Articles by Jennifer Thornton
About Jennifer Thornton
Jennifer Thornton has been Tourism Director of Visit Edmond since 2019 and is a long-time Edmond resident. With 30 years of marketing experience, she has held leadership roles at STAPLEGUN, the OKC Chamber, and United Way of Central Oklahoma. An Ohio University graduate, she is active in organizations like U.S. Travel Association, Oklahoma Travel Industry Association, and Edmond Rotary. Jennifer’s goal is to enhance the “Edmond experience,” attracting leisure travelers, sports tournaments, and conferences. Her dedication to service is evident through her involvement in Impact Oklahoma and United Way Leadership Society, among other leadership roles.
This holiday season multiple cities are uniting to welcome Route 66 travelers! Edmond has 13.4 miles along Route 66 and the Mother Road is getting more and more popular as Route 66 Centennial in 2026 draws near. As part of Route 66 Midpoint Corridor, 11 cities from Edmond to Sapulpa are partnering to promote “The Best 100 Miles of Route 66.”
Read More
The Lazy E Arena has brought spectators from around the world and has served the Edmond community since 1984. Edmond City Council recently passed a one-time budget allocation to attract future events and secure the arena’s spot as the number one destination for national youth rodeos, bringing even more significant financial boosts and support for the local economy.
Read More
As Edmond’s VIBES returned in April for a second season, 43 businesses, 44 visual artists and 10 performing artists entertained guests along 15 downtown blocks. These continually growing numbers are a demonstration of the community partnerships and participation that make VIBES special.
Read More
Edmond’s tiara of burgeoning creativity just got another diamond. Visitors notice public art every day, from murals and sculptures to light shows and interactive pieces. Families attend street festivals like VIBES, Heard on Hurd and Edmond Arts Festival. But did you know Edmond also hosts its own film festival? Simply Indie Film Fest will return to Edmond this month with more than 70 films for viewing from Thursday, February 24 through Saturday, February 26.
Read More
Have you noticed more cameras around Edmond lately? Not the latest iPhone or digital camera, but the “lights, camera, action” type of camera. Well, keep an eye out because Edmond has recently been proclaimed an “Oklahoma film-friendly community.”
Read More
One of the best ways for Edmond to thrive is to attract more visitors. That’s easy for a tourism director to say, right? Read a bit further and you will agree. Visitors complete an economic impact circle: supporting local businesses at a street festival, sports tournament, or conference, stay the night, and then return home. Let’s focus on the stay part of this circle.
Read More
Arcadia Lake is an Edmond gem along historic Route 66 and even benefits businesses in Edmond and our local economy. Did you know that the City of Edmond contracted with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to construct Arcadia Lake in 1987?
Read More
Edmond was the place to be on June 29th! Tourism leaders from across Oklahoma gathered at The Edmond Conference Center for the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s annual RedBud Awards. Edmond Electric stepped up to be the title sponsor, which helped showcase Edmond to new leaders.
Read More
In 2019, President of Poligram Mike Osburn consulted with Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell about a dream. “I envisioned an Edmond motorcycle tour, but Matt quickly changed my dream to a bicycle ride to enhance healthy lifestyles and Edmond’s presence on Route 66,” Osburn said. Hence, Edmond Cycle 66, powered by OU Health, was officially born.…
Read More
What better way to welcome spring to Downtown Edmond than with a new open-air street festival? This innovative event will cultivate a diverse art scene while supporting local businesses. VIBES puts a new spin on the traditional “art walk,” and businesses play a crucial role. It will span fifteen blocks in Downtown Edmond from 5:00…
Read MoreSubscribe to Email Updates
Subscribe
Get Edmond Business news in your inbox.