JULY NEWSLETTER

This weekend, as we celebrate Independence Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the people behind the scenes who make events and celebrations successful – not just this holiday weekend, but throughout the year across Kansas.  

So often, you are the ones behind the scenes – welcoming guests, coordinating volunteers, answering questions, and making sure every detail comes together.  Much of your work happens quietly, but its impact is anything but small. 

As I travel across Kansas, I’m reminded that while visitors may come for a specific event or attraction, it’s the genuine welcome they receive that leaves the lasting impression. 

Events and celebrations remind us why tourism matters. They bring people together, strengthen local businesses, celebrate the unique character of our communities, and create memories that last long after the event ends. For many visitors, these experiences are their introduction to Kansas, and the hospitality you provide helps shape how they remember our state. 

Thank you for the pride, passion, and hospitality you bring to your communities every day. I hope that this weekend you have a chance to pause, enjoy the celebrations, and take pride in the important role you play in showcasing the best of Kansas. 

Happy Fourth of July, and thank you for all you do to help our state shine. 

To The Stars,

It's time to submit your applications for the Tourism Marketing Grant! This grant was developed to assist organizations in innovative, dedicated advertising and marketing for new or first time projects. The application round is open and has a deadline of August 31st.

To help familiarize you with the application process, we will be hosting a Tourism Marketing Grant webinar on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please use this link to access the webinar. If you have questions please reach out to Babette. 

Be sure to also check out other grants available from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

Summer Sunflower starts next week! Read the press release and check out the participating venues here.

Remember to 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. 

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!

Join us for the next tourism industry huddle on Wednesday, July 8th at 1:00 PM. On this huddle we will have a presentation by Bryan Schulz, General Manager of the Kansas State Fair.

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.

Wanting to promote your destination or business at the Kansas State Fair and don’t have a way to make all 10 days? Participate in the Explore Kansas area and display your booth for $200 which will be in the air-conditioned Bison Arena on September 19 & 20th. If you are interested, please reach out to Tammy at 620-669-3624 by July 17th.

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 June 2026