Benefits
Advertising - Each year the Chamber/CVB develops a comprehensive advertising program based on extensive research that sells the Branson/Lakes Area to regional and national markets using spot television and national cable buys, print advertising and various other mediums. For more information, contact Dan Lennon at ext. 322.
Ambassadors - Chamber member volunteers can serve as "goodwill" ambassadors to the community on behalf of the Chamber/CVB, welcoming new members and organizing monthly networking functions. Ambassadors are instrumental in planning the annual Black Tie Celebration, where they are also honored for their annual service. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson at ext. 314.
Annual Reception and Awards Ceremony "The Black Tie Celebration" - An elegant evening gathering held every year for all members, the event is highlighted by the presentation of the Mary, Pioneer, Ambassador, Beautification and Community Spirit Awards. For more information and for sponsorship opportunities, contact Ladona Johnson at ext. 314.
Backlit Display Advertising (Duratrans) - Backlit display advertising is available for purchase by member businesses, and is located in the Chamber's Welcome Centers. These small billboards are a great advertising tool for intercept marketing. For more information, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
Branson Area Business Expo - This annual expo offers members the opportunity to showcase their goods and services. Workshops pertaining to small businesses are available throughout the day and the luncheon features a keynote speaker. For more information contact Ladona Johnson at ext. 314.
Branson Business Connection (BBC) - Held on the last Friday of each month, BBC is a networking luncheon for Chamber member businesses. Four sponsors spend ten minutes presenting to the those in attendance. A resource table is available for use by both sponsors and attendees. 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information contact Ladona Johnson, ext. 314.
The “Branson Buzz” – A bi-monthly e-newsletter sent by email to tour operators, travel agents and group leaders in an HTML format highlighting fun and informative happenings in the Branson area. Theaters, attractions, lodging properties, restaurants and vacation services can purchase a featured business placement offering a logo link to your website. For more information contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Business After Hours (BAH) - A monthly event designed to encourage Chamber member networking within a social setting. BAH is sponsored by area Chamber members, often in conjunction with other Chamber events. BAH's are usually held on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson at ext. 314.
BransonChamber.com - This new Chamber of Commerce website will operate in addition to Explorebranson.com and includes more 24/7 advertising opportuniites. For more information on this website, contact LaDella Thomas at ext. 315.
Chamber News Bureau - The Chamber has a full time public relations manager writing and distributing stories devoted exclusively to Chamber member businesses. For more information, contact Kathryn Buckstaff at ext. 340.
Committee & Council Participation - The Chamber/CVB has several committees and advisory councils that help develop programs, create policies, and assist with activities and events in all areas of work. To serve on a committee or council, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Community Guide - The Community Guide contains useful facts and listings especially valuable to individuals and businesses seeking relocation to the Branson/Lakes Area. Applicable member businesses are listed in the Buyers Guide section. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321. For advertising opportunities, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
Complaint Processing - The Chamber will forward any complaints received from customers patronizing member businesses, providing members the opportunity to personally address these complaints and potentially retain the customer. The Chamber's policy for member complaints is available from the membership department. For more information, contact LaDella Thomas at ext. 315.
Consumer Leads Program - Consumer inquiry names are available for one time use for direct mailing only (telemarketing consumer inquiries is prohibited). These leads are available in disk, label or list format. Disks and lists are .05 per name; labels are .08 per name. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson at ext. 314.
E-Newsletter - Everyone can subscribe to the e-Connection newsletter on www.explorebranson.com. The e-Connection, available as HTML or text, includes monthly events happening in the Branson/Lakes Area and advertising opportunities for businesses via the internet. For more information contact LaDella Thomas at ext. 315.
E-VIP Program - Visitors who request an information packet using www.explorebranson.com will immediately receive an auto-response e-mail, thanking them for the request. This e-mail also contains advertising opportunities for area businesses. For more information, contact LaDella Thomas at ext. 315.
Explorebranson.com - The Chamber/CVB is accessible on the Internet through www.explorebranson.com. Free business listings are available, as well as paid advertising opportunities throughout the site. For more information, contact James Little ext. 313 or for ad sales, LaDella Thomas at ext. 315.
