6 minute read
Edmond Life and Leisure - April 18, 2024
Greeting visitors with our ‘Edmond Standard’
By Jennifer Thornton Edmond Tourism Director
I was thrilled when Ray asked if I would step in and write his column this week. Having moved to Edmond in 1994 after graduating college, I raised three children and have seen many changes.
When my father was transferred to Oklahoma City from Ohio, my parents chose Edmond for the same reasons many newcomers do - great schools and safety. I visited my family in Edmond while in college at OU - the green and white OU (Ohio University in Athens, Ohio) - and remember thinking, I am never going to live in Oklahoma! But Oklahoma’s bright sunshine, friendliness and cost of living won me over.
In college, I was active in an association called Women in Communication. They had a chapter in Oklahoma. I remember being nervous walking into a professional meeting when I was home during summer break. It was the first time I experienced the “Oklahoma Standard,” when they welcomed me and shared internship opportunities. I interned at the Oklahoma Blood Institute and was offered a job upon graduation. I was moving to Oklahoma after all!
In 1995, I experienced the “Oklahoma Standard” for the second time during the Murrah Federal Building bombing. After the shock at 9:01 a.m., my job was to write press releases about giving blood and stories about how blood donations save lives. I saw lines of people stretching for blocks because they wanted to do something to help. Oklahoma Blood Institute had the difficult task of asking donors not to give blood when first responders stopped finding survivors. Oklahomans did not steal from vulnerable businesses, crime stopped, we gave every item that was requested and drove with our headlights on until every person was found. The bombing is forever etched in my heart, and I have felt like a proud Oklahoman ever since.
For the next 20 years, I worked at United Way of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Chamber and Staplegun Advertising. These jobs kept me busy in Oklahoma City even though I lived in Edmond. I look back now and realize I did not enjoy my hometown. We attended Edmond school functions, but for dining and fun we headed to OKC.
The opportunity to serve as Edmond’s tourism director in 2019 changed my ways. Working and living in Edmond helped me care for aging parents and be an accessible parent. I found countless ways to shop, dine and play. Visit Edmond is your tourism department. We have four employees, are a department of the City of Edmond and office at the Edmond Conference Center. Tourism is funded by a 4% lodging tax that went into effect in 1994 – it’s been the same since inception 30 years ago. Visit Edmond uses these tax dollars to:
• promote Edmond as a destination
• award sponsorships to events with overnight stays
• attract, retain and sustain conferences and events.
I see the “Edmond Standard” shine as we welcome visitors. The Edmond Conference Center opened in 2018 and has been a game-changer for hosting large events, associations and regional conferences. With 20,178 square feet of meeting space and 11 meeting rooms, it averages 500 events a year with 36,000 guests. Edmond Conference Center revenue increased 15% over last year. The perks include charging spots for electric vehicles, delicious food and audio-visual included in rental costs. Events return to Edmond year after year because of this hospitality!
Visitors have the many choices when they spend the night in Edmond. Did you know we have 13 hotels, one bed & breakfast and more than 150 vacation homes? Visit Edmond sends a WEEKENDER email describing timely events and festivals so front desks and hosts can tell guests how to enjoy Edmond during their stay. This helps complete the economic impact circle: Visitors stay in Edmond and shop and dine while they are here. This contributes to sales tax dollars, which are used to improve citizens quality of life. Visitors spend an average of $65 every night they stay.
I had the pleasure of being part of the team that created VIBES-Edmond’s First Thursdays (April-October). Art and music lovers put their heads together and found a way to put a spin on the traditional “art walk.” In it’s third year, VIBES showcases performing and visual artists on 14 blocks of downtown Edmond. Festivals like VIBES, Heard on Hurd, the Arts Festival, LibertyFest and Luminance make Edmond a fun and vibrant community.
Visitors love the public art program that started more than 20 years ago with matching funds from Edmond Visual Arts Commission. From murals to bronze statues to interactive pieces, we have more than 300 across the city. Take your family and friends by the “I’m Grateful” chalkboard to write something special and commemorate an occasion by attaching a lock to the “Key to my Heart” L-O-V-E words. My 14year-old son, Gabe, and I walk by and look at our lock when we eat at the Railyard Food Hall. The economic impact of sports is growing in Edmond. Visit Edmond participated in a sports assessment with Victus Sports Facilities. They helped us prioritize needs and funding to attract more tournaments. I see the momentum! Some examples: Edmond Center Court won the U.S. Tennis Association’s Facility of the Year in 2022.
The newly renovated KickingBird Golf is considered the best municipal course in the region. At Hafer Park, construction will start this summer to add turf to the AC Caplinger baseball fields. The city-owned soccer complex on Danforth has been upgraded with amenities like shade and restrooms for Edmond Soccer Club teams and supporters. Oak Tree National will host the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament in 2027.
Have you been to a rodeo at the Lazy E Arena lately? Although not located in Edmond, Lazy E hosts cowboys of all ages and they sleep, dine and play in Edmond during rodeo competitions. For example, the National Little Britches Rodeo Association is a youth rodeo organization for kids ages 5-18. Each year, contestants compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of awards and college scholarships. This weeklong competition is the largest youth rodeo event under one roof in the world and has been held each year at the Lazy E Arena since 2016. This rodeo alone attracts 6,000 visitors and has an economic impact of $17,231,136 in Edmond. Lazy E Arena is the youth rodeo capitol of the world!
I hope I’ve shown you how greeting visitors with our “Edmond Standard” improves the quality of life for Edmonites. I urge you to be an ambassador for your hometown. This can be as easy as a welcoming smile and inviting your family and friends to Edmond. If you are associated with a professional organization, suggest Edmond for their next conference. Visit Edmond is here to help! Sign up for a monthly email newsletter for the latest events and news at https://visitedmondok.com/newsletter and follow @visitedmond.
