Who We Are
A boutique consulting firm that assists in the planning of sports, entertainment, and other public assembly venues and events.
Who We Serve
Our independent analyses have been relied upon by:
What We Do
We help public- and private-sector owners and other stakeholders to guide important decisions regarding assets that could impact a community and its
economic development for decades.
Our studies and other consulting engagements have been utilized in the original construction, renovation, expansion, and ongoing operations of arenas, stadiums, theaters and amphitheaters, meeting facilities, and recreation facilities across the US and abroad.
The comprehensive advisory, research, analysis, and forecasts provided by Stone Planning have allowed clients to implement development initiatives that can change the course of a community’s quality-of-life infrastructure, and to avoid actions that would be infeasible.
Our Services
We provide a wide range of services to suit the needs of our clients.
Why Choose Us
Proven
Results‑Driven
Responsive
Objective
Proven
Results-Driven
Responsive
Objective
As a small firm, we embrace the expertise, creativity, and attention required of each project, as no two engagements are alike. Our reputation and clients will attest to our attention to detail, responsiveness, and results.
Stone Planning is also independent of corporate conflicts of interest and can be relied upon for honest, objective analysis without the possibility of our guidance leading to the ability to provide later services such as design, project and construction management, concessions, or sponsorship and premium seat sales. This independence allows us to remain focused on clients’ long-term best interests, particularly in high-profile engagements with public scrutiny.
About
David Stone
David has more than 20 years of experience working in the public-assembly venues and events industry, in addition to previous professional experience in public accounting and journalism. After graduating from Indiana University, he earned an MBA in Finance, Economics, and Strategic Decision Making at Loyola University Chicago and while in graduate school, started working in the industry he has now served for more than 20 years.
David has worked at multiple consulting firms that focused on the venues industry and economic development, including ten years at AECOM Economics, a division of the Fortune 500 company, before forming Stone Planning in 2017. David’s educational and professional background provides an ideal mix of the qualitative and quantitative experience that is needed to successfully tackle the art and science required by most engagements.
David on the Side
In addition to his consulting work, David has written for numerous industry publications and has spoken at many industry conferences and university programs. He has also been an adjunct professor of Sport Finance at Loyola University Chicago, and is the author of “Chicago’s Classical Architecture: The Legacy of the White City” and co-author of “Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair.” He served as a commissioner of Chicago’s Old Town Special Service Area for nine years, where he helped to oversee the budgeting and expenditure of a locally-generated tax focused on neighborhood improvements such as events, beautification, and maintenance. David actively supports a number of local and national charities, including many focused on poverty, homelessness, and children.
David on the Side
In addition to Davids’s consulting work, David has written for numerous industry publications and has spoken at many industry conferences and university programs. He has also been an adjunct professor of Sport Finance at Loyola University Chicago, and is the author of “Chicago’s Classical Architecture: The Legacy of the White City” and co-author of “Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair.” He served as a commissioner of Chicago’s Old Town Special Service Area for nine years, where he helped to oversee the budgeting and expenditure of a locally-generated tax focused on neighborhood improvements such as events, beautification, and maintenance. David actively supports a number of local and national charities, including many focused on poverty, homelessness, and children.
