Hello Tourism Partners,
I’ll start this month’s newsletter with some Tulsa Regional Tourism history! For the first time ever, Tulsa was nominated for a U.S. Travel Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) Award—a nationwide honor! Last summer’s Big Dam Party was one of three finalists for the “Immersive Experience” Award, and while we didn’t bring home the hardware this time, I have no doubt our first chance won’t be our last. Congratulations to everyone involved in that once-in-a-lifetime project!
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We are counting down the days until the Korn Ferry Tour makes its Green Country debut with the Compliance Solutions Championship at The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso. They held media day recently and I got to meet Kyle Westmoreland, who will be in the field. The first round is Oct. 2, and that night, Bixby native Corey Kent headlines the inaugural Folds of Honor Benefit Concert at Hard Rock Tulsa. The final round will be Sunday, Oct. 5.
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We are just days away from the Tulsa Regional Tourism Annual Meeting, “It’s So Late, It’s Early.” A late-night TV-themed breakfast show hosted by Senior Director of Communications Jonathan Huskey that promises lots of laughs, great guests, and even a surprise or two as we celebrate the tourism industry’s big wins in the 24/25 fiscal year. If you haven’t yet, make plans to attend as tickets are still available!
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Start September with a party to remember at the second annual Neon Prairie Festival. Three days of live music, art appreciation and camping at POSTOAK Lodge with headliners Silversun Pickups and Blind Melon.
More on this in the Tulsa FMAC section below, but Sterlin Harjo’s latest project, The Lowdown, debuts on FX Tuesday, Sept. 23. The show stars Ethan Hawke and has been described as a “Tulsa noir.” I can’t wait for the first episode! It’s always so exciting to see Tulsa on-screen—and it’s happening more and more! On Sept. 5, shot-in-Tulsa film Everything to Me will come out in theaters, starring Judy Greer and telling the story of a girl raised in Silicon Valley in the shadow of Steve Jobs' successful return to Apple, and his huge influence on her imagination, her aspirations and relationships.
Finally, as always, thank each and every one of you for your continued support, partnership and collaboration. As we’re entering one of the most anticipated years in Tulsa tourism with the Centennial of Route 66 in 2026, we know none of this would be possible without YOU! Enjoy the long weekend and have a great Labor Day!
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Renee McKenney, President
+ Your Tulsa Regional Tourism Team!
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Tulsa Tourism in National News
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Tulsa Tourism in Local News
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Visit Tulsa News
Leisure Travel
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Is Your Visit Tulsa Listing Accurate?
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Convention & Visitors Bureau News
Meetings & Conventions
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- CareerTech/OkACTE Summit
Aug. 4-5
1,300+ room nights
$2.13M estimated Direct economic impact | $3.7M estimated Total economic impact
Arvest Convention Center
- National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show & Breeders Championship Futurity
Aug. 7-17
7,300+ room nights
$4.8M estimated Direct economic impact | $8.2M estimated Total economic impact
Expo Square
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Sports Commission News
Professional & Amateur Sports
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- United Taekwondo Alliance Grand Nationals
June 24-28
500+ room nights
$610.5k estimated Direct economic impact | $1.06M estimated Total economic impact
Arvest Convention Center
- World Championships of Cornhole
July 19-27
1,800+ room nights
$1.1M estimated Direct economic impact | $1.9M estimated Total economic impact
Arvest Convention Center
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Tulsa FMAC News
Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture
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Sterlin Harjo’s The Lowdown set for September Debut
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- Oklahoma Native and Tulsa-based filmmaker Sterlin Harjo’s latest project is set for a world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 4-14.
- The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke, will debut stateside on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 8:00 p.m. CT on FX with the first two installments of the eight-episode season. Subsequent episodes will air on Tuesdays and be available to stream the next day.
- FX released the trailer Aug. 26. The show, including the pilot under the name “The Sensitive Kind,” was filmed almost entirely in the Tulsa region and stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a self-proclaimed Tulsa “truthstorian” whose “obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble,” as well as Tulsa natives Jeanne Tripplehorn and Tim Blake Nelson.
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Tulsa a Finalist for Global Music Cities Award
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- For the first time in history, Tulsa and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture has been nominated for “Best Global Music City” by the Music Cities Awards.
- Best Global Music City is meant to “celebrate the city or town that has best integrated music into as many aspects of its development as possible.” Leipzig, Germany and Macon, Ga. are the other two finalists, and the winner will be announced at the Music Cities Awards Ceremony in Fayetteville, Ark. on Sept. 16.
- Tulsa-based Red Dirt Relief Fund is also nominated for Best Organization or Individual Supporting Music in Their City.
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Bob Dylan Center’s First Traveling Exhibition to Debut in New York
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- The Bob Dylan Center hosted “How Many Roads: Bob Dylan and His Changing Times, 1961-1964,” an exhibition exploring Dylan’s response to current events in that timeframe, especially the Civil Rights Movement, last year, and now, it’s going on the road.
- As the Center’s first traveling exhibition, “How Many Roads” is being presented at New York University through Oct. 15 at NYU’s Gallatin Galleries.
- The time period between 1961-64 featured several of Dylan’s seminal albums, including “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and “Another Side of Bob Dylan.”
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