Volume 20, Issue 12 | December 2023

TIAK TALK NEWSLETTER

Published monthly for members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

By Melissa Dixon

Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau

Welcome to the end of 2023!

End-of-the-year reflections are always mind-bending to me. Especially now that there are mobile apps to track all the things we do. I gave blood 3 times. I logged 3,291,372 steps. I read 20 books. I visited 10 other states and 1 other country. When reviewing the numbers, I always wish I could have done more, but there are batteries that must be re-charged and my sleep needs seem to be increasing!

I imagine we are doing some of the same things statewide. I am tying up loose ends, celebrating milestones, evaluating projects that went well – and those that didn’t – and using this year’s data to set goals for next year. As we look forward to a fresh calendar of endless possibilities, I encourage you to EXPLORE some of these possibilities in new ways. I want to share a few goals that I am setting for myself in the hope that maybe a few of them might resonate with you:

- Explore your own space: how can your workplace function better for you? Are there small adjustments you could make to increase creativity? Is there a technology update that could increase productivity? Or is it time for fresh paint or a signage update? Look at your space with fresh eyes – like a visitor! Recruit a colleague if you need to.

- Explore your own back yard: is there a place in your community that you keep hearing about, but are not familiar with? Take a buddy and check it out. Who knows? It could open up the door to an unexpected partnership.

- Explore Kansas: what’s the place that’s STILL on your Kansas bucket list that you have yet to visit? Set a date, recruit a friend, and GO!

I have learned so much serving as your TIAK President this year. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you also for all the time and talent that you poured into tourism this year. Your work makes a difference.

To the stars y'all,

Melissa

TIAK Leadership Transition

By Holly Lofton

Lindsborg CVB

Happy New Year! As I move into the role of TIAK President, I am looking forward to working with each of you as we work together to do great things for the travel industry in Kansas! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve in this role.

I am grateful to those who have served on the TIAK Board in the past and for the many ways they have mentored and guided me as I navigated through what was a new world of tourism more than 11 years ago. I think you will find that many of the TIAK Board members will do the same for you. I would not be able to do my job without them…and am counting on them to help me navigate through this year, without missing too many of the details.

I encourage you to reach out to me, or any of the TIAK Board with questions or ideas you may have. We appreciate your input. You can easily find contact information for the TIAK Board and Committees on the TIAK website. This website is also a great resource for past newsletters and meeting information.

I am happy to share that you will see a few new faces on the TIAK Board: Luke Mahin—co-owner, Irrigation Ales; Sailor Seiler—Hodgeman County Economic Development; Beth Ansell—Visit Shawnee; Chris Olsen—Cheyenne County Development Corporation; and Lucille Heller—Mitchell County Development. Please make certain to get to know each of them and ask about their role in tourism in their communities.

Finally, our first opportunity to gather together is not far off! Please make plans to attend the February 7th Destination Statehouse in Topeka. This event provides the opportunity to remind our legislators how important tourism is to our state, and to thank them for providing what is an historically high Kansas Tourism budget. These dollars greatly affect each and every one of us, and the current expenditure of these dollars that included creating quality assets (video, photos, logos, etc.) for all six tourism regions should not go unnoticed…or unshared with the individuals that make these decisions. We can agree that our support of Kansas Tourism, in turn, only elevates what each of us do locally. This event also provides an exceptional opportunity to learn, network, and cheer each other on. If you have not already registered to attend, please do so!

See you in February!

To the Stars!

Holly Lofton

Holly Lofton has served as the director of the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau more than 11 years of her nearly 23-year residency in Lindsborg. Currently, she also serves on the South Central Kansas Tourism Region Board, as a governor’s appointee to the Kansas State Fair Board, representing Kansas Tourism, and on McPherson County Community Council for Disabilities. Holly was born in Montana but was raised in Kansas from the age of four, when her parents moved to northwest Kansas from Colorado. She and her husband Craig have raised five adult children.

TIAK Marketing Awards Press Release

Click on the button to access a press release on the marketing awards to share with your local press.

View the Press Release

Membership Survey & Incentive

Membership: Feedback & Referrals Sought

Let us know what you think by completing this membership survey. Then encourage new memberships for an opportunity to earn regional benefits.

Take the Survey

Events

Destination Statehouse Registration Open

Destination Statehouse registration is open! Join us on February 7, 2024 and 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.

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.

