For our community connection. And we're talking with Mike dump with Okay water Sports and my goodness, it's that time of year again. We're gonna get some warm weather and let's go play in the water. That's right, I mean, it is that time of year. It's a beautiful day out there today, and we're just looking forward to a great season, a great summer, and hope everyone has a chance to come out to Riversport now with river Sport.
This is really a cool place. If you've not been there, it's the best part of the fun of going to Oklahoma City because when you think Oklahoma City sometimes you think Bricktown. You think, well, Okay, it's a it's a big city. You don't think about the water too much. But you've changed everybody's way of thinking over the last three or four years. Well, we'd like to think so. I mean, this is truly unique, not only for our Oklahoma City, but really for the whole state.
This is there's really nowhere else on earth that has everything that we have in a downtown area with the whitewater rafting, all the kayaking, the tallest ropes course really of its kind in the country. So it's pretty unique thing. That we have here. Now correct me if I'm wrong. You even have Olympic athletes who trained there on occasion, am I right? We do. We're an official US Olympic and Paralympic training so that we're the only river in
the entire country with that designation. So you know, it's a really cool thing that you can come and go kayaking, go rafting on the same in the same places that these athletes train. So you know, we think, you know, we'd like to say a lot, talk a lot about authenticity that this is not a theme park. I mean, you're having a lot of fun like you would at an amusement park, but you're doing at a place that athletes trains, and it's for everyone. It is because there's a
lot of amusement there. There's a lot of fun. The whole family can participate. You're gonna get some exercise, you're gonna get some sunshine, You're probably gonna get you a little bit wet, but for most of all, you're gonna have fun. That's right, I mean fun. You know, we love to see all the smiles and I mean, this is it's truly incredible that you have Class three and four rapids right here in downtown Oklahoma City. You know, we have professionally trained rast guides, so you don't need
any experience and uh and you're just gonna have a total blast. I mean it used to be to go to Colorado to do something like this, and we have it right here. And not only that, we've got surfing as well now and tubing and skiing and you know, just so we'll keep you busy all day. Okay, you had me at surfing. I'm an old Florida boy. So now we had some gentle waves on the Gulf coast,
a little bit more exciting on the Atlantic coast. I can't wait to see what kind of what kind of surf you have right there in Okay se Yeah, we have a surf Okac, which is a it's a flow rider system. We're actually going to have a national championship for surfing this summer. But it's something everybody can do. You can you can just bodyboard if you don't want to do the stand up. But we you know a lot of people start, you know, doing the boogie boarding, then they learn to stand
up. And we've got some people that have become real pros here right in, right in Oklahoma City. So it's pretty cool. Catch a wave and okay, see I love it. I love it. And on top of that, it's affordable. Families can go there and have a good time, and you know, really it could be an annual event for for some families. You have a little bit, a little bit of a drive. It's well worth it though. Yeah, I mean, you can spend the whole day, like I said. And then we're right next to Bricktown, so
it's it's just a great family destination for folks across the state. And and you're, like you said, it's affordable and you can do things here that you just can't do anywhere else. I mean by literally walking from surfing to snow skiing with just a couple hundred feet, you have a new snow skiing snowboarding simulators. So these are things you would never think you could do in
Oklahoma. Wow. I like this. You know, you're you're keeping folks home and they're enjoying it, getting to see pretty much the different sporting things that they can see in the world all right here in their own acred that is. How did you come up with this idea? Well, you know, we wanted to kind of bolster active outdoor culture. You know, you're in Oklahoma and you know, we recognize we don't have mountains or we don't know the ocean, but we you know, we we have this opportunity to
create something that really no one's ever done before. And you know, it's starting to work and just getting more people active and realizing that, you know, we do have a lot of water in Oklahoma, so this could ignite an interest in getting into paddling. You know, you don't have to just be in Oklahoma City to do that, but we can teach you and show you all these different things that you can do and then and then maybe decide, hey, I want to go to Colorado and do real wet water rafting
you know at some point, or kayaking. But you know we have you're not compromising here because we've got the full on class Green four rapids right here. So wow, this is amazing. You shoot the rapids, you can do some snow skiing and even some surfing too while enjoying the night. Oklahoma City Skyline, how yell like that? Talk about bonus? Yeah, we joke. A lot of people are so surprised, even people from Colorado are coming here. To go whitewater kayaking because it's you know, you can stay
on the water all day. You ride up an beor belt. There's no busting involved, you know, and so you know, it can be a full day on the water and you're staring at a skyline as you're going down the rapids, which I think is about the only place in the world you do that. Usually you're in the mountains or somewhere in the forest. Oh
man, this is really too much. This is really too much. You know, I'm very proud of you folks for having the ingenuity and the wherewithal and being able to create the resources in order to make this possible for all Oklahomas. This is really a treasure. You know when people say, Oklahoma, how about that? Well, hey, how about how about what's going on over there in your backyard? Yeah? And you know, the cool
thing about it is again for us, we're a nonprofit. This is about you know, encouraging active outdoor lifestylesand and we have programming that that families can get involved in. You know, we have we have classes. You know, you could learn to learn to row or learn to kayak and ultimately can lead to like like I said, a new a new hobby, a new interest. So you know, I think it's there's there's really something for everyone. And literally we've got a mini ropes course for for five year olds or
to given three year old. We have tiny little harnesses so you can truly bring you know, all ages to this and have a blast. Well, this is just too much fun. This is just too much fun, folks. You're going to have to see it for yourself. You're gonna have to enjoy it for yourself. Get immerged in it too. What is your website so folks can read up on it. Yeah, it's River Sport okac dot org and it has all the information about our passes and our schedule. We
