Congratulations to the Saint Louis Zoo

Time for some #ThrowBackThursday!

 

In September 2016, The Saint Louis Zoo was voted America’sTopFree Attraction. As if that wasn’t enough, another poll by USA Today just recognized them as the BestZooin the U.S.

 

A panel of experts partnered with USA Today to pick the initial 20 nominees. All of the nominees were AZA accredited zoos, meaning they meet the highest standards in animal care, provide a fun and educational family experience and dedicate funds to scientific research, conservation and education programs.

Voters then determined the top 10 winners—the Saint Louis Zoo being number one. I guess that means that not only is our Zoo amazing, but our city also knows how to step it up!

Post published on

June 29, 2017

Share This Article

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

July 14, 2026
Marketing budgets are under a microscope right now. Every dollar is expected to work harder. Every channel has to prove its value. And every campaign is supposed to build awareness, drive engagement, support conversions and deliver measurable results, often all at once! That pressure is real. But a lot of media planning conversations still start in the wrong place. They start with the buy. How much should go into TV? Should we increase paid social? Do we need CTV? What about streaming audio, search, display, outdoor or retargeting? Those are important questions, but they are not the strategy. They’re the execution of a strategy. When media planning begins with channel allocation instead of business goals, even a well-built media plan can turn into a spending exercise instead of a growth strategy.
June 22, 2026
Most brands treat seasonality like a problem to solve. There are busy months when demand is high, slower stretches when attention drops off, and the constant pressure to keep people engaged year-round. But attractions tend to look at seasonality differently. They use it as an opportunity. Zoos, botanical gardens, museums, cultural institutions and destination-based brands understand how to turn seasons into experiences people actually look forward to: a holiday lights event, blooming spring garden, summer concert series, fall festival or limited-time exhibit. Each season becomes a built-in reason to visit, come back, bring friends or make plans. That’s something almost every brand can learn from.
May 27, 2026
Seasonal events, limited-time exhibits, concerts, festivals and special experiences can be huge attendance drivers for attractions. But there’s a difference between simply promoting an event and building a campaign around it. A promotion tells people what’s happening. A campaign makes them care. For zoos, botanical gardens, museums, cultural institutions and other destination-based attractions , that difference matters. The real competition usually isn’t another attraction. It’s everything else competing for someone’s time, attention and wallet. People are deciding between sporting events, movie nights, road trips, backyard barbecues, streaming at home or simply staying in. So attraction marketing has to do more than post dates, ticket links and event details. It has to create anticipation. It has to make the experience feel worth the planning.
Show More