ExploreArdmore.com; @ArdmoreCVB
Positioned between Oklahoma City and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Ardmore is an easily accessible mid-point destination for regional meetings, conferences, and retreats, according to Bill Murphy, president/CEO of Ardmore Tourism Authority. “What makes Ardmore truly memorable is the welcoming character and warmth of our community,” he says. “In addition, our beautifully preserved Main Street, with many early 20th-century buildings with original architectural details, is home to local shops, restaurants, public art, and community events; downtown’s Depot Park is where you will find outdoor concerts, pop-up markets, and seasonal celebrations; and nearby Lake Murray is one of Oklahoma’s most popular outdoor destinations.”
Ardmore Convention Center has 55,000 square feet of function space, with 13 meeting rooms and a 25,272-square-foot exhibit hall, which can accommodate 170 exhibitors or seat 1,800 banquet guests. The attached Holiday Inn Ardmore I-35 has 127 guest rooms and 1,500 square feet of event space. The recently opened Murray Event Center, run by Murray State College, has indoor and outdoor space to host 320 event guests. There are 820 guest rooms in the immediate Ardmore area. Lake Murray State Park features a 32-room lodge with eight meeting rooms and a 4,168-square-foot reception hall, which can seat 360 for banquets. The park has hiking trails, riding stables, a marina, boat rentals, and a golf course.
South of Ardmore in Thackerville, WinStar World Casino and Resort offers nearly 1,700 guest rooms in four hotel towers and features a 65,000-square-foot convention center with two ballrooms, three boardrooms, and other customizable event space to accommodate up to 2,000 event guests. WinStar World Casino boasts the world’s largest collection of electronic and table games, plus poker tournaments, live entertainment, and championship golf courses. East of Ardmore in Durant, the AAA Four Diamond Choctaw Casino & Resort offers more than 1,600 guest rooms in three towers and features more than 100,000 square feet of event space, including a 57,398-square-foot event center, a 3,000-seat theater, 16 meeting rooms, and a 14,000-square-foot ballroom. The resort also includes 20 restaurants, six movie theaters, and live entertainment.
