Drury Inn
400 West Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67202
316-262-5000
To Book a Room call: 800-325-0720 and provide group number: # 10111065
Hotel
Address
Wichita, Kansas
The room rate is $XXX per night and the parking fee is waived.
Fairfield Inn Manhattan
300 Colorado Street
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Room Rate: $124 per night
Last Day to Book : Saturday, September 20, 2025
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manhattan
115 Blue Earth Place
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Room Rate: $110 per night
We’re currently finalizing registration details and pricing. Information will be posted as soon as it’s available. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing registration options soon.
Conference registration includes access to all sessions, networking events, and meals.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Welcome to Wichita: Riverfront Walk, Eats & Views |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration/Information Desk Open |
| 8:00 AM | Exhibitor Setup/Silent Auction Setup |
| 9:00 AM | First Timer’s Orientation/Coffee |
| 10:00 AM |
Welcome Conference Kick-Off TIAK and Kansas Tourism |
| 10:30 AM |
Keynote: Andrew McCrea The Power of Place: Telling Your Community Story More Details |
| 11:30 AM |
Data-Driven Survival in 2026; Master the art of the "3-Slide Victory Deck" to prove your DMO's ROI to any board or council Presented by: Kari Hoffman - Datafy More Details |
| 11:45 AM | Luncheon |
| 1:00 PM |
General Session Media Preparedness: Telling Your Destination Story with Confidence From interviews to unexpected challenges, tourism professionals must be prepared to communicate with clarity and confidence. This panel will cover best practices for preparing as both an interviewer and interviewee, developing clear talking points and maintaining message alignment across interviews and conversations. Speakers will also share insights on managing off-topic questions and responding during difficult or crisis situations while protecting the integrity of your destination’s story. Moderator: Jemelle Holopirek, Visit Wichita; Speakers: Susan Peters, Former News Anchor and Local TV Personality; Sierra Scott, Local TV Host and National Pageant Winner; Jaimie Garnett, Visit Wichita |
| 2:00 PM | Break |
| 2:15 PM |
Ted Talks for the Tourism Professional (10 Minutes Each) 1. 45 Million Views and Counting From Goddard, Kansas: How a Stubborn Baby Hippo Taught Us Everything About Viral Tourism Marketing" (LynnLee Schmidt- CMO — Tanganyika Wildlife Park) 2. How One Sporting Event Impacted My Community, (Holly Leiker, Visit Hutch, SportsKS) 3. How Small Conversations Change Big Systems (Julie Roller Weeks, Abeline CVB) 4. The Ripple Effect: What Happens When One Person Shows Up for Their Community (Colby Sharples-Terry, Kansas Tourism) 5. Lessons Learned by being a World Cup Base Camp Community (Kim Anspach, eXplore Lawrence) |
| 3:30 PM | Break |
| 3:45 PM |
General Session Presented by: Heather Physioc Found, Chosen, Booked: How Today’s Travelers Decide—and What Marketers Must Do Next More Details |
| 4:45 PM | Instructions for Evening Event |
| 4:45 PM | Exhibitor Welcome Reception |
| 5:30 PM | KTC attendee reception and heavy appetizers |
| 6:45 PM |
Community Welcome Event Connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors during an evening networking reception at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Following the reception, attendees may board a bus for an evening visit to the Sedgwick County Zoo’s annual event, Wild Lights. This seasonal nighttime experience features larger-than-life Asian lantern sculptures, illuminated displays and walkable paths throughout the zoo, creating one of Wichita’s most unique fall attractions. Visit Wichita will provide roundtrip transportation and admission. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Attendees will be asked to pre-register for Wild Lights to help accommodate transportation capacity. |
| 8:00 - 8:15 PM |
Return from Wild Lights Sports KS Mixer |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45 AM | Breakfast at Hotel |
| 8:00 AM | Registration/Information Desk Open |
| 9:00 AM |
Danielle Molder The AI Playbook: How Small Teams Can Use AI to Build Better Websites, Smarter Marketing, and Attract More Customers, Starting Monday The AI Playbook is a hands-on session for small teams ready to move beyond using AI for quick emails and social posts. You will build an AI Marketing Assistant that knows your business, your voice, your customers, and what you are trying to grow, then put it to work on stronger website copy, sharper content, and real campaign ideas you can use right away. We will close by using one attendee’s real business to build a powerful one-page website live, in front of the room, so everyone can see what becomes possible when AI has the right context. |
