Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Chamber reduces funding for pageant

The board of directors for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau voted July 28 to financially support the 2000 Miss USA Pageant, but with less funding than it gave to the 1999 pageant.

The board approved a sponsorship donation of $25,000 that could be given in the form of a general cash donation or in support of a specific event or activity.

Syncor Special Events Management of Branson, host of both Miss USA pageants at The Grand Palace, had requested a donation of $125,000 with no in-kind services. According to the chamber, its financial outlay for the 1999 pageant last February totaled $75,000 in cash with $50,000 in in-kind services.

In a statement, the chamber said its decision to reduce funding was made after market research was conducted with visitors to determine if they had seen the pageant and to what extent the telecast influenced their decision to come to Branson.

While research proved that a significant number of first-time visitors were strongly influenced by the telecast, the cost per visitor was higher than would be realized during a traditional advertising campaign, the chamber stated.

Skaggs elects board of directors

The board of directors for Skaggs Community Health Center elected officers for the 1999-2000 year. They are: Raeanne Presley, chairman[[In-content Ad]]