The Oakdale Tourism and Visitors Bureau (OTVB)will be hosting a one-and-a-half day community workshop at the Gene Bianchi Community Center with featured speaker and facilitator, Roger Brooks later this month, on May 29 and 30.

According to OTVB Chairman Keith Boggs, Brooks is one of the world’s most sought after experts in place branding and marketing, tourism and economic development.

“He has 30 years’ experience in destination marketing for big and small cities and has worked with over 200 municipalities,” said Boggs. “Roger energizes audiences with exceptional content, using humor, stories, examples, rules and ingredients that inspire audiences and communities to achieve incredible success.”

Boggs added that prior to the event Brooks does a “secret shopper” of the city evaluating factors such as parking, access, accommodations, and other factors used for recommendations for a core strategy for Oakdale.

Boggs referred to the recommendations as a “strategic road map” for looking forward.

Boggs said as part of an on-going community engagement strategy, the OTVB hopes to include resident and business input into the development of an Oakdale tourism marketing plan. City leaders and elected officials have been invited, along with the business sector and the Chamber of Commerce.

“We (the OTVB) are fully committed to aligning our committee efforts with all of the other positive work being done in the community.” said Boggs. “We’re trying to get everyone together. With more fingerprints on this project, the better.”

The public workshop will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no registration fee and lunch will be served to those who RSVP in advance.

Reservations can be placed by calling: (209) 322-9702.