Festivals & Special Events - The Chamber provides information on special events to visitors and potential visitors through its Calendar of Events. The Chamber sponsors yearly events such as Taste of Home Cooking School & Branson’s Great American Pie Show, the Branson Area Festival of Lights (BAFOL) and the Adoration Parade. Each event or festival has its own committee that works with the staff to coordinate and market the events. For more information, contact Kathleen Bullock at ext. 326 or contact Tamra Corbin at ext. 327.
Flash Facts - A weekly update of Chamber activities sent to all members by fax, e-mail or USPS. Flash Facts includes important information about Chamber meetings, events, publications, etc., as well as special announcements from members businesses. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Friday Coffee with Friends - A "first Friday of the month" gathering for members hosted by a different Chamber member business each month from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Members can get to know each other while learning about the products and services of the host business. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Group Tour Planner - This publication is the primary response piece for all group travel inquiries, and targets the group tour and travel industry. Theaters, attractions, lodging properties, restaurants and vacation services can purchase a listing in the Group Tour Planner. The Weekly Sales Leads Program is FREE to those businesses listed in the Group Tour Planner. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Health Coverage Program - Working with local providers, the Chamber provides information to member businesses on two new programs to provide limited reimbursement for doctor’s visits, prescriptions, hospital care and other health expenses. These plans offer coverage to businesses with as few as two employees. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Hospitality Training - Based on the "Give 'em the Pickle" program, this training session gives valuable tips for providing good customer service, while entertaining participants using short vignettes to portray examples of bad customer service. Hosted at area restaurant facilities, the sessions are usually held during the lunch hour to accommodate the work schedules of area employees and managers, with a nominal per participant cost. This training can also be brought to your place of business for larger groups of employees for a flat fee. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
International Marketing Efforts - The Chamber/CVB focuses its efforts on the Canadian and European group and FIT markets with several co-op programs through America's Heartland and the State Division of Tourism. This includes representation at OMCA and POW WOW. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Leadership Academy - The Lakes Area Leadership Academy offers a comprehensive informational and educational program designed to familiarize targeted individuals with area opportunities, needs, concerns and resources. This program of seven full day sessions, graduates up to 24 individuals in April of each year. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Legislative Affairs - The Chamber has an active legislative affairs program, regularly monitoring local, regional and state issues of concern to Chamber members and the entire Branson/Lakes Area. There is a Legislative Committee of volunteers, a legislative partnership of area Chambers, cities and other municipalities, and a lobbyist in Jefferson City to work on behalf of the Chamber and its membership. For more information, contact Monica Evinger at ext. 303.
Lunch and Learn - Held at least twice each year, the Lunch and Learn offers workshop style trainings condensed into a convenient hour and a half during lunch. Covering a wide range of topics of interest to area businesses, Lunch and Learn has a nominal fee that covers both the training and lunch. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Meeting/Convention Facilities Guide - This guide helps those planning conventions, reunions and other group gatherings find meeting facilities in the Branson/Lakes Area. It includes listings for area businesses with facilities that have dedicated meeting space. For more information contact Vienna Bowling ext. 306.
Member Service Announcement (MSA) - The Chamber will send your one page announcement (must be received by the Chamber in an electronic format) to the membership database via e-mail and fax at a cost of $120 per one page document. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Membership Directory - The Chamber produces a directory that lists the entire membership, by industry category, with an alphabetical index in the back. The Chamber encourages its members to use this directory when looking for goods and services in the Branson/Lakes Area. The directory also provides an opportunity for Chamber members to offer discounts and valued added benefits to other Chamber members. For more information, contact LaDella Thomas at ext. 315. For advertising opportunities, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
Membership Database - New Chamber members are entitled to one free set of membership mailing labels. All members are entitled to one free set of labels annually upon renewal of their membership. Additional sets may be purchased. For more information, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
National Travel Industry - Through membership and involvement, the Chamber sells Branson through more than 20 travel industry organizations.
