The Monterey Bay Aquarium has selected Denver-based Service Systems Associates (SSA) to manage retail operations at the aquarium. The firm, which provides food service and retail management for zoos and aquariums nationwide, will begin operating the aquarium�s retail shops and warehouse on July 1.

�After 20 years of running our own retail stores, we�ve concluded that we can better support our conservation and education programs with a professional management firm in place,� said aquarium Executive Vice President Jim Hekkers.

�The change will allow us to concentrate our energies on the things we do best: creating inspiring live exhibits, and programs that help assure a future with healthy oceans,� he said. Hekkers said he anticipates that most of the 48 hourly and management employees on the merchandising payroll at the non-profit aquarium will continue to work at the aquarium as staff of SSA. The aquarium currently employs 433 full- and part-time staff.

SSA and its sister company, K-M Concessions, Inc., (www.kmssa.com) manage retail and food service concessions for 18 zoos and aquariums in the United States, including the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver zoos, Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, and the Ocean Journey aquarium in Denver.

�I�m honored that the Monterey Bay Aquarium has selected SSA as its first-ever retail management firm,� said SSA co-founder and president Kevin McNicholas. �The aquarium and SSA both have earned reputations for excellence, and we share similar business philosophies. I�m confident we�ll be able to support the aquarium�s conservation mission through even more successful retail operations.�

In 2003, the aquarium reported a net return of $587,000 on merchandising revenues of $7.7 million.

While this is the first time that the aquarium has contracted with an outside management firm to run its retail business, it has since opening day in 1984 partnered with an outside food service provider.

Bon Appetit Management Co., which manages the aquarium�s restaurant and catering operations, has fully adopted the guidelines of the aquarium�s Seafood Watch program, and is a major sponsor of Cooking for Solutions and other aquarium activities that promote the connection between sustainable dining and the health of the oceans. It employs 118 full-and part-time food service staff at the aquarium.

SA co-founder McNicholas has been honored with the Colorado �Ethics in Business Award� as an exemplar of business ethics. Under terms of the management agreement with the aquarium, SSA will adhere to high standards of environmental responsibility in selecting merchandise for aquarium shops.

In 2004, the Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates 20 years of inspiring conservation of the oceans.

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Media Contact: Ken Peterson +1 831-648-4922 kpeterson@mbayaq.org