Successful Meetings - January 2009 - (Page 54)

Branson, Missouri BRANSON LAKES AREA Branson is cleared for takeoff—debuting the country’s first new commercial airport in 40 years. CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Inside Scoop irTran Airways has officially announced daily nonstop service from Branson to Atlanta, beginning May 11, 2009. The airport continues to work to secure additional airlines to provide nonstop service into Branson from four other major hub cities: Dallas, Chicago, Denver, and Minneapolis. Initial projections are that the new Branson Airport will see 500,000 passengers annually growing to more than 1.5 million within five years. To keep pace, the facility will expand as needed to accommodate the expected increases in traffic. A The Big Day: May 11, 2009 The Bottom Line: $155 million CITY VIEW After decades of popularity as a leisure destination (with eight million visitors a year) Branson is now rolling out the red carpet for meeting and convention groups. A new state-of-the-art, 220,000square-foot convention center opened a year ago. The crown jewel of the city’s meeting package, the new Branson Convention Center is the final component of Branson Landing, a $420 million lakefront shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The new $155 million Branson Airport, currently under construction and opening on May 11, 2009, is expected to significantly increase the number of attendees that will be able to affordably fly nonstop into this family-friendly destination for future meetings and conventions. Not only that, but the entire project breaks new ground as the first-ever privately financed and operated commercial service airport in the United States. Branson’s first-class attractions in its safe, relaxed, small-town atmosphere create a surprisingly personal experience. Casual and fun, Branson is a one-of-a- kind destination that your group will long remember. PROPERTY PRIMER Branson offers 18,578 guest rooms spread throughout 207 lodging options that range from luxurious lakeside resorts to charming bed and breakfast inns • Brand-new meetings properties include the Hilton Convention Center Hotel with 293 guest rooms and the 242-room Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing • CVB provides complete multi-property Central Housing Program choose from among 100 live music shows in 53 theaters • Three pristine lakes and more than 1,200 miles of shoreline for aquatic sports • Several of the highestrated golf courses in the Midwest • 250 dining establishments, many of which offer group-friendly seating and private rooms • 14 museums and exhibits • 325 retail shops • Silver Dollar City theme park • White Water outdoor water park MAP IT OUT MEETINGS BLUEPRINT State-of-the-art Branson Convention Center, featuring 220,000 square feet of meeting space and accommodating up to 4,800 guests • New 12,000-squarefoot convention center now open at Big Cedar Lodge • 5,000-square-foot conference center now open at StoneBridge Golf Resort Located on 922 acres in the Ozark foothills, the new Branson Airport will be situated just eight miles south of downtown. The city is also 45 minutes from the Springfield-Branson National Airport. CONTACT Vienna L. Bowling, CMP Director of Meeting and Convention Sales (800) 935-1199, ext. 306 E-mail: vbowling@bransoncvb.com www.MeetInBranson.net www.flybranson.com SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION DIVERSIONS & EXCURSIONS Branson is considered the “Live Music Show Capital of the World”; guests can 54 http://www.MeetInBranson.net http://www.flybranson.com

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Successful Meetings - January 2009

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