The Challenge
The Calgary Zoo needed more than a redesign. Their existing website couldn't keep up with the complexity of their operations. Memberships required manual management, school and camp bookings still relied on phone calls and paperwork, and high-volume events regularly overloaded staff. The goal was clear: move everything online, reduce administrative burden, and give visitors the self-service tools they expect.
The Approach
Jixaw built a self-service platform on its own Tessitura-integrated CMS, putting automation at the centre of everything. Key features included:
Membership Module: Members get full online control of renewals, discounts, and special offers. Built on Jixaw's own CMS, staff can easily manage content, while pricing rules and discounts are applied automatically in the background.
Education & Camps Booking: Teachers and parents book school trips and kids' camps directly online, filtering by grade, subject, and date. Accounts save details for future use and payment can be deferred, eliminating phone calls and paperwork entirely.
Timed Ticketing & High-Volume Events: Flexible functionality handles daily admissions, timed entry, and member access even on the busiest days.
Special Events Ticketing: A tailored system supports non-standard venues from lecture theaters to outdoor areas, with Select-Your-Own-Seat functionality integrated directly with Tessitura.
The Outcome
The results were felt across the entire organization. Visitors can manage memberships, buy tickets, and book programs anytime on any device. Teachers and parents get faster, more reliable bookings without waiting for office hours. Staff spend less time on manual entry and more time on the work that actually moves the mission forward. The Zoo's digital presence now reflects what it has always been: a world-class destination for families and animal lovers.
