TIAK EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

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.

Venue & Hotel

The Educational Seminar will take place at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites located at 201 4th Avenue, Dodge City, KS.

There is a hotel room block 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.

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.

2028 KTC Request for Proposals

Proposals are due June 1st for the 2028 Kansas Tourism Conference. Proposals are anticipated to 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. CVB’s and DMO’s that are TIAK members will be given preference.

Past locations include:

• 2026: Wichita
• 2025: Manhattan
• 2024: Olathe
• 2023: Dodge City
• 2022: Wichita
• 2021: Liberal
• 2019: Mulvane
• 2018: Junction City
• 2017: Garden City
• 2016: Olathe
• 2015: Wichita

For communities considering the

23-hour liquor sale during the World Cup . . .

Jurisdictions that opt in by ordinance/resolution, all liquor licensees could remain open for sales 23 hours daily during the time frame provided in law. The licensee does not have to stay open the expanded hours.

During the 2026 Legislative Session House Bill 2481 was passed and signed into law.

The Kansas Department of Revenue has published the following notices resulting from the passage of HB 2481:

SAVE THE DATE

Kansas Tourism Conference will be October 20-21, 2026 in Wichita!

Registration will open June 1st!

Click here for more Kansas 250

Resources & Partners

The Kansas 250 Commission is excited to collaborate with the following National and Kansas State Agencies, as well as various businesses and non-profits across Kansas:



• America 250
• The White House - America 250
• Eisenhower Foundation
• Humanities Kansas
• Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks
• Kansas Museums Association
• Kansas Volunteer Commission
• United States Conference of Mayors
• Kansas Music Educators Association
• State of Kansas Library

As the nation approaches its upcoming Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Kansas 250 Commission will lead the state's efforts in commemorating this eventful moment in American history. The Kansas 250 Commission will also collaborate with local communities and partner organizations to provide a wide array of activities and events focused on America's 250th birthday. Click below for a starting point to spark your own celebration ideas!

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.

Visa bond rule suspended for World Cup ticket holders



The Trump administration announced that foreign fans from certain World Cup-qualifying countries who have tournament tickets will no longer have to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The waiver applies to fans from countries with high visa overstay rates who registered through FIFA’s expedited visa system, easing concerns that the costly bond policy would discourage international attendance. Read more HERE.

Labor Market Report

Please find the link below to the April Labor Market report. The May 2026 Kansas Labor Report will be released on June 23, 2026.

April 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”.

April 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 April.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

Second Wednesday of each month

June 10

TIAK Executive Committee Meetings

August 12

September 10

November 12

TIAK Board Meetings

June 11

August 13

October 20

December 10