Tulsa
Moving Forward Yet Still Keeping It Real
"It's a different visitor experience…it's not a man-made tourist attraction," said Suzann Stewart, executive director of the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). "It's authentic."
A city built on oil, cowboys and small-town flavor, Tulsa, Okla., is waking up to a new era as it progressively builds out its destination appeal through new offerings and effective branding strategies, said local tourism officials.
"Two years ago, we realized that in order to move forward, we had to have a better idea of our brand," Stewart added, noting that the discovery process revealed that once people arrive in Tulsa, they find it hard to leave. "When you get here, it feels like you've come to a place you've been to before because it's so comfortable."
Coupling a positive visitor experience with tremendous value, the city is drawing more meetings as groups discover that Tulsa is an uncommon find, Stewart said. "The rates are a lot lower, and the value you get for those dollars is amazing compared with other cities."
The Center for Preservation Leadership is taking notice of the city's benefits as it plans to host its annual National Preservation Conference in Tulsa for the first time this fall. "So far, they have been a great partner to us," said Lori Feinman, associate director of conferences. "We've had a really good, welcoming experience with the city and the bureau, and we think attendees will be very pleased and delighted with the city."
The group plans to use the Tulsa Convention Center for educational sessions and exhibits, while field sessions will take attendees off site.
Development Abounds
The Tulsa Convention Center is gearing up for a major expansion effort, Stewart said, that will break ground shortly. "It's been a long time coming, and we're very excited," she said, adding that completion is expected in March 2010. "We're adding about 65,000 square feet of space—maybe 70,000." Once completed, the convention center will feature a new 30,000-square-foot ballroom—the largest in the state—a 102,600-square-foot exhibition hall and more than 250,000 square feet in total space.
Revitalization also continues in the downtown district as the city witnesses the opening of the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center later this year. The 550,000-square-foot, multi-purpose arena will feature 18,500 seats and 38 private viewing suites. Part of the vision for the Blue Dome District—a walkable nightlife, entertainment and shopping locale—the BOK Center is "spurring a lot of development in downtown Tulsa with regard to entertainment and hotels," Stewart said.
"Courtyard by Marriott has announced a 120-room property in a historic building downtown," Stewart said, adding that other planned developments include the reopening of the historic boutique Mayo Hotel and the transformation of the former city hall into a new hotel to support the BOK Center.
Hotel Renovations & Expansions
As the city continues to grow its inventory of 13,000 hotel guest rooms—1,400 of which are in the downtown area—many existing properties have completed or have plans to complete major renovation efforts.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 8.5 percent
· Hotel Tax: 5 percent
· Transportation: Local car rental tax runs 6 percent, and basic cab fare per mile is $1.85. |
Connected to the convention center via a sky bridge, the 417-room Doubletree Hotel Tulsa Downtown is finalizing its latest renovation, which includes upgrades throughout the entire property, said Director of Sales and Marketing Kecia Holloway. "We are working with AAA to increase our rating from a Three-Diamond to a Four-Diamond," she said. The property can accommodate groups of up to 1,100.
Adjacent to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, the 462-room Crowne Plaza Tulsa is completing the final phase of a $20 million renovation, which includes more than 38,000square feet of meeting space, according to Sales Manager Michael Simmons. "Our location is excellent. We provide free shuttle service to the airport and a three-mile radius of the hotel," he said.
Continuing efforts to enhance offerings following a multimillion-dollar renovation that was finalized last year, the 370-room Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place remodeled all guest room bathrooms. "Now it's even prettier than last year," noted Director of Sales and Marketing Connie Otis. The hotel is located in an office park setting with scenic walking and jogging trails and houses 18,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 383-room Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills recently expanded and remodeled its health club and is beginning a renovation effort that will include guest room corridors, guest rooms and the lobby, said Director of Sales and Marketing Leigh Murray. The hotel offers more than 43,000 square feet of meeting space as well as complimentary airport transportation and complimentary wireless Internet in all guest rooms. "We typically host large conventions for corporate, association, government and social groups," Murray said. "One of our largest markets is specialty car shows, as we have an extremely large parking lot."
According to Director of Sales and Marketing Tony Sprouse, the 313-room Holiday Inn Select Tulsa Hotel added new banquet chairs in 2007 and will have a number of updates to announce by the end of 2008, including new carpet throughout. The property features 14,000 square feet of meeting space and hosts a large number of horse shows and agri-business related events due to its location near the Tulsa Expo Square, Sprouse said. "Our greatest strength is our people. I don't know how many times I've been told that we have the friendliest people in town."
Located in nearby Catoosa, Cherokee Casino Resort is in the midst of a $125 million expansion project that will encompass 337,000 square feet, adding 18,336 square feet of convention space to accommodate groups of up to 1,000, said Public Relations Manager Kelli Bruer. The expansion will include a new 20-story hotel tower that will hold 200 hotel rooms, a suite, a resort spa, an expanded McGill's restaurant and an upscale nightclub on the top floor. This new addition will also house a multi-purpose, 1,800-seat entertainment and convention venue. The project is expected to be completed in early 2009, Bruer said.
