Hunden Partners

After a whirlwind of New York and then Leicester UK, I forgot to post until today that I am happily enjoying the Urban Land Institute fall conference in Las Vegas! Tomorrow I will be with my colleagues on the Entertainment Council at Allegiant Stadium, all day, learning and sharing. My awesome colleague Ryan Sheridan will be at the Placemaking Council with our wonderful Westfield client Jenell Fairman.

Destinations International Business Operations Summit: Join Us Hunden Partners is pleased to participate in the Destinations International Business Operations Summit in Spokane, where Jay Burress, Executive Vice President of Tourism, will join Dean Burke, President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Tourism Authority, for an insightful discussion. Our session, "Placemaking Action Plans: Research and Data have become the Guiding Force in Business Operations, Storytelling, and Placemaking," will explore the role of data-driven insights to expand the impact of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). Moving beyond traditional functions, today’s DMOs use advanced tools to make informed decisions in marketing, sales, destination management, and more. This session will illustrate how data empowers DMOs to create vibrant, sustainable communities that serve residents, visitors, and businesses alike, transforming both the organization and the communities it supports. Connect with Jay in Spokane to further the conversation on the future of placemaking and destination management. #HundenPartners #DestinationsInternational #DestinationManagement

CenStates Annual Chapter Conference 2024: Join Us Jay Burress, Executive Vice President of Tourism at Hunden Partners, will speak at the CenStates Annual Chapter Conference of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) on Friday, October 11, from 10:15 - 11:15 am. Jay, alongside Brenda Myers, former President/CEO of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., will lead a session titled “Placemaking Assessments & Action Plans: How DMOs Become Leaders in Placemaking.” The session will focus on how Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are evolving to take a leadership role in placemaking efforts as DMOs shift from solely marketing their destinations to actively influencing what the destination becomes. Jay and Brenda will share valuable insights into the placemaking process, from assessments and strategy to project execution. Attendees will learn how to identify their community’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities through real-world examples, including Hunden Partners’ work in Hamilton County, where a 10-year comprehensive tourism master plan was developed to drive economic impact across four growing cities. DMOs will leave the session with actionable strategies for them to lead successful placemaking efforts and drive long-term growth for their communities. #HundenPartners #CenStates #Placemaking

Bisnow Detroit Construction & Development: Panel Success The Henry Ford Healthcare Expansion project is nothing short of a game changer for Detroit's future. Hunden Partners was honored to lead the conversation on this groundbreaking project at the Bisnow Detroit Construction & Development event. Our CEO, Rob(in) Hunden, moderated an exceptional panel featuring Jerry Darby, Vice President of Campus Planning, Development, and Design at Henry Ford Health/Hospital; Richard Haddad, COO of the Detroit Pistons; Maureen L. Stapleton, Interim Executive Director of Midtown Detroit, Inc.; and Dick Temple (Richard), Assistant Vice President for Real Estate and Capital Planning at Michigan State University. Together, the panel explored how this $3-billion development is reshaping the city’s healthcare infrastructure and the future of the New Center neighborhood. This ambitious project is much more than the 1.2M SF patient tower or state-of-the-art research facilities—it’s about driving inclusive growth, with 20 percent of the new housing units dedicated to affordable housing. Henry Ford Health’s partnership with MSU, which is expanding its presence in Detroit with a focus on cutting-edge research in cancer, neuroscience, and more, highlights the city’s growing role as a hub for medical innovation. The ripple effect on Detroit’s economy and community will be immense, with the project set to create 550 permanent jobs and invest in green spaces, retail, and residential areas. This development marks a pivotal moment for Detroit, combining healthcare, research, and community growth to ensure the city's prosperous future. We look forward to watching this development unfold, as it will contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable future for all of Detroit. #HundenPartners #Detroit #HenryFordHealth

Welcome Ronnie Burt, New Senior Vice President at Hunden Partners We are thrilled to welcome Ronnie Burt as our new Senior Vice President. Ronnie has decades of experience in the destination management and convention industries, with a proven track record in markets like Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Baltimore. In his role, his primary focus will be on developing and serving Hunden’s DMO, economic development organization, and municipal clients to create great places. This includes destination development and placemaking plans, feasibility studies and development strategies for major tourism assets such as convention centers, hotels, sports facilities, mixed-use districts and entertainment venues. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gwAveAyb His leadership will help us continue expanding our impact on the global stage, ensuring that communities can develop great places that attract visitors and drive economic growth. Welcome to the team, Ronnie! #HundenPartners #DestinationManagement #TeamExcellence

