Branson targets convention business

HCW Development Co. and the city of Branson will open the 220,000-square-foot Branson Convention Center, part of the $300 million Branson Landing project, in April 2007.

The facility will compete with Springfield’s downtown Exposition Center, part of the Jordan Valley Park development, which opened two years ago with 112,000 square feet of convention space.

“It’ll open new markets for us,” said Ross Summers, president and CEO of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. “Primarily, Branson has always been a leisure market. This large convention facility will … give us new opportunities on the business side.”

Susan Wade, public relations manager for the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she expects the competition to remain friendly.

“I don’t think it’s real cut-throat, stab-you-in-the-back kind of stuff,” Wade said.

The competition stems from the economic windfall convention business can bring to a city.

Dana Maugans, Springfield CVB sales director, said her bureau has helped book about 150 events in the Queen City for 2005, with another 120 already slated for 2006.

She estimates the 150 events in Springfield this year have and will attract about 75,000 visitors, who stay an average of three days and spend an average of $150 per day.

Using Maugans’ estimates, convention goers will contribute about $33.7 million to Springfield's economy in 2005.

However, she’s quick to note that the conventions she’s worked with are only a portion of the conventions held in Springfield. She said many hotels book their own conventions.

Click here for the full story from Oct. 10.