NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXPANDS SERVICE IN BRANSON
AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, announced today daily nonstop service from Branson to Chicago and Houston

BRANSON, MISSOURI (January 24, 2012) – AirTran Airways, which will be converted to Southwest Airlines over time, will begin daily nonstop service from Branson to Chicago and Houston starting April 16, 2012.

Chicago and Houston are major Southwest markets with connecting service to many great destinations. While the airlines’ networks are not connected at this point, both carriers are working together to publish the best flight schedules to places customers want to go. When the networks are connected, people traveling to and from these areas will have access to many more cities.

“These new daily flights to Chicago and Houston are very exciting because Chicago and Houston are large visitation markets for Branson” stated Executive Director, Jeff Bourk. “Ultimately, these routes will tie into the Southwest network, giving passengers many more low cost choices to get where our passengers want to go.”
On Friday, Southwest Airlines committed to serve Branson, Missouri. Southwest Airlines made the decision to serve Branson, Missouri and to convert AirTran Airways at Branson to Southwest Airlines operations over time.
“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities—at first via AirTran, and eventually as Southwest. We know there are Southwest Customers who want access to these cities, but have never before had the opportunity, and the markets have long desired Southwest service,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President Bob Jordan. “We are excited about the cities we have chosen to keep in our combined network.”

For a complete list of destinations available at the Branson Airport, visit www.FlyBranson.com.

About Branson Airport: Opening its doors May of 2009, Branson Airport LLC is the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States. Currently serviced by Southwest Airlines/AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. Located in the heart of the Ozarks and centrally located in the Midwest, the airport also boasts a state of the art FBO, Branson JetCenter and a full service travel agency, FlyBranson Travel. The Airport offers low cost service to over 100 destinations. For more information visit www.FlyBranson.com or call toll free 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541).

Press Release – Welcome Table Rock Chiropractic to the Chamber

For Immediate Release
The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome it’s newest member, Table Rock Chiropractic.
A Ribbon Cutting to formally welcome Table Rock Chiropractic to the Chamber will be held on Tuesday, February 7th at their location in Kimberling City at 11:30am. All members are welcome to attend this brief event.

”We are very excited to have Table Rock Chiropractic as a part of the Chamber for the first time. Dr. Smith and his team are a great addition to the Chamber and we hope our members and our community take advantage of all they have to offer,” says Heather Cognito, Membership Sales Director.
For more information, please contact Heather Cognito at 739-2564 or [email protected].

The Bretts are headliners for popular German Festival

Branson entertainment family returns home after 14 successful performances at one of Germany’s largest Christmas festivals, Triberger Weihnachtszauber.

January 13, 2012, Branson, MO – The Bretts just returned from a very successful Christmas festival in Triberg, located in the Black Forest region of Germany. The festival is known as “Triberger Weihnachtszauber,” or “Triberg Christmas Magic,” and is one of Germany’s largest Christmas festivals. Over 40,000 people attend the festival each year in the little tourist town of Triberg. While there, visitors enjoy Germany’s largest waterfall, festive decorations, great food, and non-stop performances from entertainers that come from all over the world.

The festival, now in its eighth year, runs from December 25th to the 30th, and was started by Thomas Weisser and Reiner Huber. “Thomas and Rainer are both visionary men, with a very professional setup,” said Brydon Brett. The Bretts performed 14 variations of their 2011 Christmas and regular season Branson show on both indoor and outdoor stages over the six day festival. “It was a lot of work performing and rehearsing, yet fun and relaxing,” said Brydon, “The chocolate, food, and sightseeing were all great as well. It is very beautiful over there, but the German people were the best thing about the trip. We just love the people over there.”

A large variety of acts shared the stages with The Bretts, ranging from local German stars to fire shows and gospel groups, which included another Branson favorite, Voices of Glory. “This was our fourth time to perform at the festival, and it looks very positive that we will go again this year. We are excited to be back in Branson, and are preparing for an exciting 2012 show. We feel refreshed and ready for a great year!” said Brydon. The Bretts 2012 show opens on April 16th at the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

More info about The Bretts visit: thebrettsshow.com
More info on Triberger Weihnachtszauber visit: http://www.triberger-weihnachtszauber.com/
To see videos of the festival: Video 1-Click Here, Video 2 – Click Here
To see photos of The Bretts performing: Photos 1 – Click Here, Photos 2 – Click Here
Information Contact: Joshua Hall 417-597-3185 or [email protected]

Jonas Arjes Named Director of Business Development

BRANSON, Mo. – Jonas Arjes, a longtime Taney County resident and Branson business leader, has accepted the position of Director of Business Development for the recently organized Taney County Business Development Partnership.

The Partnership structure has been established, and participants are still being recruited. Financial support of the partnership has been committed by Taney County, Kirbyville, Merriam Woods and the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. Verbal support has come from several public and private entities, with presentations being scheduled.