have a lot of events um coming up. In fact, we've got a large scale rowing event this weekend, and we've always have something going on. Another thing I highlight is new to the venue is Barquey which is a very large dog park and restaurant and bar that is on the property. So that's a really cool new feature so you can bring your dog. This is this is too much fun. And where are you located? Right? You're right
there by Bricktown. What's your physical address? We're eight hundred River Sport Drive, So we're just south of Bricktown, very easy to get to. So you're at half Paint, you're halfway between there and Toby Keats Hit. We're right just south of Toby Keats So if you follow the canal, you'll end up in the boathouse the street at River Sport. Well, whatt dog? You know, I know, I can see it right now. I can
see it right now. This is too cool. So, folks, if you're looking for a nice little getaway, that's not all that far but still a million miles from anywhere, it's right here in your own backyard. It's in Oklahoma City, it's at River Sport, and you gotta you just gotta check this out. Now. Do we need reservations? Now? You can just show up, you can book, you can get your passes in advance online. So it's really up to you on what you do. Our saturdays
can get pretty busy, so but but there's plenty to do. So I encourage you to check out our website and come on out. I want to thank you very much for being on here with us today, and I've given us a little sunshine, a little bit of a smile. Here too, and of course a great idea for a great getaway, I make it Oklahoma City, make a river sport. Well, we welcome everyone down. We promise you we'll put a smile on your face and you'll have to have a
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weekend in Branson. Well, we've got lots of space not only for this weekend but for the rest of the year. And we actually have six hotels here in Branson. We're one of the largest branded hotel operators. We've been here in Branson for the last forty years, and so we have two best Westerns. So I have the best Western center point in right in the center of Highway seventy six, next to the Titanic Museum, across from the Clay Cooper Theater. Over by beyond the Lens, I've got the best Western music
capital in over by the Pierce Ero Theater, the Hamminger Theater. I then moved to my choice hotel family, and I have three properties there, so I have the quality in west Over by Imax. I have the comfort in at Thousand Hills that's overlooking the Thousand Hills golf Course and kind of behind the new aquarium. And then I have the comfort and sweets and brands and meadows
that is over by the Sight and Sound Theater and Mansion Peter. And then last, but certainly not least, is our holiday in Express on Green Mountain Drive, kind of behind the Grand Village shopping area. So lots of different locations depending on where people want to stay in town, we can take care of them. Well, I'd say, so you're close to everything This is
amazing, This is great. Now I understand that this was a family dream that didn't quite start in Branson, but maybe started a little bit north. Well, it actually we've been in the hotel business now for over fifty five years. And my dad was a farmer in Iowa and the guy would never sell the land to him, and so he had an uncle who was a traveling salesman that said the motel business would be a good business to get into. And so he had a farm sell and bought a small mom and pop
in O'Neil, Nebraska and nighteen sixty seven. And as they say, the rest is history, I'd say, and like the realtor person always says, location, location, location, You got there at Branson. It was a perfect time to get started there. Well, you know, it really is. And we were actually here in the early seventies and at that point in time, they were building Highway sixty five, which was what we called the bypass back then, and my dad was like, well the cars are going
to quit going by the hotel. We got to sell, and so we sold, went back to other places, but have been here now again since nineteen eighty three, so been here a long time. In the business. You know, when you were there a long time in the business, you see a lot going up around you there too, And of course so that made other other locations, you know, something that with the season to die and the season's heart and of course a great passion for great service, made
it pretty easy to get people accommodated. Oh yeah, well, and here's here's what I encourage people to do. I encourage them to go to our website, which is my hospitality dot com. It's m y er hospitality dot com. They can see all six of our hotels there. They can learn
about our history. But what we really have some great deals on our website, so they can go into any hotel and there's some links up at the top of the page that say like tickets, attractions, vacation packages, and some of these vacation packages I've got are great savings that can stretch the dollar, you know, a lot further. We also have an e club that they sign up for that they'll sign off they'll save fifteen percent off their next stay here in Branson as well. So lots of great deals. That's a
great information on the website. You know, that's a great deal. When you said on your next stay, because as a person who's been to Brandson oh a few times, you can't go just once because you won't see everything just once. You won't be able to enjoy everything just once, lest you're there for a month. So chances are you're probably going to come back, and it's nice to know that you're going to be a great neighbor and you're
gonna accommodate us nicely with that nice little discount. And it's you made a perfect point because there is so much here to do that you can't do it all in one time. And there's such a variety and so there's probably some listeners in your audience that haven't been to Branson or maybe haven't been in a long time. And you know, even over since COVID, we have a lot of new attractions. Our shows are always changing, so we have, you know, such a big variety of shows. Of course, we've got
the lakes, we've got golf, we've got shopping. It's a perfect destination for that next family trip. And here's what I'm telling people is like, don't spend all your money traveling on vacation. Spend it on vacation so you don't have to spend much money getting here, and then you have more money
to do all the stuff that you want to do on vacation. You know, you're absolutely right, And in fact that Bartlesville we're just a couple hours drive down the road, as they say, and you're right there, and it's a beautiful drive as well, and you're going to see, you know, a lot of great countryside that once you get to Branson you get to say, oh sweetness, here we come. Yeah. Absolutely, and it's it's just nice to have a destination or there's something for the whole family.
