ConsultEcon Management & Economic Insight

Museums are important to a community’s cultural, educational and economic well being.  ConsultEcon is proud to be a member of the museum community and provide market, economic, business and planning services to create successful new museums and support existing museums to remain economically vital while maximizing community benefits, mission achievement, and their market potential.

 

Aviation & Aerospace

Cavanaugh Flight Museum:  Addison, Texas
After first providing consulting services in a charrette format, ConsultEcon conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed expansion of the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.  This work included site evaluation, market support, review of industry experience of comparable facilities, and attendance potential, as well as an operating plan for the expanded Museum that included revenues, operating expenses and a personnel plan.  Economic and fiscal impacts were also analyzed.


Virginia Aviation Museum:  Richmond, Virginia
This aviation museum has an outstanding collection of historic aircraft, and is located in one of the birthplaces of aviation.  A major expansion to over four times its current size will allow it to not only display more aircraft and artifacts, but to greatly enhance interpretation and visitor experience with interactive exhibitry.  An in-depth feasibility study was prepared that is the basis for an operating plan for the new facility.  In a later study, an alternative site for the museum was evaluated, along with opportunities for a 3D large format theater.


National Flight Academy at the National Museum of Naval Aviation:  Pensacola, Florida
This proposed math and science camp will focus on the youth market.  It will be aligned with the National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA).  In the first phase of work, ConsultEcon evaluated the market potential of the NFA to achieve its targeted occupancy goals.  As input to this evaluation, we reviewed: the experience of comparable overnight education camps; the market size of prospects to attend the NFA; and the proposed programs, facilities, and pricing.  The study evaluated this educational experience in the context of its location, integration into the NMNA, target audience segments, its business plan, and proposed marketing channels.  Subsequently, we prepared in conjunction with the client group the business plan for NFA.  This work incorporated governance, project planning, programming and design work accomplished to date; as well as a complete revenue and operations plan for the facility.


Vintage Airplane Museum:  Phoenix, Arizona
Prepared the market and operating plan for aproposed Vintage Airplane Museum at a location adjacent to Sky Harbor Airport.  This study evaluated site issues, facility size and accessibility, optimum project size and prepared a facility operating plan.


Flightworks:  St. Louis, Missouri
Prepared a comprehensive feasibility study for a planned aviation/mixed-use themed attraction to be located in the St. Louis metro area.  The work included site analysis and market research, concept review and comparables analysis, and visitation estimate and operating profile.  The project will offer amusement park rides, themed experiences, food service, retail and meeting space.


Great Texas Air Museum:  San Antonio, Texas
Prepared a feasibility assessment that included resident and tourist market review, aviation museum market trends, opportunities for other aviation related activities, as well as attendance potential and patterns.  This work also included a museum operating plan, and economic impacts.