   Edmond, OK – June 11, 2024 – The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department announce the success of the 2024 Oklahoma Conference on Tourism and RedBud Awards. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Edmond, OK, this event brought together travel professionals from all over the state for a day full of networking, learning, and celebrating the best in our industry.
The event was filled with opportunities for attendees to connect with peers and leaders from various sectors, building and strengthening valuable relationships. Educational sessions led by industry experts provided attendees with insights and practical strategies for business growth. The day wrapped up with the prestigious RedBud Awards Dinner Program, sponsored by Edmond Electric, where outstanding contributions to the industry were recognized and celebrated. James Leewright, CEO of OTIA, shared his vision for the future of Oklahoma's travel industry, drawing from his extensive experience in both legislative and tourism roles. Sean Kouplen, Chairman & CEO of Regent Bank and former Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development, inspired the audience with his story of turning Regent Bank into one of America’s fastest-growing banks and offered valuable leadership and economic insights. Shelley Zumwalt, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, highlighted the importance of promoting Oklahoma's natural beauty and attractions while sharing effective marketing strategies. Zeek Coleman, Vice President of Americas at Tourism Economics, provided deep insights into travel trends and economic impacts, helping attendees better understand the market landscape. Jody Urquhart, International Speaker and Author, energized everyone with her motivational talk, focusing on passion, humor, and resilience in professional life. Debra Bailey, President of OTIA, shared her excitement with the conference's outcome, saying, "We’re absolutely delighted with how this year’s conference turned out. The 2024 Oklahoma Conference on Tourism and RedBud Awards was a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, learn from each other, and celebrate our achievements. The dedication and passion of Oklahoma’s travel professionals never cease to amaze me." RedBud Award Winners: Outstanding Agritourism Attraction RedBud Visit Edmond: Edmond Farmer's Market Merit Visit Muskogee: Hatbox Event Center Best Social Media Campaign RedBud Gathering Place: A Park For All - Celebrating Five Years Merit Tour Tahlequah: Real Life Redfern Best Brochure or Publication ($10,000 or less) RedBud Oh18 Magazine: May/June Issue Merit Visit Shawnee & Shawnee Regional Airport: Fly to Shawnee Best Brochure or Publication ($10,000 or more) RedBud Chickasaw Country: 2023 Travel Guide Merit Visit Stillwater: 2023 Guide to the Local Scene Best Overall Marketing Campaign- Small Budget Association RedBud Visit Chickasha: Christmas Town Merit Visit Broken Arrow: Rose District Wedding District Best Overall Marketing Campaign- Large Budget Association RedBud Tulsa Regional Tourism: 2023 NCAA D1 Wrestling Championship Event Marketing Merit VisitNorman: 2023 VisitNorman Overall Marketing Campaign Best Website- Small Budget Organization RedBud VisitEnid.org Merit VisitChickasha.com Best Website- Large Budget Organization RedBud McAlester Tourism: TravelMcAlester.com Merit Chickasaw Country: Website Redesign 2023 Best Partnership RedBud Visit Bartlesville, Visit the Osage, Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce, Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve: Gathering at the Roc Car Show 2023 Merit Visit Chickasha, Rock Island Arts Festival, and Rock Island Ride: Rock Island Weekend Outstanding Media Coverage RedBud VisitNorman: 2023 National Beep Baseball Association World Series Merit Visit Oklahoma City: The 35 Best Things To Do in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by Tara Massouleh McCay (Senior Travel and Culture Editor at Southern Living) Outstanding Attraction RedBud Sapulpa Route 66 Christmas Chute Merit Visit Edmond: KickingBird Golf Renovation Project Outstanding New Attraction RedBud Shangri-La: The Battlefield Merit Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism: Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center Outstanding Temporary Exhibit RedBud Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism: Jane Osti:A Legacy of Her Own Merit Visit Muskogee: 5 Civilized Tribes Outstanding Event RedBud Buffalo Run Disc Golf: 10th Annual Buffalo Run Disc Golf Tournament Merit Downtown Edmond Business Association & Visit Edmond: 2023 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival Outstanding New Event RedBud Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism: Ribbon Skirt Fashion Show Merit Gathering Place: Global Gatherings Tourism Organization of the Year- Small Budget