By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
As its name suggests, the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau was created to promote the places and events the city has to offer. Over the weekend, CVB staff was recognized for its work at the Kansas Tourism Conference in Olathe. Staffer Amanda Gaddis earned the Kansas Destination Specialist Award.
"The KDS program is a program that familiarizes and furthers my knowledge in the state of Kansas in our tourism marking and leadership," she said. "What that means for me is I have a greater knowledge about our state and tourism. It helped me take leadership classes and marking classes. It helps me promote not only Kansas but the city of Great Bend."
Gaddis will celebrate her second year with the CVB in February. Many tourism officials around the state have never received the KDS Award despite more time in the field. It took her approximately a year to complete the points, which included three book reports about Kansas, marketing, and leadership, visiting attractions at least 50 miles from Great Bend, and attending various education conferences, seminars, webinars, and trainings.
CVB Director Christina Hayes and Gaddis received Travel Industry Association of Kansas' first-place award for medium budget in the event category. The pair was honored for its work promoting The Wall That Heals before and after its stop in Great Bend this May.