The Ponca City Tourism Bureau held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 29 in the Ponca City Chamber board room at 9 am.

Brad Fox called the meeting to order. The Tourism Bureau is on a July-June fiscal year, as such, this is the last meeting for Fox as the Tourism Chair. Fox was presented with a plaque for his time as chair by Tourism Coordinator Zach Trantham. Additionally, Kevin Kreger and Ryan McIntosh were both presented with plaques, as this was the end of their respective terms with the Tourism Bureau.

Trantham then shared the May financial statement. Total operating expenses for the month of May was $13,277.78; this resulted in a net income of $6,444.47. Looking at expenses for the fiscal year, tourism is looking to come in under budget.

Trantham then provided his tourism update.

The Chamber has made several bags for events going on throughout the month. Over 100 bags were made for Attucks’ Juneteenth celebration.

Ponca City has received visitors from several states including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, and Texas. There has also seen an uptick in international travel with visitors from Mexico, England, and Scotland.

Trantham is working with a tourism group out of Arizona to see the attractions in town. The group was waiting on a release date for Killers of the Flower Moon, and will be here for two days to see the Standing Bear PowWow and have dinner at Marland’s Grand Home with re-enactors.

What’s Happening Ponca City? video has changed up its format with quicker pace.

The website is being update to match what other tourism bureaus are doing.

The billboard on South and Waverly has been updated. First National Bank of Oklahoma is sponsoring a golf tournament with the proceeds going toward Marland’s Grand Home. This will help to preserve and restore the indoor swimming pool, and maintain upkeep for the facility. Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event.

Chamber CEO Shelley Arrott provided her Chamber update.

Arrott, Tiffanny Hermann, and Kelly Cross recently attended the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, June 21. While there, they met Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney, a key note speaker for the event and F-16 pilot. The Chamber is looking to see if they can get Lt. Colonel Rooney, also a PGA golfer, to play golf in the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic. The Chamber also spoke with Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, to plan for him to speak at a future Ponca Politics committee meeting or forum.

Tickets for Party at the Palace will be available on July 10, with the event on Friday, Aug. 18. As with 2021, the theme will be the “Bedlam Battle”, and it will be followed by the Golden Ticket Live Auction, there will also be a platinum item this year.

Business After Hours for June was hosted by the Cherokee Strip Credit Union at the Carolyn Renfro Event Center on Thursday, June 29 from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Cash mobs have been moved to Tuesdays at 11:30 am, from Thursdays. The next Cash Mob event will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 12 pm at Frocks & Fashions located at 213 E. Grand Avenue. The time for this particular Cash Mob is due to the business not opening until 12 pm.

The Chamber also has two lunch and learns scheduled at Pioneer Technology Center for July. The first will be held on Thursday, July 6 and will be over the topic of internship insights from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The second of these will be over financial health on Monday, July 24 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The cost for the lunch and learns is $10 for each, you may RSVP through the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.

Interviews are being scheduled for the 37th Leadership Ponca City class for July 10 and July 11.

Board members then shared various updates. Debbie Rue with the Ponca City Federated Music Club shared an update.

The Club held their convention this month with several other clubs from various towns such as Altus, Ada, Bartlesville, and Poteau. NOC talent participated in the concert as well.

The Hand Bell Choir are performing at the First Christian Church in the Patriotic Program at 6 pm.

Terri Sherbon with the Veterans Day Parade Committee provided an update.

The Veterans Day Parade will be in the first Saturday in November.

Jennifer Lynch with the Pioneer Woman Museum provided an update.

The museum’s annual fundraiser will be in September, with advertising set to begin after the Fourth of July.

The Pioneer Woman Museum will host a free special presentation on Saturday, July 1 at 11 am. This event will feature a presentation by Karen Smith Hunter about the history of Oklahoma’s first flag, and a history of the Betsy Ross Association.

Mayor Homer Nicholson provided an update for the City of Ponca City.

Broadband fiber to the home is completed and residents have the option to sign up for it. This is a separate utility.

Several mill and overlay projects are going on at Union and Prospect.

Ryan McIntosh with Kyler Construction provided an update.

The new athletic facility will go out to bid soon, the construction is likely to affect parking north of Sullins Stadium during football games.

Volunteer Sue Lunsforth shared some information on nonprofits.

Community Health Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships for healthcare personnel. They are also reviewing grant applications.

Marland’s Place will have a reception for their new CEO, Ginarie Harrington, on Tuesday, July 25 at the Ponca City Country Club.

Marland’s Place also has their Family Fun Day on Aug. 5 from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Brad Fox with Evans and Associates shared that the NOC Board of Regents made a decision to move boys and girls soccer to Enid. They also voted to bring men’s and women’s wrestling back to NOC in fall of 2024, provided the donations come in for it.