Silver Dollar City Discounts!

Have some extra time in Branson? Want to visit a unique "city?"

Arrangements have been made with Silver Dollar City to visit the park for $10.75 per ticket. Regular admission price is $55.00 adult, $45.00 children (4-11).

This offer will be available September 24^th through October 2^nd. However, after Labor Day the park is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Hours of operation are Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Visit the Silver Dollar City website for more information about this famous Branson attraction!

Don't Forget to Pack...

Those of you getting on the Bus to Branson, please bring chamber materials, publications, anything related to your processes, to share with others at the Legislative Expo!


Share with your colleagues innovations or new approaches your chamber has used during this year's session and learn what other chambers are doing across the country.


For questions, and to confirm your spot, please contact Alan Whittington at
alan.whittington@capitol.tn.gov or by calling 615-741-7913.


Remember to "Bring it to Branson".

The Buzz in Branson!

So what’s in Branson, anyway? There’s shows - LOTS of live shows. In fact, Branson is known as the “Live Music Show Capitol of the World,” boasting to have more than 50 live theater performances. Popular shows include Legends in Concert (which ASLCS will see on Thursday, September 29^th), SIX, an a capella group, Twelve Irish Tenors, the famous Andy Williams show (with Ann-Margaret) and many, many more!

But, live music shows aren’t the only attraction. Branson also boasts three lakes, 12 championship golf courses and many unique attractions. Learn more about the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

Titanic

One of the wealthiest and most colorful characters on the Titanic's maiden voyage was Charlotte Cardeza of Philadelphia. Traveling with her only son, they boarded the ship on her 58th birthday and occupied the most expensive stateroom available. Mrs. Cardeza was divorced from the grandson of a Portugese Count and had inherited a fortune from her father. She had circumnavigated the world several times in her private yacht oftening navigating the helm herself. She and her son were accompanied on the Titanic by her maid and his valet.

On the night of the sinking of the Titanic all four members of their party made it to a lifeboat and were rescued by the Carpathia. Mrs. Cardeza filed a claim against the White Star Line for loss of personal property including a pink 7 carat diamond valued at $20,000 in 1912.

Come learn more about the other passengers on the Titanic and see the largest private collection of Titanic memorabilia. A fascinating location for our first reception with a behind the scenes look at history.

And who are Carter and Molly?

General Session Speakers: Morag Barrett, Meagan Dorsch, David Landis

This year’s PDS is jammed packed with three – YES THREE – general session speakers! Morag Barrett, Meagan Dorsch, and David Landis will each be providing information about topics that can assist your work in the legislature.

Morag is the CEO and founder of the Executive and Leadership development firm, Skye Associates, based in Colorado. I heard her speak about conflict resolution during a leadership training and was amazed by her ability to listen, breakdown scenarios and provide helpful solutions to large problems. In Branson, she will speak about “Cultivating Winning Relationships” and provide guidance on how to address adversarial and ally relationships.

Meagan is the Public Affairs and Social Media Manager at NCSL. For those that have seen Meagan speak, you know she’s a dynamic and energetic speaker with lots of information to share. Meagan will be talking the basic principles of social media and providing some guidance on how to use these tools in the legislature.

David is a former State Senator from Nebraska and understands the value that legislative staff provide to members and the institution. David will be speaking about the “Art of Negotiating,” a useful skill that everyone needs. Want to hear David’s speaking style before you get to Branson? Here’s a speech he gave at the “Salute to Legislative Staff” session in Louisville, Kentucky in 2010.

Jeanne Robertson

Feeling overwhelmed? Losing your sense of humor? Come to Branson and have your sense of humor restored.

Jeanne Robertson is hilarious and her humor is based on her life experiences. She was the Miss Congeniality winner in the Miss America Pageant. She focuses her message on team building and working together while maintaining a sense of humor,

Friends of ours heard her speak at a college graduation and they have said it is the only graduation speech they can remember. I ordered her dvd and my family laughed so hard they had tears.

