Author Topic: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations  (Read 8664 times)

johnburton

  • Hatfield
  • Posts: 95
  • Owner of Escape Code and The Axe Game in Branson
    • View Profile
    • TPF! Travel
Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« on: March 27, 2019, 09:46:48 AM »
What do you think?
Here's the text from an article. Link below.

BRANSON, Mo - The number one reason people love Branson are the shows, but Branson's Chamber of Commerce says new research shows it's getting harder to impress millennials.

Despite 2018 having the second highest number of visitors, with 2016 being number one, fewer millennials are visiting the family-friendly destination. A majority of visitors are still looking for discounts.

Gray Lawry with the Miles Partnership Marketing Agency says they really want to watch how the economy changes and if consumer confidence is going to maintain at the rates it previously has.

The city is looking to social media and digital marketing to try to target new demographics it hasn't in the past.

https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/branson-losing-its-attraction-to-younger-generations/1880390163
Owner of Escape Code and The Axe Game in Branson, Missouri.

Co-host of TPF! Trips, Places and Fun

sirwillow

  • Blacksmith
  • Posts: 669
  • Ralph, you remember that talk we had in the cabin?
    • View Profile
    • Confessions of a Theme Park Worker
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2019, 10:10:09 AM »
Sure seems like a lot of what has been added the last few years should be appealing directly to that generation.  Maybe they need to rethink how they are marketing and advertising a bit?
This is a stick up!  Get it? Stick.... Nevermind, it's a train robbery.  I want everyone to get your hands up and act scared.

palallin

  • Cave Guide
  • Posts: 437
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2019, 11:55:10 AM »
Here's an idea:  remove the stage from all venues.  Issue "devices" as people walk into the auditoriums.  Deliver the show on the tiny little screens.  Collect the "devices" as they leave.

Millennials will love it!

sanddunerider

  • Master Craftsman
  • *
  • Posts: 8090
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2019, 01:28:20 PM »
Here's an idea:  remove the stage from all venues.  Issue "devices" as people walk into the auditoriums.  Deliver the show on the tiny little screens.  Collect the "devices" as they leave.

Millennials will love it!

If that happened.......,

There would be no reason for me to go to Branson! >:( Me and thousands of "non-millenials" would stay home or find someplace else to go))...

There would be fewer trips to SDC for sure also.
..   ,

Swoosh

  • Master Craftsman
  • *
  • Posts: 6386
  • Editor
    • View Profile
    • THE Midwest Info Guide (MiG)
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2019, 02:58:32 PM »
Try bringing in names that people have heard of.  Most of the permanent shows have headliners that Millennials could not care less about.  The show might be good, but that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t know/care who they are.  I’ve long said they need a Broadway theatre that brings in shows each month.  They need a place that can house big name concerts.  Etc. 
SWOOSH

Gilligan

  • Craftsman
  • Posts: 1932
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2019, 03:15:30 PM »
Try bringing in names that people have heard of.  Most of the permanent shows have headliners that Millennials could not care less about.  The show might be good, but that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t know/care who they are.  I’ve long said they need a Broadway theatre that brings in shows each month.  They need a place that can house big name concerts.  Etc.

Nope, I don't think so.  How many of us go on vacation to attend a concert?  Not me, anyway.  I'll stay home to attend a concert where I can afford to get good tickets and not have other expenses added on such as hotel rooms, meals, etc.  When I go on vacation, I want time and funds to do things I can't do at home. 

runner1960

  • Conductor
  • Posts: 994
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2019, 03:39:01 PM »
I agree totally, My kids could care less if they ever set foot in the town again. Shows with no name singers playing other peoples music. Tribute shows, GO carts and arcades do not get them excited.
I have long said that Branson needs a couple major music festivals each year bringing in the NEW top acts.

Some of the newer attractions might be appealing but its the Old Person - bus people stigma that still has the younger generation avoiding it. No offense intended because I am one too. ( OLD )

Branson hung its hat on the Military and Patriotic midwesterner years ago and it will take a lot of marketing and effort to shake that image.

runner1960

  • Conductor
  • Posts: 994
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2019, 03:42:45 PM »
Here's an idea:  remove the stage from all venues.  Issue "devices" as people walk into the auditoriums.  Deliver the show on the tiny little screens.  Collect the "devices" as they leave.

Millennials will love it!

I see as many 60 year olds addicted the their screen as millennials. Maybe its the contents the theatres are putting out that is the problem.

runner1960

  • Conductor
  • Posts: 994
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2019, 03:46:45 PM »
Try bringing in names that people have heard of.  Most of the permanent shows have headliners that Millennials could not care less about.  The show might be good, but that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t know/care who they are.  I’ve long said they need a Broadway theatre that brings in shows each month.  They need a place that can house big name concerts.  Etc.

Nope, I don't think so.  How many of us go on vacation to attend a concert?  Not me, anyway.  I'll stay home to attend a concert where I can afford to get good tickets and not have other expenses added on such as hotel rooms, meals, etc.  When I go on vacation, I want time and funds to do things I can't do at home.

I will Differ on this. I traveled to New Jersey and New York last year for A music festival in Asbury Park and Bruce on Broadway. Just bought a 3 day pass for Bourbon and Beyond music festival in Louisville in September. Try going to some shows, people travel all over the country following their favorite band and making a vacation of it.

Citydweller84

  • Hatfield
  • Posts: 77
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2019, 04:58:32 PM »
Try bringing in names that people have heard of.  Most of the permanent shows have headliners that Millennials could not care less about.  The show might be good, but that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t know/care who they are.  I’ve long said they need a Broadway theatre that brings in shows each month.  They need a place that can house big name concerts.  Etc.

