December Newsletter

Happy December!

I wish I could tell you that I’ve already finished my holiday shopping and have beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree – but many of you know me well enough to guess that ‘s not quite the case.

Kansas Tourism is finishing the year on an incredibly strong note. I’m writing this article while a couple of our team members and I are on the road, visiting 20 communities that received Tourism Marketing Grants this year. These visits are always a highlight for me, and this year I was especially impressed by the number of partnerships and collaborative projects in the grant applications. 

One of the most important truths in tourism is that visitors rarely recognize – or care about – the boundaries that separate one community from the next. When someone comes to experience an attraction in one community, they’re often looking for more – the café just a few miles away, the museum in the next county, or the scenic byway that connects them. Their journey doesn’t stop at a jurisdictional line, and neither should our marketing. 

That’s why collaborations matter so deeply. When neighboring communities, attractions, and organizations join forces, they tell a richer and more compelling story. Cooperative marketing stretches dollars further, amplifies the reach, and creates experiences that no single entity could offer on its own. But beyond the practical benefits, partnerships reflect who we are as Kansans – people who value connections, resourcefulness, and the belief that we are stronger when we work together. 

As we wrap up the year – even if I’m not wrapping gifts quite yet – I’m grateful for the partnership-minded tourism professionals across the state. Your collaboration is shaping Kansas into an even stronger, more connected destination. And that is something to celebrate. 

To The Stars,

Grant Update

We have been on the road this week delivering "big" checks to the Marketing Grant recipients. Visit our Industry Facebook page to view all recipient photos and click here for the full press release.

Don't forget the Attraction Development Grant is open until January 9th. You can watch the recorded webinar and find out more about the grant here.  

Tourism Industry Huddle

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, December 10th at 1:00 PM. On this huddle we will have a presentation by Cheryl Hargrove on "Kansas: Is Your Destination Revolutionary?"

With a focus in 2026 on America's 250th anniversary, destinations are seeking ways to showcase their unique contributions to our country's stories. Explore revolutionary themes that your destination can explore and learn how other destinations are leveraging their cultural, historic, and natural assets to create innovative, transformational visitor experiences.

We will also have an update on the World Cup.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87681575789?pwd=n13ACNGRcjnMcLTwVyujpS8ewkz3iQ.1

Check out the Industry Page to view previous huddles.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Needing gift ideas? Make sure to check out the 2026 KANSAS! calendar. Or treat someone special to the whole Sunflower State by giving them a subscription to KANSAS! Magazine, which is the premier lifestyle magazine - celebrating our people, places and wide-open spaces.  

Check out the online shopping list of Kansas products put together by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. You can make a difference for these home-grown businesses with every purchase you make. 

And don't forget we have "To the Stars" merchandise available in our Gear Store. Perfect for any Kansan near or far!

Regional Roundtable

The Tourism Regional Roundtable program was started to gain feedback and strengthen relationships within the industry. Each tourism region sends two representatives to Topeka to provide engaging conversation about various topics. This group meets approximately 3-4 times a year.

In November the group got a tour of the new Docking State Office Building and took a group picture in front of this fabulous new backdrop! If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Roundtable program please contact your tourism region at the links provided below. 

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

• December 10 - Virtual Huddle - 1pm
• December 17 - Kansas 250 - 3pm
• January 21 - How to Market to International Visitors - 2pm

Articles & Research

• Adaptive Sports Industry Report
• Camping helps travelers find a sense of community
• How Area Code Days Fuel Local Economies
• “Kidfluence,” Affordability Pressures and Multi-Gen Demand Reshape Family Travel
• Storytelling Still Sells
• The Travel Marketer's Guide to 2026
• Unlocking Corporate Creativity: Designing Engaging Experiences 

December

• Wed, Dec 10 - Virtual Huddle
• Thurs, Dec 25 - State Offices Closed

January

• Thur, Jan 1 - State Offices Closed
• Fri, Jan 9 - Attraction Dev Grants Close
• Wed, Jan 14 - Virtual Huddle
• Mon, Jan 19 - State Offices Closed
• Thur, Jan 29 - Kansas Day

February

• Fri, Feb 6 - Governor's Council Mtg
• Wed, Feb 11 - LIVE 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 click here.

New & Renewing in November 2025