Green Meetings in Branson

When you think of a destination that brings sustainable meetings to life, where is it and why? Imagine having a community of people from venues, hotels and conservation attractions with an unwavering dedication to environmentally responsible meetings and conventions. This is Branson, Missouri.

Eco-Initiatives at the Dewey Short Visitor Center

Get a warm welcome to Branson at the Dewey Short Visitor Center, a LEED Gold Certified building. This architectural wonder is a shining example of sustainability. The Center is built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, making it 35% more energy efficient than similar buildings. The Center made this possible by implementing several innovative eco-friendly measures that make us stand out from the crowd.

Recycle Station

The Visitor Center recycles items made from paper, plastic and aluminum and only purchases products made from recyclable materials. Recycled materials were even used in the construction of the building!

Energy Efficiency

To conserve energy, the Visitor Center utilizes low-flow fixtures in the restrooms, motion-sensor lighting, south-facing windows in the theater, Energy Star appliances, insulated concrete forms and panels in the walls and roof, and lake water to heat and cool the building, which faces north to maximize natural light.

Sustainable Housekeeping Practices

In addition to using recycled products for cleaning, the Visitor Center uses environmentally preferable products and power equipment that meet green cleaning standards, benefiting the environment and making it healthier for people who clean, work in and visit the building.

Green Landscape Design

Native plants that require less water and are more tolerant of our weather are planted around the Visitor Center. The Center also uses rain gardens, dry creek bed funnels and stores of runoff water to filter rainwater, which is then released back into the groundwater, preventing erosion.

Eco- & Health-Conscious Solutions

To keep the Visitor Center even more environmentally friendly, the following solutions in place:

• Concrete floors that hold less dust, are easy to clean and are made with recycled materials
• Uncovered and exposed concrete, steel and wood to improve indoor air quality 
• Special entry mats at doors to trap and hold dust
• Non-smoking building

Sustainability Initiatives at the Branson Convention Center

Get ready to be impressed by the Branson Convention Center—the ultimate venue for sustainable meetings and conventions. We take environmental responsibility seriously and have taken great strides to make it a leading facility for hosting green events by saving energy, reducing, reusing and recycling.

The convention center is taking several mesaures towards sustainability. Here are a few of the main ones: 

• Glass recycling program
• Composting program
• Cardboard compactor
• Occupancy sensors
• Start & stop escalators
• HVAC monitoring
• Energy-efficient fixtures
• Low-energy lighting
• Cooking oil recycling
• Printer toner cartridge recycling
• Eco-Friendly Sterno utilization for chafing dishes to keep food warm
• Environmentally friendly cleaning agents & materials
• Proper recycling of batteries, paint, & compact fluorescent bulbs & ballasts
• Recycling of paper, metal, plastic, carpet, & disposable food & beverage wares
• Educating clients and attendees of the Center’s sustainability initiatives

Green Meeting Hotels

Reduce your attendees’ carbon footprints on the environment by staying in one of Branson’s eco-friendly hotels. We’re proud to say Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Hotel are at the frontline of providing green accommodations for groups of different sizes.

Each hotel participates in LightStay, Hiltons’ custom-built proprietary system that tracks the environmental performance of hotels by measuring energy-saving, recycling and tree-saving efforts. Plus, they have an employee garden that features plants and recycled items—like soup cans used as planters—to give back to nature in a fun and creative way!

And let’s not forget—their commitment to preserving the environment has earned each hotel a Certificate of Environmental Accomplishment from Shred-it.

Green Initiatives at The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks

The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks, a fully-accredited liberal arts college, practices sustainability efforts when preparing food for the Bakery, Dobyns Dining Room and College Creamery. It’s a farm-to-fork dining experience like no other, and the tasty treats produced provide jobs for students who understand the importance of preserving products and energy, reducing overall waste. In addition, most students do not commute, reducing the use of fuel.

 

Greenhouse & Gardens

• The garden provides hydroponic lettuces and seasonal produce to The Keeter Center kitchen.
• The garden provides peppers for student-made Jalapeno Pepper Jelly.
• The greenhouse provides centerpieces and other botanical goods to The Keeter Center.
• Fruit spreads, apple butter, pecans, granola and other student-made products are used and sold throughout the Keeter Center.

Dairy, Hog & Beef Farms

• Fresh milk from the Campus Dairy is used in the hand-crafted, student-made ice cream in the College Creamery.
• The hogs and beef cattle are raised and processed on the campus farm.
• Chefs communicate specials or menu items that can be provided again from campus-raised hog and beef.
• The whole pig is utilized—ground pork from the shoulder, pork chops from the loin, bacon from the side/belly and smoked hams from the leg.

Edwards Mill

• Edwards Mill provides cornmeal, fine cornmeal, malted pancake mix and scone mix to utilize local- and student-made products in culinary offerings at The Keeter Center.
• When grinding corn, all components are utilized—whether for purchase, for The Keeter Center kitchen or for the hog farm’s feed.

Conservation Attractions

Meeting in Branson comes with the backdrop of the beautiful Ozarks—known as America’s Conservation Capital! Our area’s natural wonders provide the home of multiple conservation attractions, providing a treasure trove of opportunities for attendees to connect with nature.

Branson's Aquarium at the Boardwalk

Your group will get a thrill from encountering more than 250 animal species at this attraction. The aquarium also hopes attendees are inspired to give coral reefs a chance to thrive in the future and see why it's passionate about the Coral Restoration Foundation.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

At this nature attraction that doubles as an outdoor playground, your attendees can take a wildlife tour, hike or bike this 10,000-acre expanse of rugged, unspoiled Ozarks landscape of breathtaking waterfalls and towering bluffs.

Top of the Rocks Ozarks Heritage Preserve

This nature-based heritage preserve offers a magnificent cliff-top experience, as well as the Lost Canyon Cave Trail, a 2.5-mile electric cart journey spotlighting spectacular rock formations.

Sustainable Golf, Anyone?

The golf enthusiasts in your group can hit the links at Big Cedar Lodge. The resort’s premiere golf courses include Payne’s Valley, the first public course designed by Tiger Woods to open in the U.S.

Big Cedar Lodge is the only resort in the world to have all five of its golf courses designated as Audubon International Signature Sanctuary locations. The certification from Audubon International, a global conservation leader, ensures all Big Cedar courses meet the highest standard of conservation-minded design and sustainable operation.

 

We hold conservation close to our hearts and feel an obligation to protect the land and surrounding wildlife for future generations to enjoy.

-Johnny Morris

Conservationist, Bass Pro Shops founder & Big Cedar Lodge creator

 

To start planning your green meeting in Branson, contact our team or submit your RFP.