Branson secures three-year contract for state archery tourney

A youth state archery tournament that brings in millions of dollars’ worth of economic impact is set to return to Branson in 2025 as part of a newly announced multiyear deal.

The annual state tournament for the Missouri National Archery in Schools Program is scheduled to be back in March 2025 at the Branson Convention Center as part of a three-year contract extension, according to a news release from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau. MoNASP is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, in partnership with over 800 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations across the state. 

The MoNASP tournament has been held in Branson since 2017 but the new contract secures the convention center as the annual state competition site through 2027. Terms of the deal were not disclosed in the release.

“Branson is the ideal place to hold the MoNASP State Tournament,” said MCHF Executive Director Tricia Burkhardt, in the release. “The student-archers competing feel safe and [the city] offers a great vacation spot for many of the families attending. The commitment from our partners is what makes this event so impactful for our youth, and we are excited to be working alongside the Branson community for the next three years.”

Tourney officials said the event has grown to become the second -largest state archery tournament in the nation. More than 4,300 student-archers across Missouri are expected to compete in next year’s event set for March 19-22, after shooting qualifying scores through various local MoNASP tournaments over the past year. It brings in an estimated economic impact of $9.2 million to the local economy, according to the release.

MoNASP’s state tournament was among 145 events held last year at the 220,000-square-foot Branson Convention Center, drawing more than 226,000 people, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The 200 S. Sycamore St. facility is managed by Los Angeles-based ASM Global. Branson officials estimated the convention center’s total economic impact in 2023 was $57.5 million.