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400 W. Wyatt Earp | PO Box 1474
Dodge City, KS 67801
The Business Advantage
February 2013
1-800-OLD-WEST | 620-225-8186 311 West Spruce | PO Box 818
fax: 620-225-8268 | TDD 620-225-8115 Dodge City, KS 67801
Tourism Coalition participates in
Workshop on Financial Strategies for
Challenging Times
Members of the Dodge City/Ford County Tourism Coalition and Wild West
Country attended a two day workshop provided by Main Stream Inc. on
Financial Strategies for Challenging Times. The workshop was sponsored
by the Mariah Fund and was held at the Dodge City Public Library. It was
divided into 4 sections including:
Financial Strategies: Cutting or Controlling Costs and Increase Revenues,
Modifying the Organization’s Structure and Culture, Engagement
Strategies and Explore Opportunities for Collaboration. Members of the
Coalition found that the workshop was beneficial and informative. The next
regularly scheduled Tourism Coalition meeting will be held on January 28
at 5:30 PM at the Boot Hill Museum and is open to the public.
1-800-381-3690 | 620-227-9501
fax: 620-338-8734
Three Kings Day Celebrated in
Downtown Dodge City
On Sunday, January 6, 2013 Dulcelandia, along with a
group of several other downtown business owners, h osted
a community event to celebrate “Three Kings Day” along
2nd Avenue in Downtown Dodge City. The event, which
drew over 300 people to the downtown area, featured free
tamales and punch, sweet treats, a piñata, music, and prize
giveaways! Typically celebrated on January 6, Three Kings
Day, or also known as Epiphany, marks the end of the 12
days of Christmas and celebrates the arrival of the three
wise men bearing gifts.
Special Train visits Dodge City
A special train sponsored by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and
Amtrak travel stopped in Dodge City on Thursday, January 10. On the
train were top ranking representatives from BNSF and Amtrak along with
the Secretary of Transportation for the State of Kansas. The train traveled
from Topeka to La Junta and local public officials joined the train along
the route. Representatives from Dodge City included City Manager Ken
Strobel, Assistant City Manager Cherise Tieben and Vice Mayor Kent
Smoll. During the trip representatives participated in a rolling discussion
on the importance and future of passenger rail service along the route of
the Southwest Chief.
At the Santa Fe Depot, the representatives received a warm welcome
from the Railer volunteers and staff from the Dodge City Train Station
along with representatives from the Depot Theater Company, City of
Dodge City, Dodge City CVB, Boot Hill Museum, Trail of Fame and
Kansas Heritage Center. While there they toured the building and received
Dodge City buttons courtesy of the City.
Representatives from Dodge City Attend “Day of the Zacatecano”
Omar and Diana Lopez represented Dodge City and Ford County at the
“Day of the Zacatecano” at Fort Worth, Texas on January 19 and 20. The
Bi-National, Gala Event was held at the Radisson Hotel. Participants
included Representatives from the Government of Zacatecas including the
State’s Governor as well as community representatives from across the
United States.
Omar Lopez presented the Representatives with Dodge City Marshal
Badges provided by the Dodge City CVB on behalf of the Dodge City
and Ford County Public Officials. In addition, the Tourism Task Force
sent a Dodge City Cowboy Silhouette to the Governor of Zacatecas
and a framed picture of the Cowboy Silhouette to the coordinator of the
event. The Public Officials from Dodge City and Ford County met with
the Representatives of Zacatecas in September of 2012 when they
participated in a Public Officials Dinner during the Mexican Independence
Day Cavalcade.
“Three Kings Day” located in Downtown Dodge City January 6, 2013.
2013 Goals & Projects
The Main Street members and volunteers have started out 2013 on
a very progressive note as they begin to move forward on several
new projects and activities that will help revitalize and bring new life
to the downtown area. Below is a list of the projects each committee
will be working on throughout the year.
Organization Committee:
• Maintain a well-rounded communication plan that includes
keeping the Main Street website up-to-date and keeping
the community and stakeholders informed through various
newsletters and media outreach
• Conduct a membership drive targeted towards increasing
involvementfrom downtown constituents
• Host a training on volunteer recruitment for all Main Street
Volunteers and implement a well-rounded volunteer recruitment
campaign
• Host a Spring and Fall Volunteer and Member reception, as well
as specific activities geared towards gaining involvement from
students in the area
Design:
• Work on various downtown public improvement projects
including making enhancements to Eisenhower Park, expanding
Christmas decorations in the downtown area, and looking into
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