Long known as a country music capitol with G-rated family entertainment, Branson, Missouri is getting down to business.
There’s a summer opening planned for the city’s new, 220,000 square foot convention center and adjacent Hilton Hotel. This will open up Branson for the first time to larger conventions.
“It was heartbreaking with the number of groups that wanted to come to Branson but couldn’t because there wasn’t a large-enough facility to take them,” said Vienna Bowling, director of meeting and convention sales at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Hilton will have 293 rooms. The 12-story hotel will also have a fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools.
Both the hotel and convention center are within walking distance from the Historic Downtown Branson and the $435 million Branson Landing shopping and entertainment center. The later opened a year ago and includes major department stores, various restaurants and a 1.5 mile long boardwalk.
Report by David Wilkening
