Broken Arrow Visit Board Meeting - July 15, 2026
Broken Arrow Visit Board Meeting - July 15, 2026
The Broken Arrow Visit Board met on July 15, 2026, to consider and approve several rebate requests for events and film productions, receive the tourism director's report, and address board member comments. All action items were approved unanimously unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (June 9, 2026): Approved unanimously.
- Senior Softball USA Oklahoma Championship Rebate ($3,500): Approved unanimously. The event hosted 32 teams (15 players each), estimated 640 attendees (players, spouses, umpires, staff), generated over 250 hotel nights in the Tulsa Metro (not all in Broken Arrow). The rebate was less than the standard qualification; the organizer was informed of updated room night thresholds for future years.
- 2026 Tuesdays in the Park Sponsorship ($5,000): Approved with one abstention. The series had four events (combined actual attendance 4,170; expected was 6,300). The fourth event was canceled due to weather; the city sponsored a fifth concert for the 250th anniversary. The event featured themed weeks, local sponsors, and a VIP area. The organizer noted the event continues to grow and remains free.
Discussion Items
- Film Incentive Rebate ($18,186.44): Approved for a feature film with a $1.7 million budget. The production had 10 shooting days in Broken Arrow, hired 30 local residents, and generated $92,704 in qualified local spend and 214 hotel room nights. The filmmaker presented behind-the-scenes photos and expressed interest in the upcoming Broken Arrow film festival.
- Film Incentive Rebate for "A Body in the Woods" ($55,000): Approved. This supernatural horror thriller (budget ~$500,000) will shoot September 14–October 9, 2026, with 20 shooting days, an estimated 300 room nights, and 10–20 Broken Arrow hires. The filmmaker plans to use local lumber yards for a cabin set and a production office in Broken Arrow. Distribution is secured.
- Film Incentive Rebate for "Mazel Tough" ($35,500): Approved. This romantic comedy (budget smaller) will shoot 15 days, employing 10–15 local residents, with $365 local spend and 200 room nights. Shooting will immediately follow the previous film. The filmmaker noted pre-scouting locations in Broken Arrow and hopes to hire local crew.
Tourism Director Report
- May occupancy rate reached 64.7% (highest seen), with increased average daily rate and RevPAR, driven by a confluence of events (Rooster Days, basketball tournament, motorcycle rally, baseball, softball, soccer).
- Regent Bank Amphitheater naming announced.
- Sparkloft marketing company contract pending approval at city council.
- Christian Interpreters Conference held (400+ bags distributed).
- Ongoing conferences: Association Professionals of Oklahoma sponsored, Destinations International in Portland, Esto in Philadelphia (director to be a panelist).
- Oklahoma Municipal League and National League of Cities hosted without requesting funds, using sponsor support.
Board Member Comments
- Praise for the New Orleans Square event; attendance numbers were not yet available.
- Request for attendance numbers from the Easter days event.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items and film incentives approved as presented.
- Minutes from June 9, 2026, approved.
- Senior Softball USA Oklahoma Championship rebate ($3,500) approved.
- Tuesdays in the Park sponsorship ($5,000) approved.
- Three film incentive rebates approved ($18,186.44; $55,000; $35,500).
Meeting Transcript
Alright, call the order. Visit Broken Arrow Tuesday July 14th. Dean? Here. Tommy Artie? Here. Booy. Four? Here? Muscra? Here. WAP? Here. Schneider? Here. Swap. Here. All right. We have presentations. Or we just. They're down in general business. Okay. Action item 4A. Consideration, discussion of possible approval of meeting minutes from June 9th. Make a motion to approve them minutes from June 9th. Second. Yes. Yarnie? Yes. Four? Yes. Muskrat? Yes. Yes. Schneider. Yes. Swatson. Yes. All right. Action item B consideration discussion of possible approval for senior softball USA Oklahoma Championship rebate request for 3500. Okay, so Donna came and asked for a pre-approval for a senior softball tournament. They've been coming and doing this several years, a lot of years. They held it June 11th through 14th. They hosted 32 teams that had 15 players each. Attendance was roughly 640 that included players, spouses, umpire staff, and generated over 250 uh hotel nights and at least 440 total nights in the Tulsa Metro. So we had a lot of room nights that weren't in Broken Arrow. Um and then $3,500 reflects less than what they technically qualify for, but that's what they asked for. So Donna is on. Donna, I'll let you kind of tell us about how the event went. I think we oh there we go.
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