Association RedBud Visit Chickasha Tourism Organization of the Year- Large Budget Association RedBud Visit Stillwater The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department extend a huge thank you to all attendees, speakers, and partners for making the 2024 Oklahoma Conference on Tourism and RedBud Awards a memorable and successful event. We are grateful to our title partner for the RedBud Awards, Edmond Electric. Shout out to the 2024 Major Tourism Partners: Adara, Ardmore Tourism Authority, Visit Bartlesville, Visit Broken Arrow, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Country, Visit Chickasha, Choctaw Country, Visit Claremore, Downstream Casino Resort, Visit Duncan, Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Edmond, Visit Elk City, City of El Reno, Visit Enid, Factor 110, Greater Tenkiller Area Association, Har-Ber Village Museum, Lawton Fort Sill Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of McAlester, Muscogee Nation, Visit Muskogee, Visit Norman, Visit Oklahoma City, Travel Oklahoma, Oklahoma Museums Association, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, Visit the Osage, Pauls Valley, Visit Ponca City, Shake Rattle Roll, Shangri-La Resort, Visit Shawnee, Visit Stillwater, Tour Tahlequah, Visit Tulsa, Woodward Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the City of Yukon. For more information about the event and future conferences, please visit otia.info ### Founded in 1987, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) was formed primarily to provide tourism education and lobby on behalf of the tourism industry as well as support the efforts of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in its funding of the State's tourism promotion campaign. OTIA now serves as the trade association for the travel and tourism industry. Representing tourism entities, operators, and members across the state, the OTIA develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually. ###
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The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new 2024 Executive Committee. The announcement was made at the OTIA Board of Directors Meeting on June 11 during the 2024 Oklahoma Conference on Tourism and RedBud Awards, a highly anticipated event that celebrates the best in Oklahoma tourism. Leading OTIA this year are: - Chair: Jennifer Thornton with Visit Edmond - Vice Chair: Jim Cowan with Chickasha Economic Development Council - Treasurer: Teri Knox with Visit Duncan - Secretary: Rob Houston with Visit Enid - Immediate Past Chair: Amanda Davis with Grove Area Chamber of Commerce The new executive committee brings a wealth of experience and leadership to OTIA, underscoring the organization's commitment to advancing tourism in Oklahoma. The 2024/2025 OTIA Board of Directors: Dana Able- Shangri-La Resort Tanya Andrews- Visit Claremore Makala Barton- Visit Broken Arrow Brandi Burkhalter- Lake Texoma Association Tim Chambers- Tulsa Regional Tourism Marlon Coleman- Visit Muskogee Zac Craig- Visit Oklahoma City Brian Ferrell- factor 110 Randi Garrard- Visit El Reno / City of El Reno Tina Gilliland- Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Brenda Granger- Oklahoma Museums Association Angel Green- Chickasaw Country Maria Swindell Gus- Visit Bartlesville Megan Johnston- Woodward Convention & Visitors Bureau Christi King- Downstream Casino Resort Natasha Klugmann- Visit Lawton Ryan Logan- Muscogee Nation Marketing & Tourism Alex McBride- Tahlequah and Cherokee County OK Tourism Jo McDaniel- Choctaw Country Gena McPhail- Greater Tenkiller Area Association Stacy Moore- Visit Shawnee Cristy Morrison- Visit Stillwater Bill Murphy- Ardmore Tourism Authority / Convention Center Charity O'Donnell- McCurtain County Tourism Authority Lisa Ralls- Great Plains Country Janet Reed- Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Nicole Reynolds- Har Ber Village Museum Jenna Roberson- City of Yukon Dan Schemm- VisitNorman Jackie Stewart- Green Country Tourism Billy Sumner- City of McAlester Stacy Tomas, PhD- OSU School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Karen Touchstone- Visit Elk City Zach Trantham- Visit Ponca City Cheryl Trask- Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Tawni Vickers- City of Pauls Valley ### Founded in 1987, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) was formed primarily to provide tourism education and lobby on behalf of the tourism industry as well as support the efforts of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in its funding of the State's tourism promotion campaign. OTIA now serves as the trade association for the travel and tourism industry. Representing tourism entities, operators, and members across the state, the OTIA develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually. ### |
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