This is a great place for family reunions. We do a lot of military reunions here, and so you know, if maybe you're like trying to say, hey, where should I meet those other family members, Well, guess what, they can all come to Branson and that's where they can all find something that they want to do, whether it's as a group or individually. And so we just want to encourage your listeners to come to Branson, have
a great summer vacation here. Oh yeah. Indeed, family reunions, wedding anniversaries, even if you're so inclined, Yeah, because it is a family party there have your birthday there, invite all your friends. It's a it's a great time and there's, like you said, just so much to take in there. It's awesome, it is and Scar's the thing is, we have a variety of room types that, depending on the celebration, like,
we can accommodate. So whether you have let's say you've got an anniversary and you want to do something a little specially, guess what, I've got some rooms that little, bigger rooms, got the hot tub in them. I've also got family suites that can sleep up to six people. So depending on what people needs are, we've got a variety of room types that can accommodate them. The other thing, all of our hotels have our indoor pools and
hot tubs. So if you've been out and about, whether it's been at the Silver Dollar City theme Park or at a show, our pools and all that stay open a midnight, see and come back, relax, have a great time. And of course free hot breakfast at all our hotels as well, which helps stretch that vacation dollar even further. Oh that is so sweet, dead is so as you know, folks, when you go to Branson, if you haven't been there before. You get all of the thrill of
Vegas without the distractions. You're going to get great shows, You're going to get great entertainment, but you don't have to worry about those other things that might worry you or your children. It's something like you said, it is for the entire family, and so much to see and do and great places to stay. That's exactly right, Tom. And I was in Vegas a while back, not that long ago, and every time I go to other destinations, it just makes me appreciate brands and more and what we stand for
here. And I went to a show and I didn't read any of the reviews ahead of time, but I was so offended. I actually got my money back. It was so bad, and I'm like, you know, I would never have experienced that in Branson, Missouri. And it just made me appreciate Brandson and how we you know, we honor veterans here. You know. It's I always say, it's just God family in America, you know. And it's just a great place to be right there in the heart
of the good old Usay you bet you? And is Branson and Chris said tell us again. The hotels you got there, you got several. Yes, we have two best westerns. I have the best Western center point in, I've got the best Western music capital in. And then we go to our choice hotel brands. I have the comfort in in suites and Branson meadows the comfort in at Thousand Hills, the quality in West. And then last, but certainly not least, is our Holiday and Express on Green Mountain Drive.
A lots of different brands depending on what brand they're inter rested in. Yeah, and the website they could take you everywhere you want to go. So they can go to Meyer Hospitality dot com. That's m ye Er Hospitality dot com. Or they can call us at one eight seven seven Fun Stay and they can reach any one of our six hotels that way. You know something, I get so excited when we talk about Branson and talking about great places to stay while you're there too, and sometimes you get ahead of myself.
Have I missed anything? Christ I don't think so. I mean, you know, we've talked about a lot, and I just think if if people are like, where should I go, there's something here to do for everybody. You're going to have a great time, and and then we'll do a great job taking care of you at the hotel. Our mission statement friendly, fantastic service always, and that's what we're really known for is trying to provide that great service to everybody that comes in. And here's the thing.
All of our hotels have their own in house ticket service, and so we can help people plan their entire vacation. They don't got to run all overtown, they don't have to call overtown. They can do it one stop shopping. We offer a monthly special one shows and attractions besides our vacation packages. So it's just a great service that all of our hotels offer to well Sonny Gun, I did not know that that just pushes folks right over the edge. They're coming to see you. I can tell you that right now.
Once you make it easy, you're there. We try to make it as easy as possible, because here's the deal. Like my wife, sometimes I feel like she spends more time planning the vacation than being on vacation. And I'm like, we got we gotta help make life easier for people. But it's difficult enough, right yeah, so let's make it easy. Hey, Chris, thanks for being with us today and thanks for reminding us about the
best place to go for your vacation. Just right down the road, as they say to Branson, Missouri, thank you very much for being with us, Chris Meyer, bringing the hope of God's calling a lot