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Thought Leadership
Fort Worth: Two Decades of Shaping a Destination
By Rob Hunden
Fort Worth's destination development demonstrates how convention center expansion, headquarters hotels, mixed-use development, and long-term development advisory can drive tourism growth and economic impact.
As Hunden Partners marks 20 years of shaping destination real estate, Fort Worth stands out as one of the most enduring and impactful examples of our work.
Prior to forming Hunden Partners, Rob Hunden began advising the City in 2001 on the feasibility, financing, and development of what became the highly successful Omni Fort Worth convention headquarters hotel. After forming Hunden Partners in 2006, we advised the developers of the Fort Worth Stockyards on a multi-year expansion that doubled visitation to DFW’s most visited attraction, increased visitor dwell time, and generated exponential growth in economic impact. In 2013, Hunden resumed work related to Dickies Arena, including funding strategy and modeling of the Project Finance Zone (PFZ) mechanism that was key to funding the arena, while at the same time studying the need for expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC) and addition/expansion of headquarters hotel options.
In the News
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Podcast & Videos
Hunden Happy Hour Podcast
Leading Beyond Tourism: How San Diego Thinks Differently | Hunden Happy Hour #7
In this episode of Hunden Happy Hour, Bethanie DeRose, Executive Vice President of Consulting at Hunden Partners, welcomes Kerri Kapich, Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Tourism Authority, to discuss what it means to lead beyond tourism. Together, they explore how San Diego embraces regional partnerships, evidence-based decision making, and long-term stewardship to strengthen both the visitor economy and the community. From research and strategic planning to sustainability, infrastructure, and community development, this conversation highlights how destination leadership can create lasting value for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. And we highlight a San Diego organization making a local impact: the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Through food assistance, nutrition programs, and community partnerships, they help address food insecurity across the region. Learn more at sandiegofoodbank.org.
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