Nope, I don't think so.  How many of us go on vacation to attend a concert?  Not me, anyway.  I'll stay home to attend a concert where I can afford to get good tickets and not have other expenses added on such as hotel rooms, meals, etc.  When I go on vacation, I want time and funds to do things I can't do at home.

I will Differ on this. I traveled to New Jersey and New York last year for A music festival in Asbury Park and Bruce on Broadway. Just bought a 3 day pass for Bourbon and Beyond music festival in Louisville in September. Try going to some shows, people travel all over the country following their favorite band and making a vacation of it.

I'm with you on this Runner. Because I live in the Branson area I have to travel most of the time I want to see a concert. Sometimes its a quick jaunt to Springfield so no big deal. Most of the bands I wish to see though have me traveling to St. Louis or Kansas City, as I will be doing in July. A lot of the big festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Rocklahoma draw huge business from people who travel to see them. One or two festivals in the Branson area per year would be a big draw I think. Plenty of areas where they could have it too. Only thing is, they need to be open to more genres of music. Country would be fine, but quit deterring hard rock, pop, and some rap artists from being a part of these. Just because the area has a family friendly image that it wants to maintain is no excuse for blocking acts of different genres besides country, gospel, and oldies. Many musicians from these genres can put on great shows and still be clean. You want new blood? You need to have things to draw that new blood in.

Okiebenz

  • Blacksmith
  • Posts: 648
  • SDC fan
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2019, 05:33:03 PM »
Here's an idea:  remove the stage from all venues.  Issue "devices" as people walk into the auditoriums.  Deliver the show on the tiny little screens.  Collect the "devices" as they leave.

Millennials will love it!

Yep, that about sums it up.  I think millennials are the lost generation.  My gen Z 10 year old thinks millennials are ridiculous.

chittlins

  • Craftsman
  • Posts: 2305
  • I want a watermelon stand
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2019, 07:57:36 PM »
I agree totally, My kids could care less if they ever set foot in the town again. Shows with no name singers playing other peoples music. Tribute shows, GO carts and arcades do not get them excited.
I have long said that Branson needs a couple major music festivals each year bringing in the NEW top acts.

Some of the newer attractions might be appealing but its the Old Person - bus people stigma that still has the younger generation avoiding it. No offense intended because I am one too. ( OLD )

Branson hung its hat on the Military and Patriotic midwesterner years ago and it will take a lot of marketing and effort to shake that image.

Cough, cough, Lampe, cough, cough.

The folks doing the booking at the Walmart Amp must have unlimited funds cause they pack the schedule.

Light and Sound is good, I have harped that they should do a similar concept around American History.

I have also said that the proliferation of casinos took a bat to  Branson's knee caps when it came to bigger names. I stull think a facility that brings in touring broadway productions attached to an upscale hotel could work.


I still think an artificial whitewater/rapids course coupled with rock climbing and mountain biking trails with a hotel /camping and yurts with a snowflex snowboarsing slope could work.


I'm not talking about that halfassed attempt with the snowflex tubing run up the road.

That shot down Indoor waterpark was on the right track with it having an outdoor rapids course.

BKG getting Frontier back could really help SDC rise to a more nationally known park.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2019, 07:59:50 PM by chittlins »

KBCraig

  • Post Master
  • Posts: 1312
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2019, 01:02:39 AM »
I traveled to New Jersey and New York last year for A music festival in Asbury Park and Bruce on Broadway. Just bought a 3 day pass for Bourbon and Beyond music festival in Louisville in September. Try going to some shows, people travel all over the country following their favorite band and making a vacation of it.

Sure, people do that. Some people. Not most people. Not even a significant portion of people.

SDC Fans is composed of people who really love theme parks. Some of the members here travel all over the country to ride rides.

Meanwhile, the reality for your average family visiting their one and only park for the year, is that they just want to have affordable fun. That's all. They don't care about concerts, even if they love music.

runner1960

  • Conductor
  • Posts: 994
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2019, 07:15:56 AM »
I traveled to New Jersey and New York last year for A music festival in Asbury Park and Bruce on Broadway. Just bought a 3 day pass for Bourbon and Beyond music festival in Louisville in September. Try going to some shows, people travel all over the country following their favorite band and making a vacation of it.

Sure, people do that. Some people. Not most people. Not even a significant portion of people.

SDC Fans is composed of people who really love theme parks. Some of the members here travel all over the country to ride rides.

Meanwhile, the reality for your average family visiting their one and only park for the year, is that they just want to have affordable fun. That's all. They don't care about concerts, even if they love music.

This thread is not about SDC fans or your average family visiting the park. It is about Millennial's not visiting Branson. And I will stand by my statement. When you have tens of thousands of fans at festivals all over the country a significant amount of people are traveling. People are already jockeying for Woodstock 50 this summer and the entire lineup has not been announced yet.

Obviousdramatic

  • Hatfield
  • Posts: 79
    • View Profile
Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2019, 08:16:47 AM »
My family generally does not attend shows. (Ages: 39, 32, 12). The reason is not that I do not want to. I like the general selection that is provided. It comes down to cost vs kid fun. My son, as tolerant of my musical choices as he is, does not want to sit through a show. I dont want to pay 40.00/ticket to have a grumpy preteen ruin it for me with his preteen self. I also dont want to pay for something he wont enjoy. The point of a family trip is to have fun as a family.

So for us it is not about the shows provided, just it does not fit our family make up at this time. We would all rather be outside enjoying outdoor adventures (or places like Fritz) than sit through an hour show for 120.00. The bang for my buck isnt in shows.