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Council renews Visit Wichita contract and backs a $100,000 contribution for a destination master plan
Summary
The City Council approved a $3.1 million contract renewal with Visit Wichita and authorized a $100,000 one‑time city contribution toward a destination master plan; Visit Wichita leaders highlighted $1.5 billion in visitor spending and recent event successes.
The City Council approved the 2026 contract renewal with Visit Wichita, the city's destination marketing organization, which is funded from the transient guest tax. Staff said the recommended annual allocation is $3,100,000 and includes a $150,000 convention and promotion contingency. The contract also includes a one‑time $100,000 city contribution to a destination master plan; Visit Wichita expects matching funds of about $100,000 from the organization and plans to raise additional funds.
Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita, said the organization's 2025 work included major sporting events and the TBEX influencer summit, and that "visitor spending in the Greater Wichita area exceeded $1,500,000,000 last fiscal year and supported over 17,000 full time jobs in the county."
Council members highlighted the importance of investing in attractions and convention capacity to capture more visitor spending. The council voted to approve the contract renewal and authorize signatures (7‑0). Staff said the destination master plan will include significant community outreach and a steering committee; the city contribution is designed to help fund that planning process.
