This month, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Our birthday was just a few days ago on Friday. To celebrate, we’ve been meeting with former OVC Board members, and some others who have been along for the ride. We’re reflecting on three decades of tourism and considering what the future may hold. Join us, as we look back on local tourism’s evolution, some Ottawa Visitors Center history, and a special guest’s unique perspectives.

Our special guest for this entry is Anna Wright of The Lone Buffalo and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair. She got us started with her background in Ottawa, at Tangled Roots, and working with the OVC.

“Born and raised in Ottawa, I graduated high school in ‘97. From there, I moved a lot, went to college, got my undergrad and my graduate degrees from ISU in travel and tourism. I got my masters while I was working at Tangled Roots. Once I started working at Tangled Roots, I really got involved in the community aspect. Outreaching and networking became really important to me and to the business as a whole. Working with OVC was just something that was a natural fit for us,” Anna said, “The marketing aspect, the connections that I’ve made working with Donna, and before Donna, Curt, and everybody else that’s worked during that time… just the many friendly faces has been wonderful for us just doing cross collaborations on Morel Fest, and judging events like the Home Brewers portion of Morel Fest, sponsoring Kites in Flight, just other things that we can do to help bring people to Ottawa. Driving that tourism really is beneficial for Ottawa and Tangled Roots as a whole. So for me, it’s been great working in the community that I live in. I want Ottawa to thrive because it benefits me, but it benefits my family. I have a son who goes to school here, does all of the events that go on in Ottawa. And it’s just really important to me to see those thrive because it just makes Ottawa better place to live.”

Our partners in tourism are what makes all of this possible. We’re so proud to work with the very local businesses that help make Ottawa such a special place, as the Lone Buffalo is a popular spot for a meal with tourists and locals alike. We’ve been exploring the many facets and inner workings of local tourism, which Anna touches on. Next, we asked what tourism, in relation to Ottawa, means to Anna.

“Tourism is definitely a huge traffic driver to us here at the Lone Buffalo. It not only brings people to Ottawa, but then they learn about our other locations as well. So it’s really funny that people will come here from the northern suburbs, and the Lone Buffalo is one of their favorite stops when they come down to go to Starved Rock, and then we’re like ‘Oh, do you know we have locations here and here’ and they don’t. So, it’s a really good way for us to market those other locations, but just getting people to come to Ottawa, spending their dollars in the stores, and the restaurants, at the hotels, is really beneficial for the entire community,” she said.

Anna puts it perfectly! You can really see the impact and benefits of tourism when you look at how Ottawa has changed over time. We’ve spoken a lot on the effects of downtown revitalization and other changes in the community, and how that has increased tourism. The increase in tourism then leads to other local upgrades that everyone can enjoy. We asked Anna how she has seen tourism evolve over the years, coming from the restaurant perspective.

“There’s really so many ways that it’s evolved. I remember when growing up here, I could not wait to move. I never wanted to move back. And then when my husband took a job here, I was a little reluctant because Ottawa was a little stale. I just had this idea of what I thought Ottawa was, but to see the growth and all of the opportunities that are here, I changed my tune really quickly. I was really proud to come back here and see all the changes, whether it’s the thriving downtown, all of the restaurants that bring people to Ottawa, because we really do. That’s the best of the best we have, any and everything that somebody could ask for when looking for dining options,” she said.

“We have fantastic stores and our events. We just have so many awesome events that are, you know, if you can’t find an event in Ottawa, then there’s no events for you,” she joked, “because we really do have something for everybody and it keeps people coming back. I think one thing that I have to do from a marketing point of view is try to find a different ideas for people to come back to our restaurant. Why are they choosing us? What’s going to bring them back, time and time again? That’s why the boat club is so beneficial for us. But with Ottawa, we have that constant reappraisal when we have the different events, we have new stores opening, we have new restaurants opening, and these businesses are just thriving. It really gets people to come back and back again because they know that there’s something that they can do, whether they’re coming with their family. They’re coming for Girls Weekend, they’re coming for a family event. There’s just something for everybody here.”

Ottawa’s events truly are something to behold! There have been many beloved events and attractions that have popped up over the last 30 years in town. These might change over time, but this variety keeps people interested and makes sure we’re staying with the times! We’re getting reflective for our 30th birthday, so we asked Anna if she has a favorite event or attraction from throughout the years, and if she’d like to see a former one make a comeback.

“My mindset’s changed a lot over the years. It’s gone from ‘I love River Fest’, growing up I loved the live music, I really loved the party aspect of it, and all the food vendors, was really awesome. But now, I love those more kids attractions, so things that I can do with my son. Kites in Flight is always a big hit for us. Third Friday is fantastic, hands down one of my favorites. I do think that the town does such a good job, whether it’s a private event, or a city event, or an OVC event, there’s ODA doing events. I think that we really do a good job of having a variety of events. Now, I know that we have on the city has tried to bring Riverfest back, making it, friendship days and that has been a bit of a struggle to restore it to its glory days. I know that COVID has changed a lot, with getting people out to be able to work these off-site events. That’s been a big struggle for us. I’m not sure that Riverfest would work again. But you know, we have the city of Ottawa that’s doing the special events committee does Music in the Park there’s lots of live music throughout the year, so I don’t know that it’s necessary. But it was fun while it lasted, that’s for sure,” Anna said.

The many events and attractions that have called Ottawa home throughout the years have contributed to the unique sense of identity the town has cultivated. Some of us call it “The Middle of Everywhere. As Anna said earlier, there’s something for everyone in Ottawa. Tourists might have a variety of interests, but there truly are so many spheres of interest in Ottawa. Natural areas, the arts, history, shopping, dining and more! To round out our interview, we asked Anna if she had any closing thoughts on the future of Ottawa and tourism.

“I think that it’s just going to get stronger and stronger. I love being a part of it all and love being able to assist with events. I love being able to meet all of the people, and come down here, and hear what brings them back to Ottawa again and again. But I just think that the sky really is the limit for Ottawa. So many people that are coming here for Starved Rock or the Sainte Genevieve or to come to the restaurants, but I think that the more businesses that come, the more reason people have to come. And I think that that’s just going to continue to grow and grow.”

Many thanks to Anna! Our interview series is winding down, but we’ve still got a few more for you! We’re so thankful for 30 years in the Middle of Everywhere, and we can’t wait to keep sharing the heart, history, and stories of this community with you. Stay tuned on the rest of our blog or our Facebook page for more updates and interviews.