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2021 Lt. Governor's Travel & Tourism Summits
Date/Time
10/5/2021
10/7/2021
11/2/2021
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM Central
Event Description
Congratulations to our host partners for the 2021 Lt. Governor's Travel & Tourism Summits!  A special shout out to board members Janet Reed with Discover Durant and Jo McDaniel & Nathan Roach with Choctaw Nation Tourism for hosting the first Summit in Durant at the Lost Street Brewing Company. Next we want to recognize Rich Cantillon and Zach Trantham with Ponca City Tourism Bureau for hosting the Summit in Ponca City at City Central. And lastly, we want to thank Amanda Davis with Visit Miami for hosting the Summit at the beautiful, historic Coleman Theater. 

Each of the events were amazing for a variety of reasons and each were uniquely suited to their community. Hundreds of tourism professionals from across the state attended the three Lt. Governor's Travel & Tourism Summits which featured wonderful educational sessions and great hospitality. And of course, these events would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our state's biggest tourism advocate, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. OTIA and our members are so thankful for his support of the tourism industry and his influence on state government to make Oklahoma a "Top 10 State" in tourism!
Click this here to view pictures from each of these three events.
 





















The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association has partnered with Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell to present the 2021 Lt. Governor's Travel & Tourism Summit!
We are proud to partner with Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell to produce each of these Summit programs. His leadership within the tourism community is both supportive and engaging. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the Lt. Governor at this year's summit events. Come prepared to ask him questions and support his goal to make Oklahoma a Top Ten State in Tourism!







 
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell

Matt Pinnell was elected as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of the State of Oklahoma on November 6th, 2018.  In that role, he serves as President of the Oklahoma State Senate, and is a member of multiple constitutional boards and commissions. Lt. Governor Pinnell also serves as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage on Governor Kevin Stitt’s cabinet.

In his role as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Pinnell oversees the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and the state’s efforts to promote tourism, the third largest industry in Oklahoma. Pinnell led the successful effort to rebrand the State of Oklahoma, a component of the overall effort to retain and recruit more jobs to the state of Oklahoma. 

Pinnell also currently serves on the Department of Commerce executive committee focusing on small business growth, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Pinnell has a background in entrepreneurship and is a small business owner with his wife, Lisa, who is an inventor and entrepreneur.

Matt is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Advertising and lives in Tulsa with his wife and their 4 children who attend Jenks Public Schools. 

 
Summit Schedule of Events:
1:00 p.m. Registration 
1:30 p.m. Welcome by Host Community & Speaker Introduction
1:45 p.m. Educational Workshop
2:45 p.m. Break 
3:00 p.m. Educational Workshop 
4:00 p.m. Town Hall Meeting with Lt. Governor 
4:30 p.m. Networking Reception - Adjourns 5:30 p.m. 

For help with registration, contact Lacey Pierson

Tuesday, October 5th                                                                                                            
Hosted by Discover Durant & Choctaw Nation Tourism
Host Location: Lost Street Brewing Company, 109 W Lost Street, Durant, OK 74701
Click here for Durant Summit parking map.

Session 1: Developing Your Tourism Product
Panelists: Stacey Halfmoon, Senior Director, Choctaw Cultural Center; 
Erica Kosemund, Senior Director of Gaming Brand and Partnerships, Choctaw Nation;

Paul Casperson, Owner/Operator, Lake Texoma Willow Springs Resort
In this opening session you'll have opportunity to learn how three successful tourism destinations have developed their product and sustained customer loyalty. Get the insights on how to implement a successful program and how to foster relationships in your community. Stacey Halfmoon of the Choctaw Cultural Center will share her decades of experience in cultural preservation, tribal relations, and museum leadership. 

Erica Kosemund will share her passion for bringing together creative direction and true brand identity at the Choctaw Nation.  Learn what marketing plans were deployed to open the Sky Tower luxury hotel expansion at Choctaw Casion Resort in Durant. Working as owner-operator of Willow Springs Resort, Paul Casperson will share his perspective from the shores of Lake Texoma on guest loyalty, packaging, and partnering with local businesses. 


