Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo
Founded in 1929, the Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo is home to nearly 1,000 animals across 119 species. It is internationally recognized for world-class animal care and habitat design, inspiring millions with its conservation mission. Each year, one-third of Calgarians visit, and more than 97,000 hold memberships.
The Challenge
The Zoo needed a new website that could do more than sell tickets. It had to:
-
Communicate its mission of conservation and education.
-
Provide members with seamless access to discounts, renewals, and offers.
-
Simplify bookings for school programs, kids’ camps, and special events.
-
Manage timed admissions and high-volume events without overloading staff.
The goal was to move these processes online, making it easier for members, teachers, parents, and visitors to engage while freeing staff to focus on operations and guest experience.
Project Services
The Solution
Jixaw developed a self-service, Tessitura-integrated platform with automation at its core.
Key features include:
-
Membership Module: Online accounts give members full control of renewals, discounts, and special offers. Built on Jixaw’s Tessitura-integrated CMS, staff can manage content while pricing rules and discounts apply automatically.
-
Education & Camps Booking: Teachers and parents can book school trips and kids’ camps directly online. Options filter by grade, subject, and date, with accounts saving details for future use. Payment can be deferred, eliminating phone calls and paperwork.
-
Timed Ticketing & High-Volume Events: Flexible functionality handles daily admissions, timed entry, and member access for peak days.
-
Special Events Ticketing: A tailored system supports non-standard venues — from lecture theaters to outdoor areas. Select-Your-Own-Seat (SYOS) functionality was integrated with Tessitura for seamless patron choice.
The Outcome
The new website transformed how visitors and staff interact with the Zoo:
-
Visitors can now manage memberships, buy tickets, and book camps or programs anytime, on any device.
-
Teachers and parents enjoy faster, more reliable bookings without waiting for office hours.
-
Staff spend less time on manual entry and more time on media, messaging, and analytics.
The Zoo’s digital presence now reflects its reputation as a modern, world-class destination for families and animal lovers.
Visit the Website