In the News

Introducing our new ‘Powerhouse duo’ at Hunden Partners: Jay Burress, our new Executive Vice President of Tourism, and Bethanie DeRose, Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), our new Executive Vice President of Consulting. Both Jay and Bethanie bring a wealth of experience in destination planning and development, which will greatly benefit our firm.

Rob Hunden, CEO of Hunden Partners, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Jay and Bethanie to the team. The number of clients requesting placemaking plans, tourism strategies, and feasibility studies for catalytic destination assets continues to grow, so we are expanding our expertise and capacity with top industry leaders to meet the industry’s needs. Nobody is better equipped to advise our DMO clients of all budget sizes to lead the charge in tourism and placemaking as Jay can because he’s been in their shoes. Bethanie’s data-driven approach to consulting on tourism plans, convention center strategies, and destination organization advisory has delivered game-changing results. I can’t wait to create more impact in the communities we serve with the addition of this powerhouse duo.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jay Burress and Bethanie DeRose to the team. The number of clients requesting placemaking plans, tourism strategies and feasibility studies for catalytic destination assets continues to grow, so we are expanding our expertise and capacity with top industry leaders to meet the industry’s needs,” says Hunden CEO and founder Rob Hunden. “Nobody is better equipped to advise our DMO clients of all budget sizes to lead the charge in tourism and placemaking in the way that Jay can because he’s been in their shoes. Bethanie’s data-driven approach to consulting on tourism plans, convention center strategies and destination organization advisory has delivered game-changing results. I can’t wait to create more impact in the communities we serve with the addition of this powerhouse duo.”

Led by President & CEO Rob Hunden, Hunden Partners is at the forefront of driving economic growth through sports tourism. We specialize in the strategic development of sports complexes and their surrounding ecosystems, transforming communities into vibrant, economically thriving centers. Over the past decade, sports tourism has seen unprecedented growth, particularly in the realm of youth sports complexes. At Hunden Partners, we recognize that merely building a sports facility is not enough. Our approach focuses on creating comprehensive, walkable destination districts that include shopping, dining, hotels, offices, and housing. These amenities ensure that the economic benefits of sports tourism stay within the community, enhancing local businesses and generating significant tax revenue. We believe in the power of placemaking. By developing destinations around sports complexes, we help communities capture the full economic potential of sports tourism.

Hunden, a full-service real estate development advisory practice, announced that its CEO and Founder, Robin “Rob” Hunden, has been selected to receive one of two prestigious 2024 Jeffrey D. Fisher Real Estate Legacy Awards from Indiana University‘s (IU) Kelley School of Business Center for Real Estate Studies. Phil Powell, Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Indiana Business Research Center, is the second recipient. The honorees will be officially presented with the awards at the IU Real Estate Alumni & Friends Dinner on April 25 at Newfields – Indianapolis Museum of Art. 

Rob’s dedication to education and service, demonstrated through creating scholarships, mentoring students, and serving on the Center’s advisory board, has positively impacted IU’s real estate program.

Six musical theatre majors were awarded the Robin Scott Hunden Musical Theatre Scholarship for the current academic year.

“I grew up singing and performing through college, and while I didn’t pursue the performing arts as a career, I continue to love and appreciate the positive impact that the arts have on individuals and communities,” says Rob Hunden, CEO and Founder of Hunden Partners, and Founder of the Hunden Musical Theatre Scholarship. “The arts can be a catalyst for placemaking, community-building, and belonging. I’m delighted to help provide opportunities for college students to pursue their artistic careers.”

To date, Rob Hunden has donated more than $20,000 to support Ball State students. The scholarship was established in 2015, with the first recipients receiving funding in the 2017-2018 academic year. The program is structured to award scholarships to students in the Musical Theatre program, with at least one sophomore, junior, and senior each receiving financial support per academic year. Students are eligible to receive the scholarship for multiple years: both Jaylen Bryan and Mitchell Takeda are two-time recipients. On top of the scholarship program, Hunden has covered additional costs for students related to musical theatre careers, including travel costs to New York for auditions. Past recipients have appeared on stage in productions such as “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” on Broadway and the “Six” U.S. national tour.

On Tuesday, March 12th, at the P3 Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas, we’ll delve into the captivating story of the University of Kansas Gateway District, a groundbreaking mixed-use and public-private partnership (P3) stadium success story in the making. Hunden Partners will collaborate with the University of Kansas to discuss the development of the University of Kansas Gateway Project. Our panel will feature insights from KU staff Heather Blanck, Chief Procurement Officer; Jeff DeWitt, Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice Chancellor, Finance; and Hunden’s Steve Haemmerle, EVP Advisory Services.

Join us at the P3 Conference & Expo and discover how this visionary, groundbreaking project is intended to transform the north entrance to KU’s campus into a vibrant destination, enhance recruitment efforts, and provide economic benefits to Kansas.

