The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, along with 64 members and community leaders, visited Tampa August 24-25 for its 16th InterCity Visit. This annual benchmarking trip, a tradition since 2005, serves as a crucial fact-finding mission to uncover best practices that can be implemented here in Oklahoma City. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tampa and Oklahoma City were following similar growth trajectories. However, the rise of remote work during the pandemic led to a significant population increase in Tampa, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the region. “The opportunity to dive into another community and glean lessons from their successes and setbacks is invaluable,” said Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Chamber. “We appreciate the engagement of our leaders and partners as we evaluate the progress of Oklahoma City and strategically identify actions to advance our trajectory.” One key highlight of the trip was the transformation of downtown Tampa. Attendees were impressed with the developments revitalizing the area and the city’s efforts to enhance the riverwalk and provide amenities such as grocery stores for downtown residents. Tampa’s innovative homeless outreach initiatives left a lasting impression, offering potential strategies for Oklahoma City to better serve its vulnerable population. During discussions with former mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg, participants explored ways to position Oklahoma City for even greater success. They emphasized the unique qualities that make each community special and stressed the importance of OPPORTUNITIES FOR OKLAHOMA CITY UNCOVERED IN BENCHMARKING TRIP TO TAMPA
strategic growth to maintain quality of life. While Oklahoma City is becoming an increasingly dynamic and attractive destination, attendees agreed on the need for careful planning. The second day of the trip featured a packed schedule focused on Tampa’s startup ecosystem, entrepreneurship programs, upskilling initiatives, the Chamber’s minority business accelerator and the innovation and life science sector. The collaboration within Tampa’s health care sector and reinvestment in research particularly stood out, providing inspiration and potential ideas for Oklahoma City’s future development.
One crucial takeaway was the appreciation for the collaborative spirit in Oklahoma City, as attendees reflected on the challenges faced by the Tampa region in advancing transportation initiatives. This spurred discussions on how to maintain progress and avoid complacency in our own community. With a whirlwind of 13 sessions in less than 36 hours, participants returned home brimming with ideas, hope and encouragement for the present and future of Oklahoma City. The InterCity Visit to Tampa provided valuable insights and inspiration that will undoubtedly shape the city’s path forward. Attendees of the recent Tampa InterCity Visit look on as OKC Mayor David Holt and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor discuss how the two cities align and the challenges each are working to improve.
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