Convention Center Changing Downtown Skyline
More than 100 people are at work on the site of the Branson Convention Center and the adjacent Hilton Convention Center Hotel in downtown Branson next to the Branson Landing retail district that opened in May.
The 12-story hotel will be the tallest hotel in Branson. And to assist in the construction of the hotel, a 220-foot tower crane has been brought in to lift the pallets of lumber and steel supports to the floors that are rising from the ground. According to officials from HCW Development Co, which also developed Branson Landing, the convention center and hotel project continues on schedule with opening date set for September 2007.
Concrete has been poured for the third floor of the hotel and some steel is already erected on the convention center site. The entire infrastructure, including underground utilities and drainage, has been in place for two years in conjunction with the construction of Branson Landing. Architects are now working on the interior design for both projects. The 275-room Hilton Convention Center Hotel includes a restaurant, swimming pool, atrium patio and landscaping.
The 220,000-square–foot convention center will feature glass all along the east side facing Lake Taneycomo. It will have a 50,000 square foot exhibition hall, a 23,000 square foot ballroom and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. The spaces can be joined for large events or the convention center can accommodate multiple users at the same time.
Bill Tirone, marketing director for the convention center and Hilton Hotel, said “a fair amount†of conventions have already been booked for corporations, state associations and public events including the Log Cabin Timber Frame Home Expo. Tirone said he gets two to three leads a day from groups ranging in size from 200 to about 4,000 attendees.
Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer believes Branson will be a unique convention destination. “Because of Branson’s entertainment that includes 47 theaters and other major attractions like Branson Landing, attendees will have a variety of fun things to do. I see them bringing families and either coming a few days early to their meetings or staying longer to enjoy the amenities of Branson,†he said.
