In the popular 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma, the title song exclaims “We know we belong to the land, and the land we belong to is grand!”
Representatives throughout the Sooner State agree with that sentiment and welcome visiting attendees to experience firsthand all this meetings-ready land has to offer today.
Throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman and Shawnee reside an intriguing, ever-changing array of options for groups, including arts and entertainment districts booming with culinary and other delights, unique venues for off-site events and a growing portfolio of convention facilities.
Tulsa
Located in the center of the country, Tulsa’s easy accessibility by air and land from a large portion of the U.S. is among its many attributes as a magnetic meetings destination in the South, while other draws include its mild weather, generally without extremes, the friendliness of Tulsans and low-cost lodging.
“Tulsa is very attractive indeed,” says Kathleen Borgne, senior sales manager at VisitTulsa, adding that close to $1 billion has been invested recently in downtown projects, including a new arena, the BOK Center, the renovated Tulsa Convention Center, multiple hotels, event venues and entertainment districts. “Tulsa is the perfect location for conventions.”
The newly renovated Tulsa Convention Center boasts the largest ballroom in Oklahoma, with 30,000 square feet of divisible space, and the facility also has 13,000 square feet of prefunction space, as well as a 102,600-square-foot exhibit hall and an 8,900-seat arena.
Downtown Tulsa is home to 1,500 hotel rooms,and growing, Borgne says, as well as must-visit neighborhoods situated near group-friendly properties.
“Tulsa’s unique districts all have their very own flair and flavor via wonderful shopping, dining and entertainment options,” she says.
The Brady Arts District boasts ONEOK Field, home to the Tulsa Drillers baseball team; Brady Theatre; historic Cain’s Ballroom, home of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys; and various other entertainment and shopping options, according to Borgne.
“The Brady Arts District gets its name from the number of eclectic art galleries housed in the district that stand next to multiple restaurants, studios and lofts,” she says. “ONEOK Field is the cornerstone of the district and is perfect for a party of two or 200, with areas that can be rented for larger groups.”
AHHA!, the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa Hardesty Arts Center is slated to open next winter in the Brady Arts District. It will include three levels of studios, exhibit space, galleries and an event center, as well as a rooftop area for social events.
The Brookside District is home to such Tulsa-centric shops as Ida Red Boutique and Center 1, dining options ranging from coffee houses to Wolfgang Puck, local shops that exhibit art by Tulsa artists and art galleries such as M.A. Doran Gallery.
“Utica Square, an easily walkable Tulsa favorite, features boutique shopping, including Tulsa’s oldest and most exclusive department store, Miss Jackson’s,” says Borgne, who recommends grabbing breakfast or coffee at Queenie’s Cafe and Bakery, and lunch at either Stonehorse Cafe or Wild Fork Restaurant, all located in Utica Square.
The Deco District, featuring several historic buildings, offers a walking tour showcasing Tulsa’s oil boom history, and in the Blue Dome District, located right off historic Route 66, visiting groups can find even more fun off-session pursuits.
“The Blue Dome District, located in the heart of downtown, offers dining and nightly music options galore, as well as unique entertainment venues,” Borgne says.
Tulsa is also home to two nationally recognized museums, the Philbrook Museum of Art, housed in the Italian-style former villa of Waite Philips that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Gilcrease Museum.
“The Gilcrease is known across the globe for housing the most extensive collection of Americana art and artifacts,” Borgne says, adding that both museums accommodate group gatherings.
Oklahoma Aquarium, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and the Tulsa Zoo are also available for events.
Along with the DoubleTree by Hilton Tulsa-Downtown, which is connected via skybridge to the Tulsa Convention Center, several other properties complement the convention center, including the Hyatt Regency Tulsa, the Holiday Inn Tulsa City Center and Courtyard Tulsa Downtown.
Just outside of the city’s core are several of the larger Tulsa hotels, Borgne adds, including the DoubleTree Warren Place, the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills and the Hilton Tulsa Southern Hills.
In Catoosa, just northeast of town, is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, a popular group property.
Oklahoma City
The appeal of Oklahoma City is its unique combination of easy accessibility, excellent meeting facilities, varied attractions, affordability and warm hospitality, according to Robin O’Connor, director of sales and services at the Oklahoma City CVB.
“We boast about the walkability of our meeting package,” she says, explaining that just a few steps away from the Cox Convention Center are several hotels, the Bricktown Entertainment District, Chesapeake Energy Arena and the redesigned Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Sue Hollenbeck, assistant director of sports business development at the Oklahoma City CVB, adds that the city’s appeal lies in its quiet, humble pride.
“The people in Oklahoma City are our greatest asset,” she says, adding that the destination is evolving. “A city that most associate with tragedy—the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building—is a city that is transforming itself by way of the MAPS taxes, corporate involvement and civic leadership.”
In approximately 2018, Hollenbeck says, because of the MAPS3 sales tax, Oklahoma City will open a brand-new 200,000-square-foot convention center. Original MAPS funds went toward building the Chesapeake Energy Arena in 2000, and over the past 2.5 years $120 million has been invested to make the arena, home to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, concerts and rodeo events, more visitor-friendly.
Until then, the Cox Convention Center in the heart of downtown is available for group events, as are the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation’s Chesapeake Finish Line Tower and two boathouses, Chesapeake and Devon.
Main group-friendly downtown hotels include Renaissance Oklahoma City, Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City, Sheraton Oklahoma City and Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown, and northwest hotels include Oklahoma City Marriott and Waterford Marriott.
Must-see attractions that also offer space for private events include the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Science Museum Oklahoma.
“There is also Stockyards City district, which is home to the oldest restaurant in Oklahoma City, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, and is the place to shop for any kind of Western wear imaginable,” Hollenbeck says. “You can even see a live cattle auction if you want to wake up early enough.”
She adds that that attendees will enjoy simply driving through the city’s many districts—Automobile Alley, Midtown, Bricktown, Western Avenue—where they will find numerous entertainment, shopping and dining options.
Other popular group diversions include Remington Park Racing Casino, Bricktown Canal water taxi tours, canoeing or kayaking lessons on the Oklahoma River and team building at the Rocktown Climbing Gym, housed in an old grain silo.
Norman
Home of the University of Oklahoma, Norman is centrally located in the U.S., near the intersection of three major interstates and an airport, making it easily accessible.
“The relatively low cost of living in Oklahoma is another benefit when putting together events,” says Stephen Koranda, executive director at the Norman CVB.
He adds that the University of Oklahoma offers visiting groups entertainment options ranging from athletic events to performing arts and fine arts. The National Weather Center, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History are all located on campus.
“Every second Friday of the month, downtown Norman galleries open for a walking art tour,” he says. “And Riverwind Casino is located in the Norman area with an enormous casino and venue for music concerts.”
Norman is also located near Oklahoma City, giving sports enthusiasts easy access to Oklahoma City Thunder basketball games.
“Norman also has the unique opportunity to promote the recently renovated National Center for Employee Development facility to meeting planners,” Koranda says.
The facility is a full-service hotel and conference center.
The Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center is another popular group option.
Shawnee
Shawnee is a centrally located U.S. destination with diverse dining options, shopping opportunities and unique sights, such as the historic Ritz Theatre and the artsy painted horses of various themes located around town.
Event-ready attractions include Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center and Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.
The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and the Gordon Cooper Technology Center are two of Shawnee’s top group facilities.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus South.
