Volume 23, Issue 6 | June 2026 | | |
Published monthly for members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas. | | |
COMMUNITY MARKETING
THROUGH STORYTELLING:
HIGH IMPACT, LOW COST
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | | |
Join us on August 13th in Dodge City for our next TIAK Educational Seminar.
This dynamic event is designed to empower Kansas tourism professionals with fresh insights, practical strategies, and meaningful connections. Attendees will gain valuable tools and expert perspectives to help strengthen tourism initiatives and create lasting impact within their communities.
Ask a Kansan/The Kansas Voice: Turning Everyday Lives into Engaging Community Stories - FILI Creative
The seminar will also feature a panel discussion, Doing More with Less: Creating Tourism Impact, highlighting innovative ways destinations can maximize resources while driving engagement and growth.
Current panelists include:
• Linda Henderson, Rolling Hills Zoo
• Megan Welsh, Dodge City CVB
• Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene CVB
We look forward to bringing tourism professionals together for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration in Dodge City!
The cost of registration is $25.
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Venue & Hotel
The Educational Seminar will take place in the El Vaquero room at the Santa Fe Depot located at 101 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City, KS.
There is a hotel room block at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites located at 201 4th Avenue, Dodge City, KS at a discounted rate of $134 plus tax. Please call the hotel directly at 620-225-1000 to reserve your room by July 12, 2026 at the discounted group rate.
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#KTC26
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
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Be part of the Kansas tourism industry's must-attend conference of the year!
Registration is now open for the 2026 Kansas Tourism Conference, happening October 20-21 in Wichita at the Drury Inn. Join tourism professionals from across the state for two days filled with inspiring speakers, valuable educational sessions, and exciting networking opportunities.
Kansas has so much to celebrate this year, and we can't wait to come together, share ideas, and celebrate the people and places that make our state shine. We hope to see you there!
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Don't miss your chance to showcase your creativity and marketing success! Submit your entries for the 2026 TIAK Marketing Awards by 5:00 PM on Monday, August 3rd.
Join TIAK in celebrating the outstanding work being done across Kansas tourism during the 2026 Kansas Tourism Conference in Wichita, October 20-21. Whether you've promoted an event, destination, attraction, or innovative campaign, we want to recognize your achievements.
One winner from each overall budget category will be presented at the banquet during the Kansas Tourism Conference in October from the following categories:
- Community Awareness
- Event
- Digital/Online Media
- Print Material
- Visitor Guide
- Member Community Collaboration
Thanks for your participation and we'll see you in Wichita in October!
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Kansas Tourism Announces Sunflower Summer Attractions
Kansas Tourism has announced the 2026 Sunflower Summer attraction lineup, with more than 230 participating attractions across the state offering free admission to eligible Kansas Pre-K through 12th grade students and one accompanying adult from July 9 through August 2. The program gives families the opportunity to explore museums, zoos, historic sites, and other attractions statewide by claiming one-time admission passes through the Sunflower Summer app. State tourism leaders say the program encourages Kansans to discover both iconic destinations and hidden gems while creating memorable family experiences throughout the summer. Read more HERE.
| | TIAK PAC Contribution Requests! | | |
During the 2024 election cycle, TIAK PAC contributed to 64 candidates with a 90% success rate. TIAK PAC's support of candidates is important as we work to build and develop TIAK's relationships with legislators impact the legislative process.
The TIAK PAC is seeking donations from individuals, not from CVB funds. Please scan Venmo QR code or click HERE for your contribution. If you would like to send a check, please send it to the TIAK PAC at 825 S Kansas Ave, Suite 502, Topeka, KS 66612.
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The Wichita Visitor Economy Conference
July 28, 2026
8:30am - 11:30am
Woolsey Hall in the WSU Barton School of Business
This conference explores the vital role of the visitor economy in Wichita’s growth, focusing on leveraging visitor activity as a powerful strategy for economic development.
Sessions will cover the latest trends in visitation, the impact of visitors on economic activity, and the importance of ambassadorship by both residents and local businessess.
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Kansas Constitutional Amendment Vote August 2026
Potential Reform of the Supreme Court Judicial Selection Process
| | Kansas is the only state with a judicial selection process controlled by members of the state bar. In August 2026, Kansans will vote on whether or not to return the judicial selection process to a popular vote. Below are details about this proposed constitutional amendment. | | | |
Promote Your Events
The Kansas Tourism event calendar is one of the most visited pages on TravelKS.com. Don't miss your chance to promote your upcoming events such as Labor Day, Halloween, and any Fall Festivals. Click HERE for instructions on how to add your events. If you need Extranet access or additional help contact Hunter at Hunter.Feyerherm@ks.gov.
| | Kansas Tourism Industry Huddle | | Join TIAK and Kansas Tourism for a virtual Kansas tourism industry huddle the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1 PM CT. View past huddles here. | | |
Event-focused tourism reshaping travel trends
Event-driven tourism is shifting the focus of travel from destinations to the experiences that draw crowds, such as concerts, major sporting events and festivals. This approach offers structure and excitement, particularly appealing to Gen Z and millennials, who prioritize unique experiences. Data shows a growing number of travelers are willing to journey hundreds of miles for a single event, often extending their stays to explore host cities further. Read more HERE.
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US sports tourism aims for long-term World Cup boost
Visit KC and the U.S. Travel Association recently hosted a panel (photo left: Kathy Nelson (left), president and CEO of Visit KC, including Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of US Travel Association, Luisa Mendoza, founder and CEO of Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment, and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe) focused on how Kansas City can maximize the long-term benefits of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through sports tourism. Rather than viewing the tournament as a one-time event, local leaders are working to leverage the global exposure to attract future sporting events, increase visitor spending, and strengthen Kansas City's reputation as a premier sports destination.
The discussion highlighted the opportunity to turn World Cup visitors into repeat travelers by showcasing the region's attractions, hospitality, and sports culture, creating lasting economic and tourism impacts well beyond the tournament itself. Read more HERE.
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FIFA World Cup 26
Kansas City will host six matches from the FIFA World Cup 26, including four group fixtures and two knockout games.
Missouri's own Jadie Arnett created Kansas City's official Host City Poster design
'To learn more about FIFA 2026 Kansas City
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Please find the link below to the May Labor Market report. The June 2026 Kansas Labor Report will be released on July 17, 2026.
May 2026 Labor Market Report: Click Here!
Scroll down to Labor Report Documents for the News Release and Labor Force Data for the “Interactive Labor Force Dashboard” and “Printable County Unemployment Rate Map”.
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May Lodging Report
TIAK has an agreement with Smith Travel Research (STR) to provide members with statewide reports on hotel occupancy each month. The following data is provided directly from STR:
Monthly and YTD Comparisons
Kansas had 63% property participation and 78% hotel room participation in May.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Educational Seminar
August 13th - Dodge City
Tourism Huddle
Second Wednesday of each month
July 8
TIAK Executive Committee Meetings
August 12
September 10
November 12
TIAK Board Meetings
August 13
October 20
December 10
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