Event Network, a leading retail operator and e-commerce solution for experiential cultural attraction stores and other iconic destination stores in North America, has announced the addition of 10 new retail partnerships that were formerly operated by Wildlife Trading Company.
Since 1974, Wildlife Trading Company has been a family business operating gift shops at zoos, aquariums, museums and other destinations. Aligning very nicely with its existing portfolio, Event Network has assumed ten of Wildlife Trading’s partnerships, including nine zoos and aquariums and one science centre. All ten locations have already successfully transitioned to Event Network.
A focus on conservation and sustainability
The threads of conservation and sustainability that run throughout Event Network’s business integrate seamlessly with these new partnerships and allow Event Network to expand its footprint as it relates to these foundational initiatives. James Ward of Wildlife Trading Company has joined Event Network as EVP of Conservation and Sustainability.
Joining Event Network’s partnership portfolio are the following institutions: Alaska SeaLife Center; Alaska Zoo; Greater Cleveland Aquarium; Mississippi Aquarium; Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens; Northwest Trek Wildlife Park; Oregon Coast Aquarium; Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium; Reid Park Zoo; and Saint Louis Science Center.
“We are excited to have expanded our base of partnerships and to continue serving all of our partners’ missions and our industry with an ongoing focus on customizing and optimizing guest experiences and on conservation and sustainability,” says Larry Gilbert, CEO of Event Network.
“We are also confident that, as part of our management team, James Ward will add value to the latter point in particular as we are committed to continuing our industry-leading work.”
Elevating retail
“I am thrilled that Event Network can pick up where we left off to elevate retail at these locations. They are outstanding retail operators and merchants, and they are committed to continuing with the important conservation work that we have done to date. Their values and resources align extremely well to ensure that the partnerships we developed can thrive for years to come,” says Ward.
Event Network, LLC, has been operating cultural attraction and iconic destination stores since 1998. Its core purpose is to extend and interpret meaningful guest experiences into compelling retail offerings that enable partners to achieve their maximum retail potential while elevating their brands.
At the end of 2020, the company also announced a new partnership with the National Museum of the United States Army’s Foundation, The Army Historical Foundation, as the retail operator of the Museum Store.
