Toledo Zoo seeks to capture more business

TOLEDO - Polar bears and monkeys aren't the only draws at the Toledo Zoo these days.

The northwest Ohio attraction has added meeting facilities, catering, teleconferencing and gift sales via the Internet, services it hopes will appeal to businesses and other groups.

Zoo officials said the goal is to generate new revenue and make the zoo more self-sufficient.

"We're one of the few zoos in the country to tie a business operating plan with a master plan," said Toledo Zoo director Bill Dennler.

"We've definitely increased after-hours events and we are looking at drawing more business people in here," he said. "It's important to get the support of the business community in here, and one of the ways to do that is to show them that we're a business, too."

The zoo has converted its former Elephant House and gift shop into the African Lodge conference facility for corporate functions or private parties, with seating for 150. Electronic equipment in the building is being upgraded for teleconferencing.

Recent changes fit with the zoo's mission to be self-supporting, Dennler said.

Nearly two decades ago the zoo collected about 70 percent of its operating budget from taxes. Now, it gets about 30 percent, Dennler said.

Only a handful of zoos offer conference facilities and catering to attract business groups, said Kristen Craine, a spokeswoman for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.