10/23/2026
Two days in Wichita. Countless ideas. One powerful reminder: the story we tell about our communities matters.
I had the privilege of attending my first Kansas Tourism Conference this week, hosted in partnership by the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) and Kansas Tourism. I’m coming home inspired, energized, and full of ideas to bring back to Rice County!
One of my favorite sessions was hearing Andrew McCrea speak about The Power of Place and the importance of telling our community’s story. His message was a great reminder that we have the ability to shape how people see the places we call home. We don’t have to let our challenges define us. Instead, we can be intentional about sharing what makes our communities special, creating meaningful experiences, and inspiring others to see the potential in the places where we live and work.
Throughout the conference, I was reminded that the most powerful tourism assets aren’t always the biggest attractions or the largest marketing budgets. Sometimes, they’re the people who love their communities, the unexpected moments that bring people together, and the small details that create lasting memories.
The conference organizers also did an incredible job making the experience fun and enjoyable for everyone in attendance. We had wonderful opportunities to network with peers working in tourism from across the state and build connections that I know will continue beyond the conference.
One evening, we were treated to a private experience at Wild Lights at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Afterward, we returned to the hotel to find special treats waiting for us and enjoyed a fun night of Singo. These thoughtful experiences made the conference even more memorable and gave us plenty of opportunities to relax, connect, and enjoy time together.
The second evening concluded with an amazing reception and dinner, where this year’s marketing awards were presented. We had such a great time celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of tourism professionals from across Kansas. The raffle items were beautifully arranged in the center of each table, and when tickets were drawn, winners were able to select their prizes.
I was fortunate to walk away with a beautiful basket representing Dodge City, a thoughtful basket that made a wonderful keepsake to take home from the event.
I also walked away with fresh perspectives on storytelling, media preparedness, AI, digital discoverability, and the importance of using data to demonstrate tourism’s impact. As the industry continues to evolve, we have new opportunities to help travelers discover our communities while equipping our local businesses and partners for the future.
My biggest takeaway? We don’t have to wait for permission to make a difference. We can start by telling our stories, celebrating what makes us unique, building stronger partnerships, and helping others see the value in what we have right here at home.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from tourism professionals across Kansas, make new connections, and bring fresh ideas back to the work we’re doing in Rice County. There is so much potential in our communities, and I’m excited to keep finding new ways to share it.
Here’s to telling our story with purpose, creating experiences that matter, building meaningful connections, and reminding people why the places we call home are worth discovering. 💛💙
