Conference to focus on Flint Hills

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 22, 2007

The Capital-Journal

The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition is sponsoring a Flint Hills Heritage Conference in mid-October to present the idea of creating a Flint Hills heritage area and to learn about what the area has to offer in terms of tourism.

The conference will be Oct. 19 at the Chase County Community Building in Cottonwood Falls.

Speakers are Sen. Nick Jordan, R-Shawnee; Becky Blake, director of travel and tourism in the Kansas Department of Commerce; and Richard Smalley, tourism marketing manager in the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Dr. William Smith, business and economic development professor from Emporia State University, and Dr. Jim Hoy, English professor at ESU, will talk about sustainable heritage tourism and the movement to create a Flint Hills heritage area.

The 22 counties in the Flint Hills Tourism Coalition will make presentations about the tourism attractions in their counties.

Registration is $35, which includes lunch.

For more information and to download a registration form, visit the coalition's Web site at www.KansasFlintHills.travel or call Smith at (620) 341-5345 or Suzan Barnes at (620) 273-6763.