ZAG NEWS

July 2015

PAGE 1

ZOO AND AQUARIUM BUYERS ASSOICIATION GROUP

ZAG News
Volume 14, Issue:3

www.zaggift.com

July 2015

Gold Sponsor Spotlight!

How does a museum retailer make the most
of a new or temporary exhibit just weeks
away from opening? Create a wide assortment of custom products with no hassle,
crazy low minimums, sustainable materials and value pricing. All made in the USA.
Is this possible? Just ask Greg Cain from Zoo
Atlanta
In honor of its 125 anniversary, Zoo Atlanta launched the
Scaly Slimy Spectacular - their first new exhibit in more than a
decade. Whats not new for
Zoo Atlantas merchandise diContinued on page 3

2015 - The year of the jumbo plush?

Many buyers purchase Wild Republic Jumbo
30 plush to decorate their shops then quickly realize these great pieces are not just fabulous dcor for their shops but are also great
sellers!
For the 2015 season we at Wild Republic introduced a new jumbo sloth; a 30 version of the oh so popular
12 CK piece. Buyers have told us they can put two of our jumbo sloths on the shelf and sell

Continued on page 3

The Sandy Creek Mining Company, Inc. is the wholesale builder and supplier of mining equipment and
products used in panning operations at tourist attractions across the USA and around the world. We
have provided quality equipment, products, and service since 1991.
Sandy Creek Mining Co. was born out of a demand for hands on family activities that are fun,
educational, and affordable. Panning for gemstones and fossils has become a popular activity at many
caves, zoos, museums, aquariums, and agritourism destinations because of its hands on educational
Continued on page 3
Gravity Graphics specializes in water based inks, custom color pallet on garment dyed apparel using whimsical, one of a kind designs for the whole family.
Providing screen print and embroidery for all ages. With a team of talented artists, screen printers and production staff, we can
do ANY custom job for a new zoo baby or exhibit.
Our shoulder to shoulder designs with namedrops across the shoulders and animal icon below are extremely popular. Dont see
an animal you need, dont hesitate to ask and we will hand draw one especially for you!
Please view our website at www.liveslow.net
Visit us at the upcoming tradeshows:
Surf Expo in Orlando, FL- September 10-12
Booth # 2618
Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show- September 16-19
Booth # 1148
Grand Strand Gift and Resort Merchandise Show-Myrtle Beach, SC- December 6-9
Booth # 1909

ZAG NEWS

July 2015

Gold Sponsor Spotlight!

More Gold Sponsors for 2015

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July 2015

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Gold Sponsor Spotlight!

Tree Free Continued...
rector Greg Cain is pairing with New Hampshire based Tree-Free Greetings to create a striking exhibit-based themed assortment of
products for the new exhibit. Photographs of the reptiles and amphibians provided by Zoo Atlanta were surrounded by vibrant
borders and creative silhouettes created overnight by the Tree-Free art team. Tree-Free extended the art on a range of coordinating products from drink ware to stationery. All this was done on a shoestring budget in a matter of two weeks - thanks to the
companys crazy low minimums, value pricing and lightning quick turn-around.
Whether its a buyer like Greg Cain or someone browsing the Scaly Slimy Spectacular gift shop, Tree-Frees custom and namedrop
program stands out. In fact, Greg Cain had this to share: I guarantee if the minimums were different we would not pursue as
many items. Tree-Free Greetings is the best deal in town for custom programs. Contact Tree-Free Greetings Museum Life coordinator Greg Stouzenberger (greg@tree-free.com or 866-873-3373 ext. 125) to learn more

Wild Republic Continued.

them both before the days end.

In addition to the new giant sloth we also introduced a jumbo cockatoo, a jumbo dolphin, jumbo hyacinth and scarlet Macaws, a
jumbo rhino and a jumbo red panda.
Contact your sales executive today to order your Wild Republic jumbo plush for great dcor and for extra sales.

