Notes from an Oklahoma tourism forum

Last week, Enid, Oklahoma, hosted a tourism forum, with over 90 people in attendance. Here are some of the best points captured in my notes.

Best silver bullet in travel: People want to eat like the locals. Recommendations from the locals of the hidden gems and “must eat there” places.
Hardy Watkins, Oklahoma’s State Tourism Director

Travelers are making decisions right now based on eco factors.
Hardy Watkins, Oklahoma’s State Tourism Director

I have a soft spot in my heart for diners. And I have a soft spot in my heart for the things that are a little off-beat.
Ron Stahl, host of Discover Oklahoma

What do tourists want to see? Beyond the obvious attractions, the hard part is looking for the little things that might be overlooked. Even the weird junky art guy who doesn’t represent the best of town will bring people to town. Things you might be around everyday, and might never think about.
Ron Stahl, host of Discover Oklahoma

We have to be what we are. The little things make you what you are. Take advantage of them.
Ron Stahl, host of Discover Oklahoma

While you try to sell your attraction to the world, you also have to sell it to your people.
Ron Stahl, host of Discover Oklahoma
(Locals suffer from “never been there” syndrome.)

People will pay to pick cotton. I don’t understand the attraction, but I’m grateful for it.
(His brother found an old cotton sack with his name on it. “Do you want it?” “Burn it! Burn it and drive a stake through its heart!”)
Ron Stahl, host of Discover Oklahoma

Top Reasons people come to Oklahoma:

Scenic drives
Restaruants
Historic sites
Outdoor recreation
Shopping
Museums

Sandy Pantlik, Oklahoma Tourism Department

The available volunteer pool is declining, as population declines. It’s still 10 people who do everything, no matter how big the town is.

There was a lot of desire for more networking and coordination between all the people trying to promote tourism in Northwest Oklahoma. I consider this a wonderful development.

Conspicuously Absent:
There was no discussion of social networks, new media, or any other online marketing. Sandy Pantlik did demonstrate the latest technology from the TravelOK.com website, and she did mention that video could be uploaded by local communities. There was a tiny amount of discussion of individual destination websites.

Given the general technology level in the room, that was probably just fine. I was the only one who brought a laptop. I was definitely the only one live-tweeting.

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.