Three OKC finalists named for 2025 James Beard Awards
Three chefs and restaurants from the Oklahoma City area were named finalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards, one of the highest honors in the restaurant industry.
Three chefs and restaurants from the Oklahoma City area were named finalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards, one of the highest honors in the restaurant industry.
Oklahoma ranked No. 9 in the World Population Review’s study of the friendliest states, placing the state within the top 10 and just ahead of Hawaii. Oklahoma was voted No. 9 by tourists traveling in 2023.
USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 recently ranked Oklahoma City No. 9 among the top 10 U.S. cities with the best street art collections, placing ahead of Portland, Oregon, at No. 10.
Oklahoma City’s film and media industry continues to grow, and at the forefront of this evolution is Apex Post Production, a cutting-edge studio offering state-of-the-art sound technology. The Chamber’s VeloCity team interviewed Jon Vogl, the owner of Apex Post Production, inside their Dolby Atmos-certified sound stage to discuss the company’s vision, capabilities and the impact of high-quality audio in modern productions.
Oklahoma City is holding steady as the most affordable large city in the U.S., according to the 2024 annual Cost of Living Index (COLI) from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). Among cities with populations over 500,000, Oklahoma City ranks #1 for the lowest cost of living.
The James Beard Foundation, known for its prestigious awards that celebrate culinary excellence and innovation, has announced its 2025 semifinalists. The Foundation recognizes the individuals and establishments shaping America’s food culture, and this year, six chefs and restaurant groups from Oklahoma City have earned spots on the list, showcasing the city’s growing food scene.
2024 was a landmark year for Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City, with the venue setting new records for both concert events and ticket sales. The surge in events and ticket sales helped Paycom Center rise to rankings in Pollstar’s Year-End Top Arenas Chart, placing 60th globally and 38th in the United States. These rankings highlight the ASM Global-managed facility as the best-selling arena in the state of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt was featured in Smart Cities Dive in an article titled, "How an Oklahoma City sales tax fuels the city’s ‘renaissance.’" The article explores the transformative impact of Oklahoma City’s MAPS initiative, particularly MAPS 4, which has been pivotal in the city’s progress.