I recently returned from the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) conference with a notebook full of ideas, a renewed sense of purpose, and a feeling I want to share with the people of Mitchell County.

There is something special about seeing people from all across Kansas come together with a common goal: helping people discover what makes our communities (most of them small and rural!) worth visiting.

We may represent different towns, counties, attractions, and businesses, but we share something in common. We believe our communities have stories worth telling, places worth exploring, and people worth meeting. Seeing that passion throughout the state reminded me why I love what I do and why I believe so strongly in rural tourism.

When you work hard to promote your own community, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks. The conference gave me the chance to step back, learn from others, share ideas, and see how much can happen when we work together.

It also reminded me of something important: Mitchell County has a story worth telling, and we all have a part in telling it.

You Can Help Us Tell the Story

Here is something I hope every Mitchell County resident will remember: you don’t have to work in tourism to make a difference in tourism.

Every time you recommend a local restaurant, share an event with a friend, welcome a visitor, or tell someone about a place they should see, you are helping our county.

Here are a few easy ways to pitch in:

• Encourage visitors to explore more than one stop. When friends or family come to town, tell them about the lake, the museums, our historic buildings, the Ball of Twine, or an event in a neighboring community.
• Share what you love. Post a photo of something that makes living here special.
• Spread the word. If a Mitchell County Tourism post catches your eye, share it with your own friends and family.
• Think beyond the first answer. When someone asks what there is to do around here, consider the local attraction, historic landmark, seasonal activity, or community event they may have never experienced.

You might be surprised by what people find interesting about a place we sometimes take for granted because we see it every day.

We’d love to hear from you, too. If you know a story that deserves to be told, a place visitors should discover, or an event we should help promote, let us know. Our community is full of knowledge, history, and ideas, and we can’t tell Mitchell County’s story without the people who know it best.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Going

One of my biggest takeaways from the conference was the power of working together. Tourism isn’t just about attracting someone to a single attraction. It’s about helping visitors experience a community or region, meet its people, support its businesses, and leave with a reason to return.

I came home reminded that rural tourism is worth the effort. Every community has something special, and I believe Mitchell County is full of things worth discovering.

Thank you to the residents, businesses, volunteers, and community organizations who already help welcome visitors and share what makes our county special. Your efforts matter more than you may realize.

Let’s keep telling our stories, supporting one another, and giving people more reasons to discover Mitchell County.

The next time someone asks what there is to do here, let’s give them a reason to stay a little longer.

-Mandy Fincham, Mitchell County Tourism Director

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