TOPEKA — Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, recently announced $117,780 has been awarded in the 2023 Tourism Marketing Grant Awards Program. The grants are designed to assist local tourism organizations or attractions in new or first-time innovative marketing initiatives.
Kansas Tourism will provide funding for 22 projects to enhance and expand advertising efforts to attract new visitors to Kansas and to their destinations.
SEK Museum Alliance was awarded $3,640 to fund a professionally produced promotional video marketing the 50+ museums in Southeast Kansas. The SEK Museum Alliance and its member museums are an important part of the tourism industry.
This video, that can be used on many digital platforms, will advertise a unique Passport that descriptively lists all the participating museums in southeast Kansas. Websites of the SEK Museum Alliance, individual museums, area Chambers of Commerce, and other tourism marketing websites will be able to link to a 5-6 minute video.
Additionally, several 15-30 second videos designed for social media and local TV Public Service announcement spots will be extensively circulated. This video will advertise a unique Passport that descriptively lists all the participating museums in southeast Kansas. This Passport is the second component in the marketing strategy, and is being produced concurrently. Both the video and the Passport will highlight the unique stories to be found in southeast Kansas, using the slogan “Small Towns — Big Histories.”
“SUPPORTING tourist attractions and unique local events across the state just makes good business sense,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas benefits greatly from the $11.2B in total economic impact that the travel and tourism generates annually, and the Department of Commerce will continue providing marketing assistance that helps increase that impact.”
“We are proud to provide support to our dedicated tourism industry partners through these marketing grants,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “Increasing visitation to these exciting destinations boosts local economies in a variety of ways.”
Applications were reviewed by a committee of Kansas Tourism representatives. Funding through this partnership with Kansas Tourism is intended to increase travel to tourism destination sites while enhancing the state’s image. This grant leverages Kansas Tourism’s resources and extends the marketing reach of local communities.
