We’re excited to see OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark recognized on TIME’s prestigious World’s Greatest Places of 2026 list—an honor that highlights destinations redefining travel and entertainment around the globe. This recognition not only celebrates OKANA Resort itself but also shines a spotlight on the waterpark industry as a whole, highlighting the creativity and impact

It’s great to see the continued progress of our client Bayou Phoenix, toward redeveloping the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East. The vision for this 200+ acre property includes sports facilities, hospitality, entertainment, and family attractions that will help transform a long-vacant site into a vibrant regional destination. We’re proud to see this

Recently, Travel + Leisure released its list of the 15 Best Indoor Water Parks in America. It’s always exciting to see the indoor waterpark sector receive national recognition, and it’s even more meaningful when many of the featured destinations are projects that H&LA has consulted on. Over the years, H&LA has provided feasibility studies, market

Stephen Szczygiel, CHIA attended the 2026 Creating Epic Destinations Conference held in Grand Prairie, Texas, where municipalities considering or actively advancing indoor waterpark developments gathered alongside operators and industry experts. One of the event’s key takeaways was that today’s most successful waterpark facilities operate as community anchors and event-driven destinations, not just simply water attractions.

H&LA’s Anthony DiPonio was recently a guest lecturer at Michigan State University’s Hospitality Valuation Course. As an alum of MSU’s School of Hospitality Business, Anthony’s return to the classroom carried added meaning, allowing him to share industry insights with students following a path similar to his own. The Hospitality Valuation Course has traditionally centered heavily

Following the completion of our recent work in the Sherman–Denison area, several notable development initiatives have moved forward, reflecting the market’s strong fundamentals and growing appeal to both national corporations and developers. Sherman is rapidly emerging as a national semiconductor hub. Texas Instruments has opened the first of four planned fabrication plants near US Route

Our recent research for a project in Fort Lauderdale revealed that the greater Broward County area is experiencing a wave of transformative development. With over $6 billion in current and planned investments, the region is enhancing its appeal as a tourism, convention, and transportation hub. Here is a breakdown of the major projects underway: Broward

Our recent fieldwork for a project in Anaheim and Orange County, California revealed that the area is on the verge of a major tourism upswing. With international events on the calendar, exciting new attractions, and billions in development underway, the region is preparing for a new era of growth. Here is a look at what

We are excited to share that our President, David Sangree, was recently a guest on the Inspired Stories Podcast for an episode titled “The Power of Niche Expertise: David Sangree’s Hotel and Waterpark Appraisal Success.” David shares his 20-year journey building H&LA, how a clear focus on hotels and waterparks shaped the firm’s growth, and

Based on our recent research for a project in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the area continues to build on its legacy as a hub for tourism, innovation, and family entertainment. From thrilling new rides to major corporate investments and even a Hollywood production, 2025 has been a big year for the region. Here’s a look at the

By: David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the annual International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) conference in New Orleans. ISHC is a global network of hospitality experts representing all facets of the industry, from development and operations to finance, appraisal, asset management, litigation, and design. Membership is

                              Meet with David Meet with Adam Meet with Anthony Meet with Heidi

Attending the World Waterpark Association’s (WWA) 45th Annual Symposium & Trade Show at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was an energizing reminder of just how dynamic and forward-thinking the waterpark industry continues to be. Over several days of sessions, conversations, and trade show visits, we connected with operators, developers, designers, and suppliers—all sharing ideas about how

H&LA is proud to announce that we received two Leading Edge Awards from the World Waterpark Association for our work on the newly minted OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the Bavarian Blast Waterpark in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Being part of these remarkable projects—especially alongside so many exceptional partners whose creativity and expertise brought these destinations

We’re pleased to see our research featured in the latest Recreation Management article, “Making Waves.” The story explores how data and design are shaping the next generation of aquatic facilities nationwide. Thank you to the Recreation Management team for including insights from H&LA’s national database of leisure property performance. Published by: Joe Bush/Recreation Management Published