Episode 4: Zoobilee with Jennica King

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INTRO (00:00)

*Intro Music – you and me the adventure, me and you to the zoo*

EMILY BISHOP: Hello, and welcome to the Sedgwick County ZooCast, where we are inspiring respect and conservation for wildlife and wild places through caring, connecting, and conserving.

I’m your host, Emily Bishop, and today on the ZooCast, we’ll be sitting down with Jennica King, the Zoo’s Director of Marketing and Communication to talk about Zoobilee.

Keep listening to learn how you can attend the wildest night in Wichita, test your knowledge on the Zoo’s history, and all about the perfect opportunity to wear animal print.

INTERVIEW WITH THE ZOO’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION, JENNICA KING // LEARN ABOUT ZOOBILEE (00:45)

BISHOP: Thank you so much for joining us on the ZooCast.

JENNICA KING: Thank you for having me.

BISHOP: Yeah. So, just to get started, you could give an introduction and talk about who you are and what it is you do here at the Zoo.

KING: I’m Jennica King, I am the Director of Marketing and Communication. And I lead our amazing marketing team. Through our creative campaigns, marketing events, marketing the Zoo, recruiting for membership, making sure our website has all the updated information, social media, educating the public, and connecting with people to further the mission of the Zoo.

BISHOP: So, for listeners who maybe aren’t as familiar with the events that we have here at SCZ, what is Zoobilee?

KING: Zoobilee is the premier fundraising event for Sedgwick County Zoo. We like to call it Wichita’s wildest fun-raiser. It is a crazy event at the Zoo. That is, quite honestly, for every kind of person, we see quite a diverse group of partygoers, but it’s a blast. There’s, you know, about 6000 people here at the Zoo on that night. Enjoying all you care to eat and drink, and live music and just having a really great time.

BISHOP: When did Zoobilee first get started?

KING: We are in the 41st year of having Zoobilee, it started as kind of a…  just like a cute little picnic for the Zoo. You know, I think one of our Zoo founders brought potato salad. And that was you know, sort of the… an excuse to get together with friends, and Zoo supporters, and have a have a picnic, have a barbecue. Eat cheese and drink wine. And that was the first iteration of Zoobilee.

Since then, it has grown into its own animal. And we’ve got now, support from restaurants all around the community. They bring a yummy bite to offer to Zoobilee guests and sometimes a beverage to go along with that. And it gives local establishments an opportunity to get their names out into the community, but also support the Zoo and help us put on an amazing event. So, it’s… you know, your ticket to Zoobilee gets you in the gate. And then once you’re in, you walk around to all of the different booths and restaurants and eat bites of food. We’ve got several bars throughout, wine tasting stations. There’s no shortage of beverages or food to- to keep you refreshed throughout your night.

BISHOP: Yeah. Can you talk a little bit more about how the event has changed over the years?

KING: Yeah, so it, you know, really kind of has just grown as the Zoo has grown. So, what started as you know, a simple picnic for a fairly small group of Zoo supporters has grown to something that the entire community enjoys. So, we’ve brought in bands, used to- used to have just kind of one main headliner. And then as the Zoo has grown, we’ve been able to operate multiple live music stations with different bands. So, we’re also giving local artists an opportunity to play for people who might not otherwise have a chance to hear their music. And giving an opportunity to kind of the growing restaurant scene in Wichita has been really exciting too. So, it feels like we’re always adding something new to Zoobilee, but never really taking anything away. So, it’s just kind of snowballing into a really, really big party at the Zoo.

BISHOP: So, what can people expect when they come to Zoobilee?

KING: The main thing people can expect when they come to Zoobilee is just to have a great time. There are so many different types of experiences that you can have. It’s really what you make of it. So, you know, some people want to come to Zoobilee and just really be in that party mode and excited and listening to music and dancing and drinking and having fun. Some people like to come to Zoobilee and hang out on a… under a tent and listen to music and watch people go by, it’s great for people watching.

Some people like to come to Zoobilee and do a lot of shopping, we have an amazing silent auction tent that is very, very well outfitted thanks to so much support within our community from local businesses. And there’s a wide range of things to bid on in the silent auction. So, it’s a really unique shopping experience. So- so it’s really many, many different types of experiences that you can have at Zoobilee, but no matter what you’re here for, it’s going to be an amazing time.

Expect to wear comfortable shoes, because there’s plenty of walking that goes on. It’s the whole entire Zoo is open, the whole main pathway of the zoo. S,o you know, you’ve got you’ve got a lot of walking to do wear comfortable shoes, and- and come ready to have a great time.

