Arvest secures naming rights to Tulsa convention center
by January 30, 2025 5:36 pm 401 views
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The 275,000-square-foot Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa will be renamed Arvest Convention Center after Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Bank reached a 10-year agreement for the naming rights, according to a Thursday (Jan. 30) news release.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The convention center at 100 Civic Center is the second large building in downtown Tulsa that Arvest has secured the naming rights to since November. The 32-floor, 288,776-square-foot Bank of America Center building at 15 W. Sixth St. will be renamed Arvest Tower.
Arvest reached the new agreement with the city of Tulsa and Oak View Group, the convention center’s manager. Tulsa Public Facilities Authority approved the name change on Thursday. The naming rights will become effective March 1.
“We’re very excited about this partnership and to be associated with a first-class venue that has served the city of Tulsa for more than 60 years,” said Kirk Hays, president of Arvest Bank – Tulsa region. “Arvest believes in supporting the people and organizations that make our city a better place. This facility plays a vital role in our community, and we’re proud to support its continued success.”
OVG Global Partnerships, Oak View Group’s sponsorship and naming rights division, reached the 10-year partnership on behalf of the city of Tulsa. OVG also manages the Fort Smith Convention Center.
“This partnership with Arvest Bank is an exciting milestone for the city of Tulsa and our convention center,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “With Oak View Group’s management of the facility and Arvest’s deep commitment to our community, we are confident that this collaboration will help us take the convention center to new heights. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on Tulsa, driving growth, and enhancing the experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Work on the new signage is underway and will be unveiled later.
The convention center, located in the Arena District, opened in 1964. According to an Arvest spokeswoman, it has the largest banquet space in Oklahoma, at 41,470 square feet.
Asked whether there are any renovation plans for the convention center, Meghan Blood, spokesperson for Oak View Group, said “we are actively master planning how the impending hotel project and convention center can meet the demand needs of the market.”
Plans are in the works for a new 650-room convention center headquarters hotel. The new naming rights agreement does not include the proposed hotel.
A $55 million renovation of the convention center was completed in 2020. The key change was the transformation of the 9,000-seat arena into the Grand Hall, a 41,000-square-foot multi-use event space with 36-foot-high ceilings, the largest of its kind in Oklahoma. A new entrance was added on the east side of the building.
Established in 1961, Arvest has more than 200 locations throughout its four-state footprint. According to the most recent report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Arvest Bank had total assets of $26.69 billion as of Sept. 30.