TIAK Talk
is published monthly for members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Kelly Peetoom
Welcome to the “new normal.” If you’re like me, this transition and the balance between work and personal life has been both good and bad.
The good? No commute, casual attire, multiple office locations (including deck), fuel costs are low, and easy to exercise during lunch.
The bad? No socializing, multiple video conference calls daily, wi-fi issues, and home projects.
But seriously, this new normal is something we’ll probably be dealing with for months, and possibly years. Our industry, unlike many others, will have unique challenges and restrictions as we evolve out of these difficult times.
Here are a few ideas that might help:
- Educate, educate, educate. I cannot emphasize this enough. Not only your leadership but all staff members.
- Prepare for the opening of the economy and lifting of restrictions. Utilize your local, state, and other government resources.
- Reach out to your partners (hotels, restaurants, attractions) on what they need or what you can provide for a speedy recovery. Host a webinar with each group or create a questionnaire to collect data.
- Marketing ideas and concepts. Your current marketing plan may not work moving forward. Gather your team and work on new campaigns and platforms to deliver that message.
Reminders for staying informed during this new normal:
Stay safe everyone.
#Travelawaits
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KDWPT KTC Grant Program Announced
On yesterday’s Tourism Industry Zoom call, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism announced the
Kansas Tourism Conference Grant Program
that will pay for all registration fees for this year's Kansas Tourism Conference in Liberal, Kansas.
The grants will be linked to the KTC webpage and will be available to all that want to attend the 2020 KTC. We will be sharing more information about the grant program and the KTC in the next few weeks. We value our partnership with KDWPT Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe and are excited to be in Liberal this October.
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TIAK's Weekly COVID-19 Webinars
TIAK, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, is holding weekly updates on COVID-19 and its impact on the Kansas tourism and hospitality industries. Each Wednesday afternoon, members get the opportunity to hear directly from industry and state leaders followed by Q&A. Be sure and check your email each week for zoom log-in information.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas Tourism is encouraging travelers to take appropriate precautions while enjoying the beauty of the Sunflower State. Check out this beautiful video from the KDWPT and share with your friends!
#TravelAwaits
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We Need Information!
TIAK is gathering member data as our conference committee chairs begin planning for the 2020 Kansas Tourism Conference Marketing Awards. Click on the image to the right to answer just four questions. It should only take you a few minutes. Thank you!
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AG Derek Schmidt: California Travel Ban Unconstitutional
A California law banning state-funded travel to Kansas and 10 other states violates the U.S. Constitution so a Texas lawsuit challenging the ban should proceed, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt told the U.S. Supreme Court in a legal brief filed on April 13.
“This case is critical to preserving the federalism principles on which our nation was built,” Schmidt and a bipartisan group of 18 other attorneys general wrote in their brief. “Without a ruling from this Court, California and other States will be emboldened to ramp up pressure on their fellow States’ internal affairs. Efforts like these are especially troubling where, as here, they involve economic sanctions akin to those used by warring nations.”
Read more
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Tourism Cares Project
Several members have expressed an interest in benefitting the host community of the TIAK Annual Tourism Conference each year. For 2020, the Liberal CVB has chosen the
Liberal Area Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services
(LARC DVS) as the recipient of this new Tourism Cares Project.
LARC DVS serves Grant, Haskell, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens counties with offices in Liberal, Elkhart, Hugoton, Satanta, and Ulysses. They currently employ 11 advocates, an intake specialist, and an executive director. All services are provided free and confidential to anyone in need. In 2019, they provided services to 544 unduplicated individuals (with 431 of those being new individuals) and sheltered 48.
Donated items are either used by those in the shelter or provided to clients as they begin new lives. If you would like to participate in this giving opportunity, below is a list of requested items:
- Towels: bath, hand & washcloth
- Bed Sheets, blankets & comforters, pillows: Twin & Full
- Personal toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, disposal razors, deodorant, tampons & pads, toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Household: Laundry soap, fabric softener, bleach, household cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet tissue, glass cleaner, etc.
- Food Items: all non-perishable
Please bring your donations to the annual conference for LARC DVS to collect. To learn more about the organization, visit
larcdvs.com
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National Travel & Tourism Week Celebrates “Spirit of Travel”
National Travel and Tourism Week
(NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight resilience and hope in the face of the coronavirus pandemic with this year’s theme: the Spirit of Travel.
Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to underscore the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 37th NTTW (May 3-9) arrives at an opportune moment to unite the industry, celebrate its indomitable spirit and elevate the role it will play in America’s economic and employment recovery.
Read more
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March Lodging Report
TIAK has an agreement with Smith Travel Research (STR) to provide members with statewide reports on hotel occupancy each month. The following are provided directly from STR:
Kansas had 64% property participation and 76% hotel room participation in March.
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Welcome New Member
Butler County Historical Society / Kansas Oil Museum
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Welcome New Member
Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
TIAK Board Meetings
June 11, Olathe
August 13, by email
October 19, Liberal
December 10, Abilene
TIAK Executive Committee Meetings
June 10, Olathe
July 9, by phone
September 10, by phone
November 12, Cottonwood Falls Retreat
Kansas Tourism Conference
October 19-21, 2020 in Liberal
October 18-20, 2021 in Wichita
TOURISM WEBINARS
Coupon code: TravelKS
May 7
May 14
May 21
May 28
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