Pamela Yancy has been the President and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau for about a year now. She had been involved with the banking industry in Branson for over 30 years and, at the time of her hiring, was the Community Bank President for Arvest Bank. The Branson Globe (BG) interviewed Yancy (PY) about the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau and some of her personal takes on applying for the job and her first year in the position. The results, in a Q&A format, are below:
BG: Are the Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) two different organizations?
PY: We are one organization: The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). We also have the Taney County Partnership, which serves as the economic development department of our organization.
BG: What is the mission of the Chamber of Commerce?
PY: Our mission is threefold: serving as the voice of business, telling our story to visitors, and growing our economy through economic development.
BG: What is the mission of the Convention and Visitors Bureau?
PY: To bring people to Branson. Working with our local stakeholders and in coordination with the City of Branson and Tourism Community Enhancement District, share all the wonderful things Branson offers with potential visitors to get them to say, “Yes, we want to go to Branson” and as many of us have done, fall in love with it.
BG: You had a very successful career in banking for over three decades; could you tell me why did you decide to take this position?
PY: Because I want to serve Branson. As you get older, you start to focus on important things to you right now. For the last few years, I had really been thinking about what life after banking would look like for me. I just have this deep passion for serving. This position gives me an opportunity to serve and make an impact on the community I love.
BG: How do you feel about Branson’s marketing motto, “Faith, Family, Flag and Fun?
PY: Those values resonate with me and align with my values as well. What I love about Branson is that visitors will experience those values because our shows, attractions and businesses strive to honor those values and live by them day in and day out.
BG: Are you opposed to featuring Ozark Mountain Christmas in our marketing of Branson for the Christmas season?
PY: I’m not opposed to it at all. There’s a thousand different ways to celebrate Christmas. We are in the Ozark Mountains, in the most beautiful part of the world, and we’re celebrating a very special holiday in a very special season. So, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that we support that and support our leaders who have said what they want.
BG: How would you describe the relationship between the Chamber CVB and the city of Branson regarding the marketing of Branson?
PY: I think we have an excellent relationship. We’ve worked very hard to make sure that we’re listening. When I say we have a great relationship, I want to explain. It’s not because they say “yes” to everything. It’s because we have open conversations with them and an honest exchange of valuable information that will lead to better marketing decisions for Branson. I’m proud of that relationship.
BG: Is there something else you would like included in the article?
PY: Yes. I am extremely proud of the hiring of Heather Hermen as our new Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO). Heather already loves Branson, is excited to be here and has a great skill set. She’s worked for other destinations and with her knowledge brings some fresh perspective to our market and her values are in alignment with our values.
BG: It’s interesting that you mention her values being in alignment with ours. What does that mean?
PY: A lot of different things but one special to me. While the ultimate choice was mine, that decision was based on a lot of input from the community. One thing we did was have a round-table interview with the final two candidates. The roundtable comprised a broad spectrum of Branson’s business and entertainment stakeholders who all could ask questions of the candidates and “overwhelmingly” gave support to the hiring of Heather.
BG: Ok, I can see where that would put her in alignment with our values, but what was the one special thing to you and why did it matter?
PY: During the interview process I asked all the candidates this question, “When you’re working on a particularly challenging project or you’re facing challenges for whatever, what do you do and what do you have your team do to keep them motivated and keep them on track for the mission?” She answered, “I take them out. And we go do things in our market, and I get them to fall in love all over again with what we’re selling.” That just really resonated with my heart because when you love something you pour into it, want to nurture it, and do your very best for it.
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