Cultural Attraction Development Consultants

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) specializes in conducting the feasibility study for new and expanding attractions, 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 museum and cultural attraction consulting projects are described below. All involved John Gerner, LBA's managing director.

Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music (West Long Branch, New Jersey USA)

Dedicated to preserving Bruce Springsteen’s legacy and influence on American music, the Center also develops exhibits, public programs, and education initiatives that celebrate the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres. It opens in 2026. LBA conducted an independent market study with financial analysis in 2025. This involved examining the potential site, analyzing the resident and tourist markets, determining potential annual attendance, and gauging potential financial performance.

National Museum of the United States Navy (Washington, DC)

LBA prepared attendance and revenue projections for this major new museum during 2022 as a subcontractor to Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group. The planned 270,000 square-foot museum campus will consist of a new building, ceremonial courtyard and renovations of existing historical buildings. Click here for more information.

Guam Museum (Hagatna, Guam)

LBA developed the initial business and sustainability plan for this museum that discussed best practices for financial sustainability. It provided market and financial analysis. It also recommended the initial operating and marketing approach. 

Fort Monroe (Hampton, Virginia  USA)

Fort Monroe is a former military base in Virginia that contains the largest stone fort ever built in America and more than a 100 historic buildings. It is 231 hectares (570 acres) in size. LBA prepared the cultural business plan that was part of the interpretive master plan for Fort Monroe's reuse when it closed as an active military base. Click here to download this plan.

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center (Hutchinson, Kansas  USA)

The Cosmosphere is a science museum with many historic space exploration artifacts, including the Apollo 13 command module. Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) and Verner Johnson, Inc prepared a revitalization plan that emphasized STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education initiatives. This master plan included significant changes to the museum's mission, programming, exhibits and building layout.

Artisan Center (Staunton, Virginia  USA)

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) and Verner Johnson, Inc prepared a  comprehensive master plan for a new artisan center in the Shenandoah Valley. It would promote and support Virginia artisans through sales, exhibition, interpretation, education and special events. The goal is to inspire the next generation of artisans, strengthen communities, and provide an authentic cultural gateway to the region and state. Click here to download this comprehensive master plan.

Arkansas Arts Center (Little Rock, Arkansas  USA)

The Arkansas Arts Center is an art museum and center for the visual and performing arts. It features live theater productions, art classes, lectures, films, family programs, shopping and dining. As a subcontractor to A Different View, Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) evaluated the market and financial feasibility of expanding the museum school. This effort included an examination of the performance of comparable art schools in relation to the size and quality of the markets that these facilities serve.

Clark Planetarium (Salt Lake City, Utah  USA)

The Clark Planetarium features a dome theater, IMAX theater, and 10,000 square feet (930 square meters) of exhibits. During its initial planning stage, Economics Research Associates was retained by the Hansen Planetarium to conduct the feasibility study for this new science center. As a subcontractor to ERA, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) prepared the financial analysis and projections.

Walt Disney Hometown Museum (Marceline, Missouri  USA)

The Walt Disney Hometown Museum offers interpretive exhibits focusing on his life in Marceline. As a subcontractor to International Theme Park Services, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) evaluated the potential of this museum during its planning stage.

Jones Archaeological Museum (Tuscaloosa, Alabama  USA)

The Jones Archaeological Museum tells the story of one of the most significant Native American archaeological sites in the country through modern technology and historical artifacts. Originally built in 1939, the museum later reopened after a $5 million renovation and expansion. Working with Taft Design + Associates, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) evaluated the market and financial potential of this expansion before construction began.

Kennedy Space Center (Merritt Island, Florida  USA)

The Kennedy Space Center has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. As a subcontractor to Economics Research Associates, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) evaluated future exhibit and theater needs at its visitor center as part of a long-term physical master plan effort. LBA was retained by the visitor center's operator to review its maintenance appearance from the viewpoint of a typical guest to the attraction.

Battleship New Jersey Museum (Camden, New Jersey  USA)

The USS New Jersey is a battleship that was decommissioned after service in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and service in the Persian Gulf.  As a subcontractor to International Theme Park Services, Gerner Consulting (LBA's previous name) prepared a market assessment for this museum and memorial before it opened to the public.

Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone (Hainan, China)

The Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone is approximately 27 hectares (67 acres) in size, and contains several tourist attractions. These include the Hainan Culture Park, Felicity and Longevity Park, and Buddhist Culture Park. Its centerpiece is the Guanyin Statue of Hainan, which is currently the fourth tallest statue in the world. As a subcontractor to Economics Research Associates, John Gerner (LBA's managing director) evaluated the feasibility of developing this major tourism project.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville, Tennessee  USA)

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum identifies and preserves the evolving history and traditions of country music while educating its audiences. Economics Research Associates was retained by the museum to develop a visitor origin tracking system and analyze its initial results. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA and served as project manager for this market analysis initiative. 

Museum of Science (Boston, Massachusetts  USA)

Boston's Museum of Science features over 700 interactive exhibits, live presentations, and shows at its Charles Hayden Planetarium and the Mugar Omni Theater. Economics Research Associates was retained by the museum to evaluate the admissions system and make recommendations that would increase throughput and decrease waiting time. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA and served as project manager for this operations analysis.

National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC  USA)

The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. Marriott Corporation operated its visitor food service and considered opening a full-service restaurant within the museum. Economics Research Associates was retained by Marriott to evaluate visitation patterns at the museum. John Gerner (LBA's managing director) was a consultant with ERA and served as an analyst for this consulting project.

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Email Address for Initial Inquiries:
info@leisure-business.com
 
Office Address:
Leisure Business Advisors LLC
2010 Princess Anne Avenue
Richmond, VA  23223  USA

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