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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Melissa Dixon
Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hello TIAK members!
This past weekend, Hays hosted the KSHSAA 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championship. This event brought over 270 athletes to our community, along with their families, coaches, and administrators. Our CVB staff hosted a hospitality suite, and we fed the coaches, administrators, and coliseum workers at no charge. We provided lunch, along with dozens of donuts and cookies, and gallons of coffee to keep everyone going.
Each year, it’s a lot of work for our staff, but we know the event means a lot to our community’s economy. Local restaurants order food and staff accordingly. Businesses with marquee signs say, “Welcome Wrestlers!” Fort Hays State University dedicates staff to work extra shifts at the coliseum to take tickets, empty trash, and park buses.
I wish I had kept count of every coach who said, “Thanks for taking care of us!” They truly were appreciative. I recalled the tagline used for 50 years by Avis, the #2 nationally ranked car rental company: “We Try Harder.” I feel like this speaks to all of Kansas Tourism. No, we don’t have a Grand Canyon or Rocky Mountain National Park to pull millions of visitors in, but we bring the visitors anyway. We know the value of a visitor, and we try harder to get them.
In closing, I won’t say to try harder, because I know you are already doing that. So, KEEP IT UP!
To the Stars y’all,
Melissa
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