President's Report

By Holly Lofton

Lindsborg CVB

February, in Lindsborg, is the last of what we refer to as the “catch up and plan ahead weeks” that we look forward to before we roll into what is always a hectic remainder of the year. The past two weeks we have noticed a trend of our phone ringing constantly and high numbers of emails rolling in. Local business owners are noticing much of the same. It feels both good…and a bit unnatural, all at the same time after what has been a season of odd travel behaviors that all of us have been working to unravel.

During covid closures and subsequent years of seeing travel behaviors and social media use that was out of the norm, Lindsborg made the most of this time by kicking off what felt like unseasonal marketing efforts to talk about not just visiting Lindsborg, but also living here. We are currently seeing these efforts begin to pay off in full. Our downtown streets are busy, and not only on weekends or holidays. Young people are moving here from out of state to make a new life in Kansas, AND they are opening businesses that impact our tourism economy. These new residents visited Lindsborg long before they made the decision to move here. Collective Kansas tourism efforts are truly the gateway to growing Kansas. What each of us is doing, every day, counts for our communities and for Kansas as a whole. 

Keep pushing the rock uphill! 

To the Stars,

Holly Lofton 

Membership: Feedback & Referrals Sought

Let us know what you think by completing this membership survey. The survey closes March 25th. Then encourage new memberships for an opportunity to earn regional benefits.

2024 Destination Statehouse

Nearly 75 TIAK members came to Topeka for Destination Statehouse 2024 on February 7th. More than 100 Legislators attended and learned more about the value of tourism on the Kansas economy; and TIAK members had a day to network with their industry colleagues. Thanks to all who participated and sponsored this fun event!

We were honored to have a BBQ lunch catered at Destination Statehouse by Operation BBQ Relief. Founded by Kansas City pitmasters, this beloved disaster relief nonprofit has served more than 11,000,000 hot meals to residents, first responders, and relief workers across the country since 2011. Learn more about their mission and volunteer opportunities!

Destination Capitol Hill registration

Registration is open for Destination Capitol Hill (DCH). Join the U.S. Travel Association in Washington, D.C., March 19-20, to meet face-to-face with your local lawmakers.

The event brings travel leaders from across the country together to educate policymakers about the power of travel. The program combines a legislative day on Capitol Hill with advocacy training, guest speakers and peer-to-peer networking. DCH provides delegates with an opportunity to learn about upcoming legislation that impacts travel, network with peers and meet with members of Congress to stress the importance of travel as an economic driver. 

Join us for Destination Capitol Hill 2024 on March 19-20. If you are interested in attending, please contact Natalie Bright.

2024 is a Kansas Destination Specialist (KDS) renewal year for all designees. Even if you received your KDS in 2023, you must complete a renewal in 2024. The good news is that renewal isn’t really difficult and you might even renew without any special effort.



Renewing members must complete at least two of the following requirements:

1. Read and complete one book report form (any category). If you find a book that you want to read and it is not on the list, send me the name and a brief synopsis via email to see if it will work.
2. Visit one Kansas attraction, 50+ miles from home, and submit the visiting attraction form.
3. Obtain one education point. The KS Tourism Conference and Destination Statehouse count for this requirement automatically. Other education sessions require the education session follow-up form to be submitted.
4. Submit four reports from webinars you participated in using the educational session follow-up form.
5. Submit four reports from online articles or industry publications with the appropriate renewal form above.

If you have not completed your requirements by early August, you will be getting an email from me to remind you to do so. If you have a question you do not see covered, email me at tourism@cityofliberal.org or call me at 620-626-0170.

If you have not yet received your KDS and want to work on it this year, here are some details you need to know: 

1. The deadline for submissions this year is September 27, 2024.
2. Check https://tiak.org/resources/kds/ for the list of how many points you have so you know what you need for completion. If your name is highlighted in red—you are almost there. Just need those book reports. If your name is in green—you are close to having 25 points. Knowing where you are in the process will help you decide if you can make it happen by the deadline.
3. Anything you have done since last year’s deadline of Sept. 16, 2023 can still be submitted.
4. All TIAK educational offerings you register for and attend automatically give you points without you completing any follow-up paperwork. Any other educational offering must be submitted on the Education Session Follow-up Form.
5. There is a recommended book list but it is hard to keep up to date with all the new books being published. If you have a book that falls into one of the three categories (Kansas, Leadership, Marketing) and think it is a great option then send me an email (tourism@cityofliberal.org) with a brief synopsis to get it approved for use.

Points accumulate as follows: half point for webinar or seminar; one point for half-day session; two points for full-day session; and three points for two or more days.

On the visiting an attraction requirement, you earn one point for each attraction. You may do more than one attraction from the same town but it must be a valid Kansas attraction. Example: Restaurants will only count if it is in a historic building and you are able to tour and learn about the building. 

U.S. Travel's 2024 Priorities

U.S Travel's unique mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. This mission is pursued by establishing travel as essential and responsible, advancing seamless and secure travel, shaping solutions to operational challenges and building a strong business. By engaging with U.S. Travel, our members shape a thriving and sustainable travel experience. The full outline of 2024 priorities can be found here.

• Establish Travel as Essential and Responsible: The travel industry is an economic powerhouse that unites people, benefits society and is paramount to the United States’ global competitiveness. We must elevate the perceived value of the industry among policymakers, opinion leaders and business leaders.
• Improve the Travel Experience from Point A to Point B: U.S. Travel is uniquely positioned to bring the entirety of the travel industry together to improve the traveler’s experience and enable future growth. This portion of our agenda should address both immediate challenges and pave the way for game-changing opportunities.
• Provide Members with Tangible, Meaningful Opportunities to Learn, Connect and Shape Business: U.S. Travel seeks to create a value proposition that is diversified both in terms of our capabilities and the people within member organizations to whom we provide benefit. A thoughtful and intentional focus on our value proposition is fundamental to our future growth.
• Build a Best-in-Class Trade Association with an Eye Towards the Future: U.S. Travel seeks to operate as a business: making difficult decisions, wisely utilizing members’ time and resources and investing in areas of opportunity.

Local World Cup Organizers Seek Kansas Funding

Several organizations provided a breakdown of the effects of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The presentation was shared with TIAK on the economic impact and the case for funding from Kansas. View the presentation.

Labor Market Report

Please find the link below to the December 2023 Labor Market report. The January 2024 Labor Report will be released on Friday, March 8, 2024

Dec. 2023 Labor Market Report: https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/lmi/default.aspx?plang=E  

Click on “Monthly Labor Report” at the top. Then scroll down further and click on “Labor Force Data” for the “Interactive Labor Force Dashboard” and “Printable County Unemployment Rate Map”.

January 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 January.

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.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

Second Wednesday of each month

March 13

TIAK Executive Committee Meetings

April 10

May 9

July 11

September 12

November 14

TIAK Board Meetings

April 11 (& Educational Seminar)

June 13

August 8

October 21 (& KTC)

December 12

Event Dates

Destination Capitol Hill

March 19 - 20, 2024

TIAK Educational Seminar

April 11 - Hays

National Travel & Tourism Week

May 19 - 24, 2024

Kansas Tourism Conference

October 21-23 - Olathe