Herschend Family Entertainment CEO - Undercover Boss (Video Trailer and Full Episode)

Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) CEO Joel Manby shined Sunday on CBS.

The company doesn't have a reputation of paying the highest wages; but that isn't always the reason people choose to work for a company. A strong suite of supportive services for employees (i.e. healthcare) and a strong Christian enviornment are reasons many people choose to work for the comapany. The unique companies virtues were highlighted in the episode now online. Click here to see the full episode.

Hershend Family Entertainment Promotes Brad Thomas

Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) issued a press release last week noting Brad Thomas was elevated to a Senior Vice President position at Silver Dollar City.

In a written statement HFE's CEO and President said, "In recent years, we've been building upon our attractions strategy while creating a leadership team of some of the most respected people in our industry," said Manby. "Bringing talent and expertise together within the corporation, while ensuring each region has strong leadership on its own, is making us a better company all around. This business is all about people – and with these moves, we are placing very strong leaders in the most senior operating positions in our company to assure we continue to provide outstanding, wholesome family entertainment in the future,"

FUll Story Posted Last week on Branson Agent: Herschend Family Entertainment Announces Promotions

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE) Announces new Wet Ride at Celebration City in Branson (Click Play for Virtual Ride)

See Video By Clicking this link

Silver Dollar City Store At Branson Landing

Silver Dollar City boarded the Branson Landing train last week to extend ticketing delivery in Branson proper. The rented space on the southern side of the Landing near Bass Pro allows tourists to purchase tickets for all of Herschend Family Entertainment properties in the Branson area including: Dixie Stampede, White Water, Silver Dollar City, Showboat Branson Belle, Celebration City and Ride the Ducks.
Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) recently began a Ride the Ducks route on Lake Taneycomo which launches into the lake from the southern parking lot of the Branson Landing outdoor mall.
The HFE store features six separate booths where visitors can watch commercials displaying features of each area HFE property. The one stop shop lets visitors purchase tickets onsite which employees say can save customers time.

Branson Missouri - Silver Dollar City Roller Coaster Footage

I usually only post video's I've shot but these were interesting. Silver Dollar City usually takes your camera away but these camera's were smuggled on board. A screamer sits behind them.

Peter Herschend on Gambling

Pete Herschend stepped up to the plate today to discuss gambling. The co-owner of the Herschend empire had a couple other issues on his mind today that he wanted to discuss face to face. From what I gathered it's going to be a tough trip to Jefferson City tomorrow. Herschend just got back from Atlanta which he prefers to the state capital. Herschend said, "In Atlanta I have family and people don't sleep by my door." The issue of the week is the St. Louis School District who will have to yield power to a transition board due to the fact they've shown incompetence in MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) Testing. When asked about the "funding formula" suit Herschend shared the results will have little impact, certain to be heard in an appellate court.
Back to Gambling - Peter Herschend reiterated his position. "We address Casino gambling the same way a doctor addresses Cancer." Herschend's philosophy is to contain gambling in Missouri to the 13 venues gaming already has and has presented concessions to ensure those who have established equity will get on the same page as him. The elimination of loss limits was presented by the anti-gambling lobby whose allies Herschend didn't want to reveal. Herschend's concerns stem from a moral stance in addition to a corporate philosophy of good corporate citizenship. He believes Gambling would inevitably result in the destruction of Branson's economic roots saying "if a large casino were established the theater industry disappear."

Silver Dollar City Expansion Involves- 5 million dollar TIF

Silver Dollar City formally submitted a proposal to ease traffic congestion to Indian Point and Silver Dollar City. This will be Stone County's first TIF (Tax Increment Financing) project and I'm currently working on copy to inform citizens of Stone County about TIF's and what the implications of the project are. I'll be posting more on this issue shortly; but, if a picture is worth a 1000 words than click on the image above to view the engineering diagram of the project.
According to the Stone County Commission, Silver Dollar City sales tax revenues account for 20% of the overall Stone County collected sales taxes. The plan will provide unfettered access from HWY 76 to the park and enable Indian Point residents to bypass Silver Dollar City traffic on Indian Point Drive. Hershchend Family Entertainment Corporation is hoping to increase access to Silver Dollar City and believes approval and completion of the project may help the Missouri Department of Transportation continue to develop arteries through Branson via HWy 76 and southbound on HWY 13. Traffic congestion is a major problem according to Silver Dollar City manager Brad Thomas and easing access is good for Branson, Stone County and tourism to the region in general. More to come...