2009 Marketing Campaign generates economic impact of $60 million

Dec 5, 2009 – The Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of commerce held its Annual Meeting, Banquet and Silent Auction on Dec. 4th at the Chateau on the Lake. Results of the 2009 marketing campaign were announced during the annual meeting and were warmly received by the membership of the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber.

The marketing campaign created an economic impact of $60.6 million in visitor spending and generated incremental travel of 77,969 trips. The successful advertising campaign encouraged one in five people who viewed the ads to make a trip to the Table Rock Lake area. Nearly one third of viewers in the advertised markets had seen the ads. Based on the total cost of the campaign and the economic impact generated, the 2009 marketing campaign generated a return on investment (ROI) of $180 for each dollar spent.

Wyli Barnes, President and CEO of the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are thrilled with these results. Table Rock Lake is a great destination and we are excited to share our message with a receptive audience. We look forward to the future as we continue to reach out to past and future visitors.”

For the first time in 2009, the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber, in cooperation with the State of Missouri and other marketing partners, invested $400,000 in television advertising in five major markets. The campaign was designed to promote awareness of the Table Rock Lake area and to invite potential customers to visit. At the conclusion of the marketing campaign, Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce invested in an ad effectiveness research program to measure the effectiveness of the marketing campaign and to insure that marketing dollars were being used effectively.

Demographic profiles of visitors to the Table Rock Lake area were also generated by the research. The average traveling party spent $777 during their trip. The average visitor to the Table Rock Lake area is 46 years old, has an income of more than $60,000 per year and is married. More than 70% of survey respondents use the internet to plan their trips. Visits to the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s website as well as telephone inquiries for travel information have increased by 30% in 2009.

The research program to generate these findings was professionally done in August 2009 using an online survey of 1,378 people in the five advertised markets.

Jeff Justus, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “This is an exciting time for the Table Rock Lake area. We are very pleased with the success of the year’s marketing campaign.”

Branson, MO – Gail Myer, VP of Operations for Myer Hotels, in Branson is pleased to announce the following recent team member additions:

Michael Woody has joined the Comfort Inn West as Assistant General Manager. A native of Nixa, Woody received his Associate of Arts degree from Ozark Technical Community College in 2004 and Bachelor of Science degree in Entertainment Management from Missouri State University in 2007. He was certified in 2008 by the Branson Fire and Rescue as a Community Emergency Responder.

Daniel Hamman has joined the Best Western Music Capital Inn as Assistant General Manager. A native of Marshfield, Hamman graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2008. Along with his previous hotel management experience, Hamman served as an Intern in the Department of Public Information at the United Nations in New York, as an international volunteer in Latin America, and speaks fluent Portuguese.

Michael and Daniel look forward to continuing the mission of Myer Hotels which is “Friendly, Fantastic Service Always.”

About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for over 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 24 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Branson Veterans Task Force to Host Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony

The Branson Veterans Task Force will be holding a ceremony to commemorate “The Day That Will Live in Infamy” and to honor those who were lost at Pearl Harbor. The event will take place in front of the water and fire show area on the Branson Landing on Monday, December 7, 2009 from 12:00 to 12:30 and will end with a wreath laying in Lake Taneycomo. This is a free event, and the public is welcome to attend.

In the attacks on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in 1941 that brought about America’s entry into World War II, 3,500 people were killed, hundreds of aircraft were destroyed, and every battleship in the U.S. Pacific Fleet was either sunk or severely damaged. The following day, President Roosevelt made a speech before Congress and the American people stating that “December 7, 1941 was a day that will live in infamy.” Shortly thereafter, the United States was engaged in a two-front war in the Pacific and European theaters.

The Branson Veterans Task Force is dedicated to honoring our Nation’s brave service personnel and veterans throughout the year. The BVTF does that, in part, by hosting events like Veterans Homecoming held during Veterans Week in November, Independence Day celebration, patriotic parades, Memorial Day ceremonies and more. The Task Force is dedicated to recognizing veterans, fostering patriotism, and educating the community. For more information about the Branson Veterans Task force visit www.bransonveterans.com or call 417-337-8387.

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