February Newsletter

You’re probably used to hearing from Bridgette, but I wanted to take a moment to pop in with something exciting! Did you know that this year, KANSAS! magazine is turning 80? It’s hard to believe, but we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the celebration than by introducing KANSAS! Kids.

Fun fact: this isn’t the first time KANSAS! has had a special edition for young readers. Some of you may remember KANSAS! Too, first published in the 1980s as a learning tool for parents and teachers. It was designed to inspire Kansas youth to fall in love with their home state, and now, KANSAS! Kids carries on that tradition.

This new edition is all about sparking curiosity in young minds—connecting them to the beauty, history, and endless possibilities of Kansas. Students will find hidden gems in these pages. They will also gain a deeper appreciation for their home. Our mission? To create a lasting connection to Kansas while encouraging kids to dream big and explore their passions.

We specifically designed KANSAS! Kids for 4th-6th grade students, the age when Kansas history is introduced in classrooms. In this first issue, we partnered with the Kansas State Historical Society to celebrate the history of Kansas Day. Readers will love finding out why Kansas is the 'Disc Golf Capital of the World.' They can also use a template in the magazine to create a paper glider.

Our goal was to ensure every student had a copy for Kansas Day, and with the help of the Kansas Department of Education, we made it happen! Over 1,000 schools received enough copies for 115,000 students—and the response has been overwhelming. The most common question? "Can we get more?"

For schools not registered with KDE and homeschool families, we’ve made copies available upon request. Plus, all KANSAS! magazine subscribers received a copy as well. So far, we’ve mailed over 132,000 copies—and the requests keep coming!

If you’d like to request a copy, click here.

To The Stars,

2026 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 2026 Kansas Travel Guide. You can find details about how to purchase your listing here or contact Jordan Roemerman.

GUIDE LISTING DEADLINES

• EARLY BIRD – January 1 – February 28
• GENERAL – March 1 – March 31
• PAYMENT DUE – May 31

LISTING PRICES

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

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

Contact Kelli if you would like for her to come to your office for training on the Extranet.

Tourism Industry Huddle

There will be NO February huddle.  We hope to see you at TIAK's Destination Statehouse next week instead! Check out the Industry Page to view previous huddles.

Registration is now open for "The Agritourism Advantage: Mastering Customer Service & Marketing" Program on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Prairie Band Casino & Resort. This workshop will focus on elevating your agritourism business with expert-led sessions on customer service and marketing, plus networking opportunities. Registration is just $15 and includes a full day of learning, lunch, and optional consulting sessions.

Want to make the most of your trip? Arrive early and enjoy the casino, spa, dining, and more! A special $99 room rate is available for attendees on Sunday night. Call (785) 966-7742 to reserve your stay.

Grant Opportunities

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

Kansas Arts Commission grant applications are open now thru February 28th for the following:  General Operating Support, Arts Everywhere, Public Art & Murals, and Visiting Artists. You can watch a recording of an informational session here.

For other grants available from the Kansas Department of Commerce click here. 

Kansas Film Location Database

The Kansas Arts Commission’s Filming in Kansas resources are available to assist media professionals interested in working in Kansas. As the film and media industry continues to expand, the Kansas Locations Database resource is one way to let industry professional know about the local gems in your area. Click here to submit interesting, notable, and quintessentially Kansas locations in your community. The submission form is very flexible and you can submit as much or as little detail on the location as you’re able. Photos help a great deal but are not required. Please contact the Kansas Arts Commission staff with any questions at kcaic@ks.gov.

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.

Upcoming Meetings & Conferences

• March 10 - The Kansas Agritourism Advantage - Mayetta
• March 17-18 - DIY Tourism Marketing Conference - Asheville, NC - Save $100 on registration by using code "FriendsofLearnTourism"
• April 3 - Big Rural Brainstorm - McPherson

Webinars

• February 12 - Your Plan For 2025 - 10:30am
• February 13 - An Intro to Building Your Brand Story - 12pm
• February 18 - Schedule your Social Media for the New Year - 12pm
• February 24 - Understanding & Implementing Nature Positive Tourism - 11am
• February 27 - The Power of Pinterest - 1pm

Articles & Research

• 5 Reasons Why DMOs Should Pivot to Prioritizing Events Alongside Leisure Travel
• How Fairgrounds Evolved Into Prime Redevelopment Hubs
• Insights into the Travel Needs of Athletes (and Spectators) with Disabilities
• Introduction to Youth Sports Tourism
• SEO vs. Social Media
• Top 10 Accessible Travel Trends for 2025
• Unlock success in 2025 with 6 top tourism trends

February

• Wed, Feb 12 - TIAK Destination Statehouse (No Huddle)

March

• Wed, Mar 12 - Virtual Huddle
• Mon, Mar 31 - Travel Guide Listings Due

April

• Tues, Apr 1 - Attraction Dev Grants Due
• Wed, Apr 9 - Virtual Huddle

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 January 2025