Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) conducts the feasibility study for new aquariums, which is the first step in the development process. This report evaluates resident and tourist markets and forecasts potential performance. It also provides physical planning guidance. Selected past consulting projects are described below. All involved John Gerner, LBA's managing director.
As a subcontractor to International Theme Park Services (ITPS), LBA prepared valuations of the Ripley's Aquarium in both Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg in 2003, 2006, and 2009. This effort involved an on-site review of each aquarium and its operation. Past annual attendance and financial performance were also analyzed.
In 2002, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) conducted a valuation of Colorado's Ocean Journey as a subcontractor to ITPS. This aquarium was later renamed the "Downtown Aquarium - Denver" by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. The analysis included an evaluation of past market and financial performance.
As a subcontractor to ITPS in 2000, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) evaluated the future potential performance of expanding the Adventure Aquarium. The consulting effort analyzed past annual attendance and provided projections based on three scenarios.
As a subcontractor to Economics Research Associates (ERA) in 1991, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) prepared market and financial projections for this $35 million expansion of the Virginia Aquarium that tripled the aquarium's size in 1996. It has been named the Travel Attraction of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Association.
ERA was retained by the New York Zoological Society in 1985 to evaluate the potential performance from significantly expanding the New York Aquarium. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA. He provided the market and financial analysis for this consulting effort.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a nationally-recognized tourist attraction and an anchor of Baltimore's successful Inner Harbor urban revitalization project. ERA was retained by the aquarium in 1984 to conduct an evaluation of expansion alternatives. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA. He provided market and financial analysis for the consulting effort.
The Wildlife Conservation Society operates the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium. During the mid 1980s, it explored the possibility of developing an indoor zoo in Manhattan and retained Economics Research Associates to conduct the analysis. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA and evaluated market demand and financial performance.
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