Woodward, Okla. — By Gary Goetzinger

Tourism isn’t new to Woodward.  We’ve had the Elks Rodeo for 80 years and the 101 Classic Bowl and WestFest and many other events that bring guests, tourists, visitors, and audiences to Woodward.  So what is new and different when we talk about the Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau?  This branch department of the City of Woodward is now two years old…so what?  What do they do?  How does it make a difference to the people and businesses of Woodward?  Why was it important to make it a separate entity?  Who is providing oversight for this new department?  How do we know we are getting our money’s worth?

I am going to address these issues over the next several articles in the Woodward News.  I welcome your questions, comments, suggestions and observations…but be prepared, because they will be addressed.

In this article we are going to discuss, “What is the Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau (TCB)?”  The Bureau was created as a branch of the city government of Woodward.  Its commission is to bring guests, tourists, visitors, events, and conventions to Woodward.  The funding for this department comes from the hotel – motel tax levied on those guests, tourists and visitors to Woodward who stay in one of our 763 guest rooms.  So it is not a tax on the citizens of Woodward, but rather on those who visit and stay in our hospitality rooms.  

The TCB is under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Tourism and Conventions, James Curtiss.  He has an Assistant Director of Tourism and Public Relations, Debbie Hickman.  Jim reports to the City Manager, Alan Riffel, for his marching orders.  In addition, he has responsibility to the Assistant City Manager and CFO, Doug Haines.  The Executive Director also reports to a Tourism Board consisting of Gary Goetzinger, Chairman and members Kris Day, Cowboy Tack Shop; Helen Mossman, author; Bob Jones, United Food Markets; Cathleen Covington, Covington’s Cycle City; and ex-officio members, Alan Riffel, and Doug Haines.  

Also, it is incumbent on the executive director to report to the city commission, with an annual report on the activity and benefits of the TCB to the City of Woodward.  

There are basically nine markets that the TCB helps develop.  These include; rodeos (NWOJR, Elks Rodeo, Oklahoma State Jr High School Rodeo Association, Oklahoma State High School Rodeo Association, and Championship Bull Riding); birding (North American Falconers Association, Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival) Hunting; sports (Travelers Baseball); hobbies (Northwest Oklahoma Radio Controlled Aircraft Association); bicycling and Bikers(Windy 100 Bicycle Race); events and concerts (Mayors Blues in the Park Concert, 101 Classic Bowl, Country Christmas Concert, Monster Truck, Demolition Derby, 145th Army Band, Annual His and Hers Golf Tournament, 4th of July Celebration, Miss Northwest Passage Pageant and the District Livestock Show); association meetings and seminars (RC&D Think Tank, Oklahoma State Horseshoe Pitching Association, Friends International Tours, Santa Fe Symposium, Northwest Oklahoma Show Pig Circuit Meet, Oklahoma Academic Competition Association, Ask an Archeologist, Oklahoma Tourism Rolling Workshop, Okie Kountry Klub RV Association); family reunions and tour bus operations.  Tourism is working in these areas to bring more conventions and events to Woodward.

This is the first article about Woodward tourism.  Additional articles and information will follow.



Gary Goetzinger is chair of Woodward’s Tourism and Convention board.