PRESIDENT'S REPORT

By Melissa Dixon

Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hello TIAK members,

Over the past few weeks, I have enjoyed watching the temperatures increase – along with our summer visitor traffic! This weekend, our family saw the new summer exhibit at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, bought fresh bread at the opening day of our Downtown Hays Market, cheered our kid at a baseball tournament on our newly turfed sports complex fields, and cooled off at the Hays Aquatic Park.

I could not help but evaluate each experience as a tourism director, asking questions like:

• How can our advertising efforts for this attraction/experience be more effective?
• How many people in this crowd are locals vs. out-of-towners?

And the question that I’m asking our staff:

• How can we know the visitor experience if we don’t experience it ourselves?

Our CVB team has recently toured local attractions and venues, so that we can be up to speed on the latest developments around town. While it’s great to be familiar with our own amenities, there is also value in experiencing what other communities have to offer. We have plans to get out and explore our region as a team, because I believe the best ideas hit when you are away from your desk.

I hope to see you at the TIAK educational seminar on June 15 – the Hays CVB will be there to explore Lindsborg!

To the Stars Y’all,

Melissa

TIAK members with Sen. Moran at the DC Fly-In last month.

Sen. Moran to Serve as Co-Chair of Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has been named co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus - a bipartisan group of 23 senators that champions efforts to increase and support travel to and within the United States. He joins Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as caucus co-chair. Sen. Moran steps into the co-chair role previously held by former Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).

Sen. Moran’s appointment – announced during the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week – comes at a crucial moment for an industry that generated $2.6 trillion in economic output last year. Travel is an essential driver of the U.S. economy and workforce and plays a key role in fueling other industries such as manufacturing, health care and education – with efforts that propel the U.S. economy forward. All sectors of travel create and support jobs for nearly 15 million American workers

“We are thrilled to have Senator Moran, a champion for the travel and tourism industry, in our corner as the Senate Travel Caucus co-chair,” said Melissa Dixon, president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas.

“Senator Moran understands the importance of the tourism industry in Kansas,” said Holly Lofton, president-elect, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “He will represent travel as an economic driver effectively, not only for Kansas but also for the nation, as the Co-Chair of the Senate Travel Caucus.”

“Senator Moran has been a leading advocate for the tourism industry across our nation and in Kansas for years,” said Jim Zaleski, former president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “It is an honor to know he will be serving as Co-Chair of the Senate Travel Caucus as he represents our great state in Washington DC.”

“Kansan Dwight D. Eisenhower championed the Interstate System, which enabled people to travel the country easily,” said Julie Roller Weeks, former president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “Now, another Kansan, Senator Jerry Moran, will continue to support the tourism industry and promote policies to reduce barriers to travel. We are excited to have Senator Moran serve as co-chair of the Senate Travel Caucus and know he will make Ike and Kansans proud. Travel supports local tourism and creates direct economic value for communities.”

The Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus is a key voice on a range of issues important to travel, including efforts to reduce U.S. visitor visa wait times and increase international visitation, making certain the entry experience is appropriately resourced with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials and helping provide for the workforce needs of the travel industry.

National Travel and Tourism

National Travel and Tourism Week may be over but we're still celebrating! Share your events with us so we can celebrate together.

Ellsworth County Art Contest: Through July 28, 2023

In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, Explore Ellsworth County is hosting a statewide art contest. Help them spread the word! Read more. Submissions are due Friday, July 28th.

TIAK Educational Seminar: June 15, 2023

Photography transforms us, takes us to new destinations, and opens windows to new ways of seeing. Few cameras have changed photography as much as the iPhone, freeing photographers form the tyranny of overstuffed camera bags as well as the dogged allegiance to technical solutions. The iPhone spurs journeys of visual discovery - and it's a lot of fun! Besides that, you're paying good money for the camera that you carry everywhere every day. It's time to master everything this wonderful tool has to offer.

Join us as National Geographic photographer, Jim Richardson teaches the tools and skills to help you use your iPhone to visually tell your story. Cost of registration is $25. Register today to join us in Lindsborg on June 15th.

Rural Workforce Summit: June 22, 2023

The Rural Workforce Summit in Fort Scott, Kansas, brings together national speakers to discuss trends and tools for workforce development. The summit aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities and will feature several national speakers. The summit will highlight the latest trends and tools that rural communities can use to improve workforce skills and create more job opportunities.

Read more here.

TIAK PAC Raffle

The TIAK PAC Committee is requesting donations. Attendees of the Educational Seminar in Lindsborg will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to win great prizes! Bring a donation to raffle to attendees at the event and showcase your community at the same time.

Popular donations in the past include:

• Fishing or hunting trips
• Wine, beer or spirits
• Kansas artistic creations
• Community-themed baskets (trip packages, overnight stays, shopping ideas, gift certificates, etc.)
• Table decorations donated at the KTC
• Sports or event tickets
• Tours or attractions

Think about what you would like to win and be creative! Support the PAC and help our elected officials that support tourism. Contact Donna Price to coordinate your donation.

Past locations include:

• 2023: Dodge City
• 2022: Wichita
• 2021: Liberal
• 2019: Mulvane
• 2018: Junction City
• 2017: Garden City
• 2016: Olathe
• 2015: Wichita
• 2014: Manhattan

Governor Kelly Announces $30 Million in Tourism Grants

Governor Laura Kelly announced that $30 million has been awarded to 18 recipients developing and improving tourism sites statewide. Funding was made available through the State Park Revitalization & Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) program launched by the Department of Commerce earlier this year.

Read more here.

Get the app!

Sunflower Summer provides a wide variety of ways for families to get out, explore something new, and enjoy time together May 26-August 13.

Read more here.

42.3 Million Set to Travel Memorial Day Weekend

According to AAA, "The unofficial start to summer will be a busy one this year as AAA predicts 42.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend, a 7% increase over 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what's to come in the months ahead."

Read more here.

'Travel Works for America' National Advocacy Tour Launches with First Stop on Capitol Hill

Travel Works for America - a national advocacy tour designed to highlight the $2.6 trillion economic impact and far-reaching contributions created by travel - relaunched in the Washington, DC, region.

"Our Travel Works activations will take the powerful message of the industry's impact on the American economy from Capitol Hill to cities across the nation, demonstrating for lawmakers and community leaders how travel benefits not only their regions but also other sectors within the economy," said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Click here to read more.

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 61% property participation and 77% hotel room participation in April.

The U.S. Travel Association published its latest Monthly Data Report, exclusively for U.S. Travel members. Here are key highlights from last month's report.

Key April Highlights

• While remaining in positive territory, travel spending has plateaued somewhat and was 4% above 2019 levels in March, receding slightly from February.
• Overseas arrivals improved to its best post-pandemic level in March to 25% below 2019 levels.
• Air travel demand receded for the second consecutive month, registering 2% below 2019 levels in March.
• After three consecutive months of surpassing 2019 levels, hotel room demand receded to 1% below 2019 levels in March.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

Second Wednesday of each month

June 14

Educational Seminar

iPhone Photography

June 15 - Lindsborg

TIAK Board Meetings

June 15, August 10, October 16, December 14

TIAK Executive Committee Meetings

June 14, July 13, September 14, November 9