February Luncheon – February 20

Marketing Not-For-Profits: The Right Thing to Do!

Over 40 million people visit the city of Chicago each year.  The ‘windy city’ is a destination that has literally hundreds of attractions including art galleries, museums, cultural institutions, historical sites and theaters.  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, noted to be the world’s largest indoor aquarium, is one Chicago attraction that draws over 2 million visitors each year.

With so many options, how has the Shedd successfully gathered enough visitor share to become the most-visited aquarium in the country, and one of Chicago’s top attractions?  How will the Shedd continue to entice visitors – and donors – in a post 9-11 environment and a “down” economy, to remain in this position?

Our featured speaker is Ted A. Beattie, President and CEO of the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  He stated recently: “We are seeing dramatic cutbacks in programming, employee layoffs, early retirements and huge losses in the market that affect our endowments.  Chicago’s Field Museum has experienced a loss of over $94 million in their endowment prompting job losses, exhibit cancelations, shorter operating hours, etc.  Fund-raising for institutions like ours will face huge hurdles in the future.  What does all this mean for our nation’s leading cultural (non-profit) organizations?”

Join us Friday, February 20 to find out, as Beattie discusses THE Right Thing to Do! in non-profit marketing to hold onto market and donor share.

About the Speaker
Ted A. Beattie joined Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium — the world’s largest indoor aquarium — in 1994 as its president and chief executive officer. A glittering jewel in Chicago’s cultural landscape, Shedd is the highest-attended aquarium of its kind in the U.S. with over 2 million visitors per year

Now in his fifteenth year with the Shedd Aquarium, Beattie has deepened the aquarium’s commitment to education by embarking on one of its largest-ever expansion projects, a new wing that houses the $45 million Wild Reef.  Opened in Spring 2003, Wild Reef features one of the largest and most diverse shark exhibits in North America and will be a lasting legacy to Beattie’s commitment to education.  In late 2007, the Aquarium embarked on a $100 million capital campaign that provides for expansion and renovation of the aquarium’s popular Oceanarium exhibit.  The first projects in this plan, including a new dolphin/beluga whale show, will open to the public in the summer of 2009.

Beattie’s marine expertise — gained during his 30-year zoo and aquarium career — has helped guide the creation of new ocean policies. Appointed by President Bush in 2001 to the 16-member U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, he has helped craft recommendations on a range of issues, from stewardship of marine resources and pollution prevention to enhancing and supporting marine science, commerce and transportation.  The final report was presented to the President and Congress in late summer, 2004.  Ocean education is a high priority in the report with aquariums playing a prominent lead role.

Please join us as we welcome Ted back to Cincinnati!

Thanks to Our Sponsor!

When:
Friday, February 20, 2009

Where:
Crowne Plaza (This month only!)
5901 Pfeiffer Road, 45242
I-71 at Pfeiffer Road

Time:
11:30 am – 12:00 – Registration & Networking
12:00 – 1:15 – Lunch and program

Cost:
AMA Members
$30 for Reservations made by February 17
$35 for Reservations made after February 17
AMA Student Members – $10

Non-Members
$45 for Reservations made by February 17
$50 for Reservations made after February 17

Menu – Chicken Piccata
(To request vegetarian meal, indicate in the comments box in the registration payment form.)

Register for this event.
[register eventid=65]