January Newsletter

Welcome to 2022. I hope that each of you had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season.

For many years now, I have chosen a word of the year…in fact, several of you have reached out recently asking what my word is for 2022. I am amazed how many times throughout the year that my chosen word becomes relevant in various situations. My 2020 word of the year was Pivot, and we all knew how much we all pivoted that year. My 2021 word was Perspective, and there were countless times this past year that I was reminded the value of looking at a situation from another’s perspective.

Choosing 2022’s word was a challenge. I narrowed it down to several words a couple weeks ago and then spent some time over the holidays thinking about each one of those words; how they each related to where I am at in my life right now, both professionally and personally, and what I need to focus on to make this next year successful. I realized that 2021 was a year of great change and I ended the year feeling a bit drained. At Kansas Tourism we made massive changes as we moved the entire team to Commerce, added new team members, unveiled the new TravelKS.com, and made countless other improvements and changes to our various programs. All these changes were very positive and I was thrilled to be a part of them, but change can also be exhausting at times.

After much deliberation, I finally settled on my word for this year. It is something I want to work on to increase in my life. My 2022 word of the year is Fortitude. The definition of fortitude is having the mental and emotional ability to courageously face challenges. It is courage, determination, tenacity, grit and moxie all mixed together. It is the opposite of laziness, apathy or fear. It is doing what needs to be done even when I don’t want to. It is taking care of business.

As we are all entering a new year and continue to adjust to the new challenges of the tourism industry, my hope for you is Fortitude. I wish for you the fortitude to keep moving ahead, to keep seeking new and improved ways of marketing your community or business, and to keep finding new ways to enhance your visitor’s experiences.

If you also choose a word of the year, I would love to hear your word for 2022. You can share it with me at Bridgette.Jobe@KS.gov.

I wish you a thriving 2022 filled with Fortitude.

#ToTheStarsKS

2023 Official Kansas Travel Guide

It's that time again! Would you like the ability to reach thousands of people about your destination or business for a mere $80? Be sure to purchase a listing in the 2023 Kansas Travel Guide. You can find details about how to purchase your listing here or contact Andrea Etzel.

GUIDE LISTING DEADLINES

• EARLY BIRD – January 18 – February 28
• GENERAL – March 1 – March 31
• INVOICES SENT – After April 1
• FINAL PAYMENT DUE – May 13

LISTING PRICES

• EARLY BIRD - $80, Standard & $120, Highlighted
• GENERAL - $100, Standard & $140, Highlighted

Heartland Byways Conference

Hit the road and join byway leaders from around the country for the Heartland Byways Conference in Leavenworth, May 3-5, 2022. Topics covered will focus on the core learning areas essential to the success and sustainability of byways: organization leadership, marketing & finance, corridor management, interpretation, and visitor experiences. Registration opens January 14.  For more information click here.

PR & Marketing Updates

Anytime is BBQ time. We will soon be updating our BBQ pages on TravelKS.com.  Please make sure all locations in your area have a website listing. If you need help adding it to our website please contact Kelli.

You can now find Colby, Kansas Tourism’s PR & Communications Manager, every month on Good Day Kansas. You can follow Colby & Avery Osen, Good Day Kansas Host, the 3rd Wednesday each month as they explore attractions across Kansas. If you missed it, Colby also has a weekly segment, “To The Stars” that airs every Thursday morning on WIBW. If you know of any other shows or radio segments that Colby should be a part of please contact her by email.

Upcoming Tourism Industry Huddles

January - Wednesday, January 12 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM will be full of important updates from both Kansas Tourism and TIAK.  Kansas Tourism will be presenting details about the soon to open EDA sub-grants for attraction development.  TIAK will be providing a legislative update and sharing details about the upcoming (Feb 9) TIAK Destination Statehouse.

Kansas Tourism Regions

Have you connected with your local tourism marketing region yet? 

Webinars

• January 11 - Humanities Kansas Grants Chat - 12pm
• January 12 - Kansas Tourism Industry Virtual Huddle - 1pm - Sponsored by Kansas Tourism & TIAK
• January 13 - Group Tour Sales and Tactics for our New Reality - 10am
• January 20 - The State of the Workforce featuring Gallup - 12pm

Articles & Research

• 10 Content Marketing Trends to Watch in 2022
• 13 Inclusive Design Changes to Increase Your Digital Marketing Engagement
• 2022 Top Hospitality Industry Trends
• Travel Trends to Watch in 2022
• What Social Media Trends Will Emerge for 2022

January

• Wednesday, Jan 12  - Virtual Huddle
• Monday, Jan 17 - State Offices Closed
• Saturday, Jan 29 - Kansas Day

February

• Wednesday, Feb 2 - Virtual Huddle
• Friday, Feb 4 - Governor's Council on Travel & Tourism Mtg
• Wednesday, Feb 9 - Destination Statehouse

March

• Wednesday, Mar 9 - 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 Kelsey Tully.

New & Renewing in December 2021