The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23. Zach Trantham called the meeting to order.

Trantham shared information with the tourism bureau on the January financial statement.

Total operating expenses for the month of January was $25,701.19; this resulted in a net income of $5,978.94.

The Chamber had two travel shows this month in Detroit, Michigan and McAllen, Texas to promote Ponca City.

The Chamber gave away some items for the Hospice bowling tournament that will be held on Saturday, April 1.

Ponca City Country Club is having a pickleball tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25-26 and the Chamber is putting together visitor bags for this event.

The “What’s Happening Ponca City?” video this month has received 8000 views. April will have a new host for these video, Jenna Wynes.

Chamber Vice-President Tiffany Hermann was at the St. Louis Working Women’s Show and spoke to about 2000 people. This show is the largest that the Chamber attends.

The Chamber submitted their full page ad for the April/May issue of OKToday. The ad will also be in the March issue of the Ponca City Monthly.

The Chamber Office has received visitors from 26 states and 2 foreign countries this month.

Trantham and Rich Cantillon attended a meeting in Fairfax along with other entities in the state to discuss incoming tourism following the debut of Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Oklahoma State Travel Guide is out now and available at the Chamber’s lobby. The Ponca City Chamber has a full page ad in the travel guide, the same ad will also be in the Chamber Directory, the 2023 Green Country Guide, and the 2023 Red Carpet Country Guide.

Leadership Oklahoma will have their session on tourism and energy in Ponca City this year on March 2 to March 4.

Chamber President Rich Cantillon then shared his Chamber update.

A Ponca Politics forum will be held at City Hall from noon to 1 pm on Friday, Feb. 24. This forum will feature Senator Bill Coleman, and Representatives Ken Luttrell and John Pfeiffer.

A retirement reception will be held for Cantillon on Friday, Feb. 24 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Ponca City Country Club.

The Chamber’s Receipt Campaign is currently underway. Those wishing to participate can bring their receipts from any Ponca City business to the Chamber Office with their name and phone number on the receipts. A drawing will be held at the end of the month for the chance to win Chamber Bucks. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, March 3 at 10 am for Wes & Willow at their new location at 205 E. Grand.

The Ponca Politics Committee is hosting a PCPS school board candidate forum on Friday, March 17 at noon in the City Commission Chambers. Both candidates, Judy Throop and Rod Wahl, will be in attendance.

The next Party at the Palace Auction Planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 4 pm at the Ponca City Country Club.

March’s Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, March 23 and will be hosted by Phillips 66.

A second legislative Ponca Politics forum will be held at City Hall from noon to 1 pm on Friday, March 24. This forum will feature Senator Bill Cole- man, and Representatives Ken Luttrell and John Pfeiffer.

Members of the board then shared updates. Suzanne Devinney shared that several visitors to local AirBnB’s have expressed a desire to move to the area.

Ryan McIntosh with Kyler Construction Group shared that they have several school projects planned over the summer including the Concert Hall classroom additions, softball renovations, and several roofing projects.

They also have projects with the Public Safety Center and the Kay County Court House.

Wendy Stobbe with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma shared that they are in the middle of their support groups. This one is one of the largest groups they’ve had since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospice is also having a once a month presentation on dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Belen Caballero provided an update on the 36th Ponca City Leadership Class and shared that they will be re-beautifying the spring over on South Avenue. With beautification will include the addition of a garden area and bench, as well as a picnic table.

The 36th Leadership Class will be going to Oklahoma City for their state government session.