March Newsletter

Welcome to March. I hope you are all enjoying this early spring like weather and taking this opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Kansas outdoors. 

I have recently been thinking about the value of a business traveler to our economy.  And not just the impact of large meetings and conventions, I have been thinking about the impact of the small meetings and the individual business traveler.  As I write this column, I am sitting in a hotel room in a Kansas community preparing for a business meeting later this morning.  Since I arrived last night, I have spent money on a hotel room, dinner, a tankful of gas, and because I just realized that I did not put any mascara in my make-up bag, I will be stopping at a local convenience store this morning to make a purchase.  My less than 24 hour stay in this community has resulted in Sales Tax and Transient Guest Tax revenues, and has helped to support jobs at least 4 different locations – a hotel, a restaurant, a gas station, and a convenience store. 

So often we tend to think about the tourism industry only through the lens of a leisure traveler.  But a business traveler, if only in your community for a few hours, is an important source of revenue.  And, maybe more importantly, they are potential repeat visitors for the future.  Last night, as was heading out to get dinner, I happened upon an interesting looking vintage store that was unfortunately already closed for the evening.  So, guess what – it is now on my list for next time I am here in town.  I was enticed to come back. 

So, my encouragement to you for the month of March is to think about how you are welcoming and enticing business travelers to your community.  Are there ways that you can improve the business travelers experience in a way that will bring them back for future visits.  How are you making sure the business travelers are aware of all they great things there are to do in your community, whether they enjoy them this visit…or the next.  I encourage you to embrace the opportunities business travelers can bring. 

Here’s to a great March full of great journeys. 

To The Stars,

New Kansas Byways Guide

The new Kansas Byways guide is out! If you'd like to order copies to distribute you can order them thru the Extranet and we will ship them to you for free.  If you'd like to see the digital issue click here or if you need access to the Extranet contact Hunter.

Join the Kansas Tourism Team!

Special Projects Coordinator

This position will be responsible for the coordination and oversight of two major state-wide projects, the America 250 Commission in Kansas, and the Resident Recruitment Campaign.  For both projects, this person will work closely with the Commerce and Tourism staff, Legislative members, tourism industry members, and other key stakeholders.

Sunflower Summer

Applications for eligible venues are open for the 2024 Sunflower Summer Program until March 15. Watch the recorded information webinar, find out more details and how venues can participate here.  If you have an attraction in your community that you think would be a good fit for the Sunflower Summer program send this info sheet their way. If you have questions please contact Jordan.

2025 Official Kansas Travel Guide

Don't miss out on an opportunity to reach thousands of people about your destination or business for a mere $100. You can find details about how to purchase your listing for the 2025 Official Kansas Travel Guide here or contact Andrea Etzel.

GUIDE LISTING INFORMATION

• Deadline: March 31
• Cost:  $100 Standard, $140 Highlighted
• Invoices Sent: After April 1st
• Final Payment Due:  May 13th

Don't forget if you are a DMO you get a free listing, but it still needs to be entered through the Extranet as a Visitor Resource.

Grant Opportunities

Attraction Development Grant - Applications for the Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant are now open and are due Monday, April 1st. You can view the guidelines and information here.

Historic Economic Asset Lifeline - Applications for the Emergency HEAL Grants, which are intended to bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse, will close on June 3rd. For more information and to watch the virtual webinar click here.

Rural Mural & Public Art - This grant helps communities with fewer than 10,000 residents create murals and public art projects to beautify public gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions. Applications open this spring.  You will be able find more information here.

Tourism Industry Huddle

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, March 13 at 1:00 PM.  Topics covered will include a presentation from the Kansas Turnpike Authority on Cashless Tolling and the Office of Rural Prosperity will go over the current grant opportunities available thru their programs. 

Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85073320959?pwd=WkttM0JaQ3AvbHZpY1VkMkxUWnMyZz09

Kansas Tourism Regions

Have you connected with your local tourism marketing region yet? 

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

Webinars

• March 5 - Navigating the Intersection of Parks & Recreation with Sports Tourism - 12pm
• March 12 - Kansas Trail Talk - Trail Sustainability - 12pm
• March 13 - Tourism Virtual Huddle - 1pm
• March 14 - Strategies for the Overwhelmed - 1pm
• March 19 - Listening: More Than 2 Ears, 2 Clicks or 2 Words - 1pm

Articles & Research

• Beyond ADA: Making Accessibility a Priority
• Courting Opportunity - Pickleball
• Debunked 2.0: Myths and Truths about Print Marketing
• Technical Audits 101: What They Are and Why Your Website Needs One
• Trade Show Booths: 100 Best Ideas
• U.S. Travel's 2025 Lodging Levies: Rates & Allocation Study

March

• Wed, Mar 13 - Virtual Huddle
• Fri, Mar 15 - Sunflower Summer Apps Due
• Sun, Mar 31 - Travel Guide Listings Due

April

• Mon, Apr 1 - Attraction Dev Grants Due
• Wed, April 10 - Virtual Huddle

May

• May 2-5 - Big Kansas Road Trip
• Fri, May 3 - Gov Council Mtg
• Wed, May 8 - Virtual Huddle
• May 19-25 - National Travel & Tourism Week

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 February 2024