At the Kansas State Fair today, Kansas Tourism unveiled its newest tool for inspiring
visitation to the state – the Kansas Tourism Mobile Visitors Center (MVC). This eye-catching van,
wrapped in a stunning Kansas sunset design, will travel to large attendance events both in and outside
of Kansas, providing information about the Sunflower State and encouraging people to visit.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and Kansas Department of
Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed joined Kansas Tourism Division Director Bridgette Jobe at the
official launch ceremony, which took place in the Pride of Kansas Building on the fairgrounds in
Hutchinson.
“The Mobile Visitors Center is an innovative, collaborative approach to telling our story,” Governor
Laura Kelly said. “It empowers us to expand our reach to more people than ever before. This dynamic
initiative sends a strong message that Kansas is not just a great place to visit, but a wonderful place to
live, work and raise a family.”
The MVC was developed as a collaborative effort between Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas
Department of Commerce, and the Kansas Department of Transportation. By combining resources and
creativity, the two agencies have joined forces to find a fresh approach to promoting increased travel
and residency in Kansas.
“Tourism drives economic growth and creates new opportunities in communities all across the state,”
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The Mobile Visitors Center will
expand the already powerful impact tourism has on the state economy, with visitors spending more
than $8 billion here in 2023 alone.”
“Kansas offers some of the best highways in the country, and they are perfect for a road trip
adventure,” Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed said. “This Mobile Visitors Center will inspire
visitors to explore further and spend more time discovering all that our state has to offer.”
The MVC will attend major sporting events, fairs, tradeshows and festivals. It will be operated by
Kansas Tourism staff, or Inspiration Agents, who will provide comprehensive and personalized travel
information to encourage exploration of Kansas’ many attractions.
About Kansas Tourism:
The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive
impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with
other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas
Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and
advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program
and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS!
Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through
grants, education and support.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to
empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce
accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and
stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an
environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for
new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development
Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021
and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