Mixed-use opportunities: What’s behind teams, cities, and developers targeting minor league markets? From Richmond, Virginia, to Omaha, Nebraska, cities have embraced mixed-use developments centered around sports stadiums, catering to evolving community needs. According to the President and CEO of Hunden Partners, Rob(in) Hunden, the placemaking trend that revitalized major cities has now reached second and third-tier markets.

Check out Bret McCormick’s column in the most recent Sports Business Journal magazine, which examines the spillover of the sports venue-adjacent mixed-use development concept into minor league markets. Join the discussion on the future of sports-driven urban revitalization and be at the forefront of this captivating topic.

While Daytona Beach is known for NASCAR, Volusia County could become an attraction for motocross racing. Hunden Partners was hired to conduct a feasibility study on building a motocross facility in Volusia County. The feasibility study looks at a facility with two full-sized competitive motocross tracks, a minimum of 50 RV slips with electric and water hookups, 750 general parking spaces, concession and bathroom facilities and a training facility or pro shop.

Rob Hunden‘s expertise, honed through 75 to 100 annual projects, offers a compelling narrative of progress and potential on the ever-evolving landscape of sports venues annually as a member of Coliseum Global Sports Venue Alliance. He tells ‘Coliseum’ that the venue industry is in a constant state of flux – “Everything changes every week. Every day that goes by, another venue announces they might be renovating or considering leaving Chicago or any other place in the United States… We have got lots of new mixed-use districts developments coming around. So they are really trying to put all the placemaking together, which is what we love and what we love to do. With our clients, we have put together these awesome places that people want to live-work-play-visit.”

See his Coliseum Conference 2023 State of the Industry PowerPoint on our downloads page, and join the conversation on the future of venues at this year’s US Coliseum Summit, which will be happening this June in Kansas City. You won’t want to miss it!

Imagination Theater’s initiatives inspired CEO Rob Hunden and Hunden Partners to fund an Imagination Theater residency program at Chicago’s Frank W Reilly Elementary. Hunden has partnered with and supported Imagination Theater for nearly twenty years with a commitment to elevate a safe, positive, and memorable environment, not only in our communities for residents and visitors but also in schools. The initiative focuses on developing empathy and emotional intelligence, crucial skills for preventing bullying and social isolation. So, just as Hunden Partners believes in transforming places, we also support organizations who believe in transforming lives.

Hunden Partners is set to play a pivotal advisory and planning role in transforming Waco, Texas, after being selected to lead placemaking feasibility analysis efforts for multiple projects across the city.  The market and financial feasibility work will focus on the opportunity for a new convention center, Minor League Baseball stadium, and mixed-use entertainment district, as well as an analysis of future utilization and opportunity for all outdoor ballfields. It is an exciting opportunity to partner with the city and plan for projects that hold the power to enhance the experience of living, working, and visiting the city.

President & CEO Rob Hunden is optimistic about the impact of these projects, stating, “The City of Waco is primed for a placemaking renaissance. The master plan will usher in a new era for the city, elevating the quality of life for residents, boosting local businesses, and attracting tourism from around the nation.”

The market analysis and feasibility study considers a potential Waco Convention Center (WCC) rebuild to anchor the mixed-use district. Waco is a central meeting location between major metropolitan areas in Texas, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, and Houston, and the city has the opportunity to benefit from the growing meeting and convention demand in the area.

Another key component of the plan is an examination of sports and entertainment opportunities, including consideration of a new Minor League Baseball stadium and complimentary outdoor event spaces. The environment around a sports venue determines its likelihood of attracting a new team and bringing in a steady base of attendees. As such, Hunden will evaluate the feasibility of new and existing hotel spaces, retailers, restaurants, residential units, office space, parking garage structures, and outdoor spaces such as a boat house and river access.

Great news from the City of Cincinnati  – Ohio awards critical grant to Cincinnati Convention Center headquarters hotel project.

Portman Holdings, on behalf of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp and the City of Cincinnati, hired Hunden Partners to complete a market demand, financial feasibility, and economic impact study for the development of a new full-service headquarters hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. We are thrilled our work on a market and financial feasibility study supported PORTMAN and 3CDC in securing $40 million in state incentives, and are excited to follow the progress of a new headquarters hotel!

Hunden Partners has just unveiled its “Top Ten Sports Host Cities” list, a crucial guide for city leaders, DMOs, and decision-makers. The list, derived from a comprehensive analysis of 50+ major U.S. metropolitan areas over three decades, highlights the impact of hosting televised sports events. It’s a game-changer for destination real estate and economic growth strategies!

Charting a decade of economic influence, Hunden Partners unveils impactful findings from the KFC Yum! Center study.

In partnership with Louisville Tourism and the Louisville Arena Authority, Hunden Partners played a pivotal role in conducting an in-depth economic impact study focused on the KFC Yum! Center. Our comprehensive analysis, which spans 2015 through 2023, uncovers the evolving economic landscape influenced by this iconic venue.