BISHOP: Now, animal print is not required to attend the event as far as wardrobe goes. But…

KING: That’s true. It’s not a requirement, but you will certainly see a lot of it on display.

BISHOP: So, opportunity to whip out the tiger print jacket you’ve been wanting to wear all year.

KING: Yeah, no judgment. There’s no time like Zoobilee.

BISHOP: Exactly. Now the silent auction, how do people bid on items for that? Or where can they bid on items?

KING: The silent auction is set up in the event field that sort of, you know, normally throughout the year, there’s nothing really there. But on Zoobilee, it is full of you know, it’s kind of like a big shopping mall. And so, there’s tents set up right behind our giraffe habitat. And there’s only one entrance and you walk in and give your credit card information and sign up for your bidding number. And you’ll get all set up on how you need to bid for the amazing items inside the silent auction. When the auction closes that night, then the winners of each item will be made aware. You don’t have to be on grounds to claim your winning item, you can come back.

BISHOP: Can you give us a sneak preview of some of the items that will be up for auction?

KING: So, I haven’t seen what is going to be featured this year. But I know in previous years art is a very popular item. Furniture, games. You name it- pampering packages from spas and there’s something for everyone and it’s close to the holidays. So, get some Christmas shopping done, I guess.

BISHOP: So, can you walk us through what the average Zoobilee night kinda looks like?

KING: There is no average Zoobilee night. Every year, it feels like a completely different party. But every year, it’s amazing. So, it’s hard to really know exactly what to anticipate other than just an amazing time at the Zoo. There will be a lot of people here looking for a great time, listening to music, eating food, having drinks, socializing, partying. It’s a blast.

BISHOP: So, what is like the purpose of Zoobilee, as far as the fundraising aspect? Where are the funds raised going?

KING: All of the funds raised at Zoobilee go right back to the Zoo to support its operations. So, you know that when you’re spending money on your ticket, or you’re buying your table, or you’re making your donation, you’re buying something at the silent auction, you know that all of those dollars are staying right here at SCZ. So, you know, of course, once we pay for some of the hard costs of the event, like the shirts and the cups and the tents that we rent and things like that, there of course are costs to putting the event on.

But all of the profits from Zoobilee’s stay here at the Zoo. So that is, you know, feeding the animals, it’s maintaining their habitats. It’s purchasing enrichment for them to, you know, keep their minds and bodies active. It’s going into our overall budget to make improvements and continue growing the Zoo so that we can remain one of the top area attractions

BISHOP: So, if listeners would like to attend the event, what do they need to do?

KING: Tickets are on sale now at scz.org There is a link right there on the homepage to purchase tickets. Right now, until September 1 tickets are at a discounted early bird price of $150. And then after September 1, the price goes up to its regular price of $175. And all but $30 of that is tax deductible. So, you know that the most of the cost of your ticket is counted as a contribution to the Zoo.

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LEARN ABOUT ZOO MEMBERSHIP (10:37)

BISHOP: We’ll be back in a moment to learn more about Zoobilee. But first let’s hear about how you can experience more perks when you visit the Zoo.

Where can you find lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! At the Sedgwick County Zoo, of course! Feed a giraffe, ride a train, and learn all about your favorite animal.

And Zoo members get to experience even more fun. For as low as $80 per person, you get to experience unlimited visits to the Zoo, early entry, discounts on special events, and early access to the Sedgwick County ZooCast.

Become a member today! Visit scz.org/membership for more information.

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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ZOO’S HISTORY // CAN YOU ZOOLIEVE IT? (11:24)

BISHOP: We will return to Zoobilee momentarily, but we’re going to take a short break and play a game.

KING: Okay

BISHOP: Yeah, you didn’t know it was like a game show. Okay, so the game is called.

*drumroll*

Can you ZooLieve it?

*rim shot*

BISHOP: Because it’s like “believe it”

KING: It’s like a pun. I see what you did there.

BISHOP: Yeah. The rules of the game are simple. I’m going to say a fact about the Zoo and you are going to tell me if it is a real fact or not.

KING: Gosh, okay. Okay.

BISHOP: Listeners at home can play along as well. And we have five facts. So, you have to get at least three correct to win the game.

KING: Okay, what do I win?

BISHOP: Pride and bragging rights

KING: Okay, very good.

BISHOP: All right. So, our first question, you have to tell them if this is a true or fake fact.

KING: Okay, so we’re… it’s true or false.

BISHOP: The Zoo first opened with just the African Veldt.

KING: False

BISHOP: False. Yeah, the Zoo opened in 1971 with the American and Asian farms, an area that’s now known as the Children’s Farm.