Sandy creek Mining continued...

appeal and high profitability for many years of operation.
All of Sandy Creeks mining equipment is built with an emphasis on great eye appeal, authenticity, and
longevity. All of our equipment is custom designed to fit your needs. With young customers in mind,
sluices are low to the ground eliminating any platforms or tripping hazards and are ADA compliant. We
utilize a dual water system to ensure clean and pristine water from your water tower. All water is selfcontained and recycles. The stainless steel and pressure treated construction ensures years of hassle
free and low maintenance operation. Built for maximum throughput, the used
sand is carried away from your customer for later removal during off peak hours.
As the industry leader, Sandy Creek takes pride in providing the highest quality mining rough at the best
possible price. All mining rough includes collection bag, educational ID card, custom printed labels with
your attractions logo for the mining bag and collection bag, and shipping in quantity. With mining rough
starting at as low as $1.95 we can accommodate almost any budget.
Contact us today to learn what we can do for your bottom line! Sandy Creek Mining Company (419) 435-5891 info@SandyCreekMining.com
IGES Sevierville, Booth# 2512-15
IAAPA, Booth# 2678

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Presidents Message
Summer is officially here, and the temperatures are rising.
How is your business affected by the hot weather? Does your clientele change? Do you have a heavy
vacationer business, or do the locals still drive your business? These are some questions to ask yourself
this time of year. Here in Texas we have had a cooler than normal Spring and a very wet May. We are
now seeing a larger percentage of day trippers and travelers. Maybe you have noticed an upturn in your
souvenir and branded categories in your assortment, we certainly have. People are buying items to
remind them of their trip - - drinkware, keychains, Ts and hats. Knowing the demographics of your
shoppers as the seasons change can help you with buying decisions and merchandising. Summer school
and camp groups still can make your toy assortment successful as well.
Also, think about your staffing this time of yearare you busy in the cooler mornings and slow down in
the afternoon? If you are at a zoo do some of the more sensitive animals get put up earlier? Does this
affect your traffic? Any savings in payroll can help your bottom line this season.
Of course, as Buyers we all begin to think about Fall once the calendar flips to July. Trade show season will soon be upon us, and
we will have to make buying decisions for next Spring. A strong finish to the Summer season can help empty stockrooms and free
up dollars. SO push for those extra sales.
We are excited about getting together once again for our Board Meeting in August. Denise and the staff at Southwicks Zoo in Mendon Mass are hosting us, and we will be having lively discussion as always. I invite all ZAG members to email me with any issues
you would like to see your Board address next month. Remember we work for YOU and want your feedback.
As always contact me at:
michaeld@cameronparkzoo.com
and follow me on Twitter and Instagram at: @davisplan
I need your ideas to make ZAG the most effective vehicle possible to help you succeed.
Happy Selling and Stay Cool!
Sincerely,
Michael Davis

Our Mission
ZAG is a collection
of merchandise buyers for zoos, aquariums and other wildlife-related institutions and attractions.
The goals of ZAG
are to increase and improve communication between buyers, and to raise awareness and professionalism of the field within the zoo and aquarium industry.

Board of Directors
Michael Davis (TX) - President
Tommy Brown (MO) - V. President
Theresa Danneffel (MI) - Treasurer
Missy Rosevear (PA) - Secretary
Laurie Vanderwal (AR)
Denise Lamoureux (MA)
Brent Walter (WI)
Robin Miller (FL)
Yvonne Miles (CA)

