The following article appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. “~ Helen Keller
When attracting outsiders to our beautiful community, some of what the Ponca City Tourism site www.visitponcacity.com says is, “What truly sets Ponca City apart is its vibrant arts and cultural offerings. There are several galleries, museums, historic and cultural points of interest to keep you busy for days! Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the serene landscapes surrounding Ponca City. The nearby Lake Ponca provides a tranquil escape for fishing, boating and picnicking, while Marland Estate Mansion and the Standing Bear Park offer historical insights into the region’s past. Ponca City places a strong emphasis on preserving its natural treasures, ensuring a greener future for generations to come.” There certainly is that, and more
However, what Tourism Coordinator Zach Trantham knows about the true beauty of our grand city is, “The unique element of Ponca City is the way people work together rather than in separate entities as seen in many cities. The Tourism Bureau, City, Chamber, Main Street and other agencies and organizations across the city work together as a unit to create an inviting city as we create, prepare for and host events.”
Ponca City’s Tourism Bureau has come a long way since its beginning in 2004 when the city passed the Hotel/Motel excise tax. A percentage of the 8% tax comes to the Chamber for the Bureau to market and promote Ponca City and its events. Much of the mission is to promote events, which in turn promote staying in local hotels, eating at area restaurants and shopping locally.
Marketing campaigns can be found in state and regional magazines, specialty guides like for state fishing travel, television ads and in many national and international campaigns, especially when combined with other cities from around the state. There are numerous details from Ponca City to focus on. Oklahoma Today ads will feature the fox statues, for instance. The promotion opportunities are endless.
Trantham and other tourism representatives also attend travel and trade shows. They will attend the American Business Association Marketplace in Philadelphia in February where they will have a type of “Tourism Speed Dating” with seven minutes time with different tourism operators. Since we are located where we are, we also get to participate in both Green and Red Country tourism regions.
One area of extensive recent growth has been on social media, and the Tourism Bureau won the 2022 Best Social Media Campaign for the Red Bud State Tourism Awards. What Trantham said is most exciting about this is that our local company Speak Now designed the campaign that won.
As a result of growing numbers of visitors and events, the Visitors’ Center at the Chamber office is undergoing a renovation so it will be as inviting as the rest of the city and our events. Trantham mentions that numerous visitors state how the people throughout the community made their visit memorable due to their friendliness. He wants to make sure first impressions at the Center are just as wonderful. Those memories of friendliness keep people talking to others about their experiences and help bring them back to Ponca City for other events. As Trantham emphasizes, the bureau is always striving for new ways to better market, collect data and bring people to Ponca City.
There are many events to enjoy in the next few months in Ponca City:
*Sept. 20-21: Cherokee Strip Cook-Off
*Sept. 27-28: Standing Bear Powwow
*Sept. 27-28: Ponca City Arts Festival
*Oct. 3-6: Ponca City Motocross
*Oct. 5-6: Oktoberfest
*Nov. 2: Veterans Day Parade
*Nov. 27-Dec. 30: Festival of Angels
*Dec. 7: Lighted Christmas Parade
There is much to do locally, but all this fits into a much larger picture. Senator Bill Coleman recognizes the importance of the efforts, stating it’s one of the reasons he ran for State Senate: “I believe tourism is the front door to Oklahoma. If we can get people to our state for a visit, I think it opens the door for them to come here to work or set up their business. I completely support tourism because I realize it is so important to our economic engine. We can get an 80 to 1 return on investment with promotional dollars for tourism.” Senator Coleman knew that Oklahoma needed to maintain or increase dollars for tourism rather than cut them as many felt we needed to do. Bring people to Oklahoma, and they’ll want to stay.
Ponca City is a friendly place to be, and many in our community are the ones who help make it such. It has been designated a Film Friendly Community with Oklahoma Film & Music, which is no surprise to those of us who live and work here. For all the times we may hear, “There’s nothing to do,” we have more often found that there are more things than we can fit into our weekends and even many weekdays than we have time to enjoy. We know it is those people working together, the many individuals and organizations who care, to bring activities to a community they love. The true uniqueness of a community we love. Get out today and enjoy!
Suggested Sidebar/Info Box:
Ponca City’s Tourism Bureau has come a long way since its beginning in 2004 when the city passed the Hotel/Motel excise tax. A percentage of the 8% tax comes to the Chamber for the Bureau to market and promote Ponca City and its events. Much of the mission is to promote events, which in turn promote staying in local hotels, eating at area restaurants and shopping locally.
There are many events to enjoy in the next few months in Ponca City:
*Sept. 20-21: Cherokee Strip Cook-Off
*Sept. 27-28: Standing Bear Powwow
*Sept. 27-28: Ponca City Arts Festival
*Oct. 3-6: Ponca City Motocross
*Oct. 5-6: Oktoberfest
*Nov. 2: Veterans Day Parade
*Nov. 27-Dec. 30: Festival of Angels
*Dec. 7: Lighted Christmas Parade
Senator Bill Coleman recognizes the importance of the efforts, stating it’s one of the reasons he ran for State Senate: “I believe tourism is the front door to Oklahoma. If we can get people to our state for a visit, I think it opens the door for them to come here to work or set up their business. I completely support tourism because I realize it is so important to our economic engine. We can get an 80 to 1 return on investment with promotional dollars for tourism.”
Photograph Information: (All photos provided by Zach Trantham)
Christmas Parade
Cookoff
Goblins on Grand
Motocross
Oktoberfest
Standing Bear Powwow
Veterans Day Parade
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