Officials are anxious for the Branson Convention Center’s grand opening this weekend because of what the complex’s opening will mean for not only the city but the entire region.
“Anytime you have the opportunity to bring people in who have a little time and a little money, it’s a good thing,” Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley said. “We certainly believe that the convention center will be able to do that for us.”
One of the areas in town with the opportunity to benefit the most from the convention center’s opening is the historic downtown Branson region.
“We’re not sure what to expect quite yet, but I’m not sure any of Branson is,” Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association President Dena Acton said of the potential for increased business in the area. “We’ve been working to promote downtown to these conventioneers and to draw them into our businesses.”
Officials with the DBMA and business owners in historic downtown have cited to city officials that as of late they have seen a decline in business in the region, but efforts are currently being made to ease some of downtown’s woes and promote that area to more of the city’s tourists to visit the area.
Acton specifically made mention of the new Ride the Ducks tour which starts at Branson Landing and makes its way through downtown, highlighting the unique businesses and landmarks there before taking a cruise on Lake Taneycomo.
“We feel like that tour has come about because of the partnership we have with Ride the Ducks and their operation of our Downtown with Discovery Trolley,” Acton said. “It gives the riders a chance to experience some of the historical aspects of Branson, and it has been great for promoting the downtown businesses.”
The convention center’s neighbor to the east, Branson Landing, is also poised to benefit from its opening.
“Everybody will benefit from the convention center,” Branson Landing General Manager Todd Hiepler said.
Hiepler spoke specifically about the first-time visitors who would be making their way to Branson because of the convention center.
“We’re hoping that not only will those first-time visitors come back with their families, but also tell their friends about how well they were treated while they were here,” Hiepler said. “Branson’s biggest asset is word-of-mouth advertising, so I think we’re all ready to roll out the red carpet.”
Officials with Hiltons of Branson, the managers of the Branson Convention Center, will be rolling out the red carpet to meeting planners from all over the country as well as to the public this weekend as part of the convention center’s three-day grand opening ceremony which begins on Friday.
Hiltons of Branson Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Tirone said the event will kick-off at 4:30 p.m. on Friday when the ribbon-cutting ceremony is held. Then from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday the convention center will host a vendor fair of Branson businesses.
“The vendor fair will have a good cross section of the hotels, restaurants, attractions and service providers here in Branson and will allow them to show those services to the meeting planners that will be here in attendance,” Tirone said. “Also during this time people are welcome to come and take a look around the convention center.”
At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday the convention center will also host a free concert headlined by Hilton artists Michael Tolcher and Joshua Radin.
“The concert is free and open to the public, but it is ticketed, so if anyone wants to attend. They will have to come and get a ticket,” Tirone said.
Information courtesy of Branson Daily News