You can check her out on Youtube! Come to Branson and enjoy laughing!

Taking the (Air)bus to Branson (BKG)

Some of you might be taking a bus to Branson, but it won’t be the Greyhound variety. Your bus will have wings and can cruise comfortably at 30,000 feet.

Did you know that Branson has it’s very own airport (call sign is BKG) and that three airlines fly into BKG? Air Tran flies to BKG from the east (most flights connecting through Atlanta), Frontier flies to BKG from the west and midwest (connecting either through Denver or Milwaukee) and Branson AirExpress takes our Texas friends straight into BKG.

A few fun facts about the airport (courtesy of Branson airport):

• It opened May 11, 2009
• It is the first privately financed and operated commercial service airport in the U.S.
• It has one runway and a partial taxiway
• It is located in the Branson Creek development. So, your typical drive to and from the airport will include spectacular views of private homes and some of the region’s golf courses.

Take a look that the BKG Flight Map, which shows the routes you can take to get to BKG.

Attendees can also fly into the Springfield-Branson National Airport, which is approximately 60 miles from Branson. American Airlines, United, Allegiant and Delta all serve this airport.

Get on the bus - or Airbus - to Branson!

Get on the Bus to Branson and the Professional Development Seminar September 28-October 2, 2011

Plan to ‘board the bus’ and attend the 45^th Annual Professional Development Seminar of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. This seminar is the premier training opportunity that brings together participants from across the country and internationally to learn important skills and procedures, build relationships and bring home new tools and ideas aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of America’s state legislatures.

Three general training sessions will assist legislative staff in developing critical skills that can be utilized in the legislature:

• “Cultivating Winning Relationships” – learn how to understand, evaluate and improve your professional relationships.
• “Art of Negotiating” – a hands-on training to help legislative staff explore their negotiating potential and develop their negotiating skills
• “Social Media and the Legislative Institution” – learn about social media, it’s growth and how legislatures can utilize social media to enhance the legislative institution.

This training seminar also offers:

• Eight specialized training and informational sessions on various institutional, procedural and administrative topics;
• Staff breakouts to discuss parliamentary situations and administrative challenges;
• Legislative Expo – where attendees can show – and share – they way they do their job with ASLCS colleagues;
• And many more networking activities!

Learn more about the ASLCS 2011 Professional Development Seminar, including hotel, registration and evening social events by visiting: www.ncsl.org/2011ASLCSPDS and take a ride on the “Get on the Bus to Branson” blog: http://aslcs2011branson.blogspot.com/

Don’t miss the bus to Branson!

Attend the only national training seminar that specifically emphasizes continuing education and development of essential skills for clerks, secretaries and their staff.

Branson: Get on the Bus!

Chateau on the Lake Resort and Convention Center
Branson, Missouri

The American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS) is holding its 2011 Professional Development Seminar (PDS) in Branson, Missouri from September 28 through October 2.  The meeting will take place at the beautiful Chateau on the Lake Resort and Convention Center. 

Located on the shores of Table Rock Lake, the Chateau offers beautiful views, an excellent conference facility, and easy access to the city of Branson, often referred to as "The Live Music Show Capitol of the World."


If you are flying to Branson, there are two options:  

• the Branson Airport, which is located approximately 15 miles from the Chateau and is serviced by AirTran and Frontier Airlines, or;
• the Springfield-Branson National Airport, which is serviced by American, Delta, United and Allegiant Airlines, is located approximately 60 miles from the Chateau.

The Program Development Committee of ASLCS is coming up with a fantastic series of plenary meetings, concurrent sessions and breakout sessions.  Look for news and details related to the program in the near future.


Social events in the evening will include a reception at the Titanic Museum, and a performance by Legends in Concert, one of the most popular shows in Branson.


So plan now to be a part of this meeting.  Make plans for Branson.  Get on the Bus!!