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 from Goddard, Kansas: How a Stubborn Baby Hippo Taught Us Everything About Viral Tourism Marketing" LynnLee Schmidt — Tanganyika Wildlife Park 2. How Small Conversations Change Big Systems OR Rethinking Civic Engagement: Start with a Conversation Julie Roller Weeks - Abeline CVB 3. The Ripple Effect: What Happens When One Person Shows Up for Their Community OR From Bystander to Builder: The Journey of a Community Champion Colby Sharples-Terry - Kansas Tourism 4. TBD 5. TBD |
| 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 |
General Session - TBA |
| 10:00 AM | Break |
| 10:15 AM |
General Session: Bridgette Jobe, Director of Tourism Kansas Tourism Update: Trends, Trajectory, and Opportunities Ahead Presented by: Bridgette Jobe, Director of Tourism |
| 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 |
Breakout Sessions 1. Destination Storytelling Through the Lens: An Interactive Workshop OR Picture the Experience: Crafting Destination Stories Through Imagery Andrea - Kansas Tourism 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. – Colby Sharples-Terry, Kansas Tourism; Jaimie Garnett, Visit Wichita; Marcia Rozell, Visit Manhattan 3. Everything You Wanted to Know About TGT (But Were Afraid to Ask) |
| 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 [email protected].
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!