Balloon manufacturer Aerophile says the capture rate, number of paying guests who also bought tickets to the Balloon Voyage, is higher than any other around the world.

Press Release

FISHERS, Ind. (Nov. 18, 2009) – Conner Prairie Interactive History Park is thriving despite the economic downturn. Attendance, revenue and membership sales are up significantly compared to last year. As of Nov. 1, 2009, general admission attendance at Conner Prairie was 11 percent higher than last year at the same time. Symphony on the Prairie also saw groundbreaking numbers in 2009, with more than 107,000 guests in attendance.

General admission and membership revenues have both seen 4 percent increases over last year, with membership attendance 18 percent higher than in 2008. “Four years ago we made some very unusual choices for a history institution and those choices today have put us in a better position to weather the economic downturn,” says Ellen M. Rosenthal, president & CEO at Conner Prairie. “At a time when most history institutions are struggling, we are confident in the future that lies ahead for Conner Prairie.”

This year, Conner Prairie opened its newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage, which is the first step of an aggressive long-term strategic plan. The balloon exhibit has been highly successful, nearly doubling the originally planned goals and bringing in more than $200,000. Balloon manufacturer Aerophile says the capture rate, number of paying guests who also bought tickets to the Balloon Voyage, is higher than any other around the world.

Conner Prairie’s Apple Store also had a blockbuster year, with an increase of 12 percent in sales over 2008. The Conner Prairie Alliance dipped more than 14, 000 of their signature Indiana caramel apples and donated more than 3,400 volunteer hours to the Apple Store.

One area that is down slightly is giving. “It has been great to see so many friends of Conner Prairie protect their giving to our institution during these times. Thanks to our loyal donors we are forecasting to end the year slightly ahead of last year’s giving totals,” says Cameron McGuire, vice president of development at Conner Prairie. School admissions and special programs also have not fared as well as in 2008.

Conner Prairie has had many accomplishments this year including becoming Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate. Increased attendance and revenue numbers are expected to continue through the end of the year as Conner Prairie offers programs such as Follow the North Star, Gingerbread Village, Conner Prairie by Candlelight and Holiday on the Prairie, a program of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor’s Association’s 12 Free Days of Christmas program

Conner Prairie interactive history park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage. This exhibit educates guests about Indiana’s aviation history and culminates with a voyage 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Admission to Conner Prairie is $12 adult, $11 senior, $8 youth (ages 2-12) and free for members and children under 2. Balloon voyage fee is $15 for non-members and $12 for members. For additional information about Conner Prairie visit www.connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.

Source: Conner Prairie