BrightSign & Peerless-AV Enhance Lincoln Park Zoo Engagement
Overview
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, established in 1868, has long been a leader in wildlife preservation and education. As part of its commitment to enhancing the visitor experience, the zoo sought modern technology to improve guest navigation, communication, and engagement while maintaining its dedication to environmental preservation.
The Challenge
Historically, the Zoo relied on static signage to guide visitors and share educational content. Seeking to create a more interactive experience for guests, the Zoo sought to modernize its workflows. They had to identify a solution that wouldn’t detract from the natural beauty of the zoo and the well-being of its animal inhabitants. The solution needed to improve communication and guest engagement while blending seamlessly into the environment.
The Solution
The Zoo decided to embrace digital signage to create a more dynamic visitor experience. In partnership with Peerless-AV, a leader in outdoor displays, the project utilized BrightSign’s XD5 media players to power high-quality visuals across the displays, ensuring flawless performance and operational reliability.
Key Installations Include:
- Outdoor East Gate Area: Three Peerless-AV Smart City Kiosks, each featuring BrightSign XD5 media players and 55-inch Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays, offer superior visibility in all lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to cloudy skies.
- Indoor Searle Visitor Center: Four 75-inch Samsung displays mounted using Peerless-AV’s SmartMount Universal Flat Wall Mounts, complemented by a 55-inch display using the same mounting solution, support a mix of donor messaging and rotating animal content to encourage membership and donations.
BrightSign’s integration into the Peerless-AV kiosks and mounts ensures the Zoo could deliver vibrant, real-time content across key locations, from entrances to busy pathways. The XD5 media players, powered by BrightSignOS™, facilitate smooth, high-definition playback, while Peerless-AV’s kiosks offer the durability and brightness needed for Chicago’s variable weather.
“Optimizing the content delivery process to all solutions was a crucial part of this installation,” said Rob Meiner, Technical Sales Engineer at Peerless-AV. “We knew we could count on BrightSign to be an amazing partner when it came to delivering a reliable and flexible content management system. The support from the team during the process resulted in a final product we were extremely satisfied with. The ability to update messaging so efficiently played a key role in our goal of increasing visitor engagement.”
This seamless integration also streamlines content management. The Zoo’s staff can now remotely update the displays through BrightSign’s brightAuthor connected software, reducing manual efforts and keeping the information fresh and relevant for visitors, enhancing both operational efficiency and the overall guest experience.
The Benefits
The combination of Peerless-AV’s outdoor hardware and BrightSign’s media players has delivered significant improvements for the Zoo, including:
- Greater Visitor Engagement: Dynamic digital displays help the Zoo increase participation in educational programs and events, creating an engaging, interactive atmosphere.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: The Zoo no longer needs to rely on static signage and the manual updates it requires. The CMS allows for quick content changes and ensures that signage remains up to date with minimal effort.
- New Revenue Streams: The digital signage system enables the Zoo to promote events and generate revenue through advertising.
The deployment is also a great example of successfully integrating technology while preserving the Zoo’s natural environment. By strategically positioning the digital signage displays, they were able to avoid disrupting natural light patterns and animal habitats, achieving a balance between innovation and environmental sensitivity.
Looking Ahead
With BrightSign and Peerless-AV, the Lincoln Park Zoo has upgraded its guest experience with modern digital signage that’s both effective and mindful of the environment. With flexible, scalable solutions now in place, the zoo is poised to continue evolving its exhibits and communications for years to come.
