Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau

Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, November 19, 2025 424 W. Main St., Commerce building Attendance (A) Kyle Allison, Allison Fun Inc., Chair (P) Brady T. Sexton, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails, Treasurer (P) Cameron Brewer, The Standard, Past Chair (P) Scott Kovalick, Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center (A) Amanda Prince, Young Family Athletic Center (P) Gary Armstrong, University of Oklahoma facilities (A) James Howard, Baked Bear (A) Trey Bates, HeyDay Entertainment Center (P) Caitlin Fournier, OU Athletics Community Relations (A) Steve Gillis, Norman Youth Soccer Association (A) Paul Ziert, Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy (A) Dennis Brigham, Norman Arts Council designee (A) Stacey Reynolds, University of Oklahoma designee (A) Dr. Vytas Ringus, Norman physician (P) Jeff Stewart, O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grille (P) Justin George, NOUN Hotel (A) Justin Yahola, Riverwind Casino (A) Shelley Cox, Cayman’s (P) Josh Hinkel, City Council designee, ex-officio (P) Brenda Hall, City of Norman, ex-officio (A) Scott Martin, Chamber of Commerce, ex-officio (P) Kenny Adams, Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition, ex-officio (A) Jason Olsen, City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department, ex-officio Meeting Minutes The meeting began at 11:41 a.m. Brenda Hall announced her retirement effective in January and introduced Jamie Meyer as the interim city clerk. Brady provided a financial update, noting a loss of $6,000 for October and a positive year-to-date profit of $17,500. Financial highlights included a $10,000 fixed asset for Title work and a $1,000 prepaid expense for Norman Sports Properties. Colton Steele Presentation on Ticket Sales and Services Colton Steele, the interim director of ticket sales and services at the athletic ticket office, presented ticket opportunities to the board. He discussed various ticket options for guests, conventions, and conferences, including discounted tickets for group outings. Discussion on Storage Space and Property Acquisition Dan Schemm discussed the need for additional storage space as VisitNorman and Norman Sports continued to expand with the criterium bike race and half marathon. The board approved exploring the purchase of the building at 317 West Gray Street, with a closing date set for December 19. Schemm outlined the costs associated with white-boxing the building, including demolition and HVAC work. Brewer and Schemm discussed the potential for leasing the space and the need for property management. Equestrian Update and Economic Impact Schemm provided an update on the equestrian project, noting the need for 800 stalls with RV parking for 200. The Moore family decided to develop a riverfront park instead, which prompted a search for alternative locations. Schemm discussed the potential economic impact of the equestrian project, including sales tax revenue and job creation. The board considered several funding options, including a Norman Forward package and the possibility of a private entity backstopping the project. Mountain Bike Trails Construction Update Schemm announced that construction on the mountain bike trails had begun, with completion expected by spring. The trail system was reduced from 28 miles to 15 miles but was planned to include more advanced features. Kenny Adams served as the project manager, and the team worked with Cleveland County’s grant writer to secure additional funding. The project aimed to enhance the riding experience and attract more visitors to the area. Sports Hall of Fame and Community Events Schemm provided an update on the Sports Hall of Fame, including details from the first committee meeting and opportunities for board members to serve. He also noted the need to review the audit and distribute financials and meeting minutes for a vote, as there were not enough board members present to create a motion. Hotel Occupancy and Economic Trends Schemm presented fiscal year-to-date occupancy and revenue data for hotels and short-term vacation rentals. He discussed the impact of a bifurcated economy on hotel performance, noting that higher-end hotels continued to perform well. Schemm highlighted the need for additional higher-end hotel inventory to meet demand, particularly during events such as Parents Weekend and the MAAC basketball tournament. The team discussed the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the entertainment district and arena on future hotel development. VisitNorman and Norman Sports Team Updates Trent Brown provided an update on the Norman Sports Commission, including the receipt of its 501(c)(3) designation. The team continued to explore grant opportunities and had several site visits scheduled with event owners and organizers. The half marathon and 5K courses were finalized, with the start and finish line remaining in the same location as the previous year. The VisitNorman marketing team provided updates on current collaborations, including a ghost tour video with the OU softball team and content from Brewtoberfest and the Sam Noble Museum. Schemm discussed the recent website update and the team’s efforts to ensure all links and content were accurate. October metrics reflected a 21% increase in website traffic and email opens, a 21% increase in social reach and views, and an 11% increase in paid media impressions compared to the previous month. The meeting concluded at 12:59 p.m.