Register, Orientation, Dinner, and Get to Know Your Fellow Participants

Dinner: Orientation time for the program is 4:30 p.m. The first evening includes an introduction of the sponsoring personnel, an orientation to the program, dinner, and get-acquainted activities.

Evening: We will also have a brief introduction to Branson to excite you for the coming week! Please be aware that program activities and schedule times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!--- We will prepare for an exciting journey into the Branson Show Biz scene and what has and still does make it so popular. Get rest tonight as it is an exciting educational journey ahead of you

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Dinner

Lectures on the history of Branson, Sound Technology, and Swing Music. Attend the world famous Duttons show!

Breakfast: Breakfast - constant but filling with eggs, waffle, cereals, sausage, etc. We will also have fruit and yogurt in the room to supplement.

Morning: Lecture on the history of Branson Discover the shows that have made Branson the 'Live Entertainment Capitol' of the world. Look at how this sleepy little town is now host to over 100 shows, more theater seats than Broadway, and over 7 million visitors a year. The history will also include how Branson holds on to its roots while moving into the future. Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, C of O Media Professor---

Morning: Lecture on Theater Sound Equipment: Fantastic presentation on sound and how acoustics play such a large role in the success or failure of a performance. This lecture will also examine what is required by a sound operator and give you insight to becoming a better critic of vocal / instrument performances. Presenter: Tony Bishop, Sound Engineer and Designer---

Lunch: A light lunch in our meeting room

Afternoon: Lecture / performance on Swing Music: The Lennon Brothers and Gail Lennon present an in depth reviews of Swing Music in America both in the past and modern day. What made this music so influential even into modern day? Presenter: The Lennon Brothers, three siblings who are joined by Gail Lennon on this enjoyable swing-oriented date.---

Afternoon: Board a luxury bus for a drive by tour of Branson and the area. Included: The Lakes, the Chateau, Point Royal Housing (where the Branson stars live), College of the Ozarks, Downtown Branson. Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, Local Historian

Dinner: Buffet dinner at Grand Country. This is down home, Midwest cooking but enough selections for those with specific diets

Evening: Attend the Duttons Performance: The Duttons are international touring and recording artists that play everything from bluegrass to classical in their shows, featuring a variety of instruments: violin, guitar, bass, viola, banjo, mandolin, keyboard, harmonica and drums among others. The Duttons have not only won recognition in national fiddling contests and as studio musicians but have also garnered praise and awards in classical violin competitions. They were also finalists on America's Got Talent in 2007.

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guided luxury bus tour of Branson and the area, lecture on the life of a Branson performer, Private performance of a founder of the Baldknobbers show.

Breakfast: Breakfast - constant but filling with eggs, waffle, cereals, sausage, etc. We will also have fruit and yogurt in the room to supplement.

Morning: Lecture on the History of Local Cutlure: Popular culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century. Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society. Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, Local Historian

Morning: Lecture on the Life of a Performer: Tourists view the shows and performances on the Strip with amazement, but what is life really like once the curtain goes down. Listen to one of the most versatile performers in Branson on what affect this lifestyle has on family, friends, and self. Examine how the fame and glamour is not always what it seems, but always sought after. Presenter: Tom Wolff, Extraordinary Local Performer---

Lunch: A light lunch in our meeting room

Afternoon: This afternoon, you will have the opportunity to travel down to the Historic Down Town district for exploration opportunities. The city of Branson was born in the early 1800s on a broad plain along the White River, just south of its confluence with Roark Creek. Buildings and roads eventually overtook the floodplain as the city grew westward up a gradually sloping ridge, creating what is now Branson's Historic Downtown District . Downtown The waters of Lake Taneycomo tamed the temperamental White River in 1913. Now, a patchwork of parks, campgrounds, shops and restaurants line the waterfront, forming a thriving shopping district on the city's eastern boundary. Mile-long Lake Street harbors public fishing docks, grassy parks and remarkable restaurants. Or you can use the time for other activities of your choice.

Dinner: Catered dinner in our meeting room

Evening: Private Performance Just for You: Enjoy an evening with Bob Mabe and his Kitchen Band in a private setting. Bob was the one of the founders of the Baldknobbers show. The Baldknobbers began the Branson family entertainment phenomenon in 1959 when the four Mabe brothers began entertaining visitors on the Branson lakefront. The performance will take you to yesteryear with its timeless classic appeal and down home fun. See how much music has an effect on the population in the Ozarks.

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture on the Marketing and PR of Branson Entertainment, Lecture on Costumes, and the life of a Dresser, attend the famous ‘Presley’s’ show.

Breakfast: Breakfast - constant but filling with eggs, waffle, cereals, sausage, etc. We will also have fruit and yogurt in the room to supplement.

