Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
Board of Directors Meeting
November 17, 2021

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Board of Directors met Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Chair Kellogg called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Tammy Johnson provided the prayer.


Review of Minutes – Joe Loth made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2021, board of directors meeting. Scott Bailes seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.


Financial Report – Treasurer Pam Yancey reviewed the current financials. Joe Loth moved to approve the financial report as presented. Cynthia Carson seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.


Ex-Officio Reports – Tourism Community Enhancement District – Derek Smith, TCED Board Chair, reported the district continues to see strong numbers. $700,000 was added to marketing since the last meeting. $500,00 for fall and Christmas, $200,000 for the theater cooperative program. Smith recognized CMO Rachel Wood and team for implementing the program so quickly. The TCED is currently working with Explore Branson on the marketing plan and the budget.


The TCED board has two new members, Rob Johns and Cindy Merry. Both are City of Branson appointments.


White Tie Gala – Grant Sloan briefly spoke about the upcoming gala where we are celebrating our 75th anniversary. The event is already sold out!


Membership Report – Janet Minor reviewed the report included in the meeting packet. Pam Yancey moved to approve the drop list as presented. Linda Cherry seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.


We are conducting a membership drive in September 2022. We are also working on the tiered dues schedule and the ability to offer monthly payments.


Sales Department Update – Samantha Gutting, VP of Sales, shared third quarter highlights. She distributed the new meeting planner guide and pointed out the incentive piece. Conference attendees love the ice cream booth we have at SYTA, Connect Marketplace and ABA. Chair Kellogg complimented staff for the amount of work that goes into these conferences. Joe Loth suggested the presentation would be beneficial for Branson City Council to see.


President/CEO Report – Jason Outman stated the city tourism tax marketing dollars do not have a meetings and conventions line item. Would like to address that and grow the meetings and conventions segment.


10-year destination master plan – The survey will go out on or about December 1.


CMO Rachel Wood is presenting the marketing plan to the TCED’s Marketing Oversight Committee today.


We recently received two awards. The Convention South Readers’ Choice Award – 6X winner! Planners and rights holders nominate the winners. We also got a silver award for best DMO in the Midwest. The Stella Award through NorthStar Meetings Group was a first for us. Cleveland got gold and Louisville received bronze.


Digital Marketing Manager Ashlie Beede talked about the influencer we hosted last week. Noell Jett has over 3.6 million followers on TikTok. Her Branson content has done very well. This is one reason we continue to push an increase in digital marketing. You can see the results and make any needed changes immediately.


New Business – Linda Cherry expressed her thanks for the opportunity to serve on this board. She encouraged all to shop local. It keeps you engaged in the community. Linda is looking forward to working with retail coalition, which came out of the retail focus group.


Sheila Dutton expressed her gratitude for what the organization has done for the shows and theaters. She’s thankful for the cooperative program we recently did with the theaters. Dutton distributed the BAAMT show guide. The Duttons are taking the show guide and our vacation guide on tour with this winter.


Chair Kellogg spoke about Wreaths Across America. Saturday, December 18 the Branson Veterans Task Force will help Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery to remember and honor our veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. They need about 300 additional wreaths and a few more volunteers.


This meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.


Present: Scott Bailes, Cynthia Carson, Linda Cherry, Clay Cooper, Phil Cox, Cassie Cunningham, Jon Davidson, Sheila Dutton, Tom Healey, Tammy Johnson, Mary Kellogg, Joe Loth, Raj Patel, Mike Patrick, Wendy White, and Pam Yancey


Ex-Officio Members Present: Derek Smith


2022 Board Members Present: Mike Combs, Bryan Cossiboom, Robert Griffith, and Steve Scherer


Absent: Dathan Atchison, Jeff Bourk, Jamie Keys, Chuck O’Day, Tim Scott, and Craig Wescott