Christina Lokey is a passionate advocate for the city of Beaumont and an enthusiastic cheerleader for the mantra: “All Times Lead to Good Times in Beaumont.” As marketing and tourism director for the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau at 505 Willow St. (the office in not on I-10) for the past six years, she discussed the impressive programs and events that have positively impacted Beaumont. One of the first things many visitors to Beaumont ask is: “What can we do here?” The answer all too often is “Nothing, it’s boring.” Wrong. So wrong that Christiana showed that spending in Beaumont increased 12.3% over the last few years to an impressive $361.7 million in 2022. This number surpassed the 2018 total of $348 million even with hotel occupancy high because of Hurricane Harvey. To counter the “what is there to do” question, Christina introduced an informative card, laminated for use in restaurants, that outlines the numerous attractions in Beaumont, such as arts and architecture, historical sites, family fun, shopping, outdoors, and QR codes for special programs.

Christina has advocated for digital passports that offer access to a collection of curated attractions, retailers, restaurants, and more. Visitors, and residents, may purchase either a 1- or 3-day pass. The official passport promises that after you visit and have the passport stamped, you are eligible to receive a free Beaumont Birdie. Christina shared the podium with one Beaumont bird, and there are several others, a total of 12, that visitors can acquire. (See visitbeaumonttx.com/birdies and the printed passport Rotarians consulted at their tables. I personally find Edison, an owl, most intriguing.)

Beaumont is hardly a dull city visually as Christina discussed the many colorful and expressive murals found in town. Created by artists from around the world, these murals have been showcased on social media and serve to highlight Beaumont. Online followers can visit Beaumont remotely and one site garnered 300,000 views in just 5 days. Christian smilingly remarked that that’s free advertising! Christina piqued our interest by showing a short video clip of the mural at 1600 Cedar St. being created by Los Angeles-based artist Drew Merritt. “Genesis” is one of the three largest murals in Texas. She suggested we visit the site for the full impact of this monumental work.

Of particular interest to Beaumont and southeast Texas is birding. Beaumont is situated on the Central and Mississippi flyway for migrating birds. Christina called our attention to the Birding Between Borders endeavor, which is an excellent example of cooperative marketing between areas in southeast Texas and Louisiana. Christina wryly noted that if birds don’t acknowledge state or local boundaries, why should bird watchers? (See Birdingbetweenborders.com.)

Christina concluded her exciting talk by noting that there is an open position for CVB Marketing Manager (governmentjobs.com/careers/Beaumont). After Christina’s wholehearted exploration of the many exciting things Beaumont has to offer, who could not leave thinking that the city is truly an interesting and delightful place in which to live and to visit.