Conferences, conventions are good business

Oklahoma City has grown our convention, hotel, tourism and event business, in part due to the increasing number of hotel rooms, improvements to State Fair Park, new attractions and increased amenities such as the Boathouse District and the Bennett Event Center.

In October alone, the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau lists 22 conventions, conferences and events expected to bring more than 50,000 visitors to our city. Some of the larger events in October include the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, National Association of Veterans Program Administrators annual conference, Logistics Officers Association symposium, U.S. Team Roping Championships, the Grand National Morgan Horse Show and the USA Softball Olympic Team Trials. The U.S. Team Roping Championship will fill more than 45,000 hotel rooms in just 10 days in October.

Many of these events will escape the notice of our own residents, but we all benefit from their impact. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau promotes Oklahoma City to conference organizers year-round and competes with other cities to bring conferences, conventions and group tours to our city because they are a powerful economic development force. Participants and visitors spend money on hotel nights, restaurants and shopping.

Read the full article at The Journal Record