This annual Fall event is the largest trade show in the state of Oklahoma and the most important event for foodservice, hospitality, and tourism industry professionals, featuring hundreds of exhibits, an opening night party, the ever-popular ORA Culinary Cook-off, the exciting ORA Cocktail Shakedown and over 6,000 industry attendees.

New data shows that inbound international travel grew 5.2 percent in May, marking the 13th straight month of positive year-over-year growth.

The 2017 "The Power of Travel Promotion" study is helpful in supporting funding for your state tourism division. Page ten shows the positive economic impact of tourism. And, a strong theme of the guide is stated on page 31 - “Destinations that fail to invest consistently in travel promotion will see visitors – and jobs and tax revenues – go elsewhere."

Halfway through the second quarter of the year, uncertainty is on the upswing. The timeliness of overhauls related to healthcare as well as the tax system have become questionable. As a result, consumer confidence and business confidence, while up smartly over the past six months, appear to be in “evaluation mode” as Washington adjusts to the new administration and the controversies that have developed. However, the fundamentals related to the economy are sound. The labor market is healthy; wages are growing and even accelerating. The dollar has moderated slightly since the new year while inflation remains moderate.