I spent this past weekend sending subscription access codes to each of the individual zoos and aquariums (primarily AZA members).  I started receiving feedback today, so far all has been positive.  I hope this trend continues.

General theme of comments was that the timing is excellent for Northern Z&A facilities to get involved with us.  Their busy season is over and now they are focusing their efforts on increasing attendence for next year.  It appears that a few facilities will be sending out emails and letters before the holidays to solicit donations and memberships for next year.  They had some questions about including our free subscription offer in their solicitation.  The answer is yes, include it. 

I also sent off a few emails soliciting a few folks inside the industry to write blogs for us.  I think our readers will be interested in them and what they do.  I also asked Peter Dickinson and Nicholas Gould who are British and write zoo summaries for their audiences.  Peter writes Zoo News Digest and Nick publishes International Zoo News.

As with any start-up, Murphy comes into play.  I had my own difficulties signing up to blog via the web site.  Bob is working to make it a Blog for Dummies set up so non-tech folks like myself can easily launch a blog on the site.

Also we had some problems with magazine subsciption access codes being accepted.  Bob expects to have this one solved by tomorrow.

Rudy

Rudy Socha is the CEO of Zoo and Aquarium Visitor.  He can be contacted offlist at rudy@zandavisitor.com

Hi Rudy

I'm one of the tourism people you sent an email to. As a tourism consultant working with rural communities to create jobs and preserve wildlife through nature tourism, I think it is important for all organizations interested in conservation to build relationships and I commend you for taking the initiative in doing some of this.  I know from my work with small towns in North America, a Zoo nearby can be a valuable ally, providing relatively easy access to groups of people interested in travel and wildlife. Thanks for creating this venue!

Carol Patterson, President, Kalahari Managemen Inc. www.kalahari-online.com