Aquarium Development

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) conducts the feasibility study for new aquariums, which is typically the first step in the development process.

The study evaluates potential markets and forecasts attendance by applying market penetration rates to market segments. These rates are influenced by the quality of the market segments, competition, and the experience of comparable facilities elsewhere. The study also projects potential financial performance and provides guidance on development costs.

John Gerner, our managing director, has conducted many feasibility studies for aquariums and oceanariums over the past 20+ years. Gerner Consulting (the previous name of LBA) evaluated the attendance and financial impact of expanding the Maine Aquarium.

As a subcontractor to International Theme Park Services, he prepared valuations of Ripley's Aquarium in both Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg, as well as a valuation of Colorado's Ocean Journey. This aquarium was later renamed "Downtown Aquarium - Denver" by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. He also conducted a feasibility study for a commercial aquarium that would have been part of the proposed Pointe Anaheim retail entertainment center in Southern California. 

As a subcontractor to Economics Research Associates (ERA), he evaluated the expansion of the Virginia Marine Science Museum. He was a former principal of that consulting firm. During his time with them, he prepared an examination of the North American oceanarium industry for Dentsu, Inc. He evaluated expansion alternatives for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Miami Seaquarium and the New York Aquarium. He also studied the feasibility of developing oceanariums in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

To learn more about our feasibility study process, click here. 

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