| 10:00 AM | Break |
| 10:15 AM |
Breakout Sessions 1. Beyond the Pretty Picture: Capturing Visual Stories that Inspire Travel Why do some destinations instantly capture a traveler’s attention while others struggle to stand out? The difference is often in the visual story they tell. In an age of AI-generated content, authentic photos and videos have become more important than ever. Great visuals go beyond beautiful scenery — they capture the experiences, people, emotions, and unexpected moments that inspire travelers to visit. This session will explore how to identify the stories worth capturing, recognize what makes a strong visual asset, and develop a strategy for maximizing photo and video content across marketing, media, and publication channels. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen their visual storytelling and create content that inspires travelers to choose their destination. -Andrea Etzel, Kansas Tourism and Jess Hoffert, People Inc. 2. Creating Memorable Attendee Experiences What transforms an event from simply well-organized to truly unforgettable? This panel explores how intentional storytelling, strong community partnerships and immersive local experiences can elevate conferences and events. Panelists will share behind-the-scenes insights from hosting major tourism industry gatherings including TBEX Summit America and the 2025 Kansas Tourism Conference. Attendees will learn practical strategies for creating authentic experiences that leave lasting impressions while showcasing the unique personality of a destination. –Jaimie Garnett, Visit Wichita; Marcia Rozell, Visit Manhattan; Kylee Bergstrom, Seneca Travel and Tourism 3. Everything You Wanted to Know About TGT (But Were Afraid to Ask) (Roger Basinger, Kansas Department of Revenue, Alan Carr, Visit KCK, Sally Fuller, Liberal CVB) |
| 11:15 AM | Toto, We’re Not Guessing Anymore Kansas Trivia Challenge |
| 11:45 AM | Buffet Luncheon/Visit Exhibit Area |
| 12:30 PM | Silent Auction Closes & Marketing People’s Choice Award Closes |
| 12:30 PM | TIAK Annual Meeting |
| 1:15 PM |
General Session: Bridgette Jobe, Director of Tourism Kansas Tourism Update: Trends, Trajectory, and Opportunities Ahead Presented by: Bridgette Jobe, Director of Tourism |
| 2:15 PM | Last Sponsor Break & Exhibitor Tear Down |
| 2:30 PM |
Breakout Sessions (Facilitated by Visit Wichita Team) 1. CEO/Executive Director Roundtable 2. Sales Facilitated Breakout 3. Marketing Facilitated Breakout |
| 3:30 PM | Break |
| 3:45 PM |
Toto, We’re Not Guessing Anymore Kansas Trivia Challenge 2027 Free KTC Registration Give Away |
| 5:00 PM | Reception |
| 6:00 PM | Kansas Tourism Dinner & Marketing Awards Banquet |
Each donation must be valued at $50 or more and will help fund important tourism initiatives across Kansas. To contribute, simply fill out the electronic form below.
Please bring your item with you to the conference.
For questions, contact Roxanne Lansink at rmorgan@finneycountycvb.com.
The Kansas Tourism Conference is the premier event for connecting with tourism professionals from across the state. As a sponsor, you’ll gain valuable exposure and direct access to industry leaders.
Choose to include an exhibit booth with your sponsorship and enjoy multiple opportunities to showcase your business on the evening of Monday, October 21st and throughout Tuesday, October 22nd. It’s the perfect platform to promote your services, build relationships, and support the growth of Kansas tourism.
Your donation—big or small—makes it possible for a hospitality or tourism student from a Kansas program to attend the conference, network with professionals, and enhance their education.
It takes just $600 to fully sponsor one student, covering meals, lodging, and registration. Every contribution counts—donate as little as $10 to make a meaningful impact.
This annual contest honors the most creative and effective tourism marketing efforts across Kansas. Open exclusively to TIAK members, the awards recognize outstanding campaigns that promote destinations, events, and attractions in impactful ways.
Winners will be announced during the Kansas Tourism Conference this October, offering well-deserved recognition and visibility. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your work, gain industry recognition, and inspire fellow marketers.
To access a copy of the Marketing Award Entry Document to be completed – Click Here and the docoument will download.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU’RE TRAVELING FROM, THERE ARE PLENTY OF SITES TO SEE!
Visit the state website for more ideas!