Tulsa CVB honors local heroes, announces new campaign
LOCAL HEROES: The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tulsa Hotel and Lodging Association honored three local heroes for their efforts in bringing meetings and conventions to Tulsa resulting in a nearly $2 million economic impact at the Local Heroes and Tops in Tulsa Luncheon on Tuesday. Honorees included Brad Craig (not pictured) Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers, estimated economic impact of $336,000; Rev. Dr. Michelle Moulden, African Methodist Church, economic impact of $1.3 million; and Larry Ketcher, Council for Tribal Employment Rights, estimated economic impact of $240,000.
TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association honored local business people who helped bring meetings and events to Tulsa and announced the launch of a new campaign with the same goal today.
The luncheon, presented by QuikTrip, was held in the Tulsa Convention Center’s new ballroom to recognize those who have impacted the local economy by attracting tourism dollars to the region, and announce the launch of a new effort to attract more meetings and conventions to Tulsa known as the “Bring it Home Tulsa” campaign.
“The goal of the campaign is to encourage Tulsans to recommend their hometown as the site for their next professional, civic or recreational group or organization’s national meeting or conference,” said Amy Huntley, vice president of the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s our hope that more individuals will take a cue from the individuals we honored today and help us in an effort to attract more groups, meetings, conferences and events to Tulsa.”
Whether individuals are able to secure the group themselves or need a CVB representative to follow up on a lead, they can help in the effort to bring more tourism dollars to Tulsa that translate into much need public service projects and programs. To learn more about the campaign, log on to www.VisitTulsa.com/BringItHome.
A ready example of the importance of a community-wide effort in attracting meetings and events is the nearly $2 million economic impact the three individuals honored at today’s lunch are responsible for bringing to Tulsa.
Honorees and their events/meetings included: Rev. Dr. Michelle Mouden, African Methodist Church, economic impact of $1.3 million; Brad Craig, Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers, estimated economic impact of $336,000; and Larry Ketcher, Council for Tribal Employment Rights, estimated economic impact of $240,000.
The Local Hero program remains an important part of the Tulsa CVB recruitment effort for future convention and meetings business and the launch of the “Bring it Home Tulsa” campaign allows the CVB to take a more active approach in encouraging more citizens to become local heroes.
Also recognized at the luncheon were the top five hotel employees as nominated by their peers and managers. The “Tops in Tulsa Award,” presented by the Tulsa Hotel and Lodging Association, winners received cash prizes in recognition of their dedication and professionalism in the industry.
Tops in Tulsa winners were: Melinda Hilton, Hampton Inn Sand Springs, Hospitality Champion; Darla Shields, Ramada Tulsa Airport East, Front Office; Evelyn Epperson, Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center, Housekeeping; Lynne “Mama Lynne” Littrell, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Food Service; and James Arter, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Property Management.
Tourism produces more than $1.4 billion in economic impact in Tulsa County annually and employs more than 25,000 individuals.
Updated 05-11-2010
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