Kevin Fern Scholarship Fund

TIAK is honoring the late Kevin Fern, formerly with Visit Shawnee, with a special scholarship for Destination Statehouse open to students and first-time attendees. Click here for a video of Kevin after being named 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Click here to apply

TIAK Advocacy

A message from Julie Roller Weeks & Jim Zaleski

Dear TIAK Members,

In the Kansas Tourism Industry, everyone—no matter the size—plays a vital role in our industry's success. Advocacy isn't just for large organizations; it's a shared responsibility that reaches every corner of our great state, embracing organizations, businesses, and attractions of all sizes.

If your community, business, or attraction has reaped the rewards of past or potential Kansas Tourism efforts, it's time to actively participate in securing the ongoing success of our state's tourism vitality. The strength of our industry relies on a united front, and your involvement is crucial.

Kansas Tourism has made significant strides in recent years, marked by substantial investments in marketing campaigns and grant programs. The positive impact of these initiatives resonates across our state, significantly benefiting communities, businesses, and attractions. However, the continuity of this success depends on the awareness and backing of our legislators.

Advocacy, at its core, is an exercise in strategic and positive engagement. Here are key actions you can take to make a substantial contribution:

Legislative Dialogue: Initiate a meeting with your legislator ahead of the legislative session. Showcase the tangible ways in which Kansas Tourism has enriched your community, emphasizing specific benefits.

Express Gratitude: Extend appreciation through a postcard featuring your community, expressing thanks for their steadfast support of Kansas Tourism. Personalize your message by highlighting a particular success story.

Visible Gestures: Gift a distinguished item, such as a mug or a curated photo from your community for their office, providing a visible reminder of our industry. This serves as a tangible token of your gratitude.

Stay Connected: Include them in your e-newsletter distribution list to ensure they remain informed about ongoing activities in your area. Take immediate action by adding them to your distribution list today.

Data Presentation: Share your annual report, complete with visitor and lodging statistics, to articulate the quantifiable impact of tourism on your locality. Use specific figures to highlight the economic contributions of tourism.

Visitor Guide Distribution: Ensure they have access to copies of your visitor's guide, offering a comprehensive overview of the attractions and offerings in your community. Consider sending digital or physical copies directly to their office for easy access.

Grant Acknowledgment: If your community has received a grant from Kansas Tourism, tell your legislators of this accomplishment and express gratitude for the funding. Share success stories resulting from the grant.

Additionally, attending TIAK's Destination Statehouse and legislative reception amplifies the collective voice of advocacy.

Advocacy is not just a duty; it's an opportunity to shape the future of Kansas Tourism. By actively engaging in these initiatives, you contribute to the continued success of our state and guarantee that the commendable levels of funding and support persist.

For further details and to become part of the advocacy movement, please visit www.tak.org/advocacy. We eagerly anticipate your presence in Topeka this February, where your active involvement will strengthen our united voice and amplify our commitment to the future of Kansas Tourism.

Let's champion the spirit of Kansas together!

Sincerely,

Jim Zaleski and Julie Roller Weeks, TIAK Advocacy Committee

In the News

Kansas' New License Plate Design

Kansans overwhelmingly chose the design that features the state capitol's Ad Astra statue, which depicts a Kansa warrior with a bow and arrow. It received more than 53% of the almost 270,000 total votes cast.

Department of Transportation Grants

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program. Facilitated through the FHWA, the program will provide up to $60 million per fiscal year in grants to deploy, install, and operate a diverse set of advanced transportation technologies to bolster safety, mobility, and efficiency. The application deadline is February 2, 2024.

The DOT also published a NOFO for $1.5 billion in funding for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The funding will be split in half between projects in rural areas and urban areas. The application deadline is February 28, 2024.

Build Kansas Committee Recommends Four Projects

The Build Kansas Advisory Committee recommended $10.9 million in state funding for four projects, including $10 million to replace a Kansas City-area bridge. If the U.S. Department of Transportation approves funding, four entities will provide money for the $116.6 million project:

Federal government - Nearly $70 million
Kansas City, Missouri - $21.2 million
Unified Government - $15.5 million
Build Kansas Fund - $10 million

The committee recommended funding for three other projects: $745,566 for the Salina Airport Authority and $121,862 and $41,775 for the city of Ozawkie. Read more. View the committee meeting here.

Travel Trends

November 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 October.

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 October Highlights

Total travel spending growth slowed somewhat to 0.8% above last year's levels and was up 3.5% year-to-date through September.
Air travel demand was up 10% in September compared to the same month last year, but slowed slightly from June and July.
Hotel demand has remained flat in September for the fifth consecutive month.
Leisure and hospitality employment increased 4.3% compared to September 2022, the largest gain since January
Credit card spending on airlines (+3.5%) and cruise lines increased in September compared to the same time last year.
Overseas arrivals recovered further in September and are now 16% below 2019 levels.