Incoming Tulsa Regional Chamber Chair Bill Knight on Thursday announced two initiatives geared to prepare Tulsa Public Schools students for college and the workforce.

Knight, president of Knight Automotive Group, delivered the news at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Inauguration event attended by about 1,200 people at the Cox Business Convention Center.

The event was presented by Knight Automotive Group and Saint Francis Health System.

“…A strong Tulsa Public Schools makes for a strong Tulsa…,” he said.

Knight stressed maintaining the Chamber’s momentum around its four strategic initiatives: economic development; regional tourism, government affairs and community development.

During 2025, the Chamber will partner with Tulsa Public Schools on initiatives focusing on career exploration and college essentials.

The Chamber plans to identify 10 companies -- five in the spring and five in the fall -- willing to provide a career exploration experience to a group of 20 to 25 high school juniors and seniors. The nonprofit also wants to support college-bound students with items they need to prosper in their freshman year.

“So, think about it; they are first-generation college students, have done all the hard work to earn a scholarship at an Oklahoma post-secondary school but don’t go due to the lack of resources,” Knight said. “We want to help these kids. 

“The Chamber would love to identify individuals or companies willing to support a student – angel-tree style – as they begin their college journey by providing items to ensure they make it to their freshman year.”

Laying out additional priorities, Knight said he plans to work alongside Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols to address homelessness, affordable housing and public safety.

As for economic development, Knight stressed continuing to create jobs and increase capital investment through Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber-led regional economic development partnership. Key to accomplishing that, he said, will be leveraging Bridge to the Future 2030, a new five-year fundraising and strategic plan combining the efforts of Tulsa’s Future with regional tourism.

The 2025 chair identified greater access to childcare as a key imperative for the Chamber-led OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda.

“Make no mistake; access to safe, affordable childcare is a critical issue for both employees and employers, and our ability to address this in a substantial way is going to have a big impact on the region’s growth potential,” Knight said.

Addressing regional tourism, he said Tulsa lost out on more than 150 events during fiscal year 2023-24 and that one of the main reasons was the lack of hotel rooms within walking distance to the Cox Business Convention Center.

To remedy that, Knight said the Chamber and city need to follow through with plans to build a 650-room convention center-attached hotel.

“And while the new hotel likely won’t be completed until 2029, the Chamber’s tourism team can start selling against it as soon as we break ground, which means they can create a strong future pipeline of large-scale gatherings, meetings and sporting events,” he said.

Knight also announced that Salt Lake City will be the destination of the Chamber’s 16th annual Intercity Visit in October.

Knight succeeds 2024 Chair and Sovereign Stewardship President Jennifer Jezek, who reflected on regional successes and progress during the past year. Jezek also presented awards to the Chamber’s most outstanding partners during 2024: