Pioneering the Tourism Improvement District in OK
Client: Tulsa Regional Tourism / City of Tulsa
Role: Policy and Funding Innovation Leader
Duration: Multi-year initiative, completed during 2010–2011 tenure
Overview
Tulsa’s journey to establishing the first Tourism Improvement District (TID) in Oklahoma was a multi-year effort that required strategic leadership, broad-based coalition building, and legal innovation. The goal was to create a sustainable, hotel-funded revenue stream to promote Tulsa Hotels’ marketing and increased occupancy while expanding Tulsa’s tourism economy.
Strategic Process & Stakeholder Engagement
Led over two years of engagement with stakeholders, including hoteliers, business leaders, city councilors, the mayor, state legislators, and the governor.
Partnered with lobbyists, legal counsel, and national experts such as Civitas Tourism Advisors to draft model TID legislation.
Successfully championed state-level legislation, enabling cities across Oklahoma to form TIDs for the first time.
Spearheaded Tulsa’s adoption of the first local TID, which was subsequently challenged in court and defended in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where it was upheld.
Governance & Implementation
Developed criteria for the local TID board’s structure, ensuring equal representation and stakeholder balance.
Created the legal and administrative frameworks for reporting, accountability, and compliance with state statutes.
Implemented a 30-year term TID in Tulsa, establishing an enduring funding model for tourism marketing and event development.
Public and Industry Support
“The Oklahoma Supreme Court said the City of Tulsa was legally allowed to raise the threshold and can move forward with collecting assessments.” — KTUL News.
“Tourism improvement districts are nothing new. But they are crucial and essential in winning events for cities.” — Tim Chambers, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Tulsa Regional Tourism
“The TID's 3% assessment will pay for enhanced tourism marketing and other efforts on the hotels' behalf by Tulsa Regional Tourism.” — Public Radio Tulsa
“With the pandemic and this coming into play, it’s going to really help the hoteliers in this TID and really change some of those challenges they face every day because we can drive people into their hotels through this effort.” — Ray Hoyt, President, Tulsa Regional Tourism
“The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld the provisions of the city of Tulsa’s Tourism Improvement District (TID) in a recent ruling.” — The Journal Record.
“Municipalities require flexibility regarding the number of hotel rooms included in improvement districts in order to reasonably ensure that the assessment is only enacted against the hotels or properties benefiting from it.” — Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling
Results & Legacy
As of 2024, the Tulsa TID generates approximately $3 million annually, which is directly reinvested in tourism marketing, event attraction, and hospitality development.
Set a statewide precedent, enabling other Oklahoma cities to follow suit and implement their own TIDs.
Permanently changed the funding landscape for tourism in Tulsa, ensuring a future of competitive destination marketing and economic development.