five years have contributed $27.2 million in tourism economic impact
to the local economy. The blockbusters BODY WORLDS, A Day in Pompeii
and most recently Mummies of the World were visited by a combined
562,000 people, more than half of whom lived outside of Mecklenburg
County. Mummies of the World, which closed April 8, 2012 was
responsible for $6.6 million of economic impact plus an additional
$2.2 million in discretionary spending by local residents that was
retained in Mecklenburg County.
"The world class exhibitions that Discovery Place has invested in
developing and bringing to Charlotte help build the cultural and
educational life of our community," said John Mackay, president and
CEO, Discovery Place. "But these studies show that they also
contribute to the economic well-being of the region in a meaningful
way, and we plan to continue to offer these one-of-a-kind
opportunities to the community in future years."
The BODY WORLDS exhibition was presented at Discovery Place for 6
months in 2007 through 2008 and generated $12.6 million in economic
impact while A Day in Pompeii was presented for 6 months in 2008
through 2009 and generated $8.0 million in economic impact. The
studies measure the spending only of people who do not live in
Mecklenburg County but travel into the region to visit the Museum for
the exhibition.
Discovery Place partnered with the Charlotte Regional Visitors
Authority to conduct economic impact studies of its recent exhibitions
in order to measure the contributions to the development of the
community. The surveys were conducted online and through the mail and
data was analyzed using the Mecklenburg County Tourism Impact Model by
Elliot D. Pollack & Co.
During the prior five-year period, Discovery Place produced and hosted
The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition. The economic output impact of this
exhibition was $19.2 million according to a study conducted by John
Connaughton, Ph.D. using methodology developed by the U.S. government
and maintained by the Minnesota IMPLAN Group.
About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place
provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in
the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings
relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking
exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on
activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United
States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX Dome Theatre each year.
Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon
Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum's parking deck
– the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church
Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call
704-372-6261, visit www.discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery
Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte
Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with
funding from the Arts & Science Council.
