Cincinntiy Zoo

Let’s build a smarter planet

Media and Entertainment

Cincinnati Zoo improves customer experience and enhances performance

Analytics provides new insight into weather data and customer behavior, boosting attendance and increasing retail and food sales

Founded in 1873, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the world’s top-rated zoological institutions, with a particularly strong reputation for conservation and preservation, as well as a highly successful captive breeding program. The Cincinnati Zoo is a pioneer in global conservation, with many “firsts” in animal reproductive biology, as well as innovative and ground-breaking field research and programs which have played key roles in saving species around the world. It is also one of the nation’s most popular attractions, a Top 10 Zagat-rated Zoo, and a Top Zoo for Children according to Parent’s Magazine. Each year, more than 1.3 million people visit its 71 acre site, which is home to more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species. Although the Zoo is a non-profit organization and is partially subsidized by Hamilton County, more than two thirds of its $26 million annual budget is generated through its own fundraising efforts. “The Cincinnati Zoo has the lowest public subsidy of any zoo in Ohio, and one of the lowest in the country – which fosters a forward-leaning ‘for profit’ culture at the Zoo,” comments John Lucas, Director of Operations at the Zoo. “We’re proud of our ability to support ourselves without being too much of a burden on local taxpayers, and we believe that more non-profit organizations should adopt the same mindset. Taking ownership of fundraising creates a more dynamic organization. You have to be constantly looking to increase revenues – and the best way to do that is to increase attendance by enhancing the service you offer to your members and visitors. The result is basically a win-win for the Zoo, its customers, and the taxpayers.”

Smart is...

Analyzing customer behavior and...