2008 Choice Employers, 101-300 Employees, No. 2: The Track

The Track, which operates five family fun parks in Branson, does more than make sure its customers have a good time. The company also works to provide a fun atmosphere for its 19 full-time and 180 seasonal employees.

Larry Schmitt, one of three owners, said 66 percent of The Track's annual business comes from a busy season that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It's important to him and co-owners Craig Wescott - son of one of the original owners, Lee Wescott - and Mike Russell to give their employees good benefits and make The Track a fun place to work. "We get to know our people well enough to know how they want to be treated," Schmitt says.

Benefits expectations differ for the company's year-round staff and the typically younger seasonal employees, but The Track offers incentives for both groups.

Full-time, year-round employees are immediately vested in a company retirement plan for which The Track matches employee contributions up to 3 percent of each employee's annual salary. Among other benefits, the company also pays 100 percent of employees' health and dental insurance premiums and half of the premiums for dependents. Employees also receive seven sick days a year, which can be taken 60 days after they're hired, and five paid holidays and two weeks of vacation, with no waiting period.

Employees receive annual reviews and the opportunity to provide feedback to management at that time, but if employees have concerns, they don't have to wait.

"They treat you like family," Office Manager Susan Mayr says of her employers.

For full-time employees, there are training opportunities that range between 40 and 60 hours per year. Each January, several maintenance crew members and others attend the annual Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International safety seminar. And every March, all employees go through training in preparation for the busy summer season.

The main draw for part-time, seasonal workers is The Track's work atmosphere.

Schmitt says there are many other places to work in Branson, so making The Track fun is important.

The company has had employees who were hired during high school and have brought friends into the business and stayed on the payroll for six to eight years.

"It's a family culture - (we) make it as fun as we can," Schmitt says, adding that all owners are active in the business and try to be as consistent as possible with the employees. "Pretty basic, but it's the right principle and example to set."

Another benefit that's available to all employees but particularly attractive for the younger, seasonal crew is The Track's scholarship program. Every year, the company offers an unlimited number of scholarships for up to $1,000 per student per semester. Scholarship amounts are based on a formula that considers the student's credit hours, how many years worked for The Track and the number of hours worked the previous year.

"It's a neat program and does help retain employees year to year," Schmitt says.