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Member Spotlight!
Member Spotlight: Vicki Lantz The Lazy L Safari Park Cape Girardeau, MO
www.lazylsafari.com
1.Tell us about your facility and your role there? What are the highlights in your job?
We have a walk-thru zoo located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri which is between St. Louis and Memphis off Interstate 55. We are a
family run business and have been in the exotic animal business for over 40 years. We opened Lazy L Safari Park in June 2010 and
have been growing our attendance and exhibits every year. My role is Zoo Director, Office Manager/Bookkeeper, Marketing Director, Educational Programs Director, and Gift Shop Manager. When you are a family run business you have to take on more than
one role, of course. I also help my husband and sons with the animal chores (bottle feeding, etc.). I just love what I get to do every
day. I grew up on a drive-thru animal park and have taken everything I learned with that family run business and applied it to our
walk-thru zoo and adapted to the current agritourism trend.
2.What type of retail operation do have?
Our Safari Gift Shop is located near the entrance to the zoo. The admission booth cashier also works out of this building so that
on slower days, one person can run the whole show. However, business has picked up the last couple of years so on weekends and
special events we usually have extra help in the gift shop to wait on customers and answer the phones. Our gift shop is only a
20x16 area, but we have a lot of merchandise in that small space. Our yearly attendance has quadrupled every year since we
opened in 2010. We hope to expand our gift shop/admission booth building into a larger building in the near future. That will
leave the original gift shop building to be used as an Educational / Birthday Party Room.
3.What are some of the favorite items that you carry in your store and where do you get them?
The Safari Gift Shop at Lazy L Safari Park features animal print purses & bags, cosmetic bags, scarves, bandanas, photo frames,
animal pictures, gifts, jewelry, etc. Plus, we sell many childrens items including hand-crafted items, puzzles, educational products,
animal related toys, and plush animals, as well as Lazy L Safari Park T-Shirts in various colors. Everybodys favorite items though
are the peacock feathers, ostrich, emu, rhea eggs, and porcupine quills. The porcupine quills are actually one of our best sellers
especially to school groups. We purchase from a variety of companies such as The Mountain, Wild Republic, Rhode Island Novelty,
DM Merchandise, Fiesta Toys, Unipak, Oriental Trading, and more. One product line that we plan on expanding this year is our
souvenir products, such as mugs, etc. featuring our Lazy L Safari Park logo and name. (Visit our Safari Gift Shop page on our website at www.lazylsafari.com/giftshop.html)
.
4.How did you hear about ZAG and why did you join?
I heard about ZAG through the ZAA Newsletter (we are a member of ZAA) and signed up right away. I joined to get more information on new merchandise to sell in the gift shop. I also like to network with other gift shop managers and gather new ideas for
displays, etc.
5.Do you visit trade shows? If yes, which ones. If not for trade shows, how do you find great buys for your store?
The only trade show I have ever attended is the St. Louis Gift Show which is held twice a year. Ive only been twice. I did meet a
salesperson the first time I attended and that helped a lot with expanding the gift shop merchandise product lines. I had just been
selling very small, inexpensive items at that time (the first year) and expanding into new, higher priced, and larger products really
helped our gift shop sales over the next few years.
6.Finally, any tips or insights you can share with other ZAG members that have been profitable or exciting for you?
Our gift shop is a work in process and we definitely have plans to keep expanding, both in product lines and merchandise space, in
the near future. One thing we did last year was we added some shelving displays above all the other merchandise to showcase
some of our products. People really noticed this and it helped to increase the sale of those products. This year, we are going to
rearrange the entire gift shop. There are two reasons for this endeavor - 1) we need to be able to access another admission booth
Continued on page 6..

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Member Spotlight Cont..

window as there are times we need to run two admission booth cash registers, and 2) the rearranging of the displays and gift shop
area will give the merchandise a fresh new look and give us a little bit more space to squeeze in some new product lines this year.
We also may be adding a general store in the near future at another location in the zoo. The Lazy L General Store will feature different product lines than the Safari Gift Shop and will be products that will complement the new zoo exhibits Down on the Farm and
the Lazy L Mining Co. (mining sluice).
I would suggest that any zoo, no matter how big or small, definitely include a gift shop. Tourists love to buy souvenirs of their trip
and even local visitors as well will spend money in your gift shop. Gift Shop sales will also help your gross profit overall. If you cant
dedicate a whole building and staff for a separate gift shop, then perhaps make it a part of the admission booth and one person can
run everything until you can afford to expand. That idea definitely worked for our zoo. I even plan to keep this the same when we
do expand our gift shop. And, when we can finally afford a bigger gift shop, the plan is to have the zoo visitors exit thru the gift
shop which I definitely think will increase sales. I am also turning over a lot of the gift shop managing to someone who has worked
for the zoo for a long time. Although I know she will do a good job and I can use my time on marketing, etc., I will miss the planning
and work that goes into the gift shop. I actually like our Safari Gift Shop its a lot of fun!

Summer Tips and trade show highlights

You will need to log in to zaggift.com to access the documents!
Helpful tips in preparation of attending summer tradeshows.
Be prepared! Make it easier on yourself and your vendors by providing information in opening an account and or updating your information.. A sample giftshow packet may help in organizing yourself and
also help your vendor in shipping your order. Visit our website and view all remaining tradeshows for the
year.
Do you have a Vendor Code of Conduct? If not, consider the implications if unknowingly you find out one
of your vendors is selling products made by children or that is under investigation for human rights violations. Here is a helpful tip in creating your own vendor code of conduct.
Interested in adding consignment products to your mix within the stores? Here is a sample agreement to
use when negotiating your terms and ensuring your agreement protects your
company and your vendors interest.
Wondering what is going on in the world of retail?, check out the latest articles on retail. Located in our
buyers section on the ZAG website. www.zaggift.com/page-1832223
Need a refresher on retail best practices? Click on Paul Erickson, YouTube series on retail tips!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP153wCi1W4

