Tulsa takes home 6 honors at Redbud Tourism Awards

Tulsa Regional Tourism had a standout night at the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s 2025 Redbud Awards, winning five honors, including the top distinction: Tourism Organization of the Year (Large Budget). The awards were presented at the annual OTIA Tourism Conference in Norman.

In total, six awards returned to Green Country, including wins for the Gathering Place, River Parks Authority, and Guthrie Green.

Tulsa named Tourism Organization of the Year

Tulsa Regional Tourism was recognized as the Tourism Organization of the Year for large-budget operations, a prestigious category that highlights organizations driving statewide impact and innovation in the tourism industry.

“I am so proud of our team,” said Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “They tackled events large and small all year long and never missed a beat, making sure the Tulsa community shined at every opportunity.”

Big Dam Party earns multiple honors

One of the night's most celebrated events was the Big Dam Party, held over Labor Day weekend in 2024. The event earned both the Outstanding Event and Best Social Media Campaign awards.

The event was a joint effort between Tulsa Regional Tourism, Gathering Place, and River Parks Authority.

“Big Dam Party was a one-of-a-kind event, and we’re deeply honored to have our team’s dedication and hard work recognized,” said Gathering Place Executive Director Julio Badin. “Its success was made possible through the incredible collaboration between Gathering Place, River Parks Authority, and Tulsa Regional Tourism.”

River Parks Authority Executive Director Jeff Edwards added, “Tulsa’s outdoor culture is one of the best in the world. Adding Zink Lake, Tulsa Wave Park and Williams Crossing to our existing assets helped take Tulsa to the next level and make it a destination for visitors from around the world.”

Other awards highlight Tulsa’s tourism efforts

Tulsa Regional Tourism also won for Best Media Coverage, specifically recognizing national attention from the Broadway cast of The Outsiders touring Tulsa.

Additionally, the organization earned a Merit Award for Outstanding Marketing Brochure (Large Budget) for its FY 2023-2024 Annual Report.

Guthrie Green also brought home an honor of its own, winning Outstanding New Event for its “Inspyral Circus Fire Show.”

A strong showing for Tulsa

“This was a landmark night for Tulsa,” Badin said. In total, Tulsa-based groups won six awards, reinforcing the city’s growing profile as a regional and national destination.