AUGUST NEWSLETTER

One of the best things about being a grandparent is the interesting conversations that I get to have with my grandkids. 

Recently, one of my grandkids got into trouble for not being honest with their parents.  It led to a great conversation between the two of us about why honesty matters and how difficult it can be to rebuild trust once it’s been broken. That conversation stayed with me because it reminded me that trust is one of the most valuable things we have – not just in our families, but especially in the hospitality and tourism industry.   

In my position, I often ask my staff to take on new challenges, adapt to changes, or simply trust me in a difficult situation. But I know that I can't expect that trust unless I've earned it first. If I tell someone I'll follow through on something, I need to do it. If I make a commitment, I need to keep it. Those moments—often the small ones—are what build trust over time.

As a hospitality business or a tourism marketing organization, visitors place their trust in us every day. They trust that the information we provide is accurate. They trust that the places we recommend will live up to expectations. They trust they will be welcomed with the genuine hospitality Kansas is known for. Every recommendation we make and every interaction we have either strengthens that trust or weakens it.

Our industry is built on relationships, and relationships are built on trust. But that trust isn't built through grand gestures. It's built through consistency. It's answering the phone when we say we will, meeting deadlines, communicating honestly, and treating people with respect. Those small actions may seem ordinary, but together they create something incredibly valuable.

As we continue to promote Kansas and welcome visitors from across the country and around the world, I hope we'll all remember that our greatest assets aren’t just our amazing attractions and landscapes – it’s also the trust and confidence people have in us to deliver the experiences we promise.

Thank you for everything you do to earn that trust each and every day. It makes Kansas a place people are excited to visit and even more excited to return to.

To The Stars,

Hi everyone! I’m Lisa Satterthwaite, the new Marketing and Visitor Engagement Coordinator for Kansas Tourism! I started the first part of August and am excited to join this incredible team! My role here includes sending out information, such as student packets, and helping with administration and marketing. I am a native Kansan from the Topeka area. I attended Washburn University for my undergrad and then Emporia State University, receiving my Master’s Degree in History. I enjoy reading, traveling around the state, a variety of crafts, and caring for my small flock of chickens! I love sharing my passion for all things Kansas and encouraging lifelong learning for everyone. I can’t wait to learn more behind the scenes of the tourism realm in Kansas!

Lisa Satterthwaite

lisa.satterthwaite@ks.gov

(785) 250-3713

Interested in how tourism impacted the Kansas economy in 2025? The latest State and Regional & County Economic Impact Reports are now available on the Industry page. 

The deadline is almost here 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. 

Also this month the Attraction Development grant will open on August 17th and close on October 16th. Please make sure to take note of this change.

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, August 12th at 1:00 PM. On this huddle we will have a presentation by Paul Nicholson on "Human Trafficking in Kansas." You will be educated on the warning signs of human trafficking and learn how to identify indicators of trafficking in everyday interactions and understand appropriate reporting procedures. Please make sure to share this huddle information with your local partners so they can join us for this important topic.

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.

We Need Your Items! We are collecting items from your community that celebrated the World Cup. Small unique items such as banners, flyers and giveaways will be placed in the State Archives at the Kansas Historical Society. Send your items to our office or if you see our staff out on the road be sure to connect with them.  

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 July 2026