JUNE NEWSLETTER

Well, it seems like we have been talking about and planning for the World Cup for years - and now it is finally here. The tournament officially kicks off this month, and I truly believe this is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Kansas to the world.

Throughout the World Cup planning process, I have learned far more about the game of soccer - and the teams and cultures behind it - than I ever imagined. As my appreciation for the sport continues to grow, I've found myself thinking about an unlikely connection between successful soccer teams and successful destinations.

Let me explain. The best soccer teams in the world don't succeed because they try to play like everyone else. They succeed because they know who they are. They understand their strengths, trust their teammates, and play a style that reflects their identity.

The same can be said for communities.

In tourism, it's easy to look at another destination and think, "We should do that." Maybe it's a major attraction, a popular event, or a marketing campaign that seems to generate a lot of buzz. There is certainly value in learning from the successes of others and adapting ideas that fit your community. But the destinations that leave a lasting impression on visitors aren't the ones trying to be somewhere else - they are the ones that confidently embrace what makes them unique.

Today's travelers are searching for authentic experiences. They want to discover local favorites, hear meaningful stories, and connect with places that feel genuine. They're not looking for a copy of another destination. They're looking for something they can't find anywhere else.

Just as every player contributes to the success of a soccer team, every part of a community contributes to a successful visitor experience. Attractions, museums, businesses, restaurants, parks, events, volunteers, and residents all play a role in shaping how visitors experience a place. And like a great soccer team, those efforts are most impactful when everyone is working toward the same goal.

As I travel around Kansas, I'm constantly reminded that every community has incredible stories to tell. Most communities don't need to search for an identity - they already have one. Our role in tourism is simply to help tell that story and invite others to experience it.

As you welcome travelers to your community this summer, I encourage you to remember that your greatest strength isn't trying to imitate someone else's success. It's understanding and celebrating your own. Because in tourism, just like in soccer, the teams that stand out aren't the ones trying to play someone else's game - they're the ones confident enough to play their own.

To The Stars,

We invite you to be a part of the Kansas tourism industry's "don't miss" conference of the year. Registration is now open! Join us October 20-21 in Wichita to enjoy inspiring speakers, valuable educational information, and fun networking opportunities. Kansas has so many things to celebrate this year and we can't wait for you to be a part of the fun!

Want to know how to base your budget and policy making decisions on data about tourism’s economic impact to your area? Through the Kansas Tourism Division’s partnership with Tourism Economics, you can purchase a city or county level tourism economic impact study that includes comprehensive analysis of sales, production, employment, growth, visitor spending, and taxes. Contact Babette if you are interested by June 30th.

Summer Sunflower venues will be announced soon! In the meantime, you can encourage Kansans to download the app and to keep updated on the webpage.  The program will run from July 9th - August 2nd.  

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!

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, June 10th at 1:00 PM. On this huddle we will have a presentation on "Effective Brand Building on Social Media - Content Marketing, Storytelling & Other Best Practices" by Rachel Rains with Marketing Maven Consulting. 

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.

The Kansas Department of Commerce To The Stars Business Awards are open for nominations until Monday, June 15th. This is your chance to recognize outstanding businesses and individuals who are doing great things in Kansas. The award ceremony will take place in Overland Park on Thursday, October 8th. 

Be sure to join the party! We need your 250th & Independence Day events to add to our blog. Visitors are using TravelKS.com to make plans so make sure you enter your events thru the Extranet to be included. Contact Hunter if you need help. 

Also don't forget to add amenities to your website listings. This will help give visitors more information about the businesses in your community. Amenities include hours of operation, accessibility, and more! Learn how to upload these thru the extranet here.  

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 May 2026