Northeast Kansas Tourism Association and Lawrence Restaurant Association awarded grants.

Lawrence, KS, September 18, 2024eXplore Lawrence is pleased to announce that Kansas Tourism has awarded two significant marketing grants to boost regional tourism initiatives. The Northeast Kansas Tourism Association and the Lawrence Restaurant Association are the beneficiaries of these funds, aimed at enhancing visitor engagement and promoting local culinary experiences.

The Northeast Kansas Tourism Association has received a $1,600 grant from Kansas Tourism to develop and promote a Northeast Kansas Cultural Food Passport via the Bandwango platform. This interactive, mobile-friendly pass will spotlight the diverse cultural cuisine of the region, encouraging travelers to explore the unique culinary offerings in Northeast Kansas. Visitors can sign up for free, check in at participating locations, redeem exclusive offers, and accumulate points to enter a sweepstakes—driving more traffic and excitement for the region's local eateries.

The Lawrence Restaurant Association has been awarded $9,520 to enhance their marketing efforts for two key events: the Lawrence Cocktail Trail and Lawrence Restaurant Week. These funds will expand marketing channels, elevate event visibility, and attract new visitors to Lawrence. The Lawrence Cocktail Trail will take place from October 17-20, 2024, and will also utilize the Bandwango platform to create an interactive experience for participants. Lawrence Restaurant Week, a highly anticipated annual event, will occur in January 2025, offering food lovers the chance to experience the best dining Lawrence has to offer.

Kansas Tourism will present the grant awards during a media event on Friday, September 20th, from 9:30 to 10:00 AM at the Lawrence Visitors Center, located at 812 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. Members of the press are invited to attend, with representatives from Kansas Tourism and eXplore Lawrence available for interviews.

For media inquiries, please contact Allison Calvin, Director of Marketing and Communications at eXplore Lawrence, via email at allison@explorelawrence.com or by phone at 785-856-5284.

# # #

About eXplore Lawrence

eXplore Lawrence represents travel and tourism in Lawrence and Douglas County. We are dedicated to creating economic development by attracting visitors, events, and conventions to our city.