Since the January issue hit newsstands, Texas Highways subscribers and faithful readers in Denton have raced to mailboxes and stores every month, eagerly flipping pages to the Texas Top 40 Destinations feature. In truth, this scenario has happened in cities all across the state and beyond among the magazine’s nearly half-million readers. What’s all the hoopla?
Rewind to last fall. In preparation for its mile-marker 40th birthday celebration, Texas Highways launched a contest inviting readers to submit their picks for the top 40 destinations in Texas. Readers’ nominations arrived at headquarters in Austin by the thousands via texashighways.com, email and even snail mail. Then in January, Texas Highways began unveiling the winners — one issue at a time. Oh, the anticipation! Starting at No. 40, three or four cities were revealed each month in order from bottom to top.
I got used to a new routine after January. The day my Texas Highways arrived in the mail, my phone started ringing and my email inbox bleeped with concerned Dentonites lamenting that “Denton didn’t make the list.” My response to each and every one is that it isn’t over till it’s over.
When the readers’ choice contest was announced, we at the Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau began a campaign to encourage residents to tell Texas Highways about our city. In typical Denton style, everyone got on the bandwagon. Many of our partners — including the Denton Chamber of Commerce, Denton Economic Development, Denton Main Street Association, businesses, musicians, our universities and hundreds of individuals — helped spread the word. Between all of us and our Denton fans beyond the city limit signs, we did it!
Don’t break a leg running to the mailbox just yet. It’s still a bit early for the November issue to be in circulation. But when it comes, turn to page 36 and bask in the joy. The wait is over! Denton is No. 2, and that is absolutely cause for celebration.
Officials with the travel information division of the Texas Department of Transportation that produce the magazine made the formal announcement at the City Council meeting this past Tuesday night.
If you don’t regularly watch council meetings, this is one to check out on the city’s website.
Opening the meeting, Mayor Chris Watts and council members, along with the Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau team, proudly watched the unveiling of the November issue among accolades and commendation from some of the state’s top brass.
A short video capturing our essence as described by reader submissions was one of the gifts Texas Highways gave to Denton. The video is available on the Discover Denton YouTube Channel. In her congratulatory statements, TxDOT Travel Information Division director Margo Richards stressed the importance of tourism to Texas’ economy. She really drove home the significance of our designation among readers when she cited tourism’s economic impact on our city.
“According to estimates from the Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism division, travel spending in the city of Denton was $176 million in 2013,” she stated. She went on to say that travel spending accounts for $3.9 million in local Denton taxes and provides 1,590 jobs in our city.
For 40 years, Texas Highways has been the travel Bible for our state. Making the Texas Top 40 list at all is a coveted, prestigious honor.
Being at the top of the list behind only one as-yet-unknown city, is an incredible validation from the most astute, travel-aware Texans and fans of Texas.
“Magazine readers said Denton has a relaxed vibe, with great restaurants, live music, art galleries, shopping and one of the best used bookstores anywhere,” Texas Highways said in the November issue press release.
Like I said, we all played a major role in making sure our city was recognized for what we already know: We are original, independent. There is no other place like us. We are Denton. As a way of celebrating, the Convention and Visitors Bureau is conducting a “We’re Fixin’ To Party” event at East Side at the corner of Oak and Austin streets from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. Everyone is welcome.
The question folks are asking now is, “Who’s No. 1?” We’ll have to wait for the December announcement and Texas Top 40 Destination’s conclusion to find out. Regardless of which city it is, Denton is proud to be sitting right at the top with them.
Happy birthday, Texas Highways. Thanks for your very smart audience and letting Denton share the spotlight of your big 4-0.
KIM PHILLIPS is vice president of the Denton Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Denton Chamber of Commerce. She loves promoting Denton’s original, independent spirit through the city’s sense of place and cast of many characters. She can be reached at kim@discoverdenton.com.
