H&LA’s Stephen Szczygiel attended the 2024 Surf Park Central Summit in San Deigo. Stephen spoke at the event, presenting in a session titled, “Performing a Feasibility Analysis for a Surf Park.” This session reviewed the steps necessary to determine whether a surf park is feasible in a particular area. It included an in-depth discussion about

Surfing is rapidly gaining traction, emerging as one of the fastest-growing water sports globally. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), participation in surfing surged by 28.5% in the United States in 2023, with one in every 100 Americans engaging in the sport (SFIA, 2023). The sport’s global appeal is further bolstered by

Man-made swimming lagoons, not to be confused with pools or waterparks, have emerged as a new and innovative way to enjoy recreational water activities. These large (over one acre of water surface) and uniquely designed aquatic venues present new opportunities within the residential, resort, and attractions industries. Over the past several years, H&LA has seen

By: Stephen Szczgyiel, CHIA Summary  The popularity of surfing has grown significantly in recent years, especially in the United States. According to a study published by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the number of surfers has increased by more than 35% in less than a decade. The survey also found that surfers live

H&LA’s Stephen Szczygiel attended the 2022 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, which presented outlooks from some of the largest operators, financiers, and other industry leaders. In a pleasant change from prior years, while the industry grappled with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the great majority of these perspectives were bullish on recovery. Key takeaways regarding

In a brief look back at 2021, there was widespread hope that it would be a slow return back to normal as pandemic concerns eased and society reordered itself, but pandemic troubles lingered through the year. While lockdowns and closures may be a thing of the past, new concerns were thrust to the forefront as

As casino resorts prepare to reopen in the era of the coronavirus pandemic, operators are looking at how to best serve the needs of both their customers and team members in this new reality. The world has changed and Indian nations across the country are evaluating best practices, reopening plans, and business strategies to stop

In the span of only a few years, the immersive entertainment concept has taken much of the attractions world by storm. A relatively new phenomenon, it has quickly moved into the mainstream, covering everything from immersive art installations and virtual reality to escape rooms and fully-themed immersive parks. What connects all of these experiences is