TIAK Talk Newsletter

Volume 15, Issue 10 | October 2020

TIAK TALK NEWSLETTER

TIAK Talk is published monthly for members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

By Kelly Peetoom

As I write my article for the October newsletter, I'm reminded that I should be recapping the 2020 Kansas Tourism Conference held in Liberal...if things were normal. That event is where we share new ideas, discuss the challenges in our industry, networking with both new and old friends, and make lasting memories.

The pandemic has forced us to change - or PIVOT as my friend Bridgette Jobe would say - so much this year, and the KTC is no different. Thank you to everyone that did the hard work in converting our traditional conference into a virtual format. We were still able to offer great educational opportunities, hear from top industry speakers, and yes, even network.

In case you missed it, here was our lineup for this year:

October 7

Post Covid Driven Data presentation by TwoSix Digital
Kansas Tourism 101
Kansas Destination Specialist Awards

October 14

See Source
Smith Travel Research
U.S. Travel Association

October 21

KDWP&T Presentation and Updates

October 28

Marketing After Crisis presentation by Bajillion Agency
TIAK Marketing Awards
30 Ideas in 30 Minutes
Happy Hour and Networking

The #KTC20 was fantastic and a year I know I won't forget. And let's all remain hopeful that we'll be together in Liberal next year.

#KTC20 Wrap-up Reminders

All sessions were recorded and now available at www.tiak.org.

Let us know how we did and take this quick post-conference survey.

Marketing Award Winners

The winners of the 2020 TIAK Marketing Awards were announced and recognized during the virtual #KTC20 on October 28. These awards recognize excellence in destination marketing initiatives across the state. Congratulations to all of our winners!

Community Awareness

Small Budget: Northwest Kansas Travel Council - Community Guide
Medium Budget:Abilene CVB - #AbileneStrong Campaign
Large Budget:Visit Kansas City, KS - #SupportLocalKCK Campaign

Event

Small Budget: Downtown Hays Development Corp - Virtual Welcome for Students
Large Budget: Olathe CVB - Virtual Olathe Fourth Fridays

Small Budget: Seneca Area Chamber - Big Kansas Road Trip Program Guide Ad
Medium Budget: City of Great Bend CVB: Zoo Rack Card
Large Budget: Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Coloring Pages

Online Media

Small Budget: Seneca Area Chamber: Big Kansas Road Trip Video
Medium Budget: City of Great Bend CVB, Explore Great Bend Website
Large Budget: Visit Kansas City, KS - KCK Mini-Escape Campaign

Visitors Guide (in-house)

Small Budget: South Central Kansas Tourism Region
Medium Budget: Merriam Visitors Bureau
Large Budget: Hays CVB

Visitors Guide (outsourced)

Small Budget: Visit Shawnee
Medium Budget: Visit Manhattan
Large Budget: Explore Lawrence

Best In Show

Seneca Area Chamber & Downtown Impact - Big Kansas Road Trip Video

Thank you Sponsors of the

2020 Kansas Tourism Conference

Kansas Destination Specialists

Congratulations to following individuals for earning their Kansas Destination Specialist (KDS) professional designation:

Rebekah Baughman, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Kansas City Kansas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Alice Cress, Tourist Counselor, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Andrea Etzel, Publications Manager – Tourism Division, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Christina Hayes, CVB/Tourism Director & Community Coordinator, City of Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau

Kelli Hilliard, Industry Relations Manager – Tourism Division, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Betsy Smith, Recreation and Tourism Coordinator, City of Bonner Springs

Brenda Smith, Tourist Counselor, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

The awards were announced on October 7 during the #KTC20, which was held virtually throughout the month of October.

TIAK offers the Kansas Destination Specialist (KDS) certification program to familiarize and further Kansans’ knowledge of the state, tourism marketing and leadership.

To qualify, one must earn points by attending continuing educational opportunities, read and complete three book reports within specified categories, and visit one Kansas attraction more than 50 miles from their home. Individuals must renew their KDS certification every even year.

TIAK Awards Two Student Scholarships for #KTC20

TIAK was happy to provide complimentary registrations for the Kansas Tourism Conference to these two deserving students:

Gretchen Kuffel is a student athlete attending Fort Hays State University and majoring in their Tourism and Hospitality program.

Amber Bramhall is attending Fort Hays State University and majoring in their Tourism and Hospitality program, with a main focus toward Hotel Management.

Sylvia Rice Wins Governor's Tourism Award

Congratulations to Visit Salina Director and former TIAK president, Sylvia Rice, for being honored with the 2020 Governor's Tourism Award!

The Governor’s Tourism award was established in 1983 to recognize Kansans for outstanding contributions to the Kansas travel and tourism industry. This annual award is presented to an individual or organization that demonstrates cooperation, sustainability, quality and accountability in their support of the overall growth of tourism in Kansas. Read more.

Appointments to Governor's Council on Tourism

Governor Laura Kelly announced on October 27 the following new appointments to the Council on Travel and Tourism:

Donna Price, Goodland
Mimi Meredith, Hutchinson
Rosa Cavazos, Topeka
Janet McRae, Paola

The Governor's Council on Travel and Tourism advises on the development of new tourist attractions in Kansas and on the expansion of existing tourist attractions.

The council consists of 17 members, with 11 appointed by the governor. The governor accepts nominations from the travel industry association, restaurant and hospitality association, petroleum marketers and convenience store association, sport hunting association, and six are be appointed to represent the general public.

Council members meet quarterly and serve three-year terms.

ASTA, U.S. Travel React to Hospitality Jobs Bill

Source: Travel Market Report

After two Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at providing much needed aid to the hospitality industry, both U.S. Travel Association and the American Society for Travel Advisors (ASTA) reacted positively to the news.

The bill, called the Hospitality and Commerce Job recovery Act of 2020, would provide recovery incentives for hospitality and trade shows, enhance the employee retention tax credit, and provide recovery incentives for middle class families that it hopes will jumpstart travel when safe, including a modest tax credit for travel expenses. Read more.

September Lodging Report

TIAK has an agreement with Smith Travel Research (STR) to provide members with statewide reports on hotel occupancy each month. The following data is provided directly from STR:

Monthly and YTD Comparisons

Kansas had 64% property participation & 77% hotel room participation in September.