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Hello fellow ZAG members,

I hope your summer season is off to a great start. As we all know, it is time
to start thinking about the fall shows and next year. The Las Vegas Gift
Show is September 16 19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This show has many vendors that work well for our members, and I have
also had good results from attending the show. Many of our ZAG sponsors
have booths at the show and are showing off their latest items and top
sellers.
Urban is once again providing Zag with a hospitality suite located in
meeting room N216 in the Convention Center. The room is a great place to
take a break from the show floor and relax for a few minutes. It provides a place for you to meet and talk
with old friends, and new ones, during lunch. They also have some great deals on hotel rates for buyers.
The ZAG Mixer continues to grow. The Mixer is for all members and sponsors on September 17 th in meeting
room N224. It is a great opportunity for buyers to mingle with other buyers and our sponsors, without the
pressure of the sales pitch.
I hope to see many of you there. If you have any questions about the show, feel free to contact me at
brent@vilaszoo.org or (608)258-9490. Im always here to help our members, new and old.

ZAG Vision Statement

As an organization we are committed to network, educate, inform
and connect independent Zoos,
Wild Life Centers, and Aquarium
Buyers worldwide while maintaining a conscience of
conservation and a concern for people and wildlife.

Our ZAG Values

Care: We are concerned about one another within

the ZAG organization and make attempts to help
animal institutions with their current in-house retail
operation.
Connections: We are here to connect buyers to
industry information, encourage buyers to connect
with other buyers and connect buyers and vendors
at social events.
Creditability: We act in an honest and trustworthy
manner that reflects the state of the industry while
providing the most current factual opinions on retail goods and services.
Conservation: We embrace conservation commerce, animal welfare and the ethical treatment of
people, animals and the environment worldwide
while trying to conserve our natural resources.

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ZAG wants YOU to be INVOLVED

One important purpose of ZAG is to help gift shop buyers
COMMUNICATE and NETWORK with one another. Being able to learn and
exchange ideas can be helpful for the
largest animal park in a well populated
city to the smallest zoo in a rural area.
As a board of directors, we have heard
our members request for more opportunities to network and have made moves
to assist in this communication.
ZAG already has an ACTIVE FACEBOOK page, a LINKEDIN
page, a WEBSITE that offers a plethora of buyer resources including a list of sponsors, a classifieds page, tutorials and other merchandising and retail tips.
Now we are also introducing EMAIL BLASTS to
members that will feature tips and ideas to help all ZAG
members. They will also include surveys and questions that will
be complied and relayed to members through the ZAG website, newsletter and future e-blasts. A great way to
communicate with one another during the regular season and for members that
may not be able to attend trade shows.
To get the most out of your ZAG membership, get involved! Like and share on facebook, use the website resources and be active with our e-blasts a little
computer time will allow you make the most of your business and help improve
sales.

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ZAG Travel Sponsorship

One of ZAGs goals is to help its members gather more information
about the zoo/aquarium retail industry to make the best buying decisions possible for their facilitys gift shops. A large part of that involves knowing what vendors and product lines are available in order
to make decisions on which vendor has the best products at the best
prices. One way to gain this knowledge is by attending trade shows.
However, not every facility has the budget to send their merchandise buyer to a show.
ZAG is pleased to announce that it will sponsor a ZAG member from two different facilities to attend
ZAG week with 3 different shows, International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES), Sevierville,
TN, running November 3rd-6th, IGES in Pigeon Forge, running November 4-8th and the Smoky
Mountain Gift Show (SMGS), Gatlinburg, TN, running Nov 4-7. The 2015 Annual ZAG Week will take place during this time, and the two selected buyers
will be able to take part in many ZAG Week networking activities, including
the Annual ZAG Business Meeting and Dinner. ZAG will cover each members transportation, lodging and meals. In addition, ZAG will provide a
mentor for each recipient who will help them navigate the shows, meet
fellow buyers, and provide valuable gift industry related insight while at the
shows.
In order to qualify for the sponsorship, each recipient must:
Be available November 2-8, 2015
Be employed by an institution that has not provided funds for gift buyers to attend national gift
shows in the past five years.
Attend Annual ZAG Week-sponsored networking functions, including the ZAG members Annual
Business Meeting and Dinner.
Be interviewed after their trip for a future ZAG newsletter article sharing their
experiences at the shows, the new vendors and product lines they found, and
any suggestions they have for other ZAG members who cant get to a gift
show.
The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, August 7, 2015. A random
drawing of all applications received will be held and the winners will be notified
by mail and phone by Friday, August 21. Applications must be sent to:
michaeld@cameronparkzoo.com
This is a great and unique opportunity to dramatically expand your list of vendors and industry contacts in order to offer your guests fresh and exciting new product.

