1. It takes more than animals to be successful…none of us can do it alone! AZA Conference – Atlanta, GA - 2011 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Colorado Springs, CO

2. Megan Hudak - Volunteer Services Manager Roxanna Breitigan - Animal Care Manager

3. The Culture of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Every Kid. Every Time. Goosebumps! Every kid, of any age, will have an experience for a lifetime with every visit.

4. Department Collaborations CMZoo Animal Collection Animal Department Education Department Marketing Department Guest Services Department Horticulture Department Maintenance Department System Services Associates (SSA) Development Department

5. CMZ Programs WildNights & Moonlight Safaris Animal Encounters Outreach Keeper Shadows Camp Camp Pony Camp Zoo Explorations Birthday Parties Preschool CMZ Programs Family Ed-ventures CMZ Programs

6. Request Overload! Dilemma: Animal Department flooded with animal requests from various departments. Solution: We created a process!

9. Requests forms

12. Animal Department Program Registration - Corresponds with program attendees - Registers participants, processes payments and sends confirmations - Programs Include: Animal Encounters, Keeper Shadows, Keeper Interviews, Internships, Pony Camp Education Program Registration - Responds and communicates with guests about all education and volunteer program inquiries - Registers participants, processes payments and sends confirmations - Programs Include: WildNights, Birthday Parties, Zoo Explorations, Summer Camp Who keeps our ducks in a row?

13. Check and Balance! We want to ensure: - Effective communication between staff members - No double bookings - No missed or forgotten experiences - Minimize late arrivals - Paper trail for follow up Ultimately, we want to provide the best experience for the guest!

14. What types of experiences do we provide and how do we all make it come together?

15. Summer Camp: 3 themes a week + 2-3 requests per day + approximately 60 kids per day = Numerous Symbiotic Requests! Exclusive Experiences Birthday Parties: - Included in party package - Up to 8 requests per weekend - One of a kind party for kids! Zoo Crew: - Incentive & Recognition - 2 requests per week - Provides fun and educational experiences for our teen volunteers

16. Volunteer Programs Eagle Scouts: Education Department  Animal Department  Eagle Scout  Guests Group Volunteers: - Various exhibit work - Painting projects - Special projects (Lowe’s, Kohl’s Cares) Teen Volunteers: - Jr. Zookeepers - Keeper talks - Daily duties (cleaning, diet prep, enrichment)

17. Animal Programs Internships Education Department  Animal Department  Students - 240 hours - Hands on learning experience - Shaping the keepers of tomorrow Keeper Shadows - ½ day or full day experiences - Choice of animal area - One on one time with keeper Animal Encounters - 30 minute behind the scenes experience - Choice of animal - Unique photo opportunities

18. Donor Experiences Last minute requests?? Yes, we make it happen!

19. Special Events Plant Sale Education Department  Horticulture Department  Guests Electric Safari Education Department  Horticulture Department  Animal Department  Marketing Department  Guests Boo at the Zoo Education Department  Horticulture Department  Animal Department  Marketing Department  Guest Services  Guests Moonlight on the Mountain Animal Department  Marketing Department  Guests

20. Unique department collaborations Accurate signage informing guests of show & demo times Animal  Education  Guests Optional text messaging about show & demo times Animal  Marketing  Guests Zoo wide work orders Service Systems Associates  All Zoo Departments  Guests Zoo safety & maintenance items All departments  Maintenance  Guests Social Media All departments  Marketing  Guests Zoo attractions – CMZ Mountaineer Skyride Maintenance  Guest Services  Guests Sentimental Journeys & Make A Wish tours Guest Services  Animal  Guests

21. Daily Experiences Giraffe Feeding Animal Department  Guest Services  Guests Budgie Birds Education Department  Animal Department  Guest Services  Guests Chicken Feeding Education Department  Animal Department  Guests Safari Trail Tour System Services Associates  Website  Animal Department  Guests Pony Programs Education Department  Guest Services  Animal Department  Guests

22. Same process…different experiences…same connections!

23. Challenges Last minute registrations “Do not book” due to veterinary procedures, shipments, presentations, etc No double bookings Limits on the number of requests per day, per area Limits on group sizes Punctuality

24. Meetings, Meetings, Meetings … Monthly meeting: - Review requests - Storytelling - Discuss upcoming programs - Assess keeper & education leader feedback form - Execute new ideas Ultimate goal: Ensuring an open and healthy relationship between all the departments!

25. We all collaborate! Essential Components: - Open communication - Productive conversations - Flexibility & positive attitude - Efficient process - Organization

26. Guests ↓ All Zoo Departments ↓ Wildlife & Wild Places

27. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions! Roxanna Breitigan: rbreitigan@cmzoo.org Megan Hudak: mhudak@cmzoo.orgrbreitigan@cmzoo.orgmhudak@cmzoo.org