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In Australia, our slow time is February, and we have struggled with minimal visitation through that month for the ages, with an average visitation for the month of about 6,000 people (as compared generally to 20 - 30 thousand per month).. Outside it's hot, too hot to be outside for many people, but school has just gone back and they're not visiting us yet. 

Until we invented Toddlerfest that is. Imagine 10,000 children under the age of 4 with their parents visiting. In ONE WEEK!

The first year we ran it, it was completely manic. I've never seen so many prams in one room in my life, let alone little people clambering for the science activities throughout the centre. 

Recognising that the centre was going to be empty enabled us to target a group that does visit outside school holidays (vacations) and that need specialised programming.

I'm happy to talk further with people if they want details of how/what we did, it certainly is a permanent part of our calendar now!

Cheers 

Sarah Bugg
Executive Projects Manager
Scitech

My email: [log in to unmask]
My direct line: +61 8 9215 0702
My mobile: 0407 071 334


 phone: +61 8 9215 0700  |  fax: +61 8 9321 2869  |  web: www.scitech.org.au  |  post: PO Box 1155 West Perth WA 6872
 SCITECH - increasing interest and participation by Western Australians in science and technology. 
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Rosenblatt
Sent: Thursday, 2 September 2010 3:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fall slowdown



> *******
> 
> Everyone,
> 
> Most of our local schools are back in session, and we are starting our

> slow season. Families are not on vacation, as they are in the summer, 
> and school groups are not yet taking field trips. In September and the

> beginning of October, our attendance drops by about thirty percent. We

> are spending some of the time cleaning, moving exhibits, and training 
> staff, and we do not have the additional expenses of seasonal workers 
> or heating/ air conditioning. We are concerned about the drop in cash 
> revenue for this period, and we are trying to think of ways to bring 
> in additional guests.
> 
> Does your museum/ science center have any proven methods for 
> attracting guests during this slow time? Do you do special events, 
> offer discounts, give breaks to your members? We are already trying a 
> membership promotion and a field trip discount. What else can you 
> suggest? I would appreciate any advice, large or small. Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Kristie M. Mazzoni
> 
> Planetarium Director
> 
> Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium
> 
> The Children's Museum
> 
> 950 Trout Brook Drive
> 
> West Hartford CT 06119
> 
> 
> 
> (860) 231-2830 x40
> 
> 
> 

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