MOC

APPLICATION FOR
EXHIBIT DESIGN PROJECT MANAGER
Morten Jorgensen
Cand.scient. Biology & Communication
Director of Terrariet – Reptile Zoo
Nationality: Danish
Age: 32

Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………….……..……………………………………..3
Profile…..….......…………………….……………………….…………………………………………………4
Exhibit Design Project Manager….………………………………………………………………….…8
MOC Project……….………….……….…..…………………………………………….……….…..……...9
Portfolio…………………………….……………………………………….……….………….……….…….10
Contact……..…..…………..….......…………………………………………………….………...……….14
Photos front page
Top left: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gocardusa/3820516569
Top right: Morten Jorgensen
Bottom left: Public domain
Bottom right: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dragnfly78/527036035

1. Introduction
A visit to zoological garden or an oceanarium changes your perspective of your world. When you have the opportunity to see
an animal up close, a wild animal you might never encounter in the wild, you get a new understanding of what that animal is
and what it experiences out in the wild. That understanding can make a big difference.
I believe that the role of zoo´s and aquaria is to inspire
millions of visitors to see real life animals and to connect with
them. And then to make changes at home or in their lifestyle
that leads to conservation for wild animals and their wild
habitats. This is what is so critically important in about the
world of zoo´s in todays society.
However, in light of unfortunately fatal events at SeaWorld,
Zoo Knoxville and other zoological facilities the recent years,
the integrity of zoo´s are often called into questions. Facts are
that zoo´s and aquaria's are critically to society, wild life
conservation and to wildlife research. The last couple of
decades, there has been a very positive transformation in
animal well fare in zoological facilities and exhibit design has
never been more important than now.
To be active in wild life conservation and research, visitor
numbers are crucial for zoological institutions, because they
secure a sustainable financial back bone. To attract visitors
funding for new and modern exhibits are also very important
because the publics expectations to their experience is very
high in todays society.
Muai Ocean Center is a great experience for all ages and at
the same time a important educational facility. The Center
holds a great potential to attract even more visitors by
allowing them to get even closer to the animals and connect
with them on a whole other level. In the following I would like
to present my self and my ideas for future exhibits and visitor
experiences at MOC.
foto: www.tontantravel.com

2. Profile
The combination of my education and work experiences has given me a very broad knowledge and experience in many fields.
Studying biology and communication gave me the tools to communicate and teach complex biological cases to the public. My
force and passion is using these skills to design zoo experiences through exhibits that are exciting, entertaining and
educational. In addition I have a huge network in both international zoo organizations and zoo´s and aquaria around the
World.
Education
• 2007 - 2009: Master in biology and communication.
• 2004 - 2007: Bachelor in biology and communication.
• 2001 - 2004: Mathematic graduate, Amtsgymnasiet i Sønderborg (High School).
Work experience
• 2015 - 2016: Research-assistant on various animal conservation projects around the world
• 2011 - : Managing director at Terrariet Vissenbjerg.
• 2010 - 2012: High School teacher in biology at Munkensdam Gymnasium, Kolding.
• 2010 - 2011: Manager of the education department at Terrariet Vissenbjerg.
• 2008 - 2009: Team-leader – Accounts receivable – L’EASY/D:E:R/WUPTI.
• 2004 - 2007: Student job – Accounts receivable – L’EASY.
• 2006 - 2008: - Instructor and teacher on several courses – University of Southern Denmark.
- Technical laboratory assistant in various research projects.
• 2007 - 2009: Initiation & management of an independent biological communication group (Bioteam)
Networks
• Organizations: EAZA, WAZA, AZA, IMATA, Species360 etc.
• Zoo´s and aquaria around the World
• Universities around the World

Professional competences
One of my biological interests is the aspect of animals kept under human care for public display. My master thesis focused on the
possibility to start a Swim With the Dolphins facility In Denmark covering every aspect of dolphinaria management and
construction. Professional institutions and companies who contributed to my training was Dolphins Plus - Florida, Ocean
Embassy/Sea World – Florida, Dolfinarium Harderwijk – The Netherlands, Grontmij Carl Bro – Denmark, and several others. This
has given me a precious network of competent resources, knowledge and experience in the following:
• General management
• Business administration
• Economics
• Outreach/Education
• PR
• Park-visitor/customer relations
• Park/facility management
• Park/facility design and construction
• Production of master plans
• Sponsorships and grants/donations
• Legislation and ethics of keeping animals under human care
• General animal husbandry
General management & project manager experence
• As the CEO of the zoological garden, Terrariet – Reptile Zoo, I get a continuing growing knowledge, experience and network in
the professional competences mentioned above. My focus has been on development and especially new exhibit design.
• For 5 years I worked in an accounts receivable department at a company that rent out electronics. In January 2008 I was
promoted to team-leader for 16 employees. My position and success as a team-leader has given me management skills and
the tools to collaborate with people in many positions. As team-leader my tasks were, among others: general management,
project management, responsibility for personnel, budget responsibility etc.

