Time capsule; Artworks Cincinnati mural announced as part of summer-long celebration

(L-R) Kentucky state Sen. Katie Stine; City of Newport Commisioner John Hayden; Kentucky state Rep. Dennis Keene; Newport Aquarium VP & Executive Director Eric Rose; City of Newport Vice Mayor Tom Guidugli; Campbell County Judge Executive Steve Pendery; Kentucky Travel & Tourism Executive Director Todd Cassidy

NEWPORT, Ky. – Dignitaries, politicians and business leaders flocked to Northern Kentucky on Thursday, May 15, to celebrate Newport Aquarium’s 15-year anniversary as a leading attraction in the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky region.

Standing in front of a 385,000-gallon shark tank, Newport Aquarium Vice President and Executive Director Eric Rose accepted proclamations from the offices of Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear; Kentucky state Sen. Katie Stine; Kentucky state Rep. Dennis Keene; Campbell County (Ky.) Judge Executive Steve Pendery; and City of Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso. City of Cincinnati councilmembers Amy Murray and Wendell Young were also present for the event.

The proclamations from Gov. Besheaer, Judge Executive Pendery and Mayor Peluso, as well as Senator Stine’s senate resolution, applauded Newport Aquarium for spearheading the revitalization of the Newport riverfront and developing into one of the premiere Midwest destinations.

Some of the key figures highlighted during their presentations were:
-Over the past 15 years, Newport Aquarium has seen more than 10 million guests enter its doors, 6.5 million of which were from outside the Greater Cincinnati region.
-Newport Aquarium’s success over the last 15 years has helped generate approximately $500 million (half a billion) to the local economy.
-In its 15-year history, Newport Aquarium has earned a reputation as one of the best aquariums in the world. Newport Aquarium was voted the No. 1 aquarium in the country by USA Today’s 10Best.com. Most recently, it was named a top U.S. aquarium by Travel Channel in 2013 and by US City Traveler in 2014.

Rep. Keene presented a proclamation to Alison Ruebusch, Newport Aquarium operations manager and the chairperson of the Newport Aquarium safety committee, for her heroic actions that helped save the lives of two people on Jan. 24.

(L-R) Nick Ruebusch; Susan Ruebusch; Ride the Ducks Operations Manager Alison Ruebusch; Ky. state Rep. Dennis Kenne; Newport Aquarium VP & Executive Director Eric Rose

Additionally, business leaders on behalf of the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network; Hershend Family Entertainment Corp. (Newport Aquarium’s parent company); Newport on the Levee; the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; and the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau attended to show their support.

15-Year Anniversary Time Capsule: Announced Thursday to help commemorate its 15-year anniversary, Newport Aquarium will place a time capsule on exhibit in August. Facebook fans of Newport Aquarium will have opportunities throughout the summer to send in their photos and give suggestions on the time capsule’s contents before it goes on display for the next 10 years.

Artworks Mural: Starting in June, high school students from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will collaborate with Artworks Cincinnati on a summer-long project to design and produce a mural along the exterior Ohio riverside wall of Newport Aquarium. The mural will be pay homage to aquatic life exhibited at Newport Aquarium over the past 15 years, with a September expected completion date.

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).

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Newport Aquarium, the No. 1 aquarium in the country according to USA Today’s 10Best.com, showcases thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water. Named a top U.S. aquarium by US City Traveler in 2014 and by Travel Channel in 2013, Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Newport Aquarium is open to the public 365 days a year and is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.

Find us on: Facebook.com/NewportAquarium | Twitter: @NewportAquarium

One Aquarium Way | Newport, KY 41071 | 859-261-7444
www.newportaquarium.com