Mote welcomes Membership and Special Events Coordinator
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is pleased to welcome Sam Byrd as the new Membership and Special Events Coordinator Byrd will assist in promoting Mote's memberships and its Buy a Brick program.
Byrd will assist in promoting membership and Mote’s Buy a Brick program. Becoming a Mote Member is one way to help our oceans. Members support marine research, the animals that live in Mote Aquarium and public outreach programs about the marine world. In return, members receive a year of free visits to the Aquarium, along with many other great benefits.
Mote’s Buy a Brick program offers a permanent way for guests to show their lasting support for Mote, and if desired, to honor someone special in their life. With a gift of $150 to Mote, guests or their honoree will receive an engraved brick that can be placed at various locations in and around Mote Aquarium's main building or nearby at the Anne and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center. Guests can choose their place of honor and add a special message.
Byrd will also develop and oversee outreach and fundraising events, including Run for the Turtles, Oceanic Evening, Party on the Pass, Special Lecture Series, World Oceans Day and other Mote events.
Prior to working at Mote, Byrd worked in the Office of Alumni Engagement and Sustained Giving at Saint Leo University where she planned events for alumni and donors.
Byrd graduated from Saint Leo University with a Communication Management degree.
You can reach Byrd at 941-388-4441 ext. 426, sbyrd@mote.org.
A Q&A with Byrd
What brought you to Mote?
I’m a fifth generation Sarasotain. Sarasota is my home. I grew up going to Mote’s Summer Camps and school field trips, and its mission as a nonprofit marine research end education institution has always enthralled me.
I wanted to become a part of a program and an organization that has such a great mission and purpose. I wanted to support that and I think it’s important to work for a company that shares the same values I have. I also have great experience in special events and event planning, so I think it will be the perfect fit.
What are most excited about?
I would say bringing the community together is one of my main focuses. I’m excited about becoming a part of this team and making new connections in Sarasota. A lot of my friends are either in college or graduated and move out of state, so I want to make new connections. Becoming closer with the members at Mote is also a focus of mine, because I know they are such a huge part of the organization and building those relationships with them so they want to come back and keeping them passionate and connected with Mote.
What are your goals as the new Membership and Special Events Coordinator?
I want to create long lasting relationships with Mote members and help with member retention. I’d like to start by reviewing our current member appreciation events and building upon that.
I have a passion for bringing the community together. And the great thing about Mote is there are members of every age, and it is important that children and adults learn about our oceans, and I can’t wait to be a part of that.