North Tulsa Seeking Boost From Expo

The first-ever North Tulsa Business Expo was held this weekend.  Business leaders hope it will help revitalize the economy in that area of the city.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports the Business Expo was designed to give North Tulsa businesses some much-needed exposure.  Those involved with it say it did just that.

Joy McConnell sells African-American themed art from her store, Treasures of Joy.  She says business is good, but some more publicity couldn't hurt.  So McConnell, and dozens of other businesses, set up booths at the first-ever North Tulsa Business Expo.

"It's like everyone's just looking, and checking out different businesses.  I'm loving the energy that's here right now," said Joy McConnell, Treasures of Joy Boutique.

That energy is what Robert Caddy with the North Tulsa Small Business Group was hoping for.

"We want all of Tulsa to know about these businesses, to let them know what's here," said Caddy.

Caddy says North Tulsa businesses have great potential, but the community needs to get motivated.  With that in mind, he put together the Business Expo, and even brought in a motivational speaker.

"The only limits are what we put on ourselves.  North Tulsa has the potential to be whatever it wants to be," said Melba Stevens, Motivational Speaker.

Besides the motivational speaker, there was other entertainment, including a taekwondo demonstration by a local youth group.

Organizers hope to make the expo an annual event, and believe it will provide the shot in the arm they say North Tulsa needs.

"We want them to meet with the business community, establish a relationship, we feel it's a very important part of creating the change we need as far as economic change," said Caddy.

The expo was a two-day event.  Friday featured the Community Commitment Awards.  Members of the North Tulsa community who have bettered the area over the past few decades were honored.

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