The Ben T. Walkingstick Conference Center & Exhibition Hall is Chandler’s long-awaited community space and the most convenient conference and exhibition center between Oklahoma City and Tulsa

The conference center and exhibition hall occupies what was once the drill hall for the Chandler National Guard Armory. Its original floor is a marvel of wood craftsmanship, as were many of the WPA projects of their time. The Works Progress Administration was arguably one of the most well-known of the “alphabet soup” agencies created as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” policy to get America back on its feet during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. As part of this project, out-of-work crafstmen and artisans were put back to work using their talents to build, update or restore buildings for public use. Not only did this invigorate the nation’s struggling economy and put food on many a family’s otherwise meager table, it also enhanced and renewed America’s physical infrastructure. Many of the public structures and accommodations — including our National Parks — enjoyed today by Americans and visitors alike are the proud results of WPA projects.

The architect for the Old Chandler Armory restoration project is Mr. Hans Butzer. Hans is Principal of Design for TAP/ButzerStudio, an Oklahoma City-based architecture, interior design and planning firm. Hans and his wife/business partner, Torrey, are the architects of the award-winning Oklahoma City Memorial. Under his direction, TAP/ButzerStudio focuses on promoting sustainable, community-oriented projects of various scales.

Our Audio/Visual equipment is now installed and ready to be used at your event, meeting, or reception. We have capability to Computer PowerPoint Presentations, DVD, CD, Microphones, and even Filming your event as it happens to be put on DVD for you to keep and share.