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Wages, Barnes attend Governor's Conference |
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Friday, 23 October 2009 |
Poteau Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Karen Wages and Chamber President Traci Barnes attended the 2009 Governor's Tourism Conference in Tulsa earlier this week.
The conference is held each year hosted by Governor Brad Henry, Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Tourism Recreation Department Executive Director Hardy Watkins along with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Oklahoma Travel Industry Association and many tourism partners.
This year's conference theme "Moving 4ward 2gether" was brought to life as the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department unveiled its new Web site. The Web site will give each tourism partner, including Poteau Chamber of Commerce, Poteau Main Street Matters and all other tourism destinations in the area, an opportunity to maintain their own page.
Oklahoma Vision also unveiled a new online network and 16 channel stations state wide where live shows may be watched during the weekdays.
"This is a great source to promote any event that may occur in our area," Wages sai. "And best of all it's free."
"It was nice to put a face to all those phone and e-mail correspondents," Barnes said. "They have always been there to help us and stay in contact on events and issues concerning us.
"We love Poteau and want everyone else to, as well," Wages said. "Tourism is all about economic development and can have a tremendous impact when times are hard. Just like the upcoming Poteau Spooky Balloon Fest. It brings people from many areas, filling up hotels and increases the retail numbers for our local businesses."
"I was very proud when Hardy Watkins mentioned Poteau along with Pryor and Ponca City as being the top contenders of the smaller areas in the strong pursuit of progressiveness in the tourism and economic development industry," Wages said.
Wages and Barnes have plans to update the OTRD Web site with each of Poteau's events for 2010. "We also have our eye on getting in the competition for a nomination for one of the many Redbud Awards given at the evening gala," Wages continued. "After being a part of the awards ceremonies, Poteau can definitely be a strong contender. It will just take a little work and promotion on our part. But we're not afraid of hard work." |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 26 October 2009 )
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