Morning: Watch the video that propelled Branson into the national spotlight - a '60 Minute' production aired in 1991. Followed by a discussion on what has changed since then and what remains very much the same.---

Morning: Lecture on the Selling of Branson: Close examination of the image of Branson and the concept of 'Faith, Family, and Flag' in a small mid-west sleepy town. How does this concept play into selling the 'Branson experience' to a general public? What are the positives and negatives of such a public relation push? Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, Local Historian---

Morning: Lecture on Marketing Branson: Discuss the past, current, and future of marketing for the Branson area. Take a close look with the Vice President of the local Chamber of Commerce on the successes and failures over the last few decades. The issue of 9/11 and the current recession with its effects on the tourist industry and how the entertainment complex has dealt with and is dealing with it. Presenter:

Lunch: A light lunch in our meeting room

Afternoon: After the lecture, you will have free time from 2:30 till 5:30. This presents an excellent time to catch an afternoon show. Please visit ExploreBranson.com for some great options.

Afternoon: Lecture on Costuming: Meet with a veteran wardrobe mistress and learn the tricks of the trade for the ever popular aspect of costume changes! Discuss the issue that 'Dressers' face in their position and the how do they deal with performers/directors/fabric. Dressers are responsible for assisting cast members with costume changes backstage, when necessary. They are often used to assist primarily with quick costume changes, where a character exits and must enter again very quickly wearing a different costume. Presenter: Barbara Cox, Veteran Wardrobe Mistress

Dinner: Chinese / American buffet with enough selections for those with specific diets

Evening: Attend a great performance of 'The Presley’s'. From new country favorites to country classics from the zany antics of Herkimer and Cecil to the soulful reflection of southern gospel hits it’s the one Branson show Regis Philbin says You've got to see. Visit a Branson landmark! Presley’s' Theater was the original music theater built in Branson and for that reason it is truly a Branson landmark. In Presley’s' lobby you'll find many pictures and items of memorabilia from this legendary family showcasing Branson's musical heritage.

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture on the history of tourism, theatrical lighting, and a performance/lecture on musical instruments. Attend a high energy show of 'the Legend of Kung Fu'!

Breakfast: Breakfast - constant but filling with eggs, waffle, cereals, sausage, etc. We will also have fruit and yogurt in the room to supplement.

Morning: Lecture on Theatrical Lighting: Take a close look at how lighting affects the performance in terms of attention, mood, blocking, and set design. Find out about new forms of lighting equipment and what exactly does a lighting technician does for the show. This discussion will give you a better eye for critique of performances and concerts. Presenter: Steve Judd, Lighting Engineer---

Morning: Lecture on the history of tourism: A close look at how the concept of tourism has changed over the decades. From a time when the trip was the enjoyment to current day when the destination is more important. How has tourism built up towns into major cities and how a simple change of highway can destroy a town forever? How the recent financial situation affected travel has and what are travel agencies doing to survive this change? Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, C of O Media Professor---

Morning: Question and Answer Session: Meet and ask questions of the marketing and PR expert to such stars as Yackov and Jim Strafford. Find out the behind the scenes occurrences and what goes into dealing with such large entertainment stars. What does it take to be a successful free lance image consultant? Presenter: Cindy Merry, Image Consultant

Lunch: A light lunch in our meeting room

Afternoon: Performance / Lecture on Musical Instruments: Enjoy a musical time with a local musician and his amazing talent being able to play over 20 different instruments from the harp to the banjo. Each instrument is examined in a historical context as well as its modern application. Discuss life as a musical impersonator in Branson and the complexities of that career. Presenter: Rod Phillips, Musical Enthusiast

Afternoon: After the lecture, you will have free time from 2:30 till 5:30. This presents an excellent time to catch an afternoon show. Please visit ExploreBranson.com for some great options.

Dinner: Dinner at the famous McFarlans restaurant. This is down home cooking, however diets can be supplemented - just let us know. Watch out for those floating tables!

Evening: Attend a high energy seasonal performance that brings together all the subjects of the week! For more than 50 years, live shows have been a staple of a vacation in Branson. Today with more than 100 shows, Branson is truly the live music show capital of the world!

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture on the future of Branson entertainment and a Q and A with a freelance image consultant. Say goodbyes to new friends.

Breakfast: Breakfast - constant but filling with eggs, waffle, cereals, sausage, etc. We will also have fruit and yogurt in the room to supplement.

Morning: Lecture on the future of Branson: After looking at the past and the present, what is in the future for Branson and its style of entertainment? How are Branson and the entertainment industry preparing for what lies next? Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, Local Historian---

Meals Included: Breakfast