New Member Orientation (Ambassador Breakfast) - Meetings are held regularly to orient new members to Chamber programs and activities. Each orientation will include general information and will feature staff members presenting information about their areas of work. New members will also have an opportunity to meet Chamber Ambassadors and learn about their experiences as an Ambassador. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
New Business Showcase - An event providing Chamber members an opportunity to showcase their new business or service to other Chamber members in a relaxed setting that allows them to exchange business cards, network and promote their business. The host business must be open one year or less prior to the event date. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Newsletter - The Source, a monthly membership newsletter, shares information about Chamber activities. It highlights new members, recognizes the achievements of current members and keeps the entire membership up-to-date on Chamber activities. For more information or to advertise, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
Non-Profit Newsletter- This quarterly newsletter is intended to help inform the public of issues concerning the non-profit sector and the services that are available through those organizations. A list of service-based non-profit members is included in each newsletter. For more information contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Premium Membership Program - Chamber members have the opportunity to participate in the Premium Membership Program, developed to generate funding for Chamber and CVB programs and services not funded by tax revenue, membership dues, and/or service/advertising fees. In return for their "above and beyond Chamber dues" support of the organization, members receive special benefits. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Public Relations/Publicity - A comprehensive public relations program keeps Branson and the Lakes Area in the minds of media throughout the country. Staff works to bring shows and/or events to Branson to generate national or regional exposure. For more information, contact Lynn Berry at ext. 337.
Ribbon Cuttings - All members are invited to host a ribbon cutting. The Chamber will perform ribbon cuttings for grand openings, ground breakings, new locations, etc. Ribbon cutting pictures are printed in the Chamber newsletter, posted on explorebranson.com, and sent to the Branson Daily News and the Branson Daily Independent. (The local newspapers print submissions at their discretion). The business also receives a print photo of their ribbon cutting. For more information, contact Debi Lipper at ext. 308.
Reunion Planner - This publication is the primary response piece for individuals requesting information in planning family, class or military reunions, wedding and anniversary gatherings. Theaters, attractions, lodging properties, restaurants and vacation services can purchase a listing in the Reunion Planner. Businesses listed in the Reunion Planner are eligible to receive RFP requests from reunion planners. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Small Business of the Year Award - Each year a local small business is honored with the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award from the Small Business Development Advisory Council. The recipient is announced at a banquet held in June to honor all the year’s nominees. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Teleresponse - Operators respond to phone, fax, mail and miscellaneous inquiries for information. When requested by the customer, the operators serve as referral agents for area businesses using rotating lists. For more information, contact Sharon Martin at ext. 354.
Trade In The Tri-Lakes- A campaign to encourage shopping in the Branson / Lakes Area. This program offers special advertising opportunities to members who wish to promote their services through MSA's and the internet. For more information contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Trade Leads Program - All travel agents/tour operators/group leaders requesting information are entered into our group sales database. The information or “sales leads” are sent to by email or fax to participating businesses in the “Weekly Sales Leads” Program. Leads are available for purchase at $25.00 per month. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Travel Agent Resource Guide - This publication is the primary response piece for travel agents requesting information on how to plan a totally customized and fully commissionable Branson vacation for their clients. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Travel Shows - Staff travels to key markets attending carefully selected travel shows, distributing literature and selling the Branson/Lakes Area to leisure group travelers, business group travelers and individual family vacationers throughout the year. For more information, contact Lenni Neimeyer at ext. 305.
Vacation Guide - Advertising in the Vacation Guide allows area businesses to reach vacationers before they arrive in the area. Distribution is through direct response mailings, trade and travel shows, consumer boat/RV shows, press kits, etc. For more information, contact Bethany Thomas at ext. 321.
Visitor Information Package (VIP) Mailing Program - Area businesses have the opportunity to include their brochure in packages sent to potential visitors requesting information about the Branson/Lakes Area. The VIP Program serves as market reinforcement to the Vacation Guide, and ranks as one of the most effective new business sources for accommodations, attractions, etc. For more information, contact Ladona Johnson ext. 314.
Welcome Center - The Chamber of Commerce/CVB serves as a Welcome Center to tourists as well as prospective residents and business owners. All members are encouraged to display their brochures, at no additional cost, in the Chamber's Welcome Center. Our Center also has additional opportunities for exposure including lighted displays that vary in annual cost. Note: Coupons or discounts cannot be visibly displayed on brochures or other promotional pieces distributed in the Welcome Center. For more information, contact Kathleen Bullock at ext. 326.
NOTE: Some of the programs/services included on this list are operated by the CVB division of the BLACC/CVB and are not exclusive to Chamber membership. These programs/services are available to businesses collecting a tourism tax within the City of Branson or the Tourism Community Enhancement District. ALL OTHER BENEFITS/SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS OF THE BLACC/CVB.