Session 2: Two For One! Rural Tourism Challenges and Creating Events that Work!
Speakers: Corey Green, Brand Planning Director, The Richards Group;
Jordyn Frazier, Advancement Coordinator, Murray State College

Meet two of the region's tourism and marketing pros who will share their expert advice on how to develop strong tourism branding and how to create memorable events with successful ROI. In this session, Corey Green will discuss brand tactics and strategies to develop your rural tourism story. Attendees will hear about his inspired approach to life and finding his way to a successful career in crafting brand strategies for The Richards Group. Jordyn Frazier will discuss creating events that work by fostering partnerships with local businesses, local and state governments, and tribal entities. 


Thursday, October 7th
Hosted by Visit Ponca City

Host Location: City Central, 400 East Central Avenue, Ponca City, OK 74601

Session 1: Panel Discussion: Promoting and Marketing your Rural Identity
Panelists: Carla Burdick, Executive Director, Red Carpet Country Association;
Cindy Oard, Owner, Wonderfully Made Studio;
Jake Krumwiede, Executive Director, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

What does it take to develop a strong tourism identity in rural Oklahoma? Learn from three Northwest area experts who have created unique programs to develop distinctively Northwest Oklahoma attractions and packages. In this session, you'll hear how to maximize your marketing budget, collaborate with your area experts, identify talented supporters… and all the lessons they learned along the way. 

Session 2: Perspective, Purpose and Passion - Positively Promoting Tourism 
Speaker: Kelly Bland, Executive Director, Osage County Tourism

Kelly Bland will take you on a visionary quest. There's nothing like having your creativity sparked and your outlook encouraged.  Learn how you can implement a new outlook and maximize your assets to support your marketing efforts. She will share with you her strategies on how working with purpose and passion to create a great destination requires a fresh perspective, a unique approach, an optimistic attitude, and a 'whole lotta' of showing up to do the work. In this session, you'll hear about how this Texas entrepreneur took to the greener pastures of Oklahoma and collaborated to create a great tourism destination for the region. 
     

Tuesday, November 2nd
Hosted by 
Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Host Location: Coleman Theater, 103 N. Main Street Miami, OK 74354

Hotel Accommodations 
Hampton Inn Miami
Phone: 918 - 541 - 1500
Room Rate: $89 single or double room rate for the evenings of November 1st or 2nd
Mention GM Shannon Duhon has confirmed this rate for the Lt. Governor's Travel & Tourism Summit in Miami. 
 
Session 1: NOW WHAT?
Keynote Speaker: Bill Geist, Chief Instigator, DMOproz

Consumer trends that have historically powered our work are now worthless. In this session, DMO author and thought leader Bill Geist will paint a picture of where the future(s) may lead…and offer his take on ways that Oklahoma Tourism can speed its recovery.
 
Session 2: ARE YOU SERIOUS?...WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

Bill Geist returns to riff on issues and DMO meltdowns that challenge the Destination Marketing sector and suggest ways that we can better communicate our exceptional value to those that may not understand the importance of DMOs and the Visitor Economy.

                                                                                                                                                                     
Our Speakers

Durant Summit - Oct. 5

Stacey Halfmoon, Senior Director, Choctaw Cultural Center; 
Erica Kosemund, Senior Director of Gaming Brand and Partnerships, Choctaw Nation;
Paul Casperson, Owner/Operator, Lake Texoma Willow Springs Resort

Corey Green, Brand Planning Director, The Richards Group;

Jorydn Frazier, Advancement Coordinator, Murray State College

Ponca City Summit - Oct. 7

Kelly Bland 
Executive Director Osage County Tourism

Coming to us from down “south of the Red,” with an appreciation for green pastures and beautiful country, Kelly Bland brings a fresh perspective to marketing Oklahoma.  Former Chamber of Commerce Director and President of the Board of Directors of the Texas Midwest Community Network, Kelly is no stranger to community involvement.  With a degree in Communication and a minor in Public Relations/Advertising, Kelly is known for her marketing creativity. She currently serves as the Osage Co. Tourism/Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce Director as well as the Pawhuska Economic Development Director.

