About
Mission Statement
The mission of the El Reno Chamber of Commerce is to be the catalyst for business and community growth, increase the aesthetic values of the community and endeavor to create a more enlightened business and public opinion regarding legislative affairs.
Awards
Teacher of the Year Laurie Morris Lincoln Elementary School El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Firefighter of the Year Derald “Mike” Miller City of El Reno El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Police Officer of the Year Bobby Owens City of El Reno El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
EMS Employee of the Year Terri Bomhak, EMT-P Parkview Hospital City of El Reno El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
City Public Official of the Year Debbie Harrison City of El Reno El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
City Employee of the Year Gerald Lee Mason City of El Reno El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
State Public Official of the Year Representative James Covey Oklahoma State Capitol El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Community Volunteer of the Year Donna Von Tungeln El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Citizen of the Year Dr. Larry Devane Redlands Community College El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Organization of the Year Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Volunteer Charitable Mobile Meal Organization of the Year El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Business of the Year McDonald’s El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Roy Stevenson Meritorious Bill Hulsey Service Award El Reno Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet June 15, 2006
Partners
El Reno Convention and Visitors Bureau Established September, 1999
“A tourist is someone who travels to a community from another location and does not plan to stay permanently. A tourist may be on vacation, on business, visiting friends or relatives, attending or participating in a special event, or passing through en route to another location.”
The El Reno Tourism and Economic Development Committee has worked diligently for over five years promoting and developing the community as a tourist destination. Many things have been accomplished. Just to name a few, the “El Reno Convention and Visitors Bureau” was established, tourist signs have been installed on I-40, beautiful full-color brochures have been created, many new and established events have received additional funding for marketing, a $16,000 marketing campaign is carried out annually, and the website receives approximately 80,000 hits per month.
Some of the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s responsibilities include providing training programs to tourist service employees; monitoring visitor origin and purpose of their visit; fostering tour profile business; maintaining a travel industry network and staying informed of travel industry developments. In addition, personnel attend key travel shows, providing exposure for the community that generates direct leads for motor coach tours. Personnel are also responsible for the placement of advertisements in key tourism publications, group tour planning and management, maintaining the community calendar and updating the website.
“Outstanding hotels, bed and breakfasts, unique shopping and dining, historic sites, recreational activities and a host of special events all contribute to the overall experience that is EL RENO.”
For more information contact: El Reno Convention and Visitor’s Bureau 206 North Bickford El Reno, OK 73036 Phone: (405) 262-8687 Toll Free: (888) 535-7366 Fax: (405) 262-8688 Email: info@elreno.org Website: www.elreno.org
EL RENO MAIN STREET PROGRAM Established March, 1988
The El Reno Main Street Program is part of a coast-to coast movement led by the National Main Street Center that involves more than 1,600 communities across the country. Together, these programs have produced an investment in these districts of more than $10 billion and spurred the rehabilitation of countless historic structures, while providing space for new businesses and creating new jobs for local citizens.
El Reno was accepted into the Oklahoma Main Street Program in March of 1988. Hundreds of volunteer hours went into completing a very stringent, and extremely competitive, application process. There are currently 43 Main Street communities in Oklahoma and many other hopeful applicants. A contract with the State is signed annually to maintain our designation.
The program is locally governed by a Board of Directors who are selected annually by the voting membership. Funding comes from membership investments from local businesses, professionals, property owners, concerned citizens and the City of El Reno. The Board determines the direction of the program and realizes the importance of working hand in hand and communicating with all other organization in the community. The Program Director is Codie Lee-Finnigan.
A community’s central business district often accounts for as much as 30 percent of the town’s jobs and 40 percent of its tax base. Main Street is more than an economic asset, it is also a community’s crossroad, a place in our hearts and minds that evoke strong emotions and helps define our identity.
Many approaches to downtown revitalization, from urban renewal to paint-up, fix-up projects, have failed because they focused on just one or two problems rather than dealing with the full spectrum of interrelated issues that affect traditional commercial districts.
The Main Street program offers a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization that has been successful in more than a thousand towns and cities throughout the country.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Main Street Program is to improve the quality of life by strengthening the downtown as the center of the community through concentrated effort in Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring. This four-point approach is as follows:
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Organization means getting everyone working toward the same goal. The tough work of building consensus and cooperation among the groups that have an important stake in the district can be eased by using the common-sense formula of a volunteer-driven program and an organizational structure of board and committees.
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Promotion means selling the image and promise of Main Street to all prospects. By marketing the district’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, and visitors, an effective promotion strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers.
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Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets-such as historic buildings and traditional downtown layout-is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere created through window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping conveys a visual message about what Main Street is and what it has to offer.
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Economic Restructuring means finding a new purpose for Main Street’s enterprises. By helping existing downtown businesses expand and recruiting new ones to respond to today’s market, Main Street programs help convert unused space into productive property and sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises.
The Main Street Program has proven to be very successful. The single most important factor attributable to that success is the hundreds of volunteers who have given thousands of hours to the revitalization of downtown. The men, women, children and businesses who have given their time, energy, enthusiasm, creativity and financial support show true commitment to this community. They are sincerely appreciated and are to be commended for their dedication.
Many other exciting things are happening, or have happened, downtown. Any suggestions, concerns, or comments on how to improve the program are welcomed. Feel free to come by or call the Main Street office at any time.
BE A PART OF THE HEART OF EL RENO!
El Reno Main Street
Director: Mrs. Codie Lee-Finnigan
206 North Bickford
El Reno, OK 73036
Phone: 405-262-8888
Fax: 405-262-8688
Email: mainstreet@elreno.org
Website: www.elreno.org
