ࡱ> " !"#$%&! ` bbjbj .b  :)++++++$h,ROc c c Od3 3 3 c )3 c )3 3 V@q 1 iy  )z0x~ ^~q~q 3 ^ OO Fc c c c   EMBED MSPhotoEd.3  106 S. Summit, Arkansas City, KS 67005/620-442-0236  HYPERLINK "http://www.arkcity.org" www.arkcity.org / e-mail:  HYPERLINK "mailto:ac-cvb@arkcitychamber.org" ac-cvb@arkcitychamber.org February 7, 2008 To: Senate Commerce Committee Committee Chairs Jordan and Brownlee and members of the Senate Commerce Committee I am the Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau in Arkansas City. I have been in this position for just two years, thought Ive been in the travel industry for 20 years. I have lived in Kansas for only three years and I love Kansas and so love promoting our town, our region, and our state to any and all. The task force who worked on the KTI Initiative put together a comprehensive analysis of tourism, as it is, as it could be, and as it should be. The recommendations made by this group of travel professionals, in my opinion, cover every aspect of the new model and the final face should prove to be a positive for every player, small town, big city, and rural Kansas. The collaboration among every segment of the tourism industry regarding KTI has been heart-warming. Our town sits at the Oklahoma state line, just two miles north of three casinos. With greater funding available there could perhaps be an opportunity for us to market to those individuals passing through our town to stop and enjoy our parks, restaurants, attractions, shops, and events. Our town is part of Cowley County, the southern gateway to the Flint Hills. I have been actively involved with the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition and have been amazed at what we have accomplished by working together with the other 21 counties in the region. It has been the leadership that has taken a small group of interested individuals to a viable alliance of travel professionals along and with passionate volunteers, all with the single goal of promoting the region. The proposed Visit Kansas may also offer the Coalition more opportunity to promote the beauty and heritage of this lush green land. Visit Kansas could give Kansas a bigger presence on the Tourism Map. Having a director and management team comprised of tourism professionals that will not change with every administration will ensure a complete understanding of the economic impact tourism has on the state. I believe every area of concern in the creation of this new entity Visit Kansas has been addressed by SB 501 and I hope that you will give careful consideration in moving this piece of legislation forward. Thank you for your time in reviewing these thoughts. 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