gail Walkowiak at gailw@visitduluth.com or call
(218) 625-8104.

Visit Duluth, the city's convention and visitor's bureau, is Duluth’s only officially recognized destination marketing organization. Chartered in 1935, as a non-profit corporation, we represent more than 450 businesses that make up Duluth’s tourism industry. We are dedicated to promoting the area as one of America’s great vacation and meeting destinations while providing comprehensive, unbiased information to all travelers.