As a Director at Hunden Partners, Shawn Gustafson guides clients through every phase of the study process, from kickoff through deliverable development and final presentations. He works closely with Steve Haemmerle, EVP of Advisory, to execute developer and operator solicitation, selection, and negotiation processes for singular and mixed-use destination assets.
Shawn brings a breadth of experience in market demand and financial feasibility studies, serving both private and public sector clients. His areas of expertise span stadiums and arenas; multipurpose sports and event centers; hospitality projects across all classifications, including full-service headquarters hotels, boutique and conference properties, upscale and resort developments; and mixed-use destination district components such as meeting and convention centers, residential, restaurant, retail, office, entertainment, and attractions. He also specializes in P3 advisory, public funding analysis, business planning, and deal negotiation.
Since joining Hunden, Shawn has led more than 120 market, financial, and economic impact analyses, in addition to numerous RFQ/P processes and tourism destination development plans. Recent efforts have included market and financial feasibility, developer and/or operator solicitation, and public funding analysis for the University of Kansas stadium and Gateway District, University of Oklahoma arena, and Colorado State University conference hotel. He also is actively involved in ongoing planning efforts for the renovation of the Raising Cane’s River Center and development of a new headquarters hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Prior to Hunden, Shawn held financial advisory roles at Core Capital Group and Yeager Properties, where he helped secure financing for clients across a range of industries. This foundation in real estate development, financing and deal structuring, and operating analysis continues to inform his work across a range of placemaking projects.
