Hi Leslie,
I received an e-mail from Jon today and we are ready to finalize Branson on the June 20, 21, 22 dates.
Jon and I plan to visit on the phone tonight and I will call the Chateau on the Lake tomorrow to check on the date availability.
I think that you make a great point about the flights, but the drive from the Tulsa aiport to Branson is only two and a half hours and the Springfield/Branson airport is forty minutes or so.
Trip Advisor reviewed 141 hotels in Branson and this did not include the dozens of condominium complexes. There will be lodging possibilities for every budget and activities from Golf to fishing and shows from Andy Williams to Jim Stafford to attend.
The fact that Jon is planning to attend with his family and serve as our keynote speaker will undoubtely make this event a success. He is considering bring some of the AC staff as well.
The fact that the event will be in Branson will allow Brian and I to devote the type of continual attention that this meeting may demand in terms of flexibility (at this point we really do not know the possible magnitude of our attendance). We could have a conference of 15 or of 100; the Chateau can accommodate us for whatever we need up to 500 or more in one meeting room. I just spoke with Brian and he is planning on coming to Springfield the weekend after next to help plan the event with Barb and me.
We will keep in continual contact with Jon and his staff to be certain that we meet their expectations as well.
I think that this is going to be a great meeting and may well serve at least as a template for future meetings.
I will give everyone an update on the room availability tomorrow.
Best,
Jim
