The travel sector is an integral part of the Kansaseconomy contributing more than $9 billion inexpenditures and sustaining over 90,000 jobs.Tourism Economics, an Oxford EconomicsCompany, conducted an economic impact study oftourism in Kansas using the most current datafrom 2013. The report enables Kansas to quantify,track and compare the travel and tourisms impor-tance for Kansas vitality. According to the Tourism Economics study:

• Kansas hosted 33.7 million travelers in 2013. Themajority of the travelers were day travelers (60%).

• While representing only 40% of all trips, overnight travelers spending accounts for nearly 75% of all traveler spending, generating $4.5 billion.

Continued on page 2

February 2015Volume 15, Issue 2A publication of the

ManhattanConvention &Visitors Bureau

Tourism Economic Impact Figures Released

Peace, Love, PlungeCome join the fun and freezing on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015for the annual Polar Plunge and 5K Run benefiting SpecialOlympics. Join the festivities at Tuttle Creek Swim Beach at9:30 a.m. with registration, 10:30 a.m. the Polar Strut 5K,11:30a.m. Opening Ceremonies and at NOON – thePLUNGE! (It’s warmer at noon – don’t you know!)

Questions - Contact Luke Schulte, schultel@ksso.org,620-408-4450, www.plungeks.org/plunge/manhattan

SAVE THE DATEMake plans for May 2 – 3, 2015 to celebrate theKansas Sampler in nearby Wamego.

Wamego will once again be the site of the Kansas SamplerFestival in May. The Kansas Sampler is celebrating 26 yearsof providing the public a sample of all there is to see, do,hear, taste, buy and experience in the great state of Kansas!Last year – Wamego welcomed over 11,700 curious visitorsto Sampler – make plans to help break this record!

The Kansas Sampler Festival is designed to bring communi-ties and attractions from all over the state together tomake it easy for the public to discover day trip possibilities.Whether you are looking for hiking trails, historic sites, nat-ural landmarks, unique restaurants, off-the-beaten trackeateries, architectural gems, hole-in-wall performing centers,artists-at-work, specialty shops, or have-to-be-there Kansasevents, this festival is for you!

Expect tent after tent of exhibitors placed in geographicalregions promoting tourism attractions. Food booths andentertainment stages are placed around the grounds. Therewill be little pockets of surprises such as a row of historicalperformers, someone on a stump asking Kansas questions,artists at work, a petting zoo, blacksmith demonstrationsand who knows what else.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings about theKansas Sampler go to:www.kansassamplerfestival.com.

Tourism Economic Impact Figures ReleasedContinued from page 1

• On average, overnight travelers spent $332 in Kansas during their trip.

• Tourism spending directly supported 61,374 jobs in Kansas in 2013.

• Travel generated $4.5 billion in state GDP in 2013, representing 3.1% of the total Kansas economy.

• The industry that has the largest economic contribution from traveler spending is the Lodging industry closely followed by F&B (restaurants and bars)

• The tourism sector supported 91,265 jobs in 2013.

• Traveler supported employment represents 5.2% of all employment in the State of Kansas.

• Travel is an employment intensive industry directly supporting nearly 23,150 jobs in the food and beverage industry.

• Travel spending supported a total of more than 12,000 jobs in recreation and entertainment.

For a complete review of this study go to www.travelks.com/industry/research-reports/economic-impact/

Join the Flint Hills Volunteer Center at the 4th Annual Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance

Sunday February 22nd, 2015 from 2-4pmat the Manhattan Country Club

$15 for fathers / $10 for daughters ages 3-12Buy tickets at the Flint Hills Volunteer Center office433 Houston St. & Manhattan Town Center MallFor more information call 785-776-7787

Get dolled up and dance the afternoon away!

Photo prop stations, drinks and sweets will be provided to all ofthose in attendance.

www.flinthillsvolunteercenter.com/father-daughter-sweet-heart-dance/

CONNECT WITH US!Visit Manhattan Kansas

@meetnmanhattan

Manhattan CVB

Visit Manhattan

Look who is meeting in Manhattan!Conferences:• Kansas Gang Investigators Association 2/9-12, Est. Attendance: 150, $94,200

• Kansas Lions District Convention 2/20-21, Est. Attendance: 150, $47,100

• Manhattan Christian College - Women’s World 2/27-28,Est. Attendance: 650, $204,100

• KS Department of Ag Farmers’ Market Conference 2/28-3/1Est. Attendance: 200, $94,200

Speak up for Fort RileyFt. Riley helps to make Manhattan and the entire region vibrant. It isimportant for the tourism and hospitality industry to be present at theupcoming Army listening session:

3:30 – Monday, February 9thGeary Co. Convention Center

310 Hammon Dr.

The future of Ft. Riley will be the topic of discussion at this community listening session.The session will allow the Department of Army leaders to hear our community concernsabout the potential force structure and stationing decisions. This is your chance to makeyour voice heard!

To find out more about Ft. Riley and this important meeting visit www.riley.army.mil

See what’s new at the Flint Hills Discovery Center

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is the perfect place for a February date! There is alwayssomething new to see and experience when you visit. Don’t miss these great temporaryexhibits!

K is for Kansas • January 24, 2015-March 22, 2015Discover the magnificent state of Kansas with the exhibition, K is for Kansas: ExploringKansas from A to Z. Younger visitors and their families can discover who Kansans arewith a special Kansas alphabet representing the countless people, places, things, plants andanimals which make our state a special place. Our alphabet includes the state symbolsthat all Kansas children study along with fun and curious facts about the state and storieswhich are often overlooked.