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Call to Candidates!!!
Once again we have openings on the ZAG board. If you would like to serve on the
board and can do the following:
1. Commit to working on ZAG work 5 hours a week.
2. Attend 2 yearly meetings.
3. Assist with Trade Show Partner events that host ZAG, Inc.
4. Serve on committees for the betterment of the zoo & aquarium buying industry.
5. Attend ZAG Week held at the November Tennessee trade shows.
Please reply to the Call to Candidates email that you recently received from ZAG Board
President Michael Davis or download an application from zaggift.com.
You have until August 7th, 2015 to send in you applications!

Pest Control
Missy Rosevear
Director of Guest Services, Lehigh Valley Zoo
Controlling pests in and around our retail establishments is a challenge we all face, and one that impacts
our bottom line. This can occur through rodents damaging stock, or yellow jacket wasps causing annoyance to our guests who are trying to enjoy a sno-cone during their visit. Having a concrete, year-round
plan to exterminate or dissuade pests is often necessary. Most times, taking steps toward prevention is
the key to eliminating the problem in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep you and your guests happy.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Keep work areas neat and clean. This includes crumbs.

Ensure all food is properly stored away. Eliminating the food source of pest species will go a long way
to eliminating a problem.
Make sure all garbage is removed as necessary throughout the day.
Empty and clean recycle cans frequently. Yellow jacket wasps will always seek out a recycle can with
the remnants of sugary beverages if it is available.
Make time to routinely check around your area for active hives and nests.
Please do not use poison as a means of extermination, as the pest animal may be ingested by a bird or snake.
Know the habits of the pests you are trying to remove. For example, we place traps for yellow jacket wasps in March when
only the females are out and about and seeking a diet high in protein. For each female we eliminate, we eliminate up to 5,000 offspring.
8. Remove any standing water which will quickly turn into a breeding ground for mosquitos.

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Hot Reads!
Staying informed and up to date on our industry and its trends is a vital part of our jobs. I
suggest taking advantage of the periodicals available (usually with FREE subscriptions for
Buyers) dealing with the gift shop business. I make it a point to read Souvenirs, Gifts and
Novelties, Museums & More, Independent Retailer and EDplay each month. As summer
vacations approach Id also like to recommend the book Fish! By Stephen Lundin. I read it
a few years ago, and still apply the techniques to managing Zootique @ Cameron Park
Zoo. Its a quick, interesting read. I think youd enjoy it!
Please take a look at the summary below (courtesy of Nexus Publishing)
Michael Davis
FISH! by Stephen Lundin
Heres a great love story with a powerful workplace message. Its a really easy read and one I encourage all my clients to get in
to. It teaches the steps to take to learn to love what you do, and make your workplace an energetic, enthusiastic and wonderful
place to be.
The Theme - Work Made Fun Gets Done!
The key characters Mary Jane Ramirez, a manager from First Guarantee Financial, and Lonnie, a fishmonger from Seattles world
famous Pike Place Fish Market, teach us how to transform a toxic energy dump into a workplace that adds value, productivity
and profit to the company, creating happier workers, employers, and customers!
1. Choose your attitude.
Following the sudden death of her husband, Mary Jane had to take a position on the dreaded 3rd floor of First Guarantee Financial because of the salary raise and benefits it would provide her, as she was now a single parent.
The challenge was to transform this toxic energy dump into a unit that the rest of the company could work with effectively.
They were the butt of all company jokes, where phone calls would go unanswered, and people could be counted on to rush to
the elevators at 4.30 every day.
Mary Jane stumbled upon the Pike Place Fish Market one day during lunch. She immediately noticed the energy, enthusiasm, and
interaction the market fishmongers and customers had. She made friends with Lonnie, who promised to help teach her staff the
secrets of the success of the Fish market.
Lesson 1: There is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is no choice about the work itself. We can
choose the attitude we bring to our work.
Wisdom from the Pike Place Fish Market:
Have the courage to change.
Never fear the risk of failure. The risk of doing nothing is greater than the risk of acting.
Leave your own indelible mark on the world. Respect your creative urges. Your choices are as authentic as you are.
Never stop learning and growing.
You have within yourself more resources of energy, talent, and strength than you think.
Concrete steps to take: Call a meeting and speak from the heart, find a message that communicates choosing your attitude in a
way that everyone will understand and personalize. Provide motivation, and persist with faith.
Life Is Too Precious To Be Passing Through To Retirement.
At the Pike Place Fish Market, a character named Wolf had been on the road to a career as a professional race car driver. Following a serious accident he wallowed in self-pity and his girlfriend left him and friends stopped calling. He realized he had an important choice to make - live fully, or let life slip away in a series of missed opportunities.
2. Play! You can be serious about your work without taking yourself too seriously.
In Lonnies words This is a real business which is run to make a profit. This business pays a lot of salaries, and we take the business seriously, but we discovered we could be serious about business and still have fun with the way we conduct business. We
have a lot of pride in what we do and the way we do it. And we have become world famous.
3. Make someones day. Create great memories.
The playful way we do our work allows us to find creative ways to engage our customers. Find ways to respectfully include them

