What delegates are saying

from Select Traveler Summer 2023

Breakout session energizes buyers

TRAVEL BUYERS

“The leisure group market is changing. It’s not just older travelers anymore. It’s students, performance groups, special interest groups and more. The future looks great for groups here in Branson. We devote a lot of dollars to this market, and the Select Traveler Conference fits our interest in quality over quantity.

“We’re emphasizing nature and health now. People of all ages want to be physically and mentally whole. It’s a mindset people have had since COVID. It plays well here, and once people come to Branson, they come back.”

— SAMANTHA GUTTING SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GROUP SALES EXPLORE BRANSON

“Branson is back. Last year, we surpassed 10 million visitors. We are not your grandmother’s Branson anymore. We’ve beaten that. In addition to all our shows, we have the outdoors and Table Rock Lake. We have the boating life, fishing, championship golf courses, Big Cedar Lodge nearby and lots of first-class hotels to enjoy.

“Groups have always been some of our best ambassadors. When they go back home, they tell everyone about Branson. We want them to be completely satisfied while they’re here because they create word-of-mouth awareness that cannot be bought.”

— ANTHONY STACY BRANSON’S IMAX ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX BRANSON RESTAURANTS INC.

“Prior to COVID, we were doing two major international trips each year. Our members became concerned about getting stuck somewhere overseas during COVID, but they are feeling better about traveling internationally now. We have a river cruise on the books for next year, and I expect to bring Europe back into the picture fully in 2024. We’re traveling again in the U.S. this year. Our trips here at home are great.”

—JOYCE LECHTENBERGER VICE PRESIDENT, GOLD CLUB DIRECTOR FIRST SECURITY BANK MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS

“We’ll run three trips this year, including Mackinac Island this October. I think our program will continue to expand. People realize now that life is short, so they want to travel. Last year, I took 10 members on a river cruise on the Rhone River in France, and that sold me on river cruising. We’ll probably do the Danube next. I’m sure everyone who did the Rhone will come on that one, plus a lot more.”

— CHERYL FINLEY GO CLUB COORDINATOR WEST PLAINS BANK WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI

“I started working with our bank group six years ago and became director in 2020. Our club has been around a long time; some say it’s 60 years old. Last year, we did two Alaska cruises with land tours. In 2016, we took 180 people on the Rhine and had the ship to ourselves. In 2024, we’re doing a Danube River cruise with Mayflower, and we’re hoping to do the same thing. We’re also doing Autumn in the Adirondacks, a Tennessee Christmas, and just got back last week from doing Florida’s National Parks.”

— BETH HUBBARD VISTA CLUB MANAGER FIRST STATE BANK MENDOTA, ILLINOIS

TRAVEL COMPANIES & DESTINATIONS

“People know now that we are not guaranteed time. They are buying all the extensions we offer, and many are buying itineraries back-to-back. Some will do our Alaska 12-day trip and then add our nine-day Vancouver trip. The demand we’re seeing is remarkable. Our infrastructure throughout the world took a century to build and now it’s paying off. I come to the Select Traveler Conference because I like to see things for myself. I want my finger on the pulse, and your conferences allow me to do that.”

— JIM EDWARDS VICE PRESIDENT, U.S. AFFINITY DEVELOPMENT COLLETTE

“This is the first time I’ve attended the Select Traveler Conference in several years. We’re seeing the potential of this market for Savannah. My division targets groups of 10 rooms or more, so I also work closely with travel agents and home-based agents who can deliver groups of that size. Savannah markets to upscale groups like those represented here, and this is an introductory approach for me.”

— ANJULI KING DIRECTOR, DOMESTIC GROUP TOUR AND ENTERTAINMENT SALES VISIT SAVANNAH

“We’re expanding into international destinations, and it’s a great avenue for us with Select Traveler buyers. I’ve traveled internationally and can make suggestions about companies we use overseas, so I’m pretty involved in this expansion. We’re creating tours in western Europe, Israel, Egypt and Greece. We specialize in customization, so a group can work with us on what they want to include. As a longtime breakfast sponsor, we’re pretty invested here.”