MERRIAM
TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2023 Annual Report
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to the 2023 Tourism & Economic Development annual report, where we celebrate a year of remarkable achievements and unlimited potential. Last year brought about new opportunities in our department as we focused on embracing change, forging new partnerships, and driving business.
In the past year, Merriam witnessed milestones that solidified our position as a sought-after destination within the metro. We proudly hosted the first-ever joint meeting of Lenexa and Merriam Convention & Visitors Bureau’s advisory councils. This occasion welcomed esteemed guest speaker Kathy Nelson with the Kansas City Sports Commission to share exciting updates about the upcoming 2026 World Cup. This collaboration not only showcased our city’s cooperative spirit, but also highlighted our regional role on a global stage.
Our robust marketing campaigns invited audiences to experience numerous Just Right experiences in Merriam. From a captivating local influencer meet-up to the launch of the Lodging Improvement Grant, we continue to invest in initiatives that enhance our community’s charm and accessibility.
Embodying the strong spirit of Midwest hospitality, Merriam has become a desired location for leisure visitors, business meeting attendees, and youth sports travelers. Here, visitors are greeted with open arms and leave with cherished memories, often returning for a lifetime of experiences.
Our newest initiative in Economic Development began in January with a strong goal of fostering collaboration and commitment to our beloved Merriam businesses. Through thoughtful partnerships, events, and new programs, we have cultivated an environment where businesses thrive while recognizing the City as a partner in their growth and success! With the support of our city leaders, we are guiding, connecting, and assisting new and existing businesses like never before.
As we reflect on the past year and look ahead, we will continue to build upon the foundation of excellence that defines Merriam as Just Right!
Karen Crane
Tourism & Economic Development Manager
2
TOURISM FACTS
& FIGURES
TRANSIENT GUEST TAX
Merriam Tourism and Economic Development is funded by a portion of the transient guest tax (also known as hotel tax) collected from visitors staying overnight in Merriam lodging properties.
2023 TRANSIENT GUEST TAX COLLECTIONS
$554,668.39
MERRIAM HOTEL PERFORMANCE TRANSIENT GAS TAX USAGE 2021 2022 2023 % Change from 2022 OCCUPANCY 65.6% 65.5% 70.8% 8.1% AVG DAILY RATE $71.55 $76.12 $77.57 1.9% REVENUE $7.3 M $7.7 M $8.5 M 10.2%
54.3% 5.2% 40.5% Merriam Tourism & Economic Development Merriam Marketplace & Farmers’ Market Community Events
CHANGE FROM 2022: 35.4% 36.4 MILLION visitors to Kansas annually 1.63 DAYS is the average stay in Kansas 62% OF VISITORS stay in Kansas hotels $777 MILLION GENERATED in state & local taxes by KS visitor spending SHARE OF SPENDING 29.5% air/local transportation; 25.3% food/beverage; 16.1% retail; 15.2% recreation/entertainment; 13.9% lodging DID YOU KNOW? Each household in Kansas would need to be taxed an additional $660 to replace the visitor taxes received by state and local governments in 2022. Source: Tourism Economics Kansas Tourism Economic Impact 107 Rooms 142 Rooms 85 Rooms 90 Rooms KS 58% CO 3% MO 14% OK 2% MN 2% OH 2% LA 2% TX 4% Where most of our Kansas visitors come from...
TGT increased
7%
8%, the first increase since 2008. 3
In January 2023, the
from
to
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FACTS & FIGURES
# OF MERRIAM BUSINESSES
529
# OF NEW MERRIAM BUSINESSES IN 2023
44
COMMERCIAL PERMITS
402
# OF TOTAL EMPLOYEES
10,545
TOTALING AN INVESTMENT IN MERRIAM OF
22
THE LARGEST PORTION OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE IS OFFICE SPACE FOLLOWED BY INDUSTRIAL SPACE.
Merriam is home to the only Fortune 500 company in the metro – Seaboard, an agribusiness with global operations. They also were honored as one of the “best places to work” in 2023, along with the top area public sector company in the metro!
# OF WOMEN & MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
123
$115,307,555
COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE/LEASE
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIGEST Did you know?
