The Explore Branson Sales Team is preparing for a busy third quarter with a continued focus on generating new business for Branson by strengthening relationships with group leaders and tour operators through tradeshows and other industry events.
This quarter, the team will participate in several national industry conferences, providing more than 100 scheduled one-on-one appointments with organizations actively sourcing future destinations for their groups and events. Each appointment represents the potential to generate new leads, increase overnight stays, and drive economic impact for the community.
In August, the team will travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to attend the Student Youth Travel Association Annual Conference (SYTA), where they will once again host the beloved ice cream booth and Under the Stars afterglow event. These activations provide an opportunity to showcase Branson as a rapidly growing student travel destination while supporting the SYTA Youth Foundation, which helps make educational travel more accessible for students across the country. The team will also premiere the second installment of the student video series, created in partnership with Reeds Spring High School and Michael Haygood, to highlight STEM experiences in Branson.
Immediately following SYTA, the team will head to Tampa, Florida for Connect Marketplace, where they will be unveiling a new booth activation featuring iced coffee. The activation is designed to attract attendees to the Branson booth, creating additional opportunities to generate new business beyond scheduled appointments. Appointments will be conducted across the Associations, Corporate, Sports, and Specialty markets, allowing the team to connect with a diverse range of qualified buyers.
In October, the team will welcome student tour operators and group leaders to Branson for the Student FAM & Marketplace. The event will bring nearly 30 tour operators to experience Branson through the eyes of a student, exploring performance opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and educational attractions before connecting one-on-one with local businesses during the marketplace.
Looking ahead to fourth quarter, in November, the team has two new opportunities to showcase Branson. First being through Connect South & Faith, being hosted in market November 9-11. This event will bring up to 250 attendees in market. More details will be shared on this soon. Directly following, the team will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the National Tour Association Travel Exchange. During the conference, Explore Branson will host the closing luncheon and officially announce Branson as the host destination for NTA Contact in May 2027. These opportunities continue to elevate Branson's visibility within the group travel industry and strengthen relationships that support future visitation.
The sales team also recently welcomed Brianna Gragg as Leisure Group Sales Coordinator. A recent graduate of the College of the Ozarks, Brianna has quickly become a valuable member of the team, supporting trade shows, partner outreach, sales initiatives, and more.
With a strong lineup of industry events, strategic sales initiatives, and in-market programs ahead, the Explore Branson Sales Team is well positioned to generate new business and continue expanding Branson's presence in the group travel industry.
