When our summer interns set out to find worthy organizations to help with the LexJet #brandUP project, our friends over at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium were an undeniable choice.

These world-class scientists and staff work year-round to conduct research, save animals and educate the public near and far. Now in its 60th year, the Sarasota-headquartered Mote has expanded to five operations around Florida and continues to attract visitors, open new exhibits and change the way the world thinks about the ocean and how we all interact with it.

With all of the various educational programs and new activities going on, hanging and standing banners come in handy to keep visitors informed. “Banners are an easy way to make a big statement,” says Alexis Balinski, graphic designer at Mote. “They’re really eye catching.”

Working with our intern team, Mote requested stand-up banners for the front lobby to direct visitors to the Marine Mammal Center as well as stand-up banners for Mote’s Aquaculture Park – a sustainable fish farming research facility in eastern Sarasota County. They also needed hanging banners to announce their upcoming exhibit: Otters & Their Waters, which is scheduled to open in early 2016.

Rescued otters from various rehabilitation facilities that were orphaned and too young to survive on their own will occupy the new exhibit. Hanging banners announce that the otters are coming soon. The banners were printed on HEYtex TopazFLX 13 oz Gloss and LexJet Satin Light Block Polyester.

We also produced banners to promote Mote’s Shark Days. “It’s our version of Shark Week,” Balinski says. “Our evening programs are geared toward adults with lectures and Google hangouts with our experts. On that Saturday, we have the Fins & Fun Family Festival, which is an all-day event with booths and entertainment.”

Mote’s Shark Days is scheduled for August 2016. Visit Mote’s website to stay on top of all of the news and updates about upcoming events.