April Newsletter

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina 

And Kansas Tourism is busy making plans and finalizing projects.  Our spring campaign kicks off this month with a focus on our surrounding states.  We shared some of those plans with you during the March Huddle. If you missed the Huddle, the recording is on TravelKS.com under the Travel Industry tab. 

I am very pleased to announce that we have a new team member with Kansas Tourism.  Hunter Feyerherm has joined our team as the Website and Database Manager. You can read more about Hunter below, but I encourage you to reach out to him to introduce yourself.  Hunter is new to the Tourism Industry and excited about getting to know more about your communities. 

A reminder that National Travel and Tourism Week is May 1-7, 2022.  This is our week to proclaim the economic impact that travel has on our state and local communities.  Kansas Tourism will be providing you with a toolkit to assist you as you share that message with your residents and elected officials.  We will be sharing the toolkit on our April 13 Huddle along with some other timely info that you will want to know.  Hope you will join us on Zoom for this Huddle.  More details are below in this newsletter. 

I hope you have a happy and productive April.

#ToTheStarsKS

Meet our newest staff member!

We are excited to announce the 2022 Kansas Media event will be in Abilene, KS on August 3rd, 2022. This premiere media event hosted by Kansas Tourism gives media members the opportunity to explore Kansas in one room. This immersive experience gives communities across Kansas the opportunity to network, pitch story ideas, and create media relationships with a multitude of media personnel.

Media attendees will have a packed itinerary, including activities the night before and day of the event. Participation in the media event will be through your regional tourism coalition, so make sure you are talking with them for booth specifics (see below for tourism region information). There may be opportunities for hosting pre/post FAM’s and we will know more details as we receive registrations from media attendees. If you have any questions email Colby.

The media event will be announced to our media partners on April 1st. Please invite your media contacts and send them to this link for registration.

Upcoming Tourism Industry Huddle

Join us on April 13 at 1:00 PM for our monthly tourism industry Huddle.  This month we will have a presentation from Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission (KCAIC) sharing their programs and services that support cultural programming and enhance the role that the arts play in Kansas.  You will also hear a legislative update from TIAK and Kansas Tourism will be providing details on the upcoming National Travel and Tourism Week. 

Global Meetings Industry Day | April 7, 2022 - Join the industry to amplify key messages, underscore the importance of in-person meetings and events and highlight their economic impact to communities across the country and the world. Visit the #GMID2022 Toolkit to explore ways your organization can participate.

Toolkit spotlight: Download the Social Media Headers so you can #LightUpBlue across your social channels on Thursday.

National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) | May 1-7, 2022 - The countdown for this year's upcoming celebration is on. Make sure you tune into the April 13th Huddle to hear what will be happening in Kansas.  You can also gather inspiration and ideas from the U.S. Travel Toolkit. NTTW recognizes the #FutureOfTravel and the industry’s important role in bringing back our vibrant communities, serving as a local and global economic driver, rebuilding our workforce and reconnecting America.  

Toolkit spotlight: TikTok How To Guide highlights a new, creative and casual way to interact with an audience and spread the word about NTTW.

Kansas Tourism Regions

Have you connected with your local tourism marketing region yet? 

Webinars

• April 6 - Partners that Prosper: Simpleview Overview & Training - 12pm
• April 13 - State of the American Traveler: Destinations Edition - 2pm
• April 22 - Technology in Travel & Hospitality - 12pm

Articles & Research

• Basic Travel Marketing SEO: Five Ways to Improve Your Blogs & Content
• Digital Tools for the Smart Place Marketer
• Tapping Travel Writers for Content Campaigns
• Tracking Trends in the Travel & Hospitality Industry

April

• April 5-6 - Destination Capitol Hill
• Thursday, Apr 7 - Global Meetings Industry Day
• Wednesday, Apr 13  - Virtual Huddle

May

• May 1-7 - National Travel & Tourism Week
• May 3-5 - Heartland Byways Conference
• Friday, May 6 - Governor's Council on Travel & Tourism Mtg
• Wednesday, May 11 - Virtual Huddle

June

• Wednesday, June 8 - 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 March 2022