7 Positive Stories from 2021
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. While the COVID-19 pandemic affected tourism worldwide, the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau continued to make great strides in marketing Abilene and making the community the best place to visit.
Here are seven positive stories from 2021:
1. Abilene Named Best U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits
Abilene was named Best U.S. Small Town in TravelAwaits’ 2021 Best of Travel Awards.
“We’re really excited to receive this recognition,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau director. “Voters from across the country confirmed what residents already know – Abilene is the best small town.”
TravelAwaits is an online blog featuring more than 100 travel writers dedicated to the 50+ traveler who is ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. According to TravelAwaits, small towns are great places to explore when getting to know a region.
2. Abilene CVB Completes New Visitors Guide
After completing a rebrand and new website, the Abilene CVB focused its efforts on a new visitors guide. Thanks to grants from Kansas Tourism and the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, the CVB was able to complete this project in early 2021.
3. Abilene CVB Leads Effort to Install New Benches in Downtown Abilene
With the addition of nearly 40 new benches in downtown Abilene, your next stop is only a few steps away! Whether you're taking a break while your friends and family shop or sitting and admiring the beautiful flowers and artwork downtown, there are plenty of places waiting for you.
4. Abilene Named #4 Best Historic Small Town by USA Today
For the third year in a row, Abilene placed in the top ten nationwide in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Historic Small Town contest.
5. Abilene CVB Takes Home Awards
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau received two Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) marketing awards at the recent Kansas Tourism Conference in Liberal, Kansas.
The CVB’s new visitors guide was awarded Best Visitors Guide in the Medium Community Marketing Budget Category.
Judges reviewing the visitors guide commented “Updating the website and brand standards allows you to keep a modernized presence in front of potential visitors. Great design, great photos and use of icons. The guide goes well with your overall look. Great job.”
The CVB also received the Best Event Marketing award for its efforts to promote the revamped Eisenhower Marathon.
6. Bulls Head Saloon Longhorn Returns to Abilene
Thanks to more than 70 donors from Abilene and throughout Kansas, "Shotgun" Ben Thompson’s Bulls Head Saloon Longhorn returned to Abilene.
7. Abilene CVB Coordinates Shop Small First - Pink Friday Effort
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
Stay tuned...
We still have a few surprises to share!