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45 Million Views from Goddard, Kansas:

How a Stubborn Baby Hippo Taught Us Everything About Viral Tourism Marketing

ABOUT THE EVENT

A family-owned wildlife park outside Wichita didn’t hire a PR agency, run a paid campaign, or set out with a viral strategy. What they did have was a six-week-old pygmy hippo who refused to get out of a pool—and the instinct to hit record.

What followed was extraordinary: 45 million views, national television coverage, 800,000 new social media followers, and a surge of visitors traveling from across the country to Goddard, Kansas.

In this entertaining and insightful presentation, LynnLee Schmidt breaks down exactly what they did, what they didn’t do, and what this unexpected moment revealed about the one asset every Kansas destination already possesses—but no marketing budget can manufacture: an authentic story worth telling.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

LynnLee Schmidt serves as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief of Guest Engagement at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas. In her role, she helps lead strategy, marketing, team culture, and the guest experience for one of the nation’s most immersive wildlife parks.

Under her leadership, Tanganyika has evolved into a destination recognized for innovative animal encounters, conservation breeding programs, and an all-inclusive experience designed to create meaningful connections between people and wildlife.

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Event Details

Date: Wednesday, August 5
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Larkspur Bistro & Bar, 904 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita

Ticket price includes buffet lunch and dessert plus water, coffee, or tea. Walk-ins are welcome to enjoy the program for $15 and are invited to order from the Larkspur menu if they desire a meal.

Save $5! Make your reservation by noon Tuesday, August 4th, for these early-bird prices:

• WPC Members: $20
• Non-Members: $25
• Students: $10

No reservation? Walk-in prices:  

• WPC Members: $25
• Non-Members: $30
• Students: $10

Parking: Parking is available in the lots west and north of Larkspur. Visit wichita.gov/parking to find parking, book parking, download the ParkMobile app, or pay by phone.

New Reservation Procedure!

WPC has moved away from accepting cash and checks. Payments are now made with a credit/debit card when making online reservations. WPC has shifted to Give Butter, an online platform that specializes in working with nonprofits to offers lower fees for our guests, streamline our organization’s bookkeeping process, and reflect best practices for the functionality of online sales.

WPC monthly meetings support a scholarship fund for Wichita-area students pursuing a career in communications. Every year, WPC provides scholarships of up to $2,000 for Wichita-area college and university students majoring in a communications field. If you feel inspired, make a donation during check-out to help a future communicator! 

Upcoming Event

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Par-Tee for Scholarships

An Evening of Mini Golf, Great Food, Fabulous Prizes & Community

Free parking available!

Join us for an unforgettable evening supporting student scholarships! Enjoy a one-of-a-kind 9-hole custom miniature golf course that winds both indoors and outdoors while sampling delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a unique Kombucha & Salsa Pairing demonstration.

Whether you’re coming to compete, connect, or simply enjoy a fun night out, every ticket helps provide scholarships for future communications professionals.

Your Evening Includes

• Fabulous prize drawings throughout the evening!
• Unlimited play on our custom 9-hole mini golf course
• Delicious taquitos (vegetarian and meat options)
• Homemade picadillas—like a taco, only better!
• Fresh fruit trays
• Agua frescas, sodas, beer, and wine
• Kombucha mocktails
• Homemade favorites prepared with love by Rose and Riley
• Live Kombucha & Salsa Pairing demonstration

Ticket Options

General Admission — $65

Includes:

• Mini golf admission
• Food and beverages
• Kombucha & Salsa Pairing experience

Your ticket supports the scholarship fund:

• $35 – Food & venue expenses
• $30 – Scholarship donation

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General Admission + Prize Package — $100

Everything included with General Admission, plus:

• 3 entries into our Fabulous Prize Drawings

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Super Deluxe Admission — $150

Everything included with General Admission, plus:

• 5 entries into our Fabulous Prize Drawings
• The best chance to take home one of our amazing prizes while making an even greater impact on the scholarship fund.

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Fabulous Prize Drawing Tickets — $25 each

Want even more chances to win?

Purchase additional Prize Drawing Tickets for $25 each and boost your odds while helping support student scholarships.

Come Play. Eat. Win. Make a Difference.

Bring your friends, enjoy a relaxed evening of miniature golf, incredible food and drinks, and exciting prize drawings—all while investing in the next generation through scholarships.

Every swing, every laugh, and every ticket makes a difference. We can’t wait to see you on September 9!