National Travel and Tourism Week

May 15, 2024

Jennifer Thornton

Did you know tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry and provides significant economic and entertainment benefits to residents and visitors. Jennifer will promote National Travel & Tourism Week (May 19-25), an annual tradition to celebrate travel’s essential role in creating quality jobs, inspiring new businesses, and elevating our quality of life. This year’s theme is “Powering the Economy” which goes hand in hand with the June 18 Lodging Tax Vote. Edmond citizens will vote on a proposition to increase the lodging tax from 4% to 6%.

Jennifer Thornton has been the Tourism Director of Visit Edmond since July 29, 2019. She is a City of Edmond employee and long-time Edmond resident. Jennifer brings extensive marketing experience from her 30 years working in the Oklahoma City metro. Her previous jobs include Vice President of Business Development for STAPLEGUN, an advertising agency based in Oklahoma City, Director of Marketing for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and Vice President of Marketing for United Way of Central Oklahoma.

She attended Ohio University where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. She is a member of the U.S. Travel Association, President-Elect of the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association, an advisory board member for Edmond Chamber, member of Edmond Rotary and a founding board member of Midpoint Corridor Route 66.

Jennifer is proud of being past president for several organizations including Edmond Cycle 66, Inc., Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Women in Communications and Oklahoma City American Advertising Federation. Jennifer's goal is to elevate the “Edmond experience” to attract more leisure travelers, sports tournaments and business conferences to Edmond.