This was reported awhile back while I was gone but I think it's worthy of mentioning. It appears the director of the OKC Convention and Visitor's Bureau has resigned over the loss of the 2010 American Legion Convention. The reason we were turned down was because we didn't have enough affordable hotel rooms downtown. In other words, they were looking for more rooms like Motel 6 and Days Inn downtown. Personally, I think those cheaper motels will come on the outskirts of downtown with time. We definitely don't want them in the core of Bricktown or the CBD. I don't think this is anything to be ashamed of. We are losing a great person in Christine Wise, but I think this can all be blamed on OKC not being mature enough yet. You have to remember, OKC is still in the growing phase. We're just a baby. Not even close to being an adult yet. Give us 10 years and we'll be able to be the top choice. Personally, I think it was quite an honor to be in the top 3 for this convention. That says a lot about how far we've come as a city. Just 10 years ago we wouldn't have even been a consideration.

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The turmoil continues at the Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Visitors Bureau confirms wise no longer marketing head
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2005


The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau is confirming that Christine Wise no longer works for the organization.

Wise was previously the bureau's marketing director and was responsible for recruiting and coordinating convention business.

Earlier this month in an exclusive interview with OKCBusiness News that was shared in an executive email, Wise criticized downtown hotel rates as being the only reason Oklahoma City lost out on hosting the 2010 American Legion National Convention - the nation's seventh largest convention.

The American Legion's director for Oklahoma, David Kellerman, made the same charge.
Oklahoma City was among the Top 3 cities considered for the convention, but Milwaukee, Wis., was selected to host the event.
Following OKCBusiness News' executive email, the downtown hotels identified by Wise and Kellernan - the Renaissance Hotel, the Sheraton Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel - indicated Wise's charge was unfair and that many factors have to be considered when hotels formulate convention packages that many years out.
Jim Rickards, the general manager for the Courtyard by Marriott, told the newspaper he was "shocked" by Wise's statements, saying "we vigorously went after that business."
Wise, who had been an employee of the bureau since 1996, departed from the bureau via resignation.
Officials' only comment on the matter was to say a nationwide search to replace her was being considered.


Above taken from www.downtownguy.blogspot.com