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Visit OKC reports FY25 growth, previews FY26 marketing push and major bookings
Summary
Zach Craig, president and CEO of Visit OKC, told the council that overnight stays and conventions rose in fiscal 2025 and previewed major bookings and new marketing tactics for fiscal 2026, including a 2027 Mary Kay seminar expected to generate 16,000 room nights and a partnership on an Amazon Prime series.
Zach Craig, president and CEO of Visit OKC, told the Oklahoma City Council that overnight stays and convention and sports bookings climbed in fiscal year 2025 and said the organization is expanding its marketing strategy for fiscal 2026.
Craig said the fiscal year ended June 30 and called the city’s five‑year visitation trend “an incredible trajectory.” He highlighted earned and paid media, expanded social content and destination sales that he said are driving more overnight stays and visits from new audiences. “It’s been an incredible trajectory over the past 5 years for [the] visitation economy,” Craig said.
The report to the council summarized Visit OKC’s work on earned media placements and digital advertising, and named several tactics the organization plans for FY26. Craig identified a major booking in 2027 — a Mary Kay seminar responsible for 16,000 room nights — and cited sports tourism (gymnastics, wrestling, softball) and events at the new OG&E Coliseum as continuing revenue drivers. He said the Appaloosa Horse Club has voted to move its headquarters to Oklahoma City following recent arena investments.
On marketing tactics for FY26, Craig described layered outreach around large events — geofencing around stadiums, targeted digital ads, and a pilot with an advertising vendor to wrap rideshare vehicles with OKC signage that includes an in‑car QR code offering prize stays. He also said Visit OKC partnered with an Amazon Prime series, Story of Art in America, for season five to highlight Route 66 communities and local artists; Craig named several local creatives the series will feature.
City Manager Freeman introduced the presentation and several council members commended Visit OKC’s results and staff work after the report.
The presentation was informational; the council did not take formal action on Visit OKC’s report during the meeting. Craig paused for questions after his remarks.
