Everyone else says it's Cornett who deserves the credit.
Trenton, N.J., Mayor Doug Palmer, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said there was skepticism on the site selection committee about a city the size of Oklahoma City hosting a conference that usually visits places such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, Fla.
"First and foremost what convinced us was your mayor,” Palmer said. "Mick Cornett is well-respected within the conference of mayors.”
Palmer said Cornett personally approached him and several others to sell them on Oklahoma City.
Brett Hamm, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. and former aide to Cornett and former Mayor Kirk Humphreys, said Cornett's role in landing the conference is no surprise.
If former Mayor Ron Norick is considered the leader who kicked off the ongoing renaissance, and Humphreys the man who battled tough odds to complete MAPS and continue with MAPS for Kids, then Cornett's legacy may be that of skilled pitchman for the city, Hamm said.
"I think he's a great salesman for the city, and he recognizes ways to capitalize where before we haven't,” Hamm said. "That includes sports, including a chance with the NBA, and getting conferences like this that will bring us to the next level.”
Barb Denny, interim executive director of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she and her staff leaned heavily on Cornett when drafting the proposal and relied on him even more to follow up with his fellow mayors who would make the final decision.
"He really took an aggressive stance in making sure we contacted all the people who were on the site selection committee,” Denny said. "He took a lot of time to initiate correspondence to them, phone calls and notes.”
Cornett was also elected as one of 12 trustees of the group. The trustees, along with a handful of officers, comprise an executive committee that makes many of the group's decisions, including political stances on various issues affecting cities nationwide.
"Without Mick's leadership, this would have been an extremely difficult uphill climb,” Denny said. "It is totally a testament to Mick and his relationship and credibility with that group.”
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