MARCH NEWSLETTER

Welcome to March.

This time of year always carries a certain energy. The days are getting longer, the weather is starting to tease us with warmer afternoons, calendars are filling up, and communities across the state are gearing up for another great year for tourism.

March is also a time when many of us are paying a little more attention to sports.  Whether it’s basketball tournaments, spring training, state competitions, or the anticipation of the summer sports starting soon, it’s a reminder of something that feels surprisingly relevant to our work in Tourism – success rarely comes from just one standout player. It comes from a team.

Tourism works the same way.

No single organization creates a successful destination on its own. It takes many different types of organizations and businesses all working together to welcome guests and create memorable experiences. Everyone plays a role, and when those roles come together with a shared purpose, the results can be remarkable.

What I continue to appreciate most about the Kansas tourism industry is the team spirit that exists across our state. I see it in the way communities collaborate, in the partnerships that form, and in the willingness to share ideas and support one another. That kind of cooperation doesn’t happen everywhere, and it is one of the reasons Kansas continues to stand out.

At Kansas Tourism, we’re proud to be part of that team. Our role may look a little different—we help tell the statewide story, promote Kansas to new audiences, and support communities through marketing, programs, and partnerships—but our success relies on the incredible work happening in every corner of the state.

And just like any great team, the real magic happens when everyone is moving in the same direction.

So, as the pace picks up this spring, remember that you are part of something bigger—a statewide team working together to showcase the very best of Kansas.

And in my opinion, that is a team worth cheering for.

To The Stars,

Good Morning America is doing a series titled 50 States in 50 Weeks, where they travel to each state leading up to America's 250th Anniversary. GMA was live on Thursday at the Kansas Speedway in KCK. If you watched it, you may have seen a familiar face or two in the crowd! You can view the segments here: 

Don't miss out on an opportunity to reach thousands of people about your destination or business for a mere $100. Be sure to purchase a listing in the 2027 Kansas Travel Guide. You can find details about how to purchase your listing here or contact Jordan Roemerman.

GUIDE LISTING DEADLINES

Deadline: March 31 - $100 Standard & $140 Highlighted

Invoices Sent: After April 1st

Final Payment Due: June 1st

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.

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, March 11th at 1:00 PM. On this huddle we will have a presentation by Ryan Semmel on Geocaching. We also have an update from TIAK and an update on the World Cup.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87571770187?pwd=8b15TrUDqs4dfKyCy5ZZ5RZaCqEvNy.1

Meeting ID: 875 7177 0187

Passcode: i1dXEW

One tap mobile

+17193594580,,87571770187#,,,,*005523# US

+12532050468,,87571770187#,,,,*005523# US

Check out the Industry Page to view previous huddles.

Want to learn more about Kansas Tourism and the resources our office can provide? Or maybe you need a refresher on how to use the Extranet which is how you update your information on TravelKS.com. Kelli will be hitting the road this spring to make presentations across the state at the following locations:

Locations in Kansas have been nominated for USA TODAY's 10Best awards. Abilene has been named a finalist for Best Historic Small Town and Council Grove has been named a finalist for Best Small Town in the Midwest. Vote daily!

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.

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 February 2026