Georgia Aquarium - History and Admissions

History and Admissions

In November 2001 Bernard Marcus announced his idea to construct an aquarium as a present to Atlanta that would encourage both education and economic growth. Marcus and his wife Billi visited 56 aquariums in 13 countries to research and design a structure, and finally donated $250 million toward Georgia Aquarium’s construction. Major corporations including the Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, Home Depot, UPS, AirTran Airways, AT&T Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Time Warner, SunTrust and Southern Company contributed an additional $40 million. The corporate donations allowed the aquarium to open debt free.

Marcus hired Jeff Swanagan, the then CEO of the Florida Aquarium, as the Georgia Aquarium's first employee in 2002. Swanagan had been credited with turning around the financially troubled Florida Aquarium during his tenure as CEO. Swanagan would become the Georgia Aquarium's founding president and executive director, and is largely credited with the creation of the aquarium. He oversaw every aspect in the creation of the aquarium, from the design of the structure to the procurement of animals for the exhibits.

After 27 months and with 60 animal habitats, 16,400 square feet (1,520 m2) of ball room space, 2 food service kitchens, gift shops, a 4-D theater, an on-site restaurant, and a parking lot, the Georgia Aquarium opened first on November 21, 2005 to annual pass holders and then on November 23, 2005 to the general public. At $26 per adult, $21.50 for Seniors, and $19.50 for Children, the price of admission to the non-profit aquarium is among the most expensive in the country. The aquarium has nevertheless far exceeded visitor expectations, welcoming its 1 millionth guest on March 1, 2006, only ninety-eight days after opening. The aquarium sold over 290,000 annual passes for its first year, before sales were halted (to avoid a "private club" atmosphere, according to Swanagan). The Georgia Aquarium welcomed its three millionth guest on August 24, 2006, its five millionth on May 23, 2007, and its ten millionth guest on June 25, 2009. The Aquarium is an affiliate within the Smithsonian Affiliations program.

Jeff Swanagan remained the president and chief executive of the Georgia Aquarium until 2008, when he departed to join the Columbus Zoo. He was succeeded as president by Anthony Godfrey. Godfrey had originally been hired by Swanagan in 2004 as the aquarium's chief financial officer. David Kimmel was named president in May 2010 after Godfrey resigned. Kimmel worked with Marcus previously when he was the director of project management for Heery International, a project management company retained by the aquarium to develop the specifications and contracts for all firms associated with the creation and to oversee all phases of construction.