 
 
Jake Krumwiede
 Executive Director, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
 
Jake Krumwiede is the Executive Director at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, which is a part of the Oklahoma Historical Society. He received a bachelors in history from Rogers State University in Claremore, and a masters in history from Oklahoma State University. For thirteen years, he was at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, leaving as the Assistant Director. Jake also managed the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, which was a working cattle ranch that raised Texas Longhorn cattle. Jake is a board member with Main Street Enid, the program chair for Enid Summer Chautauqua, a commissioner for the Enid Planning Commission, is on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Museums Association, and is a regional representative for the Association of Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums. In the past, before moving to Enid, Jake has served as the chair of the Claremore/Rogers County Municipal Area Planning Commission, Musician’s Haven, and Claremore Collective, as well as a board member for Claremore Main Street. Jake has been the recipient of Rogers County’s 40 under 40 in 2018, and Enid’s 10 under 40 in 2020.
 


Cindy Oard 
Owner, Wonderfully Made Studio

Cindy Oard was born, raised and resides in Blackwell, so Kay County is home for her. She established the Wonderfully Made Studio in Blackwell about five years ago. Cindy has loved art since she was a child and took art classes at Northern Oklahoma College and Oklahoma State University. She has been a Blackwell Tourism and Development board member for approximately 10 years. Cindy orchestrated the Top of Oklahoma Barn Quilt Trail and established The Top of Oklahoma Barn Quilt Geo-Cache Trail, a very successful geo-cache trail in Blackwell. As owner of the Wonderfully Made Studio, she has taught barn quilt painting to 300+ students over the last four years. The studio offers custom design and painted barn quilts for businesses and individuals. The Wonderfully Made Studio has been featured on “Is This A Great State or What” and “Discover Oklahoma”. Cindy loves to seeing the happiness of students when they finish their barn quilts and are so proud of what they have done. She has been married to Tracy for 44 years. Cindy is the mother to three daughters, including a set of twins, and has five amazing grandchildren. 

 

Carla Burdick
Executive Director, Red Carpet Country Association

Carla Burdick is the Executive Director for the Red Carpet Country Association.  She was born and raised in Red Carpet Country.  Carla has experience in marketing, management, sales, community development, event planning, strategic planning, and non-profit organization. Carla graduated from Enid High School and received her Bachelor’s from Oklahoma State University. She has over 22 years of experience in retail sales, management, buying, and merchandising. She started her career with Mervyn’s Department Stores as a Retail Analyst and Buyer. Carla worked with Dillard’s Department Stores for almost 12 years, as Area Sales Manager, Merchandise Buyer, Division Coordinator for 43 stores in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, and Regional Accessories Director for the Oklahoma and Southern Kansas area. Carla has been the Executive Director at Red Carpet Country for almost five years.  Red Carpet Country serves 16 counties in North Central and Northwest Oklahoma, helping communities and business build tourism, economic growth, stretch their marketing dollars, and increase revenues. 

Miami Summit - Nov. 2

Bill Geist
Chief Instigator, DMOproz

 

Bill Geist is the Chief Instigator at DMOproz (aka Zeitgeist Consulting), a firm specializing in strategic planning, governance, marketing and legislative issues for Destination Marketing and Management Organizations (convention and visitor bureaus, tourism-focused chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and communities). Prior to forming Zeitgeist Consulting, Bill served as the President/CEO of the Greater Madison (WI) Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1990-1995.  Before moving to the Madison CVB, Bill led the Kankakee County (IL) CVB and landed the first multi-year contract ever awarded for the American Power Boat Association's National Outboard Championships. Bill holds an Executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Kenyon College.


 




 
Location
UNITED STATES
Contact Person
Lacey Pierson
(phone: (405) 942-1121)
Details
Rates
Full Registration - $45/person
Includes Education Workshops, Breaks, Town Hall Meeting, and Networking Reception.

Networking Reception ONLY - $20/person/event
Includes Townhall Meeting with Lt. Governor and the Networking Reception ONLY

 
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10/5/2021  
10/7/2021  
11/2/2021  


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