October Newsletter

This is my favorite time of the year.  The leaves changing colors and the crisp, fresh air makes me want to put on my coziest sweater and binge-watch Hallmark movies.  But even more of a reason to love the fall season is that this month is the annual Kansas Tourism Conference. 

KTC is one of my favorite activities each fall because I always leave feeling renewed and challenged. I look at this conference as the perfect opportunity to be inspired, to learn something new about the tourism industry, to make new friends, to catch up with old friends, and to recharge myself for the next year. I so look forward to seeing many of you in Dodge City, Oct 16-18, at #KTC23. 

There are many fabulous speakers at this year’s conference, but there is one session I would like to specifically point out.  Wednesday, Oct 18 at 10:45 AM, Jonathan Clayton, Kansas Dept of Commerce Director of Economic Recovery, is presenting a breakout session on “Best Practices when Filling out a Grant Application.”  This session is in response to a comment I hear quite often about how intimidating grant applications can be.  Jonathan is going to share some great tips and ideas on making your lives a little easier as you look at future grant opportunities.   

And don’t forget to bring your western wear for the evening Community Event on Monday night! I’ll see you in Dodge. 

To The Stars,

We can't wait to see you at the Kansas Tourism Conference, October 16-18, 2023, in Dodge City, KS! Here are some tips for #KTC23:

  • Chart your course: Before the conference, review the agenda in advance and pick out which sessions interest you the most focusing on areas of your role.  
  • Come prepared: Bring a small notebook, pen, business cards and your game face.  
  • Be engaged: Get the most out of the conference by minimizing “office work” and keeping non-conference activities to a minimum.  
  • Network: Hanging out and making conversations with complete strangers can be scary, however the majority of people at the conference are there to connect with like-minded individuals, too.  
  • Visit the vendors: Seek out companies with opportunities that help improve your services.  

If you haven't registered yet, you still can by clicking the button below. 

Register Here

Tourism Industry Huddle

There will be NO huddle held on Wednesday, October 11th.  We hope that you will attend the General Sessions featuring Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe at the Kansas Tourism Conference!

Website & Marketing Updates

We launched the latest episode in our ‘To the Stories’ series this week. Take a trip through some of Kansas’ spookiest spaces with the Ghost Moms: Emily, Julie, Kelly, and Liz. Moms by day. Paranormal investigators by night. Expert thrill and chill seekers, scouring the state’s spookiest spaces on their hunt for the haunted.

Just like the big box stores we are preparing for the holidays already! We need your help by adding your Holiday Events and Parades thru the Extranet. If you need assistance please contact Hunter.
Kansas Trail

Trail Talk Tuesdays

K-State Research and Extension is partnering with the Sunflower Foundation and the Kansas Trails Council to bring you a series of webinars. These events are for local trail advocates of any kind - from city managers to volunteers - who want to create access to trails so their citizens can enjoy the physical, mental, and community benefits from connecting with nature.

The webinars will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 12-1 pm:

  • October 10, 2023:  Where do we start?
  • November 14, 2023:  Let’s get started!
  • December 12, 2023:  What will this cost?
  • January 9, 2024:  Where will we find the money?
  • February 13, 2024:  How do we make the trail sustainable?
  • March 12, 2024:  Rail trail issues
 

2024 Official Kansas Travel Guide

The 2024 Kansas Travel Guide has been sent to the printer! If you typically order more than 2 boxes each year then you may want to be added to the drop shipment list. Contact Andrea by Tuesday, October 10th and you will be one of the first to receive the 2024 Kansas Travel Guides! 

Be on the lookout on how you can participate in the 2025 Official Kansas Travel Guide in January! In the meantime be sure to update your website listings thru the Extranet. If you need assistance contact Kelli.

DTN Partnership

A quick heads-up that you may get an email and/or phone call from a company called “DTN” in the coming days or weeks. As you may already know, DTN is a digital partner that works with destination marketing organizations like ours to produce and publish paid content on TravelKS.com and to help move our website visitors to become customers for our partners.

With DTN’s help, we’ve put together a small selection of paid content placements on TravelKS.com that we believe will help get your message in front of more of our visitor audience and to send more of those visitors to your website. Details about these placements can be found here.

Kansas Tourism Regions

Partnership

Have you connected with your local tourism marketing region yet? 

Kansas Tourism has made it a priority to market the state regionally as visitors respond well to this approach. In Kansas there are six tourism regions, and each region has an organization that represents their members. By being a part of your regional organization, you have access to additional marketing and advertising opportunities. Kansas Tourism depends heavily on these regional organizations to help direct our marketing efforts. If you are not sure what region you are in, or how to get in contact with them, reach out to Kelli Orender and she can help you get to the correct person.  

To find out when the next meeting is in your region click here.
Education Resources

Webinars

Articles & Research

Dates to Remember

October

  • Oct 16-18 - Kansas Tourism Conference

November

  • Fri, Nov 3 - Governor's Council Mtg
  • Wed, Nov 8 - Virtual Huddle
  • Nov 23-24 - State Offices Closed

December

  • Wed, Dec 13 - Virtual Huddle
  • Mon, Dec 25 - State Offices Closed

For a full list of industry events click here.

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 Wendling.

New & Renewing in September 2023

Cottage Lane Pumpkin Patch Ellis
Creekside U-Pick Flower Farm Paola
Kearney Cattle Olathe
Pa's Pumpkin Patch Hays
Wilson County Old Iron Club

Fredonia
Stay Connected
Kansas - To The Stars