May Newsletter

One of the things I enjoy about this time of year is the volume of youth sports events taking place all across the state. From soccer to baseball to track meets, our communities – large and small – are alive with the energy and excitement of kids chasing goals, both literally and figuratively. Beyond the fun, these events also bring a significant economic boost to communities across our state. 

Just the other day, my youngest grandson, who is 4 years old, played his very first soccer game. He is on the fierce and competitive Green Dragons - a team that, in my totally unbiased opinion, may possibly be one of the best in Kansas history. I couldn’t be there in person, but my son sent me several videos, which I may or may not have watched over 20 times.     

The good news is – my grandson scored two goals! He also lost a shoe mid-sprint and had to backtrack to find it. Then in another video, he somehow just faceplanted – without another player near him.   

But what struck me the most wasn’t necessarily the goals, the shoe, or even the faceplant. It was the pure joy that was on his face the entire game. Even when he faceplanted. He just bounced back up, took a quick look at his Mom and Dad to make sure he was ok, and went right back to playing – skipping, smiling, and fully immersed in being a part of his team.    

So I have decided that this month, I am going to approach my work like a 4-year-old soccer player. Show up. Work hard. Always do my best. Cheer on my teammates. Sometimes I am going to score goals, and other times I am going to have to pick myself up when I faceplant. It is all about the attitude. It is the joy of being in the game. And of course, the snacks at the end always help. 

We have a lot going on this month at Kansas Tourism – be sure to check everything out in this newsletter - you don’t want to miss any opportunities. I hope to see you out on the field. 

To The Stars,

2025 Marketing Campaign

This month you may start seeing our 2025 marketing campaign appearing digitally, on broadcast and in print. Check out the campaign here. 

National Travel and Tourism week is May 4-10! This week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the contributions of tourism on our local, state, and national economy. Download the toolkit from the U.S. Travel Association to help you develop key messaging, social posts, etc. 

If you need data to help compile your local information please feel free to use information from our 2024 Year in Review.  NTTW is an annual celebration that underscores travel’s essential role in driving our nation's economy, cultivating vibrant communities and forging connections.

Sunflower Summer

Venue applications have closed for the 2025 Sunflower Summer program and we will be announcing the official participating list in June. In the meantime, you can encourage Kansans to download the app and to keep updated on the webpage.  The program will run from July 12th - August 3rd.  

Remember to also utilize the Coupons/Deals page on TravelKS.com by uploading your local offers thru the Extranet. Last summer this was one of our most frequently visited pages on our website!

TBEX Summit

If you have an interest in working with travel media don't forget to register or become a sponsor for the TBEX Summit that will be held in Wichita, October 1-4, 2025. Even if you don't attend, make sure to update your website listings and upload your events to the Extranet. Many of the content creators and media attending will be traversing the state before and after the Summit. If you have questions on how to use the Extranet contact Kelli.

Input Needed

Symphony in the Flint Hills Inc has launched a public survey to gather input as the organization plans its future. For nearly two decades, Symphony in the Flint Hills Inc has worked to deepen appreciation for the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie through education, the arts, and stewardship. Now, the organization is seeking ideas and feedback to guide its next chapter.  We encourage you to take a few minutes to help by taking the survey. 

Tourism Industry Huddle

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, May 14  at 1:00 PM.  This huddle will feature a presentation on "Everything You Need to Know About the Office of Rural Prosperity - including Rural Opportunity Zones" as well as an update from TIAK. 

Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82389605540?pwd=iJzfsDzxvdt2T7g6Ktab4LX4p1ON1Q.1

Check out the Industry Page to view previous huddles.

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 Conferences & Workshops

• June 25 - Don't Turn A Blind Eye to AI by Burton Kelso - Great Bend
• July 23-25 - Kansas Arts Network Conference - Wichita
• October 20-21 - Kansas Tourism Conference - Manhattan

Webinars

• May 7 - DIY Video Reinvented - 11:10am
• May 8 - Crafting Your Winning Pitch - 10am
• May 14 - Virtual Huddle - 1pm
• May 20 - Improve Accessibility - 2pm
• May 20 - The Grant Writing Process - 6:30pm
• May 21 - Marketing Strategy - 6pm
• May 21 - Social Media Marketing - 7:30pm
• May 29 - Managing Your Own Social Media - 1pm

Articles & Research

• 5 Tips for Writing Irresistible CTAs Every Marketer Should Know
• 8 Social Media Updates for Marketers to Know in 2025
• How To Capture Better Content on Your iPhone
• KOA 2025 Camping Trends: The Great Outdoor Revival
• Why Hospitality Brands Should Use Short-Form Video for Social Media Marketing

May

• May 4-10 - National Travel & Tourism Week
• Wed, May 14 - Virtual Huddle
• Mon, May 26 - State Offices Closed

June

• Wed, June 11 - Virtual Huddle
• Thurs, June 19 - State Offices Closed

July

• Tues, July 1 - Marketing Grants Open
• Fri, July 4 - State Offices Closed
• Wed, July 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 April 2025