Continued on page 12

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Hot Reads Continued from Page 11

in the fun. Mary Jane observed this in the way customers had fun catching fish thrown by the fishmongers. Customers like being
part of the show.
4. Be present.
Focus on the customer in front of you and be tuned in to opportunities to be there for people. Be alert, and pay attention.
Find Ways To Let Your Staff Discover The Fish Philosophy For Themselves.
Mary Jane realized it wouldnt work to simply tell her staff about the Pike market, they had to see it for themselves.
The staff were assigned to think about the four key ingredients she outlined.
The Team Reports
Each Team brought their reports to the rest.
The Play team used a game to come up with some great ideas to implement more fun with a happier atmosphere.
The Make Their Day Team used a survey to understand what others thought of them and came up with a list of strategies to implement.
The Present Moment Team members related personal stories on the importance of being present for people and identified how to
be fully present for one another and their customers.
The Choose Your Attitude Team report was brief and direct to the point, listing the benefits of choosing your attitude:
THE CHOICE IS YOURS. Angry, disinterested, bitter or, Energetic, caring, vital, supportive, creative .
One Year Later
The book finishes with a look at life a year later I wont spoil the story by telling you the ending you need to read it for yourself
to get the full message.

ZAG Free Admission

RECIPROCAL PROGRAM
All Expenses Paid Trip to
National Trade Show!
Great Leaning Experience!

Do you want to see other ZAG gift

shops and facilities?
Would you like to meet ZAG members
and show off you own store?

Unlimited Networking
Opportunities!
Dont Forget to Check if
you are Eligible for the
ZAG Travel Scholarship
Check zaggift.com for details

Join the list of

Reciprocal facilities and add a visit
to a fellow ZAG member to your next
trip

See zaggift.com for details.

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GREEN CORNER

Where did all the water go?

As we move toward a more water conscience society we need to understand the
new needs of our guests and the planet. People are more aware today that bottled
water is not the best for them or the environment, many are also aware there is a
great need for water conservation. Within the Zoo and Aquarium world of retail we
are here to help the guests make wise buying choices within our institutions by
offering them goods that help them and the world around them. We can help these
guests buying decisions by offering Earth friendly water bottles made of nontoxic
plastics or even corn plastics that the guests can refill at the institution. It is recommended that your institution install water fill stations to accommodate the water bottles or have an agreement with your food service division to let the guests fill their bottles at the food service locations.
Many attractions are concerned over the loss of revenue by stopping the sales of bottled water and that is
understandable; so retailers must offer a refillable bottle that will compete with bottled water and use educational graphics as to why to buy the refillable over the disposable bottle. Many visitors must see the value in what they are purchasing and see how it affects them as a
whole. We can show how moving water out of drought stricken areas in the form of
bottled water is harmful to the water cycle and explain how much pollution disposable
plastic water bottles produce on the Earth. By just showing these 2 facts in an educational graphic with a good price point, your refillables should increase in sales and offset any lost sales in the area of bottled water. Also remind people that tap water is usually better than
bottled water in the USA. So just turn on the tap and enjoy a nice refreshing bottle of water again and again
for a very low price or for free.
Fresh water is precious and something that needs to be preserved for the lives of everyone on the planet.
Selling items in retail locations that help protect basic human needs is one of the most important conservation items you can sell in your establishment. Anything that protects resources is important and should be
classified as a conservation item. The most important thing is to make sure you are letting the whole institution know what you are doing in your retail locations to help water conservation through retail sales. Getting
the whole institution involved in your water conservation efforts will help get the message out of what you
have available in the retail locations and staff then can direct guests to your shops for refillable water bottles.
Buyers keep looking out for the planet and it will take care of all of you in the years to come.