When selecting the venue for your corporate or nonprofit gathering, oftentimes the standard is an elegant ballroom space, expansive conference center, or a modern hotel boardroom. These are almost always fully equipped with amenities like audiovisual technologies and on-site catering, offered specifically to support hosting events. But sometimes, taking the meeting to a place beyond a traditional business room is not only beneficial but also needed to engage attendees. In this case, consider replacing the four white walls of a boardroom with open-air pavilions framed by lion and giraffe habitats.
Zoos across Texas provide novel settings in which to conduct meeting agendas, complemented by attendee access to wildlife interactions and education. While these venues might differ in purpose compared to a convention center, they often have all the same capabilities to host events in a distinct, animal-centric environment. Plus, much of the funding received from corporations and organizations hosting events at zoos often directly supports animal welfare and conservation efforts.
“Companies can feel good knowing their gatherings are contributing to a meaningful mission,” says Mallet Stafford, director of special events at the Houston Zoo. “It’s a chance to create memorable experiences for attendees while making a positive impact on the planet.” That mission for the Houston Zoo is centered on caring for the more than 6,000 animals representing over 900 species housed on-site. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The organization has been the primary accrediting body for zoos and aquariums for more than 40 years. AZA accreditation standards span facility-wide operational criteria, including animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, guest services, physical facilities, safety, staffing, finance, and administration. In other words, by hosting your event or meeting at an AZA zoo, you and your team can rest assured knowing that both your attendees and the animals will be well taken care of.
“AZA accreditation is the gold standard for zoos and aquariums,” says Stafford. “Houston Zoo has been continuously accredited by the AZA since 1985 and, last year, it received a perfect inspection, a rarity in the long history of AZA accreditation. These results reflect the organization’s excellence in providing exceptional care for our animal residents.”
The Houston Zoo features 15 on-site function spaces and also offers full buyouts of the entire zoo. The One Ocean Aquarium seats 20 people for dinner, the H-E-B Lone Star Pavilion accommodates up to 400, and the Sea Lion Cave hosts 75. Additional venues include the Leopard Habitat, Karamu Outpost, and the Masihara Pavilion, among others. Opened in August, Reflections Event Hall and Terrace is the zoo’s newest event facility. Attendees gathering here can watch sea lions swimming in the adjacent Galapagos Island exhibit. Elsewhere, groups will find specially designed habitats with roaming animals, such as Asian elephants, endangered Amur leopards, cownose rays, ring-tailed lemurs, green anacondas, and red pandas.
The oldest zoo in Texas, the Dallas Zoo was founded in 1888 and began with just two deer and two mountain lions in its care. Today, the AZA-accredited, 106-acre property houses more than 2,000 animals across more than 400 species, ranging from African wild dogs and Nile crocodiles to gorillas and clouded leopards. For events, the Dallas Zoo offers both individual meeting rooms and full zoo buyouts. The Flamingo Room accommodates 100 people, the Base Camp and Hippo Hut both work best for groups of up to 60 seated, and the ZooNorth Pavilion hosts upward of 350 attendees. Buyouts are only available after regular business hours and provide access to the entire property. Planners can arrange add-ons like giraffe feeding; wildlife presentations; or group observations of elephants, lions, hippos, or African wild dogs.
Providing a place for education was at the core of the Caldwell Zoo’s beginnings in Tyler, originally opened in 1953 as a gift to the city by Lottie and D.K. Caldwell, two Tyler residents. “The Caldwells recognized the fascination that children have with animals, and they believed in the power of a good education,” says Katie Powell, private events coordinator at the Caldwell Zoo. “So, the zoo was opened to share the wonders of nature via the concept of ‘learning through fun.’” The zoo also is AZA-accredited and is anchored by three primary geographical habitats: African Safari, American Wilderness, and Amazon River’s Edge. Fundamental conservation efforts at the zoo include cheetah breeding, reintroducing Texas horned lizards, and repopulating Attwater’s prairie chickens.
“There is simply no place like the Caldwell Zoo,” says Powell. “Besides being the home of thousands of magnificent animals, the grounds of the zoo abound with an incredible array of flowers and lovely horticulture. An event here is an escape to a place of wonder.” The African Overlook Patio looks out onto the African Safari habitat housing African elephants, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, and greater kudus. The patio accommodates up to 200 attendees. The River’s Edge Center is the zoo’s newest indoor venue and hosts up to 100 seated, while the Piney Woods Picnic Area allows groups of up to 1,000 to get some fresh air throughout the meeting agenda. Among the Caldwell Zoo’s various exhibits and habitats, curious eventgoers can spot black rhinoceroses, African penguins, American bison, Chilean flamingos, giant anteaters, and many more.
So, the next time you’re ready to select the venue for your meeting or event, consider these wildlife havens—attendees might just jump with joy at the chance to watch river otters frolic in their private pool and hear the mighty roar of a resident African lion, all while accomplishing agenda items with wild success.