Three Merriam companies landed on the 2023 fastest-growing employers in the metro list.
AdventHealth Shawnee
Mission was named one of the top area hospitals and medical centers in Kansas City and a top 100 private sector company.
2 RIBBON CUTTINGS (Hosted by NEJC Chamber)
Merriam’s longest standing business is Walnut Grove RV Park, which obtained its occupational license in 1956!
4
INVESTING IN MERRIAM DEVELOPMENTS
ACROSS MERRIAM
ARISTOCRAT MOTORS MERCEDES BENZ SHOWROOM
9510 W. 67th St.
Showroom and service center focusing on Sprinter Van repair and servicing electric vehicles with charging stations located on the site.
62,250 sq. ft. | $30 million
MERRIAM GRAND STATION
Shawnee Mission Parkway & Eby Ave.
A 14-acre mixed-use development featuring Grand Station Lofts, full-service restaurants, and civic activity space.
300,000 sq. ft. | $140 milion
MERRIAM PLAZA LIBRARY
6120 Slater St.
Replacing the former Antioch branch, the new Merriam Plaza Library features reading nooks in the kids’ section, a convenient drive-thru, a large meeting room with updated technology, two well-equipped study rooms, shared parking, outdoor seating area, public art, and a green roof with native plantings and natural light.
15,000 sq. ft. | $13.1 million
5
Merriam Lodging Improvement Grant: Quality Inn was awarded a $220,000 grant for renovations to the hotel located on East Frontage Road as part of the new Lodging Improvement Grant.
2.
INFLUENCER
INFLUENCER
April was a record month for people staying in Merriam. Visitors attending the NFL draft, hosted in Kansas City, accounted for an increase of 15.2% occupancy with a 20% revenue increase compared to April 2022.
5.
Merriam and Lenexa Visitors Bureau’s hosted a joint advisory council meeting in December with guest presenter Kathy Nelson of the Kansas City Sports Commission. Kathy shared updates on the World Cup 2026 and ways communities can regionally participate in welcoming guests from all across the world.
In the spring, Merriam joined KC Destinations for the first-ever regional Influencer Meetup. This event drew nearly a dozen local influencers looking for opportunities to collaborate with destinations in the metro. Becca with @ThroughBecsSpecs (22,000 followers) was awarded the “KC Sweet Treats” regional trip contract and garnered an impressive 1,656 engagements and 81,000 views of her coverage, including Merriam’s delicious Povitica!
Our Google digital marketing campaign generated 108,000 impressions with a 3.46% click-through rate targeting leisure visitors to Merriam.
TOP TEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2023
MEET-UP
Thursday, April 13 | 4-6 p.m. Third Space Coffee 226 Oak St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012 RSVP to Megan at mgilliland@bonnersprings.org YOU’RE INVITED! Third Space Coffee Local KC Destinations www.kcdestinations.com Join us for an evening of complimentary beverages, light bites and getting to know KC Destinations. Chat with us about KC trips, and how we can work together in the future! KC Coffee KC History KC Quirky • KC Sweet Treats • KC Kid-Friendly 1.
4. 3.
6
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2023
MERRIAM B
The Merriam & Bright holiday campaign yielded 13 participating local businesses and featured different offers each week during the holiday season!
We hosted our first Business Appreciation Luncheon with 25 businesses in attendance. Guest panelists included Drake Development, Johnson County Library, and Merriam Community Development staff, who provided project updates across Merriam.
The merriam.org/business section of the website was enhanced with available commercial property listings, partner business resources, and a link to the new Business Development Digest e-newsletter.
The Business Development Digest offers a new way to communicate with Merriam businesses! This quarterly publication shares events, projects, programs, and news on incentives, grants, achievements, and more! Over 400 subscribers are on the distribution list with an average open-rate of 53%.
We welcomed 44 new businesses to Merriam, attended two ribbon cuttings hosted by the Northeast Johnson County Chamber, and created a “Welcome to Merriam” business packet distributed monthly to new business owners who completed their occupational license requirements.
R
G H T SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERS & DEALS ACROSS MERRIAM! and 6. 9. 8. 7. 10.
I
TOP TEN
7