June Newsletter

I don’t know about you, but I have been able to attend several meetings in person in the last few weeks, and it has been fantastic. Seeing people in person, actual real hugs, and all the feels that I took for granted and missed so much in the past year are coming back. Our beloved tourism industry is started to blossom again. I hope you are also feeling the excitement.

Kansas Tourism has many changes on the horizon and I truly believe this is our time to blossom as the state tourism division. Final preparations are being made for our reorganization as we will become a division of the Kansas Dept of Commerce on July 1. Our physical moving week is June 28 – July 2, so please remember that we may be a little hard to get hold of during some of those dates. For best up to date news during our move, we will keep you updated on the Kansas Tourism Industry Facebook page.

I do want to give a very special shout out to our retiring Kansas Tourism Agritourism and Byways Manager, Sue Stringer. Sue’s passion for these two programs inspires me and her knowledge is going to be impossible to replace. But at the same time, the entire Kansas Tourism team is so happy for Sue as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. Sue – thank you for a job well done. You have made Kansas proud.

Kansas Tourism will be posting this position in July after we get settled into our new office space.

I hope to see you on the road soon.

To The Stars.

Save the Date!  We invite you to be a part of the Kansas tourism industry's "don't miss" conference of the year, October 18-20, 2021, in Liberal, KS. Enjoy inspiring speakers, valuable educational information, and fun networking opportunities.  Registration will be opening soon!

Tourism Staff Announcements

Our dear friend and colleague, Sue Stringer - Agritourism & Byways Manager, is retiring after close to 34 years with the State of Kansas. You are invited to send her off with best wishes at a come and go retirement reception on Monday, June 7, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the offices of Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, 1020 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS  66612.

Congrats to our Goodland Travel Information Center (TIC) counselor, Alice Cress, for her 30th anniversary with the State of Kansas! Alice's favorite thing about working at the TIC is interacting with the travelers. The most common questions she gets are: ‘How far is it to Kansas City?’ and ‘Where’s the Eisenhower Center?’

If you'd like to place your brochures or participate in any of our other marketing opportunities at the TICs, click here to find out how.

Move Updates

Because of our upcoming move to the Kansas Department of Commerce, we want to keep you informed of some upcoming changes:

• Please make sure your checks are made out to Kansas Tourism
• As of July 1st our new address will be: 1000 SW Jackson, Ste 100, Topeka, KS  66612
• Emails and Phone Numbers will stay the same

Please bear with us during this transition.  There may be times especially the last week of June that we may be unreachable.

Kansas Tourism Regions

Have you connected with your local tourism marketing regions yet? 

Learn more about the regions →

Webinars

• June 9 - Kansas Tourism Industry Virtual Huddle - 1pm - Sponsored by Kansas Tourism & TIAK
• June 9 - Team Reconstitution:  Your Organization's Future - 12PM
• June 10 - Five Keys to Customer Loyalty - 10am
• June 17 - The Journey Back:  Getting #TravelReady - 1PM
• June 23 - Size Doesn't Matter: How Your Destination Could Benefit from Launching a Paid Event Passport - 12PM

Articles & Research

• Welcome Summer! Download the latest update on American Travel Trends from Destination Analysts
• The Travel Industry Is Starting to Recover.  Download the latest Trend Report from Expedia Group
• Cooperation 101: What Tour Operators Wish Destinations Knew
• Tips From Pros:  How to Drive Sales with Creative Content

June

• Wednesday, June 9 - Virtual Huddle
• Friday, June 18 - Travel Guide Listings Deadline
• Monday, June 28 - Moving Week to Dept of Commerce

July

• Thursday, July 1 - First Day in Dept of Commerce
• Monday, July 5 - State Offices Closed
• Wednesday, Jul 14 - Virtual Huddle

August

• Sunday, Aug 1 - Marketing Grants Due
• Friday, Aug 6 - Governor's Council on Travel & Tourism Mtg
• Wednesday, Aug 11 - Virtual Huddle

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 May 2021