President's Report

All Aboard! Sunflower Summer Funding Needs YOU! 

The 2025 legislative session is rolling, and if we don't act fast, vital tourism funding could be left at the station! 

This year, the legislature introduced a base budget on the first day of the session. Hearings on individual state agency budgets are underway—about two to three weeks ahead of prior years. This new, accelerated timeline means less time to advocate for our priorities,

and for Kansas tourism, that could be a big problem. 

The proposed budget omits one of TIAK’s top priorities, enhanced funding for Sunflower Summer – a program that brings families to Kansas attractions, boosts our economy, and fosters a love for our state in the next generation. 

We need to derail this budget oversight! The Ag & Natural Resource Budget Committee, which oversees tourism funding, hears the budget on

January 31st. 

Your urgent action is needed: 

1. Contact your legislators NOW! Request they add $3 million for FY2025 and $5 million for FY2026 to the Sunflower Summer program. 
2. Spread the word! Share this message with your local officials and attractions in your community to amplify our voice. 

All aboard! Jump on the advocacy train now, then join us at Destination Statehouse on February 12th to meet with legislators, learn about key issues, and advocate for our industry. Together, we can secure a bright future for Kansas tourism. 

Alan Carr

with Visit Kansas City Kansas

Destination Statehouse

Destination Statehouse is next month on February 12th. Please join us to connect with travel leaders from around the state as we join forces to collectively educate our legislators on why travel matters in Kansas. Speak directly with them in February about the issues that are important to our success.

The Destination Statehouse event page has all the information you need to plan your day of advocacy in Topeka, including a dynamic agenda that will be updated as the event draws near.

Space will be available for communities to bring banners and pop ups to represent your community on the 1st floor Rotunda.

Sponsorships are available! As we prepare for this event, we encourage all TIAK members to partner with us in making this the most productive, yet fun experience to date. Click here to view sponsorship opportunities.

Call for Speakers!

The KTC committee invites you to submit a proposal to share your knowledge and expertise with tourism professionals at our annual Kansas Tourism Conference.

Share your speaking information or refer a speaker by contacting office@tiak.org.

Invitation for Proposals for 2027

Proposals are being sought for the 2027 Kansas Tourism Conference. Proposals should be submitted through coordinated community efforts of the local DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) such as the Chamber, CVB, City in cooperation with lodging, meeting, and attractions facilities to be considered. CVBs and DMOs that are TIAK members will be given preference. Conference locations will be balanced between regions.

Proposals due March 31, 2025

Membership Survey: We Need Your Feedback

TIAK is surveying members for information on size, budget, and TGT dollars so that we can better serve you through the allocation of membership levels, marketing awards levels, and other related items.

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.

Due to Destination Statehouse on February 12th, there is no Tourism Huddle in February. Please join us in March!

U.S. Travel's Destination Capitol Hill

Registration Open!

Registration is now open for the travel industry's premier advocacy event taking place in Washington, D.C. April 1-2, 2025. Learn more about the event and register HERE.

Labor Market Report

Please find the link below to the Labor Market report. The January 2025 Labor Report will be released on Friday, March 7, 2025.

December 2024 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”.

December 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 61% property participation and 78% hotel room participation in December.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

Second Wednesday of each month

** no Huddle in February due to Destination Statehouse **

March 12

April 9

May 14

June 11

July 9

August 13

September 10

October 8

November 12

December 10

TIAK Executive Committee Meetings

March 13

June 4

July 10

September 11

November 13

TIAK Board Meetings

February 13

April 10

June 5

August 14

October 9

December 11

Event Dates

Destination Statehouse

February 12 - Topeka

Kansas Tourism Conference

October 20-21 - Manhattan

Registration opens in June