November Newsletter

Thank you for joining us for the virtual 2020 Kansas Tourism Conference. And thank you to TIAK for the great partnership that we have with you in putting on the conference. This conference truly was a team effort.  The partnership between  TIAK and the Kansas tourism division has blossomed this year with the development of the virtual Huddles and then a virtual Conference.  I believe we are stronger as an industry when we work together.   I hope that every one of you were able to take away something that will help you as we move forward into 2021. 

After the final 2020 virtual Kansas Tourism Conference session, I was scrolling through some social media accounts when I ran across this post. “Plot Twist:  2020 has actually been the best year of your life.  You’ve faced challenge after challenge, you’ve adapted, and you’ve overcome.  2020 has forced you to grown exponentially.  Don’t take that for granted.”  

Although I don’t think I can say that 2020 has been the BEST year for the Kansas Tourism Industry, I can agree that we have faced many challenges and have grown significantly.  We have much work still to do to come out on the other side of this pandemic, but I agree, let’s not lose sight of how far we have come and all that we have learned this year. 

Again, thank you for joining us on the virtual Kansas Tourism Conference.  Click here to view all the virtual conference sessions. 

Be sure to also mark your calendars now so you can be a part of the conference next year, October 19-21, 2021, in Liberal, KS. 

Governor's Council on Tourism

Mimi Meredith - Hutchinson

Mimi is enjoying her sixth year at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson where she serves as the Sr. VP of Development/Chief Development Officer. She oversees fundraising, marketing and a variety of other initiatives. Mimi has spent her professional career in development, marketing and public relations and her personal life happily surrounded by her most amazing family. She and her husband Greg have three adult children and one adorable granddaughter. 

Janet McRae - Spring Hill

As the director of economic development, Janet has spent the past six years working to building the tax base and employment opportunities in Miami County.  Before joining Miami County, Janet spent almost 15 years as the director of economic development for the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce. In addition to being certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional and a graduate of EDI, Janet graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in journalism. She is vice president of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance. 

Rosa Cavazos - Topeka

Rosa has been with the CVB/Chamber, now known as the Greater Topeka Partnership, for 8 years, but started with Visit Topeka as the Tourism Sales Manager.  During her time at the Partnership she has created a number of tours that promoted Topeka and surrounding areas and also started the events division for Visit Topeka. Rosa also created the “Topeka Destination Ambassador” for the hospitality industry to learn the history of Topeka and the importance of sharing the Topeka story to visitor’s. She is currently the Vice President of Resource Development and Events for the Partnership and is the mother of four amazing children.

KANSAS! Magazine Awards

Single Photo for "Rodeo Cowboy" by Jason Dailey featured in summer 2019 issue

Portrait Series for "Return to a World Dream" by Bri JoRae Pusch-Zuniga featured in the spring 2020 issue

General Feature for "After the Flames" by Michael Pearce featured in the fall 2019 issue

Portrait for "The Beekeeper" by Justin Lister featured in the winter 2019 issue

Historic Feature for "19th Amendment and Kansas Women Suffragettes" by Beccy Tanner featured in the spring 2020 issue 

National Recreation Trails

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt recently announced 30 new national recreation trails recently, which included four new national recreation trails in Kansas. Each trail selected to receive this honor must support a diversity of users, reflect its region, and be among America's best trails, all qualities that benefit the hiking community. Congrats to the following trails!

Webinars

• Nov 3 - Funding Futures:  Dedicated Funding & Tax Increment Financing
• Nov 5 - Leveraging Dark Social (Use Code TravelKS)
• Nov 12 - 5 Steps to Outrank Your Competitors  (Use Code TravelKS)
• Nov 18 - Kansas Tourism/TIAK Virtual Huddle
• Nov 19 - We're Only Human (Use Code TravelKS)
• Nov 26 - SEO for Tourism (Use Code TravelKS)
• Nov - Where Are We Now: A Look to the future for events 

Articles & Research

• Facebook Launches 'Facebook Business Suite', an All-in-One Management Tool  - Facebook has launched yet another management platform, which is focused on making it easier for small businesses to manage their Facebook and Instagram presences from a single platform.

• QR Touchless Menus - Contactless menus are an easy, safe and secure way for customers to view menus from their own mobile device.  iWallet will convert your menu into a QR code for FREE.

November

• Friday, Nov 6 - Governor's Council on Travel & Tourism Mtg
• Wednesday, Nov 11 - State Offices Closed
• Wednesday, Nov 18 - Virtual Huddle
• November 26-27 - State Offices Closed

December

• Friday, Dec 4 - Governor's Council on Travel and Tourism Mtg
• Wednesday, Dec 16 - Virtual Huddle
• December 24-25 - State Offices Closed

January

• Friday, Jan 1 - State Offices Closed
• Monday, Jan 18 - State Offices Closed
• Friday, Jan 29 - Kansas Day

We are continuously getting new and renewing Kansas Agritourism businesses that we'd love for you to explore and highlight in your own communities! For more information on the Kansas Agritourism Program, please contact Sue Stringer.

New & Renewing in October 2020

Vinland de la Cairns - Topeka

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