HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BRANSON
This special “Reunion Section” is specifically designed to provide you with information to ensure a successful, wellplanned and highly attended reunion. No matter the affinity of the reunion you may plan – Military, Family, or Class Reunion – a Branson itinerary is sure to please everyone.
REUNIONS 10 HELPFUL
Tips
The Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau is your ticket to planning a successful reunion in Branson. These 10 tips have been developed to help in your planning process. Because we know that planning your reunion well in advance with a timeline of what to do and when are important tools to work with. 1. DETERMINE THE PURPOSE If the reunion is to bring together people who have not seen each other for many years, the activities you plan may be quite different than those for a family whose members see each other more often. [44] www.ExploreBranson.com
The Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a valuable complimentary service which allows you to obtain proposals based on your lodging specifications, group information on our fabulous shows and attractions, restaurants and caterers and essential transportation needs. Request expert and dependable event planning services from Branson’s package travel companies for your reunion through our Request For Proposal (RFP) service on the next page. To submit an RFP simply visit www.ExploreBranson.com/groups/reunions and click “Submit an RFP.” Or call 417-243-2105 for helpful staff assistance.
2. DETERMINE ATTENDANCE AND SET THE DATE Dates for the reunion should be confirmed at least a year in advance to allow members to plan for vacation time and save money for the trip. Send out “Save The Date” notifications. If people are traveling a considerable distance to attend, it is a good idea to take several days for the reunion, or at least a long weekend. And remember, no date is going to be perfect for everyone, so develop a consensus.
4. MAKE IT EASY AND SAVE TIME – SUBMIT AN RFP The Leisure Group Sales staff offers a wealth of services to make your planning easy. One of the most valuable complimentary services is the opportunity for you to submit an RFP to gain bids for lodging, dining, tickets to various shows and attractions, planning services and more. All you need to do is provide the information, then sit back and wait for the bids to come to you.
3. DETERMINE BUDGET Determine costs incurred by the group (i.e., catering or group meals, facilities rental, postage, etc.) and divide among the participants. Some reunions charge a “registration fee” to cover incidentals. Make sure that you specify exactly what is and what is not included in the fee when you send out the invitations. You will want to set a due date in advance (a couple of months at least), for a percentage of the fee to be sent to you. This will also help solidify the guest list. Keep good records, maintain the set budget while staying in communication.
5. SELECT LODGING AFTER RECEIVING RFP RESPONSES Branson has many great lodging properties and camping facilities available from value-priced motels to lakefront resorts and luxury hotels. When booking your lodging, ask the reservationist if your group size qualifies for a group discount. Consider whether your reunion would like a hospitality room, banquet room, catered meals on-site and/or a restaurant on-site or within walking distance. Upon making reservations, request a confirmation letter from the lodging property spelling out all the details to
