The answer to the question is, “How could an Ole Seagull possibly know, but for what it matters he believes that it is extremely unlikely that casino gambling will come to Branson in the near future, if ever, and that Branson is poised for a great 2007.”
The question then becomes, “What was the question?” But first a little reminder, this columnist writes solely his opinion based on the reality of the situation that opinion applies to, as he believes and perceives it to be based on his value system, intuition and life experiences. The constant challenge is to keep the central issue of the column from becoming an opinion on an opinion. When looking into the future that becomes difficult.
That said, the one answer actually answers two of the questions that the Ole Seagull hears the most about. The first, “Will casino gambling come to Branson?” and, particularly at this time of the year, “How do you think Branson is going to do this year?”
The division within the community aside, Branson’s public stance against the expansion of casino gambling in south west Missouri would make it hypocritical for it to even start the constitutional approval process necessary to bring casino gambling to Branson. “But Seagull, what if it was necessary to save Branson economically?” Will that make it any less hypocritical or divide our community any less? Why would any such need generate the necessary support for Branson from those communities that have established casino gambling interests? If Branson should subsequently decide that it needs casino gambling all an Ole Seagull can suggest, is that we all bow our heads and say, “Our Father who art in Heaven …”
Depending on how one bets, an opening 7 roll of the dice in a craps game is a winner. In terms of more people coming to Branson, Branson’s bet on marketing should result in the equivalent of an opening 7 roll for its 2007 season. The Branson message, all the great things that makes the Branson experience what it is natural beauty, lakes, shopping, entertainment of every type, character, history, tradition, values, etc. is getting out to more and more people. And, it’s not just that the message is going out to a broader geographical area but that it is penetrating deeper into the traditional markets that have been a mainstay for Branson tourism for years.
The question might be asked, “But if we have been marketing to them for years why do we want to invest more money in them?” It’s like picking apples off a tree; if all that is picked is the easy to reach fruit that is on the bottom branches is not the larger percentage of fruit left unpicked? In 2007, for the first time ever, the Branson area will have planned for and implemented a full years marketing plan backed by enough financing to work the plan effectively. For the first time Branson has the funding to both plant new trees and more fully harvest those that have been already been planted.
One might think that it’s all the new things, that have and are taking place, in Branson, the Titanic, Branson Landing, the new convention center, White Water expansion, Silver Dollar City’s Grand Exposition and GIANT Swing, etc. that will provide success for Branson in 2007. But in an Ole Seagull’s heart he believes that it is the combination of all those things and their integration into the effective marketing of the total Branson experience that results in just about a sure bet that, in terms of people coming to Branson, Branson will roll a 7 in 2007.
“Ah, Seagull, does that mean that my particular business will do better in 2007?” No, it means that every business in Branson will have access to more people coming to Branson in 2007. Those that have the right product, marketing, flexibility and service are in an excellent position to roll a 7 for 2007. Those who don’t have about as much chance of benefiting from Branson’s initial 7 roll as they would if they bet on the numbers 2, 3, or 12 at the craps table and the shooter rolled a 7.
Branson’s poised for a great 2007 are you? Whether from a business or personal sense, an Ole Seagull’s prayer would be that the answer is, “Yes.”
