Tulsa Regional Tourism earns national award nomination, showcases entertainment growth

Tulsa is gaining national attention for its tourism efforts, with award nominations, major music events, and TV productions highlighting the city's growing cultural impact.

Wednesday, July 30th 2025, 10:21 am

By: Brooke Cox

TULSA, Okla. -

Tulsa Regional Tourism is gaining national attention for its efforts to elevate the city’s profile, most notably through its “Big Dam Party” celebrating the debut of Zink Lake. That event has earned a nomination for a U.S. Travel Association Destiny Award, which honors outstanding tourism campaigns across the country.

“We worked really hard on this,” said Meg Gould with Tulsa Regional Tourism. “It’s something that Tulsa has been trying to get to for a really long time, so it’s very special that we’re being awarded for it.”

Tulsa is competing against cities like Savannah, Georgia, and Port Aransas, Texas, with the award winner set to be announced on August 18 in Phoenix. The nomination alone, Gould said, shows Tulsa is “already awarded” because people are paying attention to the city’s growth.

Music and Culture Center Stage

July marks Tulsa Music Month, and the city is celebrating its rich cultural scene with a variety of events. A standout is the upcoming premiere of The Outsiders musical tour, which will launch in Tulsa this October.

The show is based on the classic novel and film, both tied closely to Oklahoma. The cast met for the first time in Tulsa, where they visited landmarks like the Outsiders House Museum and The Gathering Place.

In addition, a recent local event known as the “Swim Meet” brought six bands together for a recorded live show that will soon be released on vinyl, alongside a documentary.

Film Industry Keeps Cameras Rolling

Tulsa continues to draw attention from the film and television world. FX’s The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke, is back in town for pickup shots and reshoots ahead of its September 23 premiere.

The production has helped spotlight Tulsa’s potential as a filming location, and fans are hopeful for news of a second season this fall.

Another major project, The Road, is set to premiere on CBS in October. Portions of the series were filmed at Tulsa landmarks, including the historic Cain’s Ballroom, offering viewers a fresh look at the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

What’s Next for Tulsa?

Tulsa Regional Tourism plans to reveal more surprises tied to its cultural and tourism strategies in the coming weeks. While specifics are still under wraps, Gould hinted at one “big thing” coming soon.