What can you do to incentivize membership if your garden doesn’t charge admission? Or is it time to reconsider your free admission policy? The interplay between admissions and membership revenue can be complex. Two gardens have recently decided to transform their free admission policy. Learn the results of Chicago Botanic Gardens’ study of changing from free admission with a parking fee to a per-person admission and its effect on membership, and how the Dawes Arboretum enhanced its membership through admission. Others are continuing their free admission policy but adding new reasons for members to join. Hear how Duke Gardens is revamping their membership program for deeper engagement, and how Cornell Botanic Gardens is creating digital assets for their members.
Presenters: Lauren Smith Hong, Annual Fund and Membership Officer, Sarah P. Duke Gardens; Leigh Ann Miller, Director of Development, Dawes Arboretum; Anne Boynton, Senior Director, Membership & Annual Giving, Chicago Botanic Garden; Lynn Swain, Director of Development, Cornell Botanic Gardens
