The Tennessee Aquarium on Nov. 24 celebrated the passage of a major milestone with the arrival of its 25 millionth guest since opening in 1992.
Amanda Roe of Bristol came to Chattanooga with her husband and three children to visit the Tennessee Aquarium for the first time. Roe was surprised to learn she was the Aquarium’s 25 millionth guest.
“We wanted to come to Chattanooga to spend the weekend together,” Roe said. “We’d never been here before, so we were surprised to win.”
In recognition of their important place in the 26-year history of the Aquarium, the lucky group was surprised in the River Journey building with a collection of prizes valued at more than $1,000.
The reward package included tickets to the Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theater, $250 toward purchases in the Aquarium gift shops, a behind-the-scenes tour, a VIP pass to more than 20 Chattanooga-area attractions and a voucher to return to Chattanooga to stay in the new Edwin boutique hotel.
The Roe’s trip began with an unlucky delay that ended up working out. “We got in the car to come here but the battery was dead,” said Roe’s husband, Michael. “We would have been here earlier and missed out if we hadn’t had to replace the car’s battery.”
The Tennessee Aquarium opened its doors on May 1, 1992. Since opening, the Aquarium has contributed more than $3.3 billion to the local economy through non-local visitor spending.
Celebrating the Aquarium’s 25 millionth guest also honors the generations of visitors who preceded her, says Aquarium President and CEO Keith Sanford.
“The Aquarium and Chattanooga have come to hold a special place in the hearts of millions of people,” Sanford says. “We strive every day to earn their support, to inspire others, and to show how connected we all are to the natural world.”
Source: Tennessee Aquarium