Whale Museum seeks LTAC funding to rebrand, relaunch website and host new VR exhibit

Mike Cooperberg, executive director at The Whale Museum, presented a funding request to LTAC that focuses on brand consolidation, a website overhaul and associated implementation costs to more clearly link the museum’s on‑water programs (SoundWatch, the Marine Mammal Response Program) to its physical museum presence and outreach.

He said the museum sits at the center of county visitation with roughly 30,000 annual visitors and that a new brand and website would help the museum capture recognition for work it already performs on boats and in the field. Cooperberg also previewed an incoming VR exhibit, Critical Distance, which he said has toured major institutions including the Smithsonian and Royal BC Museum; the gallery’s producer will help install and train staff to operate the exhibit.

Committee members pressed on data collection for overnight stays and visitor tracking; Cooperberg said voluntary electronic surveys and group registrations (tour groups, Road Scholar, cruise guests) provide a partial basis for LTAC reporting and that the museum plans to increase collection of lodging information at point of sale.