Save the Last Dance • February 14, 2015-May 17, 2015The dance of North American grassland grouse, from the impressive courtship of prairie-chickens to the bizarre behaviors of sage-grouse, are known to nature lovers as one of themost impressive wildlife displays in North America. Save the Last Dance shares images byaward- winning photographer, Noppaadol Paothong, from his dazzling book, Save the LastDance—A Story of North American Grassland Grouse. The exhibition fosters knowledgeand understanding of these spectacular birds and their diminishing habitats so future gen-erations, too, can marvel at their grace and beauty.

You “Otter” Name the newresident at Sunset Zoo! Sunset Zoo has wel-comed a new resi-dent, a seven-year-old,female Asian smallclawed otter. She willbe making Manhattan’sSunset Zoo her homewith Bagus, an eleven-year-old male otter,already on exhibit.However, the newotter does not have aname!

The new otter comesto The Little Apple®from Minnesota Zoo,and is currentlynameless. Manhattanand surrounding community members are encouraged tohelp name the new addition through an online voting con-test at www.SunsetZoo.com/Otters. Cast your votesoon as the contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on Valentine’s Day,February 14, 2015.

Scott Shoemaker, Sunset Zoo director says, “Otters are verysocial animals, making otters quite popular among Zoo guests.The Manhattan community will love our new addition, and thisspecies is great to be exhibited in groups.”

Karen Hibbard, Directorkaren@manhattan.org

Marcia Rozell, Tourism SalesManagermarcia@manhattan.org

Luke Wiggins, Convention SalesManagerluke@manhattan.org

Kendra Dekat, AdministrativeAssistant/ Service Coordinatorkendra@manhattan.org

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff

February 201519 Martin Luther King, Jr

Day CelebrationManhattan Town Center785-539-3500

22 McCain Performance Series: Shatner's WorldMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30 PM785-532-6428

22 Film Screening: Spies of MississippiBeach Museum of Art, K-State7:00 PM785-532-7718

22-25 Winter Sidewalk SalesManhattan Town Center785-539-3500

23-24 Circle Mirror TransformationManhattan Arts Center7:30-9:30 PM785-537-4420

24 K-State Men's Basketballv. Oklahoma StateBramlage Coliseum11:00 AM800-221-2287

24-March 22 K is for KansasFlint Hills Discovery Center785-587-2726

27 K-State Men's Basketball v. West VirginiaBramlage Coliseum6:00 PM800-221-2287

27-2/5 Klicks for Kids Photo DisplayManhattan Town Center785-539-3500

28 K-State Women's Basketball v. Oklahoma StateBramlage Coliseum7:00 PM800-221-2287

29 Rationed Food and Recipes Used During the DepressionFlint Hills Discovery Center7:00 PM785-587-2726

29 McCain PerformanceSeries: Dancing Pros LiveMcCain Auditorium, K-State8:00 PM785-532-6428

30 Evening of Jazz with Wayne GoinsManhattan Arts Center7:30-9:30 PM785-537-4420

30 Hale Library Concert Series: A Century of Gail KubikHemisphere Room, KSU Hale Library7:30-10:00 PM785-532-7442

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau501 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502(785) 776-8829 • (785) 776-0679 fax

Upcoming Conferences, Sports and Special Events in The Little Apple®

Brad Everett, Chair, HotelNeil Farmer, BusinessJennifer Fritchen, HotelEvan Grier, DiningBernie Haney, Youth/SportsTodd Holmberg, Entertainment/KSU

Meredith McKee, HotelTerry Olson, RetailPenny Seften, Entertainment

Ben Sigle, AttractionJeff Wolfe, Meeting Planner/ KSU

Ex-Officio MembersEddie Estes, City of Manhattan

Lyle Butler, Chamber President

Karen McCulloh, City Commissioner

Manhattan CVB Steering Committee

February ...............................Anticipated Attendance NumbersConferences/Meetings/Reunions9 Kansas Gang Investigators Association Annual Conference.......15020 Riley County Bar Association Luncheon...........................................3020 Kansas Lions District Convention....................................................15023 Kansas Bar Association Slam Dunk Conference28 Kansas Department of Agriculture Farmers'

Market Conference ..............................................................................200

Sporting Events7 Little Apple Basketball Tournaments ................................................60014 Run 4 Love Running Event .................................................................100

Special Events27 Manhattan Christian College Woman's World ..............................650

CVB Mission Statement: To increase to local area economy by attracting visitors.

It’s 2A time! March 11-14, Manhattan will be hostto High School Basketball Champions chasing the State Title.If you are interested in volunteering to sell tickets, programsand t-shirts, contact Kendra Dekat, CVB ServiceCoordinator at Kendra@manhattan.org to secure the besttime for you to volunteer.

Manhattan to Participatewith TIAK’s Day on the HillThe Travel Industry of Kansas (TIAK) will host their Day on the Hill on Wednesday,February 11th. Presentations will be made to Kansas’ elected officials on the EconomicImpact of Kansas Tourism, presenting the findings of the Tourism Satellite Account forCalendar year 2013 to both the Senate and House Commerce Committees.

An evening reception for all legislators will be held at the Ramada Convention Center inTopeka showcasing the regions of Kansas and the unique attractions Kansas has to offer.Manhattan will be represented by Karen Hibbard, CVB Director, Luke Wiggins,Convention Sales and Marcia Rozell, Tourism Sales. The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition,

which Manhattan CVB is a charter member,will be hosting a table for the evening recep-tion showcasing the Flint Hills DiscoveryCenter, the Flint Hills Quilt Trail, Flint HillsVacations, Flint Hills artists, presented by JayNelson, owner of Strecker-Nelson ArtGallery with music provided by AnneWilson, Flint Hills musician.