President's Report

Thank you to everyone who played a role in making the 2024 Kansas Tourism Conference the success that it was! I hope that each of you attending enjoyed it as much as I did. From a fun opening night at KC Wine Co., complete with firepits, food trucks, and plenty of seasonal décor, to exceptional conference center service, the Olathe team did a fantastic job of rolling out the red carpet for our stay. Record attendance did not seem to daunt your team, and your hospitality, both in and out of the conference center, set the bar high for future conferences. 

Thanks also to Marlee and Natalie and the entire Conference Planning Committee for making certain that every detail of this three-day event was considered and that conference topics were exceptional this year. I am still reviewing my conference notes from each of the speakers and sessions, planning ways to implement ideas and suggestions.

By now, you should have already received a follow-up survey for the conference. Please make sure you take a few minutes to fill this out. Even though the conference this year was great, we know there are ways we can improve, and your survey comments greatly assist the Conference Planning Committee in making decisions for next year.

The other survey, linked through the button below, is seeking your input as TIAK develops the 2025 Legislative agenda. It is important for you to share what tourism issues are of concern or interest to your community so that the advocacy committee can begin building a list of issues to address in the coming year. Your input in these surveys really does matter.

Lastly, I hope you already have the 2025 Kansas Tourism Conference on your agenda. We will be gathering in Manhattan on October 20 & 21 for a TWO-day conference. We plan to pack all the goodness of our typical three-day conference into a Monday and Tuesday, providing better affordability for more attendees and less time away from the office.

To the Stars…

Holly

2025 Legislative Agenda: We Need Feedback

TIAK's Legislative Development process needs your input. Let us know what issues are important to the travel and tourism industry in Kansas as well as your local community. Your participation will tell Kansas lawmakers exactly where the travel and tourism industry community stands on issues that affect the industry. Your lawmakers will listed, so exercise your right to be heard.

Thanks for joining us!

Thank you #KTC24

The TIAK Board of Directors, Conference Committee, and Staff want to thank everyone that volunteered, sponsored, or attended the 2024 Kansas Tourism Conference in Olathe. It was another successful event because of you.

A BIG thank you, again, to the Olathe CVB for hosting us and for your generous hospitality!

Congratulations 2024 Marketing Award Winners

Click here to learn more about this year's Marketing Award Judges.

Winners of the 2024 TIAK Marketing Awards were announced at the #KTC24.

The TIAK Marketing Awards are chosen annually to recognize excellence in destination marketing initiatives across the state. They are divided into six categories and broken out by the organization's marketing budget: Large (over $100,000), Medium ($20,000 - $100,000), and Small ($19,999 and under). Learn more about the entries.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Collaboration

Small Budget: Wild West Country

Medium Budget: Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Kansas Gunsmoke Trail

Community Awareness

Small Budget: Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact

Medium Budget: Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Visit Topeka

Events

Small Budget: Seneca Area Chamber & Downtown Impact

Medium Budget: Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Visit Kansas City Kansas

Online/Digital Media

Small Budget: Council Grove Area Trade & Tourism Association

Medium Budget: Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Visit Manhattan

Print Marketing

Small Budget: Chase County Chamber of Commerce

Medium Budget: Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Visit Manhattan

Visitor Guide

Small Budget: Council Grove Area Trade & Tourism Association

Medium Budget: Merriam Visitors Bureau

Large Budget: Visit Emporia

Best in Show

Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau - Starry, Starry Night

People's Choice

Visit Kansas City Kansas - KCK Taco Trail Bus Tour

Honorable Mention

Visit Topeka, eXplore Lawrence, Visit Emporia & Visit Manhattan - "Prairie Pour Tour" Collaboration

Kansas Destination Specialist (KDS)

Congratulations to the following tourism professionals for earning their KDS certification this year!

Thank you to those that donated table centerpieces. Click on the picture to see how the room transformed with the table decorations!

Thankyou to those that donated to the TIAK PAC.

Rep. Shannon Francis, R-Liberal, speaks with Sally Fuller,

Visit Liberal.

Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Julie Roller Weeks, Visit Abilene.

Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and Julie Roller Weeks, Visit Abilene.

Julie Roller Weeks, Visit Abilene, and Senate Commerce Chair Renee Erickson, R-Wichita.

JR Claeys loves Sunflower Summer. His dad used it with the grandkids.

Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, with Beth Ansell, Visit Shawnee.

Join us in Manhattan, October 20-21, 2025!

In Case You Missed the Latest "Sunflower Snapshot" – Your Ultimate Guide to TIAK & Kansas Tourism!

Are you new to the tourism industry or exploring Kansas for the first time? Our new video series, "Sunflower Snapshots," is here to answer all your questions and help you navigate the vibrant world of Kansas tourism.

Series Overview:

Our 15-part video series covers everything a newcomer needs to know and insider tips for industry professionals. Each video is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge to make the most out of your Kansas Tourism experience.

Join us on this exciting adventure and let "Sunflower Snapshots" be your guide to navigating the tourism world with us in the Sunflower State.

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.

Gov. Kelly Announces 2024 Kansas Economic Report

Gov. Laura Kelly announced that the 2024 Kansas Economic Report shows growth in the state's labor workforce, continued low unemployment, and record exports. Learn more.

Commerce Announces New Round of Funding for HEAL Grants

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that $1.5 million is available for a fifth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. These grants help close the financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant. Learn more.

Labor Market Report

Please find the link below to the Labor Market report. The October 2024 Labor Report will be released on Friday, November 15, 2024.

September 2024 Labor Market Report: https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=O+qpCkhjA+v3dzYVbAEMjQ==  

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”.

September 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 September.

Click on the graphic for the U.S. Travel forecast slide deck.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

Second Wednesday of each month

November 13

TIAK Executive Committee Meetings

November 7

TIAK Board Meetings

December 12

Event Dates

Destination Statehouse

February 12 - Topeka

Registration opens later this year