Ohio State Parks and Watercraft

Scope: Market Analysis, Financial Analysis, Investment Analysis

Services: Lodging, Food and Beverage, Conference Center

Issue: Ohio State Parks and Watercraft (OSP) needed to understand if there was a market opportunity for development of a new hotel and conference center at a signature state park.

Process/Outcome: Ohio State Parks and Watercraft (OSP) has a state park system that includes eight lodges. OSP needed to evaluate the best strategies to replace a restaurant facility at Hocking Hills State Park. OSP requested CHMGS evaluate the market feasibility for a new lodge and conference center facility. Hocking Hills State Park has the highest visitation of any park in the OSP system. It has campgrounds and retail operations and construction of a new visitor center was underway.

CHGMS market research included working with the local Destination Management Organization (DMO) to understand the current inventory of lodging as well as promotional strategy for the area. CHMGS developed a market drawing area and segmentation analysis by visiting and interviewing management of each of the other eight state park lodges, as well as private sector hotels within the competitive supply.

One of the goals of the engagement was to understand the potential impact of a new lodge on the existing lodge inventory. The market analysis required CHMGS identify the size and scope of facilities for a new lodge. CHMGS’s analysis identified that there was a market opportunity for a 100-room lodge with conference and banquet space.

OSP proceeded to work with CHMGS on additional financial and investment analysis. OSP commenced with a design/build contract for the development of the proposed lodge, with an anticipated opening in 2022.