First 100 children to arrive on opening day receive free passes
SAN FRANCISCO CALIF., March 3, 2010 – After spending nearly two months at the Phoenix Zoo, GEICO's famous gecko exhibit will be traveling west to spend some time in San Francisco at Aquarium of the Bay. To celebrate, GEICO will be giving away 100 passes to children who arrive at the aquarium on opening day, March 6.
The exhibit which runs from March 6 through the end of April, features Giant Day Geckos and is part of a three-year partnership between GEICO and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Through the partnership, the geckos have traveled around the country to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, helping children understand the importance of preserving the environment.
"I'm excited that GEICO and the AZA are bringing their traveling gecko exhibit to Aquarium of the Bay," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. "The GEICO Gecko is a perfect ambassador for environmental conservation and I'm confident the exhibit will be educational and engaging."
"This partnership has proven to be a fabulous opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of animal and wildlife conservation," said Rynthia Rost, vice president of GEICO. "The traveling exhibit has already gotten off to a great start in Phoenix, and we know that the rest of the year will be just as successful."
"Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe visit Aquarium of the Bay each year," said John Frawley, president and CEO of The Bay Institute, "and we are pleased that the gecko exhibit showcases the need to protect wildlife worldwide. Our mission is to create experiences that inspire conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed, and this travelling exhibit provides us with a wonderful opportunity to add a global perspective."
"By traveling to many different accredited zoo and aquariums, we've been able to reach thousands of people with our conservation message," said Jim Maddy, AZA President and CEO. "Through this partnership with GEICO, we've already made an impact on the lives of many children who might not otherwise know about the importance of wildlife conservation."
A schedule of the aquarium's hours can be found on their Web site at www.aquariumofthebay.org.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 11 million private passenger customers and insures more than 18 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
GEICO's online service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy changes, claims reporting and to print insurance ID cards.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
About Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is a nonprofit marine nature center operated by The Bay Institute. The Aquarium is dedicated to creating experiences that inspire conservation of the San Francisco Bay and its watershed. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and certified as a Green Business by the city of San Francisco. Additional information is available at www.aquariumofthebay.org.
