State employees go to Paris

[Townsend]

I was referring to Gaspar's comment that some contracts had already been landed.  And no, I don't think, and thought I made clear, that marketing/promotional efforts can usually be tied to success with absolute certainty.  However a lot of companies must think it works as billions of dollars are spent each year promoting products.  I have no idea if $84,000 was excessive or if Oklahoma could have gotten an equal result by only spending $42,000.  I'm all for holding the politicos accountable, but this is a rounding error in government spending that at least was trying to bring more business to our state.  I'd rather see sharper scrutiny directed at the numerous tax credits awarded ove the years that don't seem to be generating any economic benefit to Okla.

I think you read too much into my comment about the hotel rooms.

I didn't construct a booth, hang banners, or buy aero company reps dinner and drinks. 

I did stay in a hotel and I know they didn't have to spend $400 a night to be comfortable.

[dbacks fan]

Interesting special on channel 6 about this last night.  Apparently the trip has so-far returned a $1 million dollar contract to an Oklahoma City aerospace manufacturing firm, and a similar contract to a Tulsa firm called Southwest United Industries, Inc.
. . .and there are more contracts in the works.
Looks like it was a good investment.
Seems far better than when Gov. Henry went to China. 

$84k to get at least $2mil return and potentialy more? I wouldn't complain at all. You got to start somewhere.

[Townsend]

$84k to get at least $2mil return and potentialy more? I wouldn't complain at all. You got to start somewhere.

Again, those claims, are they proven?

I'm not complaining about the return.  My point was, the percentage could've been even larger if they didn't spend $21,000 a person for the trip.  I know a great hotel there.

[dbacks fan]

Again, those claims, are they proven?

I'm not complaining about the return.  My point was, the percentage could've been even larger if they didn't spend $21,000 a person for the trip.  I know a great hotel there.

True, Motel 6 is owned by French company Accor so they should have something similar there. Better yet they could have stayed at a hostel for free.

[Townsend]

True, Motel 6 is owned by French company Accor so they should have something similar there. Better yet they could have stayed at a hostel for free.

Those aren't free.  Heads up in case you go somewhere with that in mind.

[dbacks fan]

Tulsa's chamber disagrees.

"If you're going to play in this game, that's what it costs to do," Neal said.

Not only that -- Neal says the trip did pay off. One of the private companies represented in Paris was Tulsa's M&M Manufacturing.

"M&M Manufacturing has been trying to do business for a number of years with Turkish Air International, but they've been striking out," Neal said.

But they hit a home run in Paris, striking a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Turkish Air that will bring money and jobs back to Tulsa.

"On top of that, they are farming out some of the work, some of the manufacturing work to another small manufacturer here in Tulsa called Southwest United Industries."

http://www.newson6.com/story/15636256/did-oklahoma-taxpayers-get-moneys-worth-from-paris-airshow-trip

[Townsend]

Tulsa's chamber disagrees.

"If you're going to play in this game, that's what it costs to do," Neal said.

Not only that -- Neal says the trip did pay off. One of the private companies represented in Paris was Tulsa's M&M Manufacturing.

"M&M Manufacturing has been trying to do business for a number of years with Turkish Air International, but they've been striking out," Neal said.

But they hit a home run in Paris, striking a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Turkish Air that will bring money and jobs back to Tulsa.

"On top of that, they are farming out some of the work, some of the manufacturing work to another small manufacturer here in Tulsa called Southwest United Industries."

Not trying to be argumentative and kudos if they really were effective to help here in Tulsa but...The M&M link shows no Tulsa location.

http://www.mmmfg.com/Default.aspx?sPageName=about_loc

Is there a Tulsa location?

[dbacks fan]

10201 E 47th st Tulsa

[Townsend]

Anyway, it's a small story that gets some riled up and my comment was meant to be flippant as most of my comments are.

I agree with this quote from the 6 story:  

"It's absolutely imperative that anybody traveling at the expense of taxpayers be extremely prudent," he said.

If it's expensive, don't feel it's imperative to take that 4th guy because he overheard you and the other two talking about it in the elevator.

[Townsend]

10201 E 47th st Tulsa

That's Tulsa Precision.   (cups hands over mouth ) Shenanigans!  (turns head) Shenanigans!

[dbacks fan]

That's Tulsa Precision.   (cups hands over mouth ) Shenanigans!  (turns head) Shenanigans!

My bad.

http://www.mm-mfg.com/contact.html

[Townsend]

My bad.

http://www.mm-mfg.com/contact.html

Anyone working for channel 6, if you're lurking, you've got the wrong linky on your story.

You can thank dbacks for this.

[godboko71]

Considering they most likely used French print shops and laborers for the booth the costs are not out of the norm, while they most likely could have saved money using Oklahoma printers the good will effect would have been diminished. As for the $400 room, it might have been to keep travel costs down, or just to be close with potential leads.

That said since it was "successful" I hope in the future its a joint venture with costs split with the private enterprises.

[Townsend]

Fallin Departs for Air Trade-Show in United Kingdom

http://kwgs.com/post/fallin-departs-air-trade-show-united-kingdom

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin is leading a delegation of seven Oklahoma aerospace companies to the Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom.

Fallin and Science and Technology Secretary Stephen McKeever planned to depart Friday for the show, which begins Monday in Farnborough, England. Fallin spokesman Aaron Cooper says the governor will return to the United States on July 12 and then spend the rest of next week at the National Governor's Association's annual meeting in Williamsburg, Va.

Fallin has placed an emphasis on touting the state's growing aerospace industry and that Oklahoma's presence at one of the world's largest aerospace trade shows sends an important message.

McKeever was one of four state officials who attended an air show last year in Paris that cost taxpayers an estimated $84,000.

How's this sort of thing been turning out for Oklahoma?

[Conan71]

Fallin Departs for Air Trade-Show in United Kingdom

http://kwgs.com/post/fallin-departs-air-trade-show-united-kingdom

How's this sort of thing been turning out for Oklahoma?

Actually, there is a pretty strong aerospace alliance in Oklahoma which is a network of direct suppliers and support vendors.  With Tinker, Vance, Spirit, Nordam, AA, Helicomb, Walden, various simulator manufacturers, and many others I'm forgetting, aerospace is a decent segment of the Oklahoma economy.  If she's going to pitch for other manufacturers to locate here, it's worth it.  If she's simply going for tea & crumpets, probably not worth it.