More conventions in smaller cities (Tulsa)

[swake]

The convention industry has rebounded and more and more conventions are looking to smaller cities to save money for attendees for food and lodging according to this article in USA Today. Tulsa is mentioned as one of the cities with the largest number of inquires about convention space. That is really good news.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2006-03-27-conventions-smaller-cities_x.htm

More and more Vision2025 is looking very good. The arena and other projects downtown have brought in Kanbar and interest from hotel companies. Housing downtown is really set to boom and most of our "at risk" older buildings are now getting redone. Colleges are taking off here, in no small part to 2025. Now word that conventions are coming back and Tulsa, even before the center is done and the arena finished, is getting back on the map. The rising price of oil is making people want to seek other forms of transportation like bike trails. The ongoing improvements at EXPO Square are getting us more and more shows that bring dollars into the city. Downtown areas across metro Tulsa are getting the best makeover they have had in years making them more competitive with the soulless big box centers. Tulsa's economy is getting back on it's feet and the metro is growing at a healthy pace again. LaFortune is a poor administrator for the city and is really bad about getting the right people around him to run the city, he in no way deserves reelection, but he seemingly did do a good job on the mix of projects for 2025.