Oklahoma City (May 7, 2025) – Visit Oklahoma City honored Hometown Heroes on Tuesday night at an award ceremony held at Meinders Hall of Mirrors in the Civic Center Music Hall. The honorees were selected based on their passion for OKC, leadership in the industry, collaborative spirit and ambassadorship of the destination. 

"Oklahoma City is a thriving destination that welcomes more than 24 million visitors each year and we couldn’t do it without these partners going above and beyond every day to make our city shine,” said Zac Craig, President of Visit Oklahoma City.  

The Hometown Hero awards were bestowed upon 11 individuals and organizations that have exceedingly supported and promoted Oklahoma City tourism. Awards were presented to the following: 

  • Fiestas de las Américas  

  • Jake Keyes, Skydance Brewing 

  • Angela Smith, Oklahoma City Conventions Center – ASM Global 

  • Carolan Bledsoe, Patch Sewer of WCWS 

  • Curbside OKC 

  • Krystal Yoseph, Konjo Concepts 

  • Science Museum Oklahoma 

  • Coury Hospitality 

  • Aubrey McDermid, City of OKC 

  • Heritage Place 

  • Michael Byrnes 

"Visit OKC congratulates each of our honorees and we are grateful for their continued efforts in making Oklahoma City a premier destination for visitors from around the world,” said Craig. 

Visit OKC’s Hometown Heroes Awards are held during National Travel and Tourism Week which celebrates how the power of travel fuels economies and enhances quality of life across the United States.