Bisnow Detroit Construction & Development Development in Detroit has been booming, and all eyes are on the upcoming Bisnow Detroit Construction & Development event. The keynote session will be moderated by Rob(in) Hunden, CEO of Hunden Partners, who will lead a dynamic panel titled “Building the Henry Ford Healthcare Expansion.” The discussion will feature insights from industry leaders, including Jerry Darby, Vice President of Campus Planning, Development, and Design at Henry Ford Health/Hospital; Richard Haddad, COO of the Detroit Pistons; Maureen L. Stapleton, Interim Executive Director of Midtown Detroit, Inc.; and (Richard) Dick Temple, Assistant Vice President for Real Estate and Capital Planning at Michigan State University. This panel will explore the transformative $3-billion development reshaping Detroit, focusing on the alignment of aspirations and partnerships between the Pistons, Henry Ford Health, and Michigan State. Attendees will learn about the scope of the project, which spans across seven new buildings and includes an expansive hospital and research space. They will explore how the development integrates the "live, work, play, and educate" concept while supporting the community through significant infrastructure upgrades. The discussion will deep dive into how this massive development fits into the larger vision for the future of Detroit and the strategic factors that drove the decision-making process. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear from the leaders driving this groundbreaking project forward. #HundenPartners #Detroit #HenryFordHealth

P3 Higher Education Summit: Panel Success It was an honor to attend and moderate the panel "Mixed-Use Districts: Universities Blazing a Trail" at this year's The P3 Conference - P3 Higher Education Summit. The discussions were thought-provoking, and it was inspiring to hear directly from leaders across higher education and development sectors. We tackled the pressing challenges and explored innovative solutions universities utilize to modernize their campuses and develop vibrant, mixed-use districts. Our panel, featuring Heather Blanck (The University of Kansas), Rod Cleveland (Cleveland County, OK - representing the University of Oklahoma), Charles A. Landry (Fishman Haygood LLP - representing Louisiana State University), Ryan Morgan (Purpose Lodging - representing Butler University), and Steve Haemmerle (Hunden Partners), shared transformative insights. Universities are no longer just places of learning—they are becoming thriving, 365-day ecosystems that drive community engagement and economic growth. “Universities continue to redefine themselves as complete places and ecosystems for economic impact. Our work with these institutions creates new gateways of comprehensive development, following the same mixed-use best practices used to anchor vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods,” says Rob(in) Hunden, CEO of Hunden Partners. Thank you to all who contributed to this conversation! We are excited for what’s to come as universities continue to climb these mountains and set new standards for campus development. #HundenPartners #P3C #P3HigherEducation

Mixed-Use Districts: Universities Blazing a Trail Rob(in) Hunden, CEO and Founder of Hunden Partners, will moderate a panel at the upcoming The P3 Conference - P3 Higher Education Summit on Monday, October 7. The panel, “Mixed-Use Districts: Universities Blazing a Trail,” will explore how universities create dynamic, mixed-use districts that transform aging facilities into vibrant, community-centric spaces. Rob will be joined by industry leaders Heather Blanck (The University of Kansas), Rod Cleveland (Cleveland County, OK - representing the University of Oklahoma), Charles A. Landry (Fishman Haygood LLP - representing Louisiana State University), Ryan Morgan (Purpose Lodging - representing Butler University), and Steve Haemmerle (Hunden Partners) to share insights on how these projects are reshaping campus environments and driving economic and community impact. At Hunden Partners, we believe in the power of placemaking, and we're thrilled to share insights on how universities redefine their campuses with retail, residential, entertainment, and lodging spaces, enhancing the experiences for students, alumni, community members, and visitors. #HundenPartners #P3C #P3HigherEducation

🌍 Happy World Tourism Day — May your wanderlust guide you to new places and beautiful experiences 🌎 As we celebrate the beauty of travel, it's essential to remember the power of placemaking in shaping the destinations that capture our hearts. At Hunden Partners, we understand that every location has a story—one that can be enhanced through strategic planning and development. Tourism isn't just about exploring new places; it's about enrichment. Enrichment of residents, communities and the visitors they welcome. Placemaking can foster connection, culture, knowledge exchange, unforgettable experiences, and drive economic impact. From vibrant cityscapes to serene getaways, the destinations we love today are built on a foundation of vision, innovation, and community engagement. #HundenPartners #WorldTourismDay #Placemaking

Placemaking and Destination Action Plans: How Economic Developers are Leading the Creation of Great Places We had an incredible turnout at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference—a room full of engaged economic development officers eager to make a difference in their communities—where Rob led a session on Placemaking Action Plans. Rob discussed economic developers’ pivotal role in shaping vibrant, livable spaces—not just creating plans but crafting actionable steps for future success. The days of placemaking being solely the responsibility of elected officials are behind us. Today, EDOs and DMOs are stepping up to lead efforts in placemaking and destination development, ensuring communities, large and small, can thrive with enhanced quality of life projects that result in increased visitation. To find out more about what a Placemaking Plan is and how it can benefit your community, please message Rob(in) Hunden or email our business development team at bd@hunden.com At Hunden Partners, we’re proud to share our proven process that helps communities avoid creating plans that sit on shelves and instead empower them with real, actionable steps toward transformative developments for a vibrant future. #HundenPartners #IEDC #EconomicDevelopment