Mickey Gilley performing private show for Mayflower VIP Group
BRANSON, Mo., September 30, 2013 – After the fun, pleasure and excitement of helping the 150 members of the Mayflower VIP Group have a special and unique Branson experience Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales, Branson Tourism Center said, “It was a joy to be the Branson partner of Mayflower Tours in the planning, implementation and fulfillment of this special VIP group trip. The result was a phenomenal experience for their travelers and one that very few of millions of visitors coming to Branson each year get to have.”
In its day to day operations, BTC’s groups department specializes in helping groups of all sizes and kinds, from student, family and bank travel to churches, military, reunions, meetings or conferences, weddings, travel agents and tour operators, have a great Branson experience. The genesis for the VIP event was when Mayflower Tours, a tour operator operating deluxe escorted holidays, wanted to offer their travelers a special unique escorted VIP tour of Branson and, because of the special relationships that BTC has built up over the years with Branson shows, attractions and lodging facilities, partnered with BTC to make it happen.
How well did it work out? Vicki Martin, a Mayflower Tour Manager, said that, from the time they left the hotel in the morning until they got back at night, each day was a busy, exciting and enjoyable blend of a variety of activities, relaxation and adventure including shows, attractions, boat rides and other things highlighted by a series of special events. She said, “Branson Tourism Center makes this very easy for a tour manager like myself” and pointed out that in a lot of places they go there is minimal assistance, but here, “Branson Tourism Center has it all taken care of for us.”
Mayflower VIP Travelers with Main Street Lake Cruises "Lake Queen."
Martin pointed out that the schedule was full of a variety of things to see and do. One of the many things planned into their varied itinerary was time to relax on Lake Taneycomo at the facilities of Main Street Lake Cruises. While there they took a sightseeing trip on the riverboat replica Lake Queen and enjoyed a special vintage carnival, including games, candy, soda, popcorn etc. at Main Street Lake Cruises’ “Paddlewheel.”
The carnival was just one of the unique special features the Mayflower VIP travelers enjoyed. Among others there was a private meet and greet on the stage of the theatre with Clay Cooper after seeing Clay Cooper’s Country Express with Clay entertaining them at dinner that evening; a personal welcome and introduction to the Titanic Museum Attraction by John Joslyn one of its owners; a private meet and greet with the Oak Ridge Boys after seeing their show; Breakfast with the Brett family prior to seeing the Bretts show; dinner with a member of the Hughes Brothers family at each table prior to seeing their show it; a very exclusive private show from Mickey Gilley along with an up close and personal question and answer period and a private meet and greet with Shoji and Christina Tabuchi after seeing the Shoji Tabuchi show.
Mayflower’s Martin said that many of her travelers have been to Branson multiple times with other groups and never have they had an experience and access to the entertainers like they did on this trip. She said she doesn’t know how they did it but that, “It wouldn’t have happened without [the] Branson Tourism [Center.]”
Branson Tourism Center’s Wood, from a BTC perspective, credits the relationship that BTC has with the Branson shows, attractions and other providers it works with and with the hard work and dedication of BTC Group Sales Manager Becky Jewsberry, who personally coordinated the planning of the event with Mayflower as well as its execution in Branson. “Whether it’s 150 or a family reunion of 20, we work hand in hand with each and every group to be an extension of their team,” said Wood. “The BTC Groups Department has a staff of 11 people dedicated to just one thing, helping those having an interest in for bringing a group to Branson to plan and execute an event that will be a successful, memorable and enjoyable experience.”
Wood invites group planners to contact the Branson Tourism Center Groups Department for a quote, information or assistance in planning a group trip to Branson by calling 1-800-268-4014 or through its website, http://www.BransonGroups.com.