Directions To Stonecastle
Arriving From The North: Coming down Hwy 65, take the first Branson Exit, Hwy 465 the Ozark Mountain High Road (still 5 miles North of Branson) to the West, around to the end of Hwy 76, turn left and follow 76 to the Gretna Road (Hwy 165), turn right then turn left onto Green Moutain Dr. Stonecastle is just down the hill on the right, across from the Mt Pleasant Winery :). Look right immediatly after seeing Docker's Restautrant. The BIG white Stonecastle buildings are back a little from the street, go thru the stone arch and you're there. Turn left after entering the parking lot and proceed to the far left building for registration at the main desk. OR you could take Hwy 465 to Hwy 265 and come back up Hwy 165 to Green Mountain Dr, then turn right to the Stonecastle..Arriving From The South: Coming up Hwy 65, take either the Hwy 265 or Hwy 165 exit, cross the Table Rock Dam, and prodeed North to Green Moutain Drive. Turn Right onto Green Moutain Dr. Stonecastle is just down the hill on the right, across from the Mt Pleasant Winery :). Look right immediatly after seeing Docker's Restautrant. The BIG white Stonecastle buildings are back a little from the street, go thru the stone arch and you're there. Turn left after entering the parking lot and proceed to the far left building for registration at the main desk.
These longer routes bypass 76 Country Blvd (the strip) and are quicker and easier routes to use..
Special Room Rates
We are pleased that the Stonecastle is offering a discounted room rate for the conference, and a block of rooms has been reserved. Room cost will be $69.98 per night, a discount of $15 per night. I believe the 2008 La Quinta Room rate was also $69. The normal rate for the May 1 & 2 time frame is $84.98.Additionally the $69.98 rate will apply for a few days before and a few days after the conference, in case you want to spend additional time in Branson. The rooms are upgradable to Theme Rooms or Suites if you wish. The $15 per night discount is significant and we appreciate it.
Your costs will be the same as last year. No increase in Room rate, and no plannedincrease in registration Fee.
Driving in Branson
To get around easily, stay off of HWY 76, aka the Country Blvd, the strip, main drag. Unless you wish to see something there of course. Use the side streets, in particlular the Yellow, Blue, and Red routes. Refer to your complimentary colorful street map for the best access to these routes. Branson isnt large and it's impossible to get lost.Special Group Picture
This year we are arranging for a group picture to be taken at the banquet on Friday evening. A local professional photographer, Dave from Flash Photo, will photograph, develop, and print the pictures himself. The photos will be available for purchase on Saturday, probably over the noon break. The cost will be ~$15. Please plan to obtain this historic first OzarkCon photograph.Rooms Recently Remodeled
The Stonecastle has very recently remodeled all rooms including the Standard and Theme rooms, and Suites. The remodeling included new paint, carpet, granite lavatories, mattresses, and furniture. My room was clean and comfortable, The mattress was a deep queen size, very comfortable and I believe it was a pillow top. All remodeling is expected to be completed before the conference date.Spouse Activities
Historic Downtown Branson holds many attractions. The Landing is a new shopping mall which is very popular. And the small shops are equally intriguing, especially Dick's Five and Dime, and the Fudge Shop. The show season begins in April and will be well underway by Conference time. So spouses and other family members will have plenty to do while the ham of the house is in the conference.No Driving Required The Grayline cab service is resonable in price. They supply either cars or vans and the trip to the Branson Landing will be approximately $10 per VEHICLE. That will average out to about $2 per person each way. This may be a good choice,rather than driving to the downtown area. Call 335-4466 and ask for Scott, Karen, or Liz, and they'll make it easy to get where you want to go.
Conference Facility Notes
- We will be meeting in building 1 (also referred to as Bldg A in some literature).
- The main conference room for presentations is the Excaliber.
- The Lancelot room will house the Friday night Builders group.
- Vendors and personal tables will be in the King's Court Room. There is a short hallway between the
King's Court and Excaliber rooms, to facilitate foot traffic between the two.
We also have a smaller room for overflow builders or vendor table use. It's very nice and has a fireplace.
- Most rooms will be assigned in the same building as the conference room, so we'll all be near each other.
- Dining ... Our private dining room can seat ~150, and is the round room with many windows on the picture page.
It is accessible via a covered walkway from our building.At one time it was a restaurant so it is well set up for banquets and has a nice view.
- Banquet ... Speaking of the banquet, this year it will be a very nice sit down catered dinner with two entrees. Pay for the banquet when you pre-register with Joe.
The banquet meal is slightly higher in cost due to having two excellent entrees served on your plate,
in addition to all the trimiings. Dessert will be your choice of 3 different delicious cobblers on the dessert table.
- Adult Beverages ... We are welcome to bring our own beverages for our own use. Stonecastle has no issue with that and we are free to do so if we wish.
This of course is an individual decision, not neccessarily a Four State encouragement. There won't be a cash bar at the banquet.
- Continental Breakfast ... Stonecastle has a good continental breakfast just off the Main Lobby.
- Stonehenge Room ... while at breakfast, check out the huge Stonehenge conference room in the same hallway. If we need more room next year, this is a possible site,
with all activities and tables in the same room.. Let Joe, Keith, or I know what you think about that idea.
- Swimming Pool ... Our building has it's own pool and hot tub, no need to go outside to take a swim or a soak.
- Laundry Facilities ... There are laundry facilities in our building with easy access off the first floor hallway.
- Gazebo ... There is a great gazebo and deck area between our conference building and the dining room. See the picture page for a photo.
- Phone Calls ... Local call are free and toll free calls are easily accomplished by dialing 9-1-800-. Room to room calls require the building number to be dialed before
the room number, i.e. 1122, 2122, 3122, etc.
- Restroom Facilites .. are available adjacent to the meeting rooms in the hallway.
Restaurants Close to Stonecastle
- Nearly sharing the same parking lot, and within easy walking distance is
Dockers Restaurant,
you passed it on the way into Stonecastle. It is a full service restaurant, with a varied menu.
- Also very close by is Quizno's sandwich shop.
- I can also recommend Panera Bread, and the Lone Star Steak House both East on Green Mountain Dr.
- The Golden Corall come highly recommended by the local hams, they have weekly meetings there each Thursday at 10 AM.
- There are many others to be found close by also. Please consult your complimentary Branson map.
Arrival Packets
- Pick up your two Information Packets at 4 PM Friday evening in the Excaliber conference room.
- If you pre-registered, one packet will be your regular OzarkCon packet with name tag, conference program, dinner tickets, and homebrew contest voting forms. A SURPRISE KIT will also be included this year.
- The other packet will be a Welcome Bag from the Branson Chamber of Commerce. it will contain
much informaton about the area, and Merchant's and Attraction's pamphlets. Also a STREET MAP will be included in the packet. Attractions and restaurants are located on this map.
- MAP ... A large street map is being scanned and will be uploaded to the web site as soon as it's available..