Expanding Tourism Knowledge: Altus Chamber of Commerce Attends Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference in Perry, OK

On August 20th, 2024, Jenny Graves and Laura Oldfather from the Altus Chamber of Commerce attended the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference in Perry, Oklahoma, a full-day event that focused on promoting and enhancing tourism efforts in rural Oklahoma. The conference served as a valuable learning experience, enabling them to bring new ideas and strategies back to the Altus community.

Expanding Knowledge for Altus Tourism

Tourism plays a critical role in the local economy, and the team at the Altus Chamber of Commerce is committed to exploring ways to expand and improve tourism efforts. As the 3rd leading industry in Oklahoma—behind agriculture and oil & gas—tourism offers vast opportunities for community growth and engagement. By attending the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference, Jenny and Laura demonstrated their dedication to enriching Altus by gathering new insights on how rural areas can successfully attract visitors.

Key Highlights of the Event

The agenda was packed with educational presentations and networking opportunities that focused on various aspects of rural tourism, including:

Keeping Rural Oklahoma Beautiful with Evelyn Schaefer, which highlighted strategies to maintain the beauty and appeal of rural communities to enhance tourism.
Agritourism as a Growing Industry by Madison Franklin & Whitney Wilkinson, showcasing how agritourism is rapidly expanding and can be a key asset to rural economies.
An engaging session by KFOR’s Galen Culver, titled "Is This a Great State or What?", where he shared captivating stories from around Oklahoma that emphasized the state’s charm and potential.
Developing Sustainable Tourism by Stacy Tomas, focusing on building long-term tourism strategies that benefit the community and environment.

Throughout the day, Jenny and Laura gained hands-on insights and tools to help Altus further capitalize on its tourism potential. They learned about practical methods for organizing events, using QR codes to enhance visitor experiences, and even heard from experts about planning successful events, which is key for promoting tourism-driven activities in the community.

Growing Altus as a Tourist Destination

As Altus continues to grow and evolve, expanding tourism efforts is a key focus for the Chamber of Commerce. By attending events like the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference, Jenny and Laura are working hard to ensure that Altus remains a vibrant and attractive destination for visitors. They are actively seeking ideas for new events and festivals that will help draw in more tourists and promote the rich culture and experiences that Altus has to offer.

The Chamber of Commerce is now asking the community: What ideas do YOU have for fun events and festivals to promote tourism in Altus? Whether it's highlighting our agricultural roots, creating family-friendly activities, or showcasing the unique culture of our town, there's so much potential to grow and thrive through tourism.

A Bright Future for Tourism in Altus

The knowledge and ideas gained at the Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference will undoubtedly inspire future projects and events in Altus. With the Altus Chamber of Commerce committed to expanding educational opportunities and staying at the forefront of tourism trends, there’s a bright future ahead for the community.

If you have ideas for how Altus can further promote tourism or if you want to get involved in local efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Altus Chamber of Commerce. Together, we can create a thriving tourist destination right here in southwest Oklahoma!