Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Businesses get creative in luring customers

The Dutton Family Theater unveiled a new gas voucher promotion June 2, according to Judith Dutton, box office marketing manager for the theater. Every adult who purchases a regular-priced ticket for The Duttons’ show can have the ticket stamped on the back as a $3.75 voucher for gas.

The vouchers can be redeemed at AJ’s One Stop or Conoco Break Place, both located on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson.

“We had 346 tickets redeemed in the first week,” Dutton said. She added that one lucky person is awarded a door prize of $50 in free gas at each Dutton show. The gas promotion will run through the month of July. Those who don’t want to purchase gas can spend their vouchers at the Dutton Family Theater Gift Shoppe or at the Dutton Deli.

Customers of Branson Tourism Center also can get a break on gasoline prices on the travel agency’s Web site, www.bransontourismcenter.com. The travel agency is offering online coupons for 20 cents off each gallon of gas up to 20 gallons purchased through Phillips 66 located in the same complex as the agency’s office at 220 Branson Hills Parkway. The program is now in its fifth year, according to Branson Tourism Center General Manager Paul Miller.

Branson visitors can receive two free show tickets by bringing a copy of their U.S. government-issued stimulus check or proof of the check’s direct deposit to Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. About 60 shows are participating in the chamber’s “economic stimulus check” promotion, which began May 20.

“We’ve given away more than 750 show tickets in less than a month,” said Lynn Berry, the chamber’s director of public relations.

The chamber distributes ticket vouchers in random unmarked envelopes. The recipients then go to the show’s box office to exchange the ticket voucher for two tickets.

The Branson chamber’s Gas Buster promotion, first initiated in 2002, is popular again this year, Berry said.

“We’ve seen more than a 20 percent increase in people coming in for Gas Buster cards,” she said. Under the program, visitors showing a minimum of $40 in receipts for gas purchased for a trip to Branson can pick up a card from the one of the Branson chamber welcome centers located at the corners of highways 65 and 248 and highways 65 and 160. The cards are worth up to $50 in discounts when redeemed at participating area businesses between May 1 and Oct. 31.

Nearly 100 restaurants, shows, attractions, retail shops and accommodations are involved in the program.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is rewarding summertime guests with Visa gift cards through its Check In & Cash In Package. According to General Manager Bill Derbins, participating guests will receive a $25 Visa gift card for booking a two-night stay and a $50 Visa gift card for booking a four-night stay. Derbins, who also manages the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, said the incentive program that began June 12 is only for guests staying at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

He said guests can spend their gift cards any way they wish. Derbins added that the Check In & Cash In Package has no expiration date and will continue for as long as management deems it successful.