FAQ Testimonials Visitor Tax History Ordinance and Resolution Sample Ballot
About Visit Stillwater
On July 1, 1985, Stillwater’s destination marketing organization was created as a result of a 4% visitor tax (hotel room tax) that was passed by a vote of the citizens of Stillwater. The “Hotel Room Tax” Ordinance states the funds collected “shall be set aside and used exclusively for the purpose of encouraging, promoting, and fostering conventions, conferences, and tourism development in the City of Stillwater.” Visit Stillwater exists today for the singular purpose of operating as Stillwater’s destination marketing and management organization.
The amount of revenue generated by the visitor has grown substantially over the past thirty-six years, and so have the number of hotels and other hospitality industry partners that must be marketed and promoted to visitors. The visitor tax is not used to promote Visit Stillwater, it is utilized by Visit Stillwater to promote hundreds of Stillwater-based businesses and over two thousand events that are part of the visitor development process.
The total amount of resources that would be necessary to collectively market each of these organizations would greatly surpass the resources invested into the comprehensive marketing and sales plan of Visit Stillwater on behalf of the City of Stillwater for our local business partners.
Community visionaries put in motion the evolution of a dynamic and progressive destination marketing organization. Stillwater leaders saw a need, passed a funding source, created the organization, elected an oversight board, and our community has benefited as a result.
Board of Directors - Officers
Chairman: Chris Norris - Owner, CJN Properties, LLC
Vice Chair: Blaire Atkinson - President, OSU Foundation
Treasurer: Chad Weiberg - Director, OSU Athletics Department
Secretary: Ival Gregory - Director Emeritus OSU Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
Directors
Colin Campbell - Director, Payne County Expo Center
Jan Harris - Retired Stillwater Hotelier
Biff Horrocks - Owner, McDonald’s
Dustin MacDonald - Owner, Chris’ University Spirit
Tommy Shreffler - Director of Operations, OnCue Marketing
Jill vanEgmond - Executive Director, Lake McMurtry Friends, Inc.
Cory Williams - Look Properties / Attorney
CPA: Mark Gunkel, CPA PC
Visit Stillwater Employees
Cristy Morrison, President & CEO
- Over 26 years of experience marketing and promoting the Stillwater area
- Currently serves on the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors
- 2018 Red Bud Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Nicole Horn, Director of Sales
- From Independence, Iowa
- Attended Iowa State University – earned a bachelor degree in Liberal & Entrepreneurial Studies
- Began as a team member for Visit Stillwater in April of 2015
Avery Kinzie, Director of Marketing
- From Stillwater, Oklahoma
- Attended OSU – earned a degree in Agricultural Communication with a minor in Spanish
- Began as a team member for Visit Stillwater in June 2021
Visit Stillwater Awards
(for the past 5 years)
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department & Oklahoma Travel Industry Association
Governor’s Conference on Tourism Red Bud Awards: (2020 awards given in each category – Red Bud & Merit Award)
2021
Tourism Organization of the Year – Large Budget Organization
Best Website – Large Budget Category
Best Overall Marketing Campaign – Merit Award - Large Budget Organization
Best Pandemic Related Campaign – Merit Award
2020
4x Convention South Readers’ Choice Award
(Conference and Red Bud Awards canceled)
2019
Red Bud Award – Outstanding Attraction – Tumbleweed Dance Hall & Concert Arena
Red Bud – Merit Award – Best Overall Marketing Campaign
2018
Red Bud Award – Outstanding New Event – Winter Wonderland
Red Bud Award- Best Partnership – Influencer Campaign with Visit OKC and Visit Norman
Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award – Cristy Morrison for life’s work educating and promoting tourism in Oklahoma
2017
Red Bud Award – Best Overall Marketing Campaign
Red Bud Award – Best Website