So, you’re good. We’ve got one- one down four to go.

KING: Okay.

BISHOP: We have over 100 species of birds at the Zoo.

KING: True

BISHOP: True. Yeah. Last I checked, we have 126 different types of birds

KING: Oh, okay Very good.

BISHOP: A lot of birds here.

KING: Had to do a little bird math in my head. Yeah.

BISHOP: Yeah, you’re running through like all the different art exhibits.

At The Zoo, you can feed giraffes plantain leaves from the giraffe feeding station.

KING: False.

BISHOP: False. Yeah, that was my trick question.  And you got it.

KING: It’s romaine lettuce.

BISHOP: It is. We feed them romaine lettuce

SCZ has the largest elephant water feature at any AZA accredited Zoo.

KING: 550,000 gallons. True

BISHOP: Yeah, you got it. 550,000 gallons of water. It was at least the largest when it opened. Yeah, I think it still is.

KING: I have heard that there are some other zoos kind of coming after that record. Which you know will be great. Yeah, I’d love to see it. But I’m doing I think right now we still hold the title.

BISHOP: They’re gonna do 551 gallons.

KING: Yes. Yeah.

BISHOP: And my final question, the first Zoobilee only had 400 attendance or attendees.

KING: Oh, gosh. True?

BISHOP: True. Yep. In 1980 it only had 400 guests and like you said earlier today it has more than 6,000

So, you got it. Five out of Five. Straight wins across the board. You are the Zoo fact champion.

KING: I would have been really disappointing because I probably wrote all of those Zoo facts in the info sheet.

BISHOP: I definitely got these questions from the onboarding timeline.

KING: Okay, well, it’s you know, I haven’t had coffee yet this morning. So, I- I wasn’t confident in my ability to.

BISHOP: You got it though. Straight… straight fives across the board. You get bragging rights.

KING: Awesome. Bragging rights. Okay, very good. Yeah, can’t take that away.

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LEARN ABOUT WILD ENCOUNTERS (14:38)

BISHOP: Before Jennica and I finish our conversation about Zoobilee. Let’s hear about an unforgettable experience you can have at the Zoo.

Wild Encounters let you get up close with some of the animals that call Sedgwick County Zoo home.

Learn about how we care for the African elephants– and have a chance to feed one yourself, meet everyone slimy, scaly, creepy, and crawly inside the ectotherm room, go behind the scenes with a penguin keeper to learn what it takes to care for our Humboldt Penguins, and so much more!

Tickets range from 15 to 60 dollars. 

For more information, visit scz.org

Wild Encounters lets you explore behind the scenes and get up close with your favorite animals.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS ON ZOOBILEE (15:29)

BISHOP: Now as an ending now, I just have one more question. What is your favorite thing about Zoobilee?

KING: I like the energy at the Zoo during Zoobilee. Even the day of you know, I usually get here mid-morning, lunchtime and bring lunch to everybody who’s been here since 6am setting up. And then I’ll stay here through the event and then help clean up after. So, it’s a long day. But there’s something about just the energy of it, you know, the Zoo’s closed. But there’s still a ton of people here. We’re excited to have fun, you know that, you know, your community is excited.

You see people post on social media about, you know, they’re so excited because they either, you know, got surprised with tickets, or they won tickets, or they splurged and bought tickets. And they’re planning their outfits. And they’re tagging us because they’re so excited for Zoobilee. And so, it’s just a really great energy at the Zoo, but also within the community.

It’s- It’s an event that definitely has a reputation of being one of the best and most exciting fundraising events in town. And we are committed to delivering a great experience every year for people. So, so it’s exciting. It’s a lot of work. So, the people who work at the Zoo and you know, our team, kind of think ‘oh my gosh, we’re gonna be so tired for the next three weeks.’ As we get older, it’s harder to recover from a 24-hour workday. But it’s all worth it and we know that… you know raising $800,000 for the Zoo is 100% worth all of the work that goes into it.

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 OUTRO (17:15)

BISHOP: Thanks for listening to the Sedgwick County ZooCast.

This episode was researched, written, and produced by me- Emily Bishop.

We’d like to give a special thank you to Jennica King, for sitting down and talking with us about Zoobilee.

Thank you to the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Marketing and Communication Team.

And a special thank you to our Zoo Members, whose support makes this podcast possible. If you’re interested in becoming a Zoo Member, visit scz.org/membership.

Be sure to give us a follow so you never miss when we upload new episodes.

Thanks again for listening. Until next time, I’m Emily Bishop and this has been the Sedgwick County ZooCast.