2016 June Winner

Jon Maciver

The Vancouver Aquarium

Jon went above and beyond his job description to provide my partner and me with an incredible experience at the aquarium. We had arrived only 25 minutes before the aquarium's closing, due to being held up in traffic.  We ran around the aquarium in order to take in the many fantastic exhibits.  We had just finished viewing the jellyfish when a security guard told us that we needed to head towards the exit since they were closing. My partner and I were visibly disapointed since we were flying home early the next morning.  We asked if we could just run quickly to see the large boa.  When we got to the snake tank, Jon happily greeted us and explaind how the snake had been left on the aquarium's doorstep and how they were working to take care of it.  We thanked him and told him that we had loved the aquarium and were just sad that we missed the larger animals - the otters in particular.

Without missing a beat, he invited us to follow him to the otters.  This began our 40 minutes, post-closing, impromptu PRIVATE TOUR!  Jon proceeded to show us the otters, beluga whales, dolphins, seals, and porpoises.  We were absolutely blown away and without a doubt, this experience MADE our trip. Jon thoughtfully explained every single animal's age, personality, care needs, and chance for release. My partner and I had already experience a phenominal time in Vancouver, yet the aquarium was hands-down our FAVOURITE experience.  Jon could not deserve the Vancovuer Tourism Award more!  We adore him!

-- Marlene, California