Branson, Mo., Offers Several Unique Meeting Spaces for Events

November 21, 2015

You may not have heard of Branson, Mo., but it’s a unique place to plan your next meeting or event.  Located about an hour south of Springfield, Mo., Branson provides some fantastic options for meeting spaces and entertainment options, all with the backdrop of the Ozarks.

The Branson Convention Center is located next to Branson Landing and is connected to the Hilton Branson.  The 220,000 square foot meeting space in the convention center has been designed to mimic the vast waterways in the area, in terms of materials, shaping of accents and hallways and large windows that overlook the river. 

“One of the unique, and popular, features of the convention center is our LED lights in the 28,000 sq. ft. ballroom,” said Janet Peterson, director of Sales & Events at the Branson Convention Center.

She added, “The ceiling lights can be programmed to change colors and we have had clients request the lighting for additional branding and even a light show choreographed to music.”

Complimentary parking also is available at the convention center.

If you are looking to have more of a vacation setting as your meeting backdrop, the Grand View Conference Center at Big Cedar Lodge may be your secret oasis. 

The lodge and conference center are located near Table Rock Lake, on a beautiful and picturesque setting near the Ozark Mountains.  

The conference center itself is more like a beautiful cabin than a typical conference center, and the 21,000 sq. ft. space has that same type of cabin feel. 

This location also is ideal for incentives meetings or a corporate retreat, with activities on and around the property, including driving a golf cart through one of the many caves in the state, as well as a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Opened in 1997, Chateau on the Lake Resort provides over 43,500 sq. ft.  of meeting space, in addition to 301 rooms, 75 percent of which have at least a partial water view. 

As the name suggests, Chateau on the Lake is found on Table Rock Lake.  The property has the largest carpeted ballroom space in Branson, at 32,000 sq. ft., and the great hall is divisible by 7, with moving walls, so there are multiple configurations available.

Andrea Sitzes, sales manager at the Chateau on the Lake Resort, said, “Our founder, John Q. Hammons, took inspiration from his travels in Europe for this property. One unique design feature he added are the seven hand-painted murals of different European castles around the meeting spaces. It adds a human touch not normally seen in event spaces, and we are proud of Mr. Hammons’ influence on the attendee experience here.”

Branson has many possibilities for meetings and conventions, including several things to see and do, so you can provide your attendee with a variety of space options.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.