In 2024, Hunden Partners delivered unmatched breadth and depth of industry expertise and best practices. As the global advisor for destination real estate, tourism and placemaking, we partnered with destination management organizations, cities and counties, economic development corporations, sports teams owners, universities, and private developers to deliver 115 total plans, projects, and processes across nearly every U.S. state and multiple countries to expand possibilities, transform neighborhoods and districts, and increase economic impact in communities globally.
- Informed, Impactful Decision Making: Conducted 74 Market Demand, Financial Feasibility, and Impact Studies, using a powerful blend of market intelligence and experience to help clients, including Comcast Spectacor, conceive projects that maximize impact. As a result of Hunden’s study, Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment came to an agreement for a shared arena for the 76ers and Flyers.
- Unlocking Hidden Potential: We initiated 78 new placemaking plans, feasibility studies, and development processes, that untapped opportunities and shaped future growth in communities like Waco, Texas.
- Leading Placemaking Stewardship and Transforming Communities: Delivered eight Community-wide Placemaking Plans and Destination Development Strategies, ranging from the vibrant urban landscape of Dallas to the evolving market of Jackson, Mississippi, and provided vital advisory services for DMOs from coast to coast, with strategic guidance that spanned everything from board engagement to comprehensive placemaking plans, from Maryland to Denton,Texas, to Coronado, California.
- Creating Well-functioning and Better-funded Places: Executed 32 Destination Development, Governance, and Funding Advisory processes, designing well-funded, high-functioning places that stand the test of time. The ongoing Fort Worth Convention Center expansion is just one example of developments with multiple funding sources.
- Economic Development through Placemaking: Continued to connect EDC and DMO leaders to drive strategic economic placemaking that improves industries, creates jobs, and enhances the quality of life in regions worldwide, much like the work to redevelop the Portland Expo Center.
- Shaping the Future of Sports Development: Advised on numerous transformative major league, Power 5 conference, and minor league sports-anchored developments, including Indianapolis’ efforts to attract a MLS team, that sets the stage for next-generation sports districts and community hubs. Hunden is working on a major NFL stadium and district deal, several NBA/NHL arena projects, including in Philadelphia, and several major university stadium/arena districts at LSU, University of Oklahoma (OU) and University of Kansas (KU).
- Driving Public-Private Partnerships: Facilitated successful P3 development projects and assessed the impacts to the public sector by private attraction projects, including nearly 100 projects in Kentucky since 2001, including ten in 2024. Our fiscal and jobs impact work with the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet demonstrates the economic and workforce impact these projects can have on communities.
- Guiding Clients from Vision to Action: We completed not just studies or plans, but an iterative, proactive process to build thriving places. We successfully moved 37 existing clients to the next stage of development, turning concepts into realities, including the Tulsa headquarters hotel, adjacent to the Cox Business Convention Center.
- Fostering Arts, Culture, and Entertainment: Spearheaded six arts, culture, and entertainment strategic action plans, advancing economic development in regions from rural towns to bustling urban centers, including our optimization plan to reimagine the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre.
- Doubling Our Staff to Increase Our Services: Added industry leaders Bethanie DeRose, EVP Consulting, Jay Burress, EVP Tourism, Ronnie Burt, Senior VP, Mike Thiessen, Project Executive, Keith Downham, CFO/COO, and Amy Pagett, CPO, to our team to expand our placemaking and destination development services including master plans, strategic plans, placemaking action plans, and tourism plans. In total, Hunden added 16 team members, doubling our staff, and added locations in Dallas, Baltimore and New York/New Jersey.
