PGAV Destinations Announces 2010 Year-in-Review

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- PGAV Destinations, a global leader in destination planning and design, today released its 2010 year in review. This year, the firm again bucked industry trends by showing increased growth and diversification with six major project openings at destinations including the Biltmore Estate, the Georgia Aquarium, and SeaWorld San Diego. In 2010, PGAV planned dozens of projects in twelve US states and five countries.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101209/CG15121-a)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101209/CG15121LOGO-b)

PGAV Destinations set themselves apart through international leadership in key market sectors, including Zoos and Aquariums, Cultural Destinations, and Entertainment Attractions. "Balanced strength in all of these destination market sectors, plus a significant increase in international projects has kept our billing volume very strong, even in a tough economy," according to Jim Moorkamp, Principal, PGAV Destinations.

Zoo and Aquarium Highlights

• Great Bear Wilderness opened at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Illinois. This $27.3 million exhibit includes polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and bald eagles.
• PGAV completed design on the Georgia Aquarium's Dolphin Expansion, which opens in early 2011. This $110 million project won top honors as the "Best Overall Project of 2010" by Southeast Construction Magazine.

Cultural Destination Highlights

• Antler Hill Village opened in April at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This $18.6 million project is part of the PGAV-developed master plan for this historic estate.
• PGAV was selected to develop a ten-year Master Plan for Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, which outlines significant improvements to this iconic American destination.

Entertainment Attraction Highlights

• PGAV announced their work as lead designer for Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China. This project is the featured part of a 20 billion RMB (US $3 billion) development undertaken by Chimelong, and will open in 2013.
• Busch Gardens Tampa announced the 2011 opening of Cheetah Hunt, an innovative new coaster that celebrates the spirit of the cheetah.

About PGAV Destinations

PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. The firm uniquely combines award-winning storytelling with business strategy to create some of the world's most important cultural, natural, and entertainment destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the firm has authored hundreds of highly successful projects in places such as SeaWorld, the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Busch Gardens, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Hoover Dam.  www.pgavdestinations.com

SOURCE PGAV Destinations