Archives: Testimonials

I support TIAK membership because as a newcomer to the domestic travel and tourism industry and also a new, temporary resident of the state of Kansas, there was a huge learning curve for me that was lessened with the help of the TIAK staff. They are always very friendly and helpful if I have questions and their meetings and conferences are very informative. TIAK also gives me an opportunity to network with other CVB members and get ideas on how to improve our sales, marketing and advocacy efforts. They provide very valuable information on legislative actions that could greatly impact our community and our industry as a whole. This organization has outstanding leadership and resources at your disposal whether you’re a newbie like me or a seasoned veteran of the Kansas state travel and tourism industry.

Invaluable mentors and quality educational opportunities are two of the first things that I think of when I asked about reasons to be a part of TIAK! The collective voice of TIAK affords each community, regardless of size, a voice in legislative matters. TIAK stays abreast of legislative concerns and provides opportunities to interact with legislators in a meaningful way. The tools TIAK provides help me excel at my job and the marginal cost of TIAK membership has been returned many times over to my community.

Working with TIAK keeps me in touch with, and provides, a legislative edge that I don’t have on my own. The travel industry benefits when we present a strong, unified position on public policy issues and TIAK provides that unity to its membership. The association also provides multiple opportunities throughout the year to network and learn about the latest trends and innovations in the industry through educational offerings. I consider the Kansas Tourism Conference, sponsored annually by TIAK and KDWPT, a must-attend event for both of those reasons, and the seminars and webinars offered keep me up-to-date the rest of the year.

Although our tourism budget is quite small, we see the value of belonging to TIAK and feel that it is a good investment. The membership includes access to so many things – the annual conference, the KDS program, educational webinars, timely Legislative updates, knowledge of current trends, etc. However, I feel that the collaborative atmosphere and networking/idea sharing is what I value most about TIAK. I have learned much from mentors in TIAK and my community has certainly benefited from the relationships I have made in this organization.

As a member of TIAK for over ten years, I can say that our DMO relies heavily on this association for everything from unified legislative representation at the Capitol to providing current industry research and member assistance. From ample networking opportunities to valuable learning at the annual conference, we believe our membership is well worth the dues investment. TIAK connects the destination professional with the resources, tools and partnerships needed to ensure industry success, and we feel that TIAK has served our bureau well in those endeavors.

TIAK serves a number of purposes for those involved in the Kansas tourism industry. The difficult task of representing DMOs of all sizes is accomplished by a combination of hands on membership involvement, communication on current events and a commitment to providing continuing education. Events such as the Annual Conference and Legislative Day on the Hill combined with a regular regiment of e-based educational seminars and an informative newsletter keep members not only informed but armed with the tools necessary to provide leadership at the local and state-wide level.

For me, the dollars I spend on our CVB membership and staff memberships, plus the sponsorship dollars we try to commit are: in return for excellent services that we could not afford as an individual bureau, particularly the legislative work but, more importantly, an investment in the industry as a whole. It sounds cliché, but a rising tide really does raise all boats, and I believe it is the responsibility of all the boats to invest as they can to keep the tide rising, and keep the sharks at bay!

TIAK is relevant to all communities throughout the State of Kansas that are working to promote visitation into their areas. Regardless if you are representing a large city or a small rural county like Washington, TIAK provides the foundation to better promote your assets. TIAK also allows you to gain knowledge of current trends, legislative concerns, as well as to provide educational opportunities through webinars, the annual conference and the Day on the Hill. Networking among your peers only enhances the membership’s value. The investment is very small compared to the return we receive.

TIAK helps with knowledge from professionals from other areas, and Day on the Hill gives me the opportunity to talk directly to legislators. It also gives me the opportunity to talk to other professionals from other organizations generating great ideas, camaraderie, and learning about other areas and their tourism issues.

The Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau sees TIAK as the voice for the tourism industry on both State and Federal legislative levels. When tourism-related issues surface, we receive up-to-date information and guidance as to how to react in our community and in our organization. It is the one place where the tourism industry gathers and presents as one voice. The yearly conference offers something for every aspect of the industry, regardless of the community size, size of budget or which part of the industry you are involved in.