Arjes’ duties will include new business development and retention, and expansion of existing business within Taney County.
Arjes has been a Corporate Sales Executive with Akers & Arney insurance since 2007. Arjes received his Bachelor’s Degree from Missouri State University. He is married to Jennifer Arjes. They have three children.

He’s a charter member of the Rotary Club of Hollister where he serves as Sergeant-At-Arms. He also is Chairman-Elect of the Board of Directors of Christian Action Ministries.

Arjes is a graduate of the 2008 Leadership Academy of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Since 2008, he has served as an ambassador for the Chamber. In 2009, Arjes was presented the Jim Langham Ambassador of the Year Award.
Arjes had been slated to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau for 2012.

“In selecting Jonas for this position, we knew we were losing a great leader, but this is the best decision for our community,” said Ross Summers, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“His active involvement in many committees and activities over the years throughout the area, and his dedication to many Chamber efforts helped us realize he could be of greater benefit to the entire community in this capacity.”

Chamber Board Chairman-Elect for 2013 Janet Oller, director of marketing for Silver Dollar City, will now assume the position of chairman for 2012.
The choice of Arjes for this position has the support of Jeff Seifried, manager of regional development for the Springfield Regional Economic Partnership.

“Jonas’ passion for relationship-building and for Taney County will be of benefit to a multi-city-county economic partnership,” Siefried said.
David Akers of Akers & Arney said Jonas has been a great staff member and will remain a good friend.
“We are extremely excited for the new opportunity Jonas has to help further our community, and everyone here wishes him the best of luck, Akers said.

For more information, contact Bethany Thomas, Senior Vice President of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. 417-334-4084. [email protected].

World Exclusive:Titanic Branson Selected as Sole Exhibitor of Unsinkable Molly Brown’s Privately Held Artifact Collection

Legendary Margaret Tobin Brown’s Great-granddaughter to Dedicate Molly Brown Gallery Thursday, March 22, 2012

Branson, Mo., November, 2011 – Her real name was Margaret “Maggie” Tobin Brown, but the world knew her best as the irascible, indestructible Unsinkable “Molly” Brown. “Beginning January 2012, hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, will explore the myth, lore and legacy of this larger-than-life Titanic heroine,” announces John Joslyn, owner of the Titanic Museum Attractions and leader of the first private expedition’s dive to the wreck site.

According to Brown’s great-granddaughter, Helen Benziger, “My great-grandmother was born in 1867 in Hannibal, Missouri. She made a name for herself in Denver, Colorado, and around the world, with an indomitable spirit that charmed European society and helped her survive the Titanic disaster.

“I was about 13 years old, sitting in a darkened movie theater watching Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, when my mother finally told me that the fictional Molly Brown on screen was, in reality, based on the life of my great-grandmother, Margaret Tobin Brown. Since that unbelievable moment, I have devoted much of my life to keeping her legacy alive.

“Now, I’m thrilled and excited to know that the extensive Molly Brown Artifact Collection will have a new home at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, not too far from where my great-grandmother was born,” Benziger adds.

Featured pieces in the collection include furniture, crystal glassware from Ireland, artwork, photographs, Titanic memorabilia and many other treasures gathered from around the world to grace the Denver mansion Maggie shared with her millionaire mining husband, J.J. Brown.

And for the first time anywhere…

Museum attraction guests will see original costumes worn by Debbie Reynolds in the movie The Unsinkable Molly Brown, including the pale-green, elaborately beaded silk gown she wore while celebrating her birthday abroad in Paris.

“Helen Benziger was in Branson to help us launch the museum attraction in 2006. She inspired us all,” says Joslyn, “and we’re honored to welcome her back Thursday, March 22, 2012, to dedicate our new gallery, entirely devoted to her great-grandmother.

The Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Mo. open daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are strongly suggested, as many dates sell out entirely. Tickets may be purchased online at titanicattraction.com or by phone at 800-381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment owns and operates Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Titanic Branson has welcomed aboard more than four million guests, while Titanic Pigeon Forge boards approximately 100,000 “passengers” a month.

Branson Businessman Elected Director to Springfield Chamber

Tim Connell, president of Hollister-based Connell Insurance, has been named to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. Tim is the first Branson/Hollister-based director in the chamber’s history since the chamber was founded in 1919. The chamber’s board currently consists of 8 executive committee members and 15 directors.

Connell, a native of the Branson area, commented, “It is a true privilege to have been accepted as a director to this vibrant chamber organization. As the president of a regional insurance agency with clients throughout the states of Missouri and Arkansas, I am dedicated to the continued and sustainable economic development in the area. That’s why we have been involved with the Springfield chamber, as well as others, for many years.”
Connell added that his goals closely match the mission statement of the chamber in serving as an advocate for business in partnership with the community, support and assist existing businesses, act as a primary catalyst in promoting the economic health of the Springfield area, stimulating jobs and improving the quality of life. As an Ozarks Greenscore award recipient, Connell Insurance also reflects the chamber’s economic impact in the Partnership for Sustainability.

