The
TIAK Talk
is published monthly for members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Stacy Barnes
As 2019 wraps up, I always enjoy reflecting over the last year and looking ahead to what the new year will bring. One of my favorite end-of-year activities is to fill out my desk calendar (yes, still I use one of those) and google calendar for the upcoming year. It feels like a fresh start, and I enjoy planning what’s next.
It has been an honor serving TIAK members as President this year. Thank you for all you do to drive the Kansas Tourism economy and add to the amazing quality of life our communities offer. From me and incoming president Kelly Peetoom, here’s to you and cheers to a great 2020!
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Your Invitation to Destination Statehouse
By Jim Zaleski, TIAK Advocacy Chair
It’s that time of year again. And for those like Kevin Fern and myself, I’m not talking about the holidays. I’m talking about the upcoming political season. The Kansas Legislature returns to Topeka on January 13, and TIAK won’t be far behind them with Destination Statehouse on February 5.
While changes in the state’s leadership is bringing new challenges and opportunities for the travel and tourism industry, so will changes made to our Destination Statehouse event. Registration will begin at 9:30am at the Capitol, where we’ll have time to share popcorn, visit with Legislators, and enjoy a special Made in Kansas lunch. The day will end with exhibit booths and reception at the Cyrus hotel that evening.
We’re excited to build our theme around tourism being a vital economic driver for Kansas. Tourism IS economic development, so make sure you come with your community’s visitor statistics and local economic impact.
Lastly as we’re talking economics, each year the cost of putting together an event like this goes up. Sponsorships and member support are how TIAK can maintain a reputation of being a strong voice in Topeka for the tourism industry.
Register now!
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New Sponsorship Levels
Did you know that we have NEW sponsorship packages for Destination Statehouse 2020? Find one that meets your budget and help support one of TIAK's most important initiatives of the year.
Learn more.
Thank you to all of the members that have already committed to a sponsorship! Check out the
TIAK Facebook page
to see your organization featured.
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Destination Capitol Hill 2020
If you've never attended the U.S. Travel Association's Destination Capitol Hill (DCH), 2020 is your year. On April 1-2, travel leaders from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. to educate policymakers about the power of travel.
The program combines a legislative day on Capitol Hill with advocacy training, guest speakers and peer-to-peer networking. DCH provides delegates with an opportunity to learn about upcoming legislation that impacts travel, network with peers and meet with members of Congress to stress the importance of travel as an economic driver.
Learn more
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New Attractions Coming in 2020
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
In 2020, get set to “play ball” when Wichita’s new $75 million baseball stadium and its upstart Wind Surge team celebrate opening day on April 14. All year long, Kansas’ all-star lineup of attractions and events score big with stylish new downtown developments in Salina and Topeka, an out-of-this-world Apollo 13 50
th
anniversary gala at Hutchinson’s Cosmosphere, the opening of the expanded Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, and a full roster of other highlights.
Catch a big-time game throughout the inaugural season when Wichita’s Triple-A farm team, affiliated with the Miami Marlins, plays 70 home games in its brand-new park. Fireworks, bands and kids’ play and splash areas add to the game-day fun.
Read more
.
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State Coalition Spotlight: Meet Kansas
Meet Kansas is a collaboration of Destination Marketing Organizations from across the state who have banded together to help meeting and event planners. Meet Kansas saves meeting planners countless Google searches providing a one-stop shop for information on a collection of unique communities all in one place.
Meet Kansas advertises in a number of magazine publications, participates in regional tradeshows, and financially supports TIAK initiatives throughout the year. Its leaders meet quarterly across the state to give member communities the opportunity for engagement with their peers. For more information on membership benefits or how to join, visit
www.meetkansas.com
or contact Kristi Lee at (913) 758-6725.
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Restaurant Executive Appointed to Tourism Council
Governor Kelly appointed Chuck Magerl, Lawrence, to the Council on Travel and Tourism on December 18. The mission of the Council is to advise on the development of new tourist attractions in Kansas and the expansion of existing tourist attractions.
Magerl is an experienced entrepreneur and owner of Free State Brewery and WheatFields Bakery. He is the restaurant industry representative, selected from names provided per statute by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
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November Lodging Report
TIAK has signed an agreement with Smith Travel Research (STR) to provide members with the monthly statewide STR report on hotel occupancy. Several TIAK members receive their local community information. We hope that this agreement will increase the information gathered, hotel participants, and improve the data included.
Click here
for monthly and year-to-date comparisons provided directly by STR.
Kansas had 64% property participation and 77% hotel room participation in November.
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Report from Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas (HK) is spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities. Since their founding as an independent nonprofit in 1972, Humanities Kansas has pioneered programming, grants, and partnerships that share stories to spark conversations – drawing people together and generating new ideas. Check out this two-minute
video
about HK.
In 2018, Humanities Kansas reached one in six Kansans across 116 communities. HK supported 679 events and grants and partnered with 193 local organizations.
Click here
for highlights from this past year.
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U.S. Travel Praises Spending Deal of Brand USA
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the below statement on December 16. A special video message can also be viewed
here
:
“The American travel community is deeply grateful to congressional leaders for including the reauthorization of Brand USA in the spending package that lawmakers are expected to vote on this week.
The current legislative environment can make it challenging to even advance measures that have broad and bipartisan consensus. Lawmakers deserve tremendous credit for heeding the strong evidence of Brand USA’s remarkable economic value and prioritizing Brand USA’s inclusion in the year-end funding measure.
Brand USA has a compelling success story to tell, and it has been repeated by diverse voices from every corner of the country and our terrific congressional champions to create this opportunity to secure Brand USA’s future. As a result, Brand USA will be able to continue generating results for the U.S.’s economy, jobs base, and trade balance by bringing greater numbers of lucrative international visitors here at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer.”
Read more
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CVB Looking for Marketing Agency
The Dodge City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is seeking proposals for an experienced marketing agency to develop and implement a strategically-driven destination brand that represents Dodge City, Kansas. The brand should resonate with visitors and residents alike, as well as planners, CVB partners, and community stakeholders. The intent is to develop the appropriate verbal and visual messaging to be used in all aspects of promoting Dodge City as a destination. The RFP for the CVB Rebrand has been published
here.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
National Plan for Vacation Day
January 28
Business Travel Bootcamp Conference
January 30, Wichita
TIAK Destination Statehouse
February 5, Topeka
U.S. Travel Association Destination Capitol Hill
April 1-2, Washington D.C.
Kansas Tourism Conference
October 19-21, 2020 in Liberal
October 18-20, 2021 in Wichita
TIAK Executive Committee Meetings
January 9, Junction City
March 12, by phone
June 10, Olathe
July 9, by phone
September 10, by phone
November 12, Cottonwood Falls Retreat
TIAK Board Meetings
February 6, Topeka
April 9, Salina
June 11, Olathe
August 13, by email
October 19, Liberal
December 10, Abilene
TOURISM WEBINARS
January 9
February 6
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