Teaching and presentation competences
• As an instructor on biological courses for several years, at the University of Southern Denmark, I’ve gained experience in
presenting and lecturing biology on a high educational level. I’ve used this experience as a High School teacher in biology at
Munkensdam Gymnasium in Kolding.
• To train my presentation skills I was one of the founders of an independent biological communication group at the University
of Southern Denmark (Bioteam). The group presented biology to mainly high school students and the public. Several
students are now involved in Bioteam and the success of the group has been acknowledged by the Institute of Biology and
the University.
• I’m used to do presentation in front of an audience, also in English. During my life and education I have visited many
countries, and lived in England for two years.
Research and laboratory competences
• Assistant, to a professor, on various successful research projects on marine organisms at the University of Southern Denmark.
• Use of laboratory techniques and technical laboratory equipment.
• Scientific article writing.
Personal competences
• Ambitious
• Structured
• Kind, friendly, open-minded and communicate well with people on all levels
• In all my activities my philosophy is to accentuate and focus on the positive in my own or other peoples work instead of
focusing on what is done wrong.
• I speak English and Danish fluently and master some German.
• Very good IT-competences
Spare time
• It is important to me to have a social network and I’m known as a friendly, positive and forthcoming person with a lot of
humor.
• In my spare time a like to exercise and explore local and foreign nature and culture. I also enjoy sports fishing and diving.
Civil status
• Married to Sandra who is also an biologist.

Exhibit Design Project Manager
Meeting deadlines and to a budget is the challenge for every project manager. Especially in new exhibit
projects in the animal display community. Here funds are often limited and dates are set to grand openings.
Getting the best out of the project team and have focus on structure and risk management will help to achieve
milestones and the end goal with success.
• I am experienced in project management off new zoo
exhibits. In the projects I have managed I have done
most of the work single handed. From first sketches to
drawing proposals in Sketch-up to delivery to an
architect. From construction start to opening for
visitors.
• I am highly structured and set up schedules and tasks in
graphical ways that are easy to understand and oversee.
Simple post-its or Gannt charts are good tools.
• Good and close communication with the executive staff
or project owner is essential for a successful project.
• I also have experiences as a team leader. Inspiration for
my leadership style is to focus on the positive and
coaching team members so they help them selves in
solving problems. As a project manager it is of course
also your task to take difficult dissociations and turn
negative issues in to positive.
• Every project should start with a good kick off meeting
and celebrations when major milestones are achieved.
This gives a good team spirit and helps achieve the next
goal.
• As the exhibit design project manager at MOC I would
be a great team player and be able to contribute to the
future success of MOC.

MOC project
New exciting, informative and entertaining exhibits and experiences combined with the existing popular and
educating attractions at MOC will attract many new visitors in the future. More people will be fascinated by the
amazing ocean life around Hawaii and help conserve it.
As the exhibit design project manager at MOC it would be my ambition, together with colleagues, to create exhibits and experiences
that would make the visitors forget time and place and indulges them selves into Hawaii's magnificent life below the sea surface. The
experience should start even before the visitors set foot on the grounds and they should remember their visit long after their day at
MOC. New exhibits and attraction could be constructed with offset in the existing theme and atmosphere in the park. In addition, to
attract more and new visitors, you also have to think out of the box and implement experiences that allow visitors to connect with
nature on a whole other level.
Surely MOC has a lot of great projects for the future. In addition I would suggest to change one of MOC slogans “…with out ever
getting wet”, into “plunge in” and create an experiences where people get into the animals environment:
Tropical reef
Almost every person in the world is fascinated by the beautiful
and stunning habitat of tropical reefs. Not exactly a new idea but
artificial tropical reefs where visitors can swim along fish and
corals are extremely popular around the world. It would fit in
perfectly at MOC and strengthen the mission of MOC.
Under safe conditions children and adults could, from a sandy
beach, plunge into an artificial coral reef and discover thousand
of colorful fish, from small clown fish to big rays. Corals in all of
the rainbows colors could be explored while snorkelers swim by
sharks only separated by glass.
In an area, with knee high water level, people can walk in
between unharmful stingrays while a staff members educate
about these magnificent fish.
The adventure can also be combined with SeaWalking, diving
courses etc.
In addition an aviary can be placed on top of part of the reef and
visitors can stroll along aquatic birds of Hawaii.
Photo top: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kudumomo/2649718708

Portfolio
The most exciting part of my job is managing projects from the first post-its in a brainstorming to the first
visitors set food in a new animal habitat. In the following projects I have managed and coordinated every
aspect in the process of fundraising, building design and construction, outreach, visitor experience etc.
The rainforest – opened 2015
210 m 2 lush walk through rainforest with crocodile and
mangrove exhibit. Large under water viewing areas with fish,
turtles and different amphibians.

The Venom Lab – opened 2015
Incorporated into the pyramid in the Desert this secret lab is
an exhibition that tells the story about how venom from
animals are used in the medical industry. Animals represented
in the exhibit have contributed with components from their
venom to create pain relievers, diabetes medicine, sedations
and more.

The Desert – opening 2017
Exhibits are incorporated into an Egyptian styled theme so
people are in no doubt. They are in a desert. A pyramid
dominates the room. On the outside it functions as a
“theatre” and on the inside exhibits are made underneath it.

Komodo
Terrariet houses two specimens of the largest lizard on earth.
The setting in the new Komodo house will replicate the
landscape found in Komodo National Park and beside dragons
house local flora and fauna.
Giant snakes
Reticulated python and the Green Anaconda. The two snakes
competing in being the largest snake in the World. The retic
gets up to 10 meters in length. The Anaconda a bit shorter but
much more heavy. Looking at each other from opposite
exhibits the animals compete in length and weight on
interactive screens.
Other projects managed: New kitchen, exhibits with local reptiles and amphibians, office buildings, etc.

Contact
Thank you very much for your interest in my application for the position as Exhibit Design Project Manager. I will be
looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely
Director – Terrariet
Tel.: +45 24 47 65 67
E-mail: mojoe04@gmail.com
Skype: mojoe04@gmail.com