Kansas Tourism Conference

The Kansas Tourism Conference is a highlight each year with inspiring speakers and networking opportunities. Both sponsors and attendees, alike, enjoy interacting with hotels, attractions, CVBs, and dining and retail establishments from across Kansas!

Conference Dates

October 16, 2023 - October 18, 2023

Register Now

Agenda

Monday, October 16 (Tentative Schedule)
  • 12:00pm - 5:00pm - Registration/Information Desk Open
  • 12:00pm - Exhibitor Setup
  • 12:00pm - Silent Auction Setup
  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm - TIAK Board Meeting
  • 2:30pm - 3:30pm - First-Time Attendee's Orientation
  • 3:30pm - Conference Welcome
  • 3:35pm - Opening Conference Session Keynote - Paul Long: Connecting to Life Through FUN
  • 4:30pm - Exhibitor Welcome Reception & Networking
  • 6:00pm - Evening Community Event (come in your best western attire)
Tuesday, October 17 (Tentative Schedule)
  • 8:00am - 5:00pm - Registration & Information Desk Open
  • 8:00am - Breakfast & Coalition Meeting
  • 9:00am - Conference Welcome Community Introductions
  • 9:15am - 10:15am - Donnie Campbell: What's Your MVP? Leadership Lessons from the Coach who Inspired Ted Lasso
  • 10:15am - 10:30am - Refreshment Break & Visit Exhibit Area
  • 10:30am - 11:30am - General Session: Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland
  • 11:45pm - 1:30pm - Buffet Luncheon & Visit Exhibit Area, Exhibitor/Sponsor Presentations, Speed Dating with Kansas Tourism
  • 1:30pm - 3:00pm - General Session: Bridgette Jobe, Director of Kansas Tourism, Kansas Tourism: State of Tourism in Kansas
  • 3:00pm - 3:15pm - Refreshment Break & Visit Exhibit Area
  • 3:15pm - 4:30pm - Roundtable Discussions
  • Sports: Holly Leiker, SportsKS - How to attract sports events to your community
  • Sales: Marcia Rozell, MeetKS
  • Marketing: Holly Lofton, Lindsborg
  • What If...Tourism Undefined: Julie Roller Weeks & LeLan Dains
  • Data: Sean Dixon & Brandy Evans
  • 5:00pm - Optional Exhibitor Tear Down
  • 5:00pm - SportsKS Mixer
  • 5:00pm - Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, October 18 (Tentative Schedule)
  • 7:30am - 2:00pm - Registration and Information Desk Open
  • 8:00am - 9:00am - Breakfast & Coalition Meeting
  • 9:00am - 10:30am - General Session Keynote - Gathan Borden Destination International, Welcoming Visitors to Your Community
  • 10:30am - 10:45am - Break
  • 10:45am - 11:30am - Breakout Sessions/Tracks
  • Rural Tourism: Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler
  • How to use AI to write better content for social media: Visit Topeka
  • Best practices when filling out a grant application: Jonathan Clayton
  • 11:30am - 1:00pm - TIAK Annual Meeting/Lunch
  • 1:15pm - 2:00pm - Breakout Session/Tracks
  • Principles and practices in Tourism and Hospitality Management: Dr. Stacey Smith, FHSU
  • Marketing to dual language speakers: LeLan Dains, Visit Emporia partnership with Visit Wichita
  • How DEI is a key component to responsible tourism, sustainability and growth: Ricki Ellison, Greater Wichita Partnership
  • 2:00pm - 2:15pm - Transfer Break
  • 2:15pm - 3:00pm - Breakout Session/Tracks
  • Influencers/Travel Writers - find and host: Colby Kansas Tourism
  • How to use AI to write better content for social media: Visit Topeka
  • Crisis Preparedness: Dr. Stacey Smith, FHSU
  • 3:00pm - 3:15pm - Transfer Break
  • 3:15pm - 4:00pm - Breakout Session/Tracks
  • Best practices when filling out a grant application: Jonathan Clayton
  • How to get the most out of a trade show: Panelists Mike Bell, Roger Hrabe, Jim Zaleski, and Lindsay Gulley
  • How DEI is a key component to responsible tourism, sustainability and growth: Ricki Ellison, Greater Wichita Partnership
  • 4:30pm - Set Table Decorations
  • 5:30pm - Reception
  • 6:00pm - Kansas Tourism Dinner & Marketing Awards Banquet

Marketing Awards

Do you have what it takes to promote your organization? We will find out at the 2023 TIAK Marketing Award contest in October! Our goal was to recognize the outstanding marketing efforts of tourism throughout Kansas. This program is limited to TIAK members only. Winners will be announced at the conference.

Support a Student

The Kansas Tourism Conference will be here before you blink! Now is the time to contribute to the Student Scholarship Fund so we can continue offering a scholarship to a student in a Kansas hospitality/tourism program of study. This is a great opportunity for the next generation of tourism professionals to learn about Kansas, network in the industry and build upon their coursework and learning. However, we cannot award a scholarship without the help of our members. Did you know it takes $600 to bring a student to the conference each year? Between meals, lodging and conference registration, that’s a lot for a college kid to shell out, so let’s help to keep the momentum going for this great program! You can donate as little as $10.

DONATE NOW

2023 Kansas Tourism Conference Scholarship Application

Hotel Information

HOST CONFERENCE CENTER:
Boot Hill Casino & Resort Conference Center
4000 W Comanche St
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
(620) 682-7777

HOST HOTEL:
Hampton Inn & Suites Dodge City
4002 West Comanche
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
(620) 225-0000
Room rate: $139-$189/night plus tax
Last day to book: Saturday, September 16, 2023

Booking Link:
Click here
Group Name: Tiak

OVERFLOW HOTEL:
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
2800 W Wyatt Earp Blvd
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
(620) 371-7171
Room rate: $99/night plus tax
Last day to book: Friday, September 15, 2023

Booking Instructions:
Call to book room
Group Name: Travel Industry of KS

Annual Silent Auction

Donate an auction item to support TIAK (must have a value of at least $50). For more information email Roxanne Lansink atrmorgan@finneycountycvb.com or Christina Hayes at chayes@greatbendks.net. Fill out the electronic form below and either bring your auction item to the conference or mail it by October 1st to Finney County CVB, c/o Roxanne Lansink at 1513 E. Fulton Terrace, Garden City, KS 67846.

Auction Donation

KTC auction donation form

  • DONATION INFORMATION

    This form must be completed by October 1st in order to give the auction committee time to create the auction catalog. Auction items may be brought to the conference or shipped to committee chairs prior to the event.
  • Please list ALL names as they should appear in the auction catalog.
  • Please write the description as it should appear in the auction catalog.
  • Please note: The minimum retail value is $50.