DTP Launches Initiatives and Expands Staff in Advance of One-Year Anniversary
June 15, 2022 — Downtown Tulsa Partnership is celebrating the growth of the organization and new place enhancement initiatives in advance of its one-year anniversary in July.
To date, the organization has built up a team of Downtown Ambassadors who provide beautification, maintenance and hospitality services; kicked off the design work to reimagine the Center of the Universe; and initiated the “Back to Downtown” campaign to encourage the community to visit Downtown Tulsa and patronize local businesses as many continue to recover from the economic impact of the last several years. Downtown Tulsa Partnership also worked closely with the City of Tulsa and local business owners to add parklets outside bars and restaurants to expand outdoor seating options as restaurants faced limited capacity indoors with funding made possible by Tulsa County Cares. Most recently, Downtown Tulsa Partnership hired Morgan Phillips as its director of marketing & experience. In this role, Phillips will oversee all marketing and place enhancement efforts within Downtown Tulsa.
Phillips, a lifelong Tulsan with deep roots in Downtown, most recently served as senior editor & strategist for TulsaPeople Magazine, a position that cemented her love for Tulsa’s business community and the city’s diversity. She is an award-winning journalist and podcast producer, as well as an entrepreneur and published author. Phillips started her career at a local public relations and marketing agency, during which time she earned her Accreditation in Public Relations and was named Young Professional of the Year by the Tulsa Chapter of Public Relations Society of America.
“I am thrilled to welcome someone of Morgan’s talent and caliber to our growing organization,” said Brian Kurtz, president and CEO of Downtown Tulsa Partnership. “Morgan’s broad range of expertise in storytelling and showcasing what make our city and region so special during her tenure at TulsaPeople will prove to be incredibly valuable to our small businesses and world-class attractions that make Downtown so special. I look forward to working with Morgan as we continue building a dynamic management organization for Downtown Tulsa as we kick off our second year of operations.”
Sophia Ton, a 2021 graduate of Kansas State University, has also joined the organization as a community engagement and research fellow supported through Tulsa Service Year, which will fund her role at Downtown Tulsa Partnership over the next 12 months. While working with Downtown Tulsa Partnership, Ton will gain insight and champion the needs of people living, working, visiting and interacting with Downtown Tulsa.
In addition to Phillips and Ton, Downtown Tulsa Partnership is hiring a digital content & experience coordinator to tell the story of Downtown Tulsa through the design and creation of vibrant and engaging content for social media, newsletters, blogs, videos and websites. The candidate will also coordinate and support the planning and execution of place enhancement projects, events and activities that invite all Tulsans to participate and provide opportunities to share diverse cultures with one another.
As the organization looks to celebrate its first year of operations July 1, the Tulsa community can expect to “Celebrate Downtown” throughout July as Downtown Tulsa Partnership launches a new, user-friendly website to support Downtown businesses and installs branded banners throughout Downtown. Downtown Tulsa Partnership also will announce several new community engagement initiatives, including a temporary public art project.
“Downtown Tulsa is brimming with exciting and creative opportunities for engagement with Downtown businesses, employees, residents and visitors,” Phillips said. “Working with our team, I look forward to building on existing relationships and establishing new partnerships with Downtown organizations that will continue to make Downtown a stronger and more vibrant place to work, live and play.”