PGAV Destinations

Can you believe the IAAPA North America Expo in Orlando is only a few weeks away?! 🎢 ✈️ It's time to start marking your calendar for the must-see EDU Sessions. On November 19, Al Cross will be on the SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: The Making of the World’s Largest Indoor Marine-Life Theme Park panel. Dave Cooperstein is presenting Portfolios 102: How Are You Selling Yourself on November 21. Hope to see you there! #IAAPA #IAAPA2024

Zoos and aquariums are evolving! Once known for train rides and carousels, they now feature roller coasters, 4D theaters, and immersive playgrounds to engage younger generations. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Trends 2033 Report, non-animal attractions are here to stay—offering more interaction and excitement. In this week’s Destinology, PGAV Senior Creative Designer Dave Cooperstein shares how these experiences enhance your visit while preserving the heart of the zoo's mission. #zoodesign #aquariumdesign #attractiontrends https://lnkd.in/gHZqCwAK

Guess who made the Blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium list? Our very own Rosey Masek, PGAV’s Director of Animal Wellbeing and Habitat Design! Rosey’s deep empathy for animals sets a new standard as she leads and educates our team on the latest in animal welfare and habitat innovation. Congratulations, Rosey! #blooloop50 #animalwelfare

🌍✨ #ThrowbackThursday to an incredible adventure! ✈️ One year ago, 274 of us embarked on a 7,000-mile journey to the enchanting Abu Dhabi. From exploring the wonders of SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi to discovering the breathtaking sites across the UAE, every moment was filled with awe and excitement. The memories we made and the friendships we forged are truly priceless. To say it was unforgettable would be an understatement! #PGAVintheUAE

📢 Dave Cooperstein, senior creative designer, is headed to the Themed Entertainment Association SATE conference, where he curated four mini-sessions on "Community Stories.” Explore how experts in Themed Entertainment use their creativity to build meaningful communities. Here’s a sneak peek: • Dave Cooperstein from PGAV Destinations shares how his passion created a new home for a wandering community. • Travis DeRose talks about his unique project for niche travelers. • Erica McCay from Valtech fosters the next generation of dreamers. • Gary Wichansky from Hotopp reveals how a simple holiday event became something much bigger. #SATENorthAmerica #SATENA2024 #ThemedEntertainmentAssociation #ThemedEntertainment

The Evolution of Design: Prioritizing Animal Wellbeing and Visitor Engagement 🦍 “When animals are allowed and encouraged to exhibit a natural range of behaviors, it becomes a much more engaging/enriching experience for both animals and guests. We have these incredible and intelligent sentient, emotional creatures in our care. We should feel obligated to give them the very best range of experiences and care that we can,” Jonathan Stechschulte, PGAV Landscape and Architectural Designer. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Trends 2033 Report explores how the new habitats enhance animal wellbeing and reassure visitors that these animals are thriving. This week, Destinology explores more from the report. Hear from Tim Morrow, San Antonio Zoo’s president and CEO, and Stechschulte about how the upcoming Congo Falls goes beyond simply expanding a space into a focus on creative ideas that enhance the animal’s wellbeing and increase guest engagement. https://lnkd.in/ghegZ2K9

🌟 Exciting news! The Blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List 2024 is almost here, and we're thrilled to invite you to the exclusive webinar reveal! Join our very own Emily Howard and Charles Read, MD of Blooloop, as they unveil this year's list. Discover who made it into the Power 10 and explore the key trends shaping the future of zoos and aquariums. Be the first to know who made the list! 👉 Register now for the webinar, Thursday 17th October, 9:30am CST. Link in first comment. #ZooInfluencers #AquariumLeaders #blooloop50 #WebinarReveal

🎙️ We unleashed Al Cross and Emily Howard on the airwaves, and they were fantastic! While the whole conversation was packed with fun moments, we’re particularly fond of these quips: • “Is that like band camp?” • “Every good creative conversation I’ve ever been in starts with somebody saying, ‘what if,’ and then if the people in the room are good, like Emily, you get a really good answer.” Listen to the full interview on The Big 550 KTRS to hear them discuss all the exciting and innovative things happening at PGAV (around the 4:40 mark)! https://lnkd.in/gRExK9pj

Celebrating Our Team 🎉 Our teammates are the heart of PGAV's success! A special shoutout to Jeff Havlik, AIA, ICAE, who has been with us for an impressive 39 years! Your commitment and contributions have been invaluable. The collective effort of the entire team, including Amanda Yates at 14 years, Katherine Conti at 9, and Erica Hertz with her first anniversary, make PGAV a truly wonderful place to work. Here's to many more years of success together! #TeamPGAV  #LoveWhatYouDo

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recently unveiled its AZA Trends 2033 Report, offering a forward-thinking look at the evolving landscape of zoos and aquariums. PGAV Destinations is proud to support the AZA in this vital research. John Kemper, PGAV Vice President, said, “As a committee member, I’m pleased to have contributed to this careful deep dive into the industry. By using comprehensive research, we’ve gathered enlightening insights that will influence many planning and operational decisions for years to come.”   In the coming weeks, Destinology will explore the report's key insights, sharing stories and examples that highlight how attractions are adapting to a changing world. This week, we’re exploring how climate change is reshaping attractions and how institutions are taking bold steps to meet the challenge. The Saint Louis Zoo is laying the foundation for future-forward projects that will inspire and educate generations to come. Read more in this week’s Destinology! https://lnkd.in/gDFSgQ7J