In addition to holding the positions of President and Commercial Producer for Connell Insurance, Tim also currently serves on the political action committee for the Missouri Association of Independent Insurance Agents and is a board member of Developmental Connections in Taney County. Tim currently resides in the Branson area with his wife Kim with three sons. Tim and his family all enjoy outdoor activities especially ones that involve boating and hiking on and around the area lakes and rivers.

Connell Insurance, based in Hollister, MO, is one of the largest insurance agencies serving southwestern Missouri. An independent insurance agency, Connell specializes in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, representing numerous insurance companies. For more information, visit www.Connell.com or call (417) 334-2000.

Over Half Ton of Food from SIX

left to right: (Jak Knudsen, Pat Davis) Jak Knudsen of SIX delivers over a half ton of food to the CAM pantry.

Branson…One of Branson’s top shows, SIX, held a food drive for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) at a recent show. SIX fans came through in a big way with 1,176 pounds of food to help fill the winter shelves at the CAM pantry.

According to Jak Knudsen of SIX, “All of our family members feel strongly about the tremendous job CAM does for the community and we’re proud to be able to help support them, particularly during this time of increasing need.”

Upon taking delivery of the donations, CAM’s executive director Pat Davis commented, “CAM is entirely dependent on the generous charity of the community. SIX, along with so many of the other entertainers and organizations, really enable us to continue to meet the growing needs in Taney County. This contribution will definitely help provide nutritional food supplies for the growing number of people requesting assistance, which is considerably higher than any year in our history. In fact, roughly 25% of the people needing help each month are doing so for the very first time.”

Anyone that would like to help, make a donation, put together a food drive, raise funds, or volunteer time, should contact Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit www.christianactionministries.org.

Legends in Concert is excited to welcome Jennifer Rodgers as the new Group Sales Manager for the 2012 season. Jennifer has worked in the Branson market for many years and she will be a great addition to our team. Please join us in welcoming Jennifer in her new role!

Jennifer Rodgers can be reached directly at 417-339-3003 x 3016.

Little Restaurant Gives Big – Table 22 Donates $2,000 to CAM

Pictured left to right, Angie Ann Makuch, Pat Davis, Dr. Richard Makuch

One of Branson’s newest restaurants organized a fundraiser to bring in funds for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) just in time for the Christmas season. Table 22 opened its doors in March 2011 and its owners Dr. Richard Makuch and his wife, Angie Ann, realized the importance of giving, especially during these difficult financial times.

The Makuches, who also own Palate Fine Wine and Provisions, decided a wine tasting dinner would be a fantastic way to raise funds for CAM. Guests were requested to bring a unique bottle of wine from their own wine cellars to share with the other diners and to make a contribution towards CAM.

Manager Stewart Langer organized the dinner and noted that participants were generous with their contribution to CAM, as well as the wines they brought to share: 1988 Mouton Rothschild Magnum, 1998 Clos de Tart Magnum, and a 2003 Leroy were among the gems.

They feasted on a dinner especially created by Chef Matt Middleton of Table 22. Table 22 is located at 114 East Main Street, 417-973-0022, www.Table22Branson.com. The Palate Fine Wine and Provisions is located at 110 East Main Street, 417-335-2675.

When Executive Director of CAM Pat Davis stated that the cost of peanut butter had risen sharply this fall, and is currently one of their greatest needs, Mrs. Makuch replied, “We hope this $2,000 donation will help purchase not only peanut butter, but a whole lot more for the children this Christmas.”

Anyone that would like to help CAM by making a donation, putting together a food drive, raising funds, or volunteering time, should contact Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit www.christianactionministries.org.

College of the Ozarks Named A Choice Employer
By: Matt Farmer

College of the Ozarks is one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the area; it is also one of the best places to have a job. Springfield Business Journal ranked C of O 3rd among employers with between 100-300 employees in the Springfield-Branson area this year. Springfield Business Journal’s Choice Employers made its debut in 2006 as “Best Places to Work.” The name has changed, but the mission is the same. Its mission is to honor local companies that have exceptional work environments.

“College of the Ozarks has been nominated for the last five years,” says Employee Resources and Insurance Director Vicki Wrosch. “This is the first year we’ve been recognized. It is very exciting. The College has excellent benefits, more than many employers in the area.”

The College offers 100 percent health insurance premiums for full-time employees, tuition reimbursement, on-site childcare, inexpensive on campus dining, free admission to College events, extra paid vacation during the holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

“Our 403(b) is the most celebrated benefit among staff, without a doubt,” says Public Relations Director Elizabeth Hughes. “Employees contribute 5 percent of their salary, and the College double-matches that with 10 percent.”

The Springfield Business Journal used a 32-question online survey to determine how well employers treat employees in five key areas: family friendliness, incentives, people development, corporate culture and civic engagement. College of the Ozarks had the highest possible score for civic engagement and the second highest score for people development, family friendliness and corporate culture as compared to similar-size firms.

For more information, please call the Public Relations office at (417)690-2212.