Aquarium Valuation

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) specializes in valuations and business appraisals for leisure businesses such as aquariums. This typically involves three approaches:

  • Income - Financial performance is evaluated and capitalized. 

  • Market - Sales of similar theme parks are examined and their experience applied to the park being valued.  

  • Asset - The current value of equipment and other assets is estimated.   

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. 

He spoke at the 2005 IAAPA's annual convention on "How Much is Your Attraction Worth? Identifying and Maintaining Value." Click here to download the presentation slides. 

We pride ourselves on prompt service. Proposals are typically provided within a day, and we're sensitive to time constraints. If needed, assignments can be accelerated for an extra fee. Our standard fee includes travel costs and all out-of-pocket expenses so there are no unknown charges. 

 

 

 

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