One of the dinosaurs on display at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum west of Grande Prairie (Photo: Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association Facebook page)

By Shane Clausing

Dinosauria Museum Prague

Local Queen’s University student helping launch new dinosaur museum in Czech Republic

Sep 13, 2021 | 6:10 AM

A Grande Prairie resident and Queen’s University student is heading the Prague, Czech Republic next month to participate in a major school project.

Ryan Blais is currently attending Queen’s University and is trying to earn an Executive MBA (Master of Business Administration).

As part of that, one of his final group projects is to partner with a multinational organization and develop a significant management consulting plan for them.

There are seven people as part of Blais’ team, four of them are from out west and three are from the eastern part of Canada.

Through networking and connections, Blais and his group decided to partner and create a consulting plan with a business that could soon become one of Europe’s top tourism destinations.

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“We were able to connect with this organization in the Czech Republic and what it is an international dinosaur museum in Prague,” said Blais. “It’s called Dinosauria Museum Prague and where they’re building it is really interesting.

“It’s a part of a complex called POP (Premium Outlet Prague) and you can think of this as West Edmonton Mall meets international airport, meets retail entertainment, and it’s within a five-kilometre radius of the international airport in Prague.”

Blais says the dinosaur museum will be opening in October.

“We’re basically helping them attract Europe and the world to their outlet, mall, and dinosaur museum from the airport,” he explained.

Another part of the project for Blais and his group is to develop relationships and cross-promotions with other international dinosaur museums.

Because he’s from Grande Prairie, he and his group have decided to partner with the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum and other Alberta groups to help the new museum gain some exposure.

“Alberta has one of the richest bone beds for dinosaurs in the world and we’re lucky to have that right here in the Peace Region. We’ve reached out to (the) Philip J. Currie (Museum) to learn from them and spot opportunities for cross-promotions,” said Blais.

“We’ve also been lucky to be collaborating with Travel Alberta and (the) Edmonton International Airport. Through case study, we’re really learning what it looks like for a dinosaur museum to develop a marketing strategy and establish itself on the international market as well.”

The museum will have major dinosaurs on display as well as other unique features.

Blais says this is a big opportunity for him and the rest of his group.

“It’s going to be really important when global tourism opens back up and there will be many entertainment draws around the world that are going to have to contemplate what it’s going to be and how they will attract people to their experience.”

You can find information POP and the dinosaur museum by clicking here.

Photo Credit: Ryan Blais