Hunden Partners worked to provide a comprehensive market analysis for a proposed state-of-the-art athletic complex set to replace The Dalles’ Kramer Fields. Hunden’s recommendations feature an array of sports fields, diamonds, and courts, shaping The Dalles to become a regional sports hub.

Hunden Partners is pleased to have been featured in Business View Magazine as advisors to the city of Corpus Christi, known as the “Gulf Coast Capital.” Hunden enjoyed working with the City of Corpus Christi and Visit Corpus Christi (VCC) on a master plan to transform the American Bank Center complex into a vibrant new expansion of downtown. This expansion features a mixed-use entertainment and event district that will connect downtown to Whataburger Field and the rest of the ABC Complex through an activated urban trail.

Inc. Business Media announced the second annual Power Partner Awards, honoring B2B organizations across the globe that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping small businesses and startups grow. The list recognizes 389 firms in marketing and advertising, health and wellness, financial services, legal, logistics, and productivity, as well as other areas of business. Hunden Partners is listed in three general categories (Construction and Engineering, Real Estate and Proptech, and Travel and Hospitality) and one hospitality-specific category (Travel and Hospitality). Hunden Partners was recognized for providing P3 clients with feasibility, financial, impact analyses, governance, deal negotiation, and managing RFQ/P processes.

The Coliseum, the Global Sports Venue Alliance, shares details about the impact of the mixed-use development, Kansas City Power & Light, and how Hunden Partners worked with the City’s Economic Development Commission on an analysis of the initial proposal for development.

Throughout the United States, mixed-use developments serve cities in various ways. Highlighted as one of the most successful examples of mixed-use areas, Kansas City Power & Light provides a dining, shopping, office, and entertainment district in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The $850 million district is named after the art deco Kansas City Power & Light Building, comprises nine blocks on the South side of the downtown loop, and is one of the largest development projects in the Midwestern United States. It includes more than 50 bars, restaurants, and shops and a one-block entertainment area called KC Live! with two floors of bars and restaurants, a covered outdoor courtyard, and a concert venue. The KC Live! hosts over 150 free events annually and is directly across the street from the 18,000-capacity T-Mobile Center, one of the United States’ busiest arenas.

Rob Hunden pointed out, “If you create a great place, people aren’t going to want to work from home; they’re going to want to work from the office because they’re part of a great location.”

Rob Hunden addressed the upcoming election in Corpus Christi, specifically discussing ‘Proposition A,’ in an interview with local 3NEWS.

Washington County, Texas, Commissioners voted unanimously for Hunden Partners to complete a market opportunity and financial analysis of the existing Washington County Expo Center and provide recommendations for the expo’s future, including renovations to the existing assets and/or the potential for new build opportunities.

Rob Hunden of Hunden Partners presents “Studying Major Venue Projects & Funding Them with Place-changing Mixed-use Districts.”

Rob Hunden recently presented at the International Economic Development Conference about Public Private Partnerships (P3s). This year’s conference was September 17-20 in Dallas, Texas.

In its most recent issue, Community Playmaker provides insight from Rob Hunden about the planning, development, and impact of Kansas City’s Power & Light District, a Hunden Partners project in 2004, 2005, and 2009.

The Ranch and Hunden Partners are facilitating a competitive Request for Proposal process for qualified partners to develop and/or operate a new Event Arena, Youth Sports Training Center, and additional mixed-used development opportunity in Larimer County, Colorado.

After years of discussions among city leaders, the call for a headquarters hotel to complement the BOK Center and Cox Business Convention Center has resurfaced. This comes as the $814 million Improve Our Tulsa 3 capital improvements package has been passed, reigniting the topic.

Reports of the Chicago White Sox contemplation of departing from Guaranteed Rate Field, after threatening to move the team to Florida, present various options for securing the team’s future.

“Getting a new stadium with a significant mixed-use district surrounding it in Chicagoland in a great location (nice suburb or attractive part of the city) would still likely be his best return on investment,” says Rob Hunden, president of Hunden Partners, a real estate development consultancy that advises on large-scale projects.

Business events serve as an excellent opportunity for place brands to thrive. When executed effectively, these events highlight strengths, attract residents and investors by showcasing its distinctive quality of life, and stimulate economic activity within town centers. Five place branding experts shared their insights.

Welcome Steve Haemmerle, New Executive Vice President at Hunden Partners.

Steve Haemmerle, a senior real estate professional known for leading Navy Pier’s redevelopment plan, has joined Hunden Partners as Executive Vice President. He has over 30 years of real estate experience and has led the development of high-profile mixed-use projects in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Steve leads Hunden’s Development Advisory Services practice, working with Hunden’s public and private sector clients to guide projects from concept through implementation.  This includes working closely with several higher education clients in the implementation of transformative mixed-use projects and helping public sector clients engage the private sector to create inspiring places that meet their development objectives.

Hunden Partners presented its latest State of the Industry findings at the 2023 Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) Design & Build Conference, which took place July 9-11, 2023, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. Hunden’s annual State of the Industry report highlights data-driven predictions and trends in major league sports facilities.