MARCH 4-10, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 21 NEWS effort dating back to 2011. Those sites included locations at Battlefield Road and Highway 65, Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street, and downtown next to the Springfield Expo Center. The 2019 study recommended a 100,600-square-foot center and a connected or adjacent hotel. At the time of its release, Kimberlin called the study a first step. No action has yet resulted from it. In a 2022 CEO Roundtable interview with SBJ, Kimberlin spelled out some of the problems faced by Atrium, which purchased the University Plaza property a couple years before the pandemic. COVID-19 was particularly hard on the convention industry, Kimberlin said, and that left Atrium strapped for money. “We have been talking to the top management at Atrium about how we need this property upgraded – badly,” Kimberlin said. “They tell us that they’re in the process of trying to figure out what the opportunities are here, what they invest in the property, how much they invest or do they sell it.” At that time, Kimberlin said he thought the Springfield property was the top priority for Atrium. If announcements of investments have been made by the company since that time, they did not show up in an internet search. Hecquet said he hears discussions of the convention center issue from city staff and City Council members, and developers, too, have expressed interest in a convention center as a development opportunity, though he declined to name them. “There’s a lot of talk,” he said. “I can’t tell you there’s anything definitive right now, but the talk is in the right direction.” Hecquet was complimentary of efforts by the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center to fill the void by serving an otherwise unserved market in the city, with its 85,000-square-foot EPlex Center Hall exhibit space, its grandstand and its new Wilson Logistics Arena. It’s a place for concerts, trade shows, sporting events and more, he said. “Does it fill the entire void of a convention center? No, but it further lends itself to Springfield being a very desirable location with wonderful amenities,” he said. “That’s why people want to come to Springfield, but we need to develop a convention product that’s appealing.” He said the city lacks a facility that has a large central space with a sufficient number of breakout rooms. “You’ve been to conventions. You know what the needs are,” he said. “We can do civic events, external events, but we don’t have that marquee venue that can really be a showpiece for the city of Springfield.” Branson steps in At the Branson Convention Center, managed by Los Angeles-based ASM Global, Teel has been on the job since October, and she called the 220,000-square-foot center “a busy little building.” “If I’m looking at days of the year, we’re probably 85% occupied, meaning on 85% of the days we have at least one event going on in the building,” she said. “That’s exciting for a market of this size.” Branson is a tourist destination, offering lots for convention-goers to do, she said. Additionally, it’s a safe city. “That’s everyone’s No. 1 priority,” she said. “That aspect is really commendable, and it’s a good draw to bringing events here.” Teel said the center can host almost any event, depending on a sponsoring organization’s price point. Based on event volume and types, Teel said the Branson center needs an expansion, and while that has been discussed, she said no plans are yet in place. “We’re reaching capacity,” she said. “We are running out of dates, running out of space, not just for new events, but to continue to service the events we have worked with for many years.” Teel said many conferences come back to the Branson Convention Center repeatedly, and successful events see their registrations grow. One recent event at the Branson Convention Center was the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference, held Feb. 20-21. Officials told SBJ the event drew 785 registrations – 100 more than the previous year – plus 136 exhibitors, up 10% from 2023, according to past reporting. She noted the exhibit hall can serve nearly 4,000 in a sit-down general session, with dinner space for 1,600-1,800. The ballroom seats 800-1,000 for a banquet, she said, or 2,000-2,500 guests theater style. The center has seven breakout rooms on its upper level, and it is connected to a hotel, where guests can stay and walk to convention events. “We love our partners at the Hilton,” she said. “Together, we’ve seen a lot of success.” At the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, there are 292 rooms, according to hotel officials. Teel said she and her staff have many goals they would like to accomplish in 2024, and one is to continue the level of guest satisfaction it experienced in 2023, when surveys showed satisfaction levels of 80% or higher. “We’re going to continue to provide great quality products and services,” she said. She added that a focus this year is to highlight more local experiences to celebrate shows and tourism destinations in Branson. “People come to Branson for a particular reason, and we want to make sure we’re showcasing that,” she said. • TRAVIS BEAZLEY SVP, Loan Officer NMLS #955702 Government-assisted loans for small businesses Generally lower down payments & extended terms Faster local processing & decision-making as a Preferred Lender Just like the Small Business Administration, we believe in small businesses and are proud to support them by offering 7(a) and 504 loans through the SBA. Help realize the potential of your business with a government-backed SBA loan and OMB. Team OMB is here for your commercial loan needs, and we’re proud to be part of your community. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, for children ages 6-17. Call 417.799.7474 for your FREE assessment today. perimeterspringfield.com PROVIDING HOPE. TRANSFORMING LIVES. Your child is your world. Find hope on their behavioral health journey. 145 Events hosted by Branson Convention Center in 2023 220K Square feet in Branson Convention Center
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