No matter what Tulsa does, we do it BIG. The 2025 Sports Events and Tourism Association Symposium highlights April, and a month after setting a conference attendance record at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, Tulsa will host the biggest Sports ETA Symposium ever. Of course, that’s just one event coming to town in the near future; here’s a look at some other big additions to the calendar in the April edition of the Tulsa Awareness Group Monthly Snapshot.

Reminder!
The next in-person quarterly TAG meet-up is Wednesday, May 7. More information at the bottom of this email.

One of three state shows put on every year. Five sets of American Quarter Horse Association points are up for grabs, as competitors earn points toward Oklahoma Year-End Awards.

Audience Insight: Groups will seek out lunch and dinner options throughout the community, likely near Expo Square, as well as hardware stores in the area for building materials and supplies for their stalls.

The largest one-day Oklahoma Family, Career and Community Leaders of America event of the year. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the convention ends at 3:30 p.m. with three sessions scheduled throughout the day.

Audience Insight: Students will be on their own for lunch and dinner in the downtown area surrounding Arvest Convention Center. They will likely seek out restaurants that can accommodate large groups.

Free three-day event for first-time homebuyers to learn more about NACA’s mortgage program. Event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from April 11-13.

Audience Insight: Hotel rooms are for out-of-town staff. Audience will be made up of local and drive-in residents seeking homebuying assistance. Expected attendance is over 1,000. 

Over 300 teams compete in the top youth soccer tournament in the state. Teams travel in from seven states across all age groups and are divided into three divisions per age group.

Audience Insight: Teams and families will seek out dining and attractions that can accommodate full groups of at least 15-20. Teams will be staying in hotels all over Tulsa. 

Symposium is the annual meeting of Sports ETA. Representatives from destinations nationwide will be on-hand to meet with sporting event organizers and decision makers. This is the largest sports tourism association in the world and Tulsa will be on display.

Audience Insight: Group will look to explore and experience Tulsa and seek out options for evening drinks. Any restaurants able to extend hours earlier in the week would be preferred for lunch and dinner, and bars will be popular every night. Wednesday night is an open night with private events hosted all over the city.

The second-largest reining show in the world, also known as the “Million Dollar Show,” is a qualifier for the World Reining Championships and uses more than 1,500 stalls at Ford Truck Arena at Expo Square.

Audience Insight: Attendees will likely visit lunch locations near Expo Square with an emphasis on takeout. Dinner will be higher-end establishments and steakhouses that can host large groups. 

Boys and girls volleyball tournament for ages 10U to 18U, totaling approximately 200 teams. Matches are divided into morning and afternoon waves. Teams are competing for bids to national-level tournaments.

Audience Insight: Players often travel with families, so they will seek family-friendly restaurants and attractions, as players will have some downtime/free time during the tournament.  

High school students representing FFA chapters from schools across the state will be at the BOK Center for the 99th Annual State Convention and Expo. Events will include showcases, speakers and awards shows.

Audience Insight: Large numbers of high school students will be downtown, on their own for lunch and dinner there as well as midtown. They will likely look for places that can accommodate large groups, as well as takeout options that they can eat at their hotels.

Major event aimed at enhancing the Cutting Horse Industry. It is currently made up of more than 300 of the premier cutting horse stallions in the industry and has given out almost $20 million in prize money over the last 12 years.

Audience Insight: Lunch will be casual or fast casual near Expo Square, typically with takeout options. For dinner, groups will seek out upscale restaurants and steakhouses than can seat large groups.

A motorcycle-inspired event in the Historic Greenwood District offering tours, community organizations, vendors, live music, a bike show, guest speakers, day and night social events and much more.

Audience Insight: Groups will be in and around downtown for the three-day event, especially near Greenwood. Establishments in the area will be quite busy during lunch and dinner service.

This is just a sample of what's coming up. For a full list of events, click here!

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.: Networking and PartnerNet onboarding/maintenance assistance
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.: Events overview and resumés presentation