Tourism Topics - January 2016

January 2016 Volume 16, Issue 1 A publication of the Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau

2016 Resolutions! How are they going?

Americans’ typical resolutions include many variations to get in shape/lose weight or perhaps volunteer for non-profit organizations and being more charitable. Worthy causes, all.

Some recommendations on the web include more reading and smiling, fewer excuses and, gulp, fewer sodas. “The new year means nothing if you’re still in love with your comfort zone,” reads a Pinterest post.

Volunteer

Lose weight

The website Champagne Cartel advises the following when it comes to resolutions: 1) Be realistic; 2) Write it down; 3) Be accountable.

Make my community a better place

We’ve got some recommendations for your 2016 Resolutions, related to Manhattan tourism, of course. As for volunteer work, we recommend starting at Flint Hills Volunteer Center, 433 Houston St. (785-776-7787). Also, Manhattan CVB has many opportunities where volunteers are needed throughout the year. If you want to learn more, contact us at cvb.manhattan.org.

We wish all of our readers great success and imminent prominence in the new year. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2016, from Visit Manhattan!

Find healthy eating alternatives in MHK

Don’t take no for an answer

Get in shape

Get that promotion/ earn a raise

Healthy selections are bountiful in MHK

A night on the town in Manhattan provides a variety of eating possibilities, and healthy alternatives. You don’t have to stay home and starve your palate from tasty treats to lose weight.

The choices of Mediterranean, Mexican and American cuisine are plentiful in the foodie destination that Manhattan has become, and each menu has healthy alternatives. Try the pork terrine at Four Olives, or pan roasted chicken at Harry’s. From a portion standpoint, select what you like from the menu options, and take some home for the next day’s lunch and dinner … it’s all about portion-ality, pare down what you love to eat, and make reasonable choices.

Eat healthy, eat selectively, eat wisely. Enjoy the treasure that is The Little Apple® food scene. No matter the restrictions you decide to impose, there’s a healthy solution on the Manhattan dining cart to satisfy your appetite.

Plan your next meeting for Manhattan

An abundance of meeting spaces and places abound in Manhattan. 2016 is a great year to stake out an event here. The variety of space runs the gamut from department-sized adequacy to full-on, annual company meetings. When meeting at Manhattan Conference Center, the amenities nearby the conference center are equally lavish, from Radina’s Bakehouse and Mimi’s Cheese in Blue Earth Plaza to downtown shops and Manhattan Town Center.

Right in the neighborhood, breakfast options abound at The Chef (wakey, wakey) and Early Edition to make a great start to a day of meetings. The Union Pacific Train depot includes space for around 50 and hosts luncheons, meetings and receptions with great access to downtown and the southeast corridor.

Mezzanine level at Tallgrass Tap House courtesy Trip Advisor.

A terrific downtown addition to MHK’s voluminous food alternatives is the Tallgrass Tap House, which opened last summer. Not only does the Tap House include savory food and drink options (the best Tallgrass beer has to offer), but also superb meeting space. The mezzanine level features multiple tables, ample seating and easy access to the rooftop area.

The back bar is called the Firkin, and this area has robust room for approximately 125 with high tables, bar and booth seating, and generous floor space. The Firkin shouts out for Friday-afternoon, after-work get-togethers to increase company morale.

The Little Apple® dazzles regardless of the size of your event. Reach out to Luke Wiggins, Convention Sales Manager, for more information on holding your event in Manhattan.

Count on the CVB to determine the ideal location for your anniversary or group dinner.

The options are virtually endless. You can reach Luke Wiggins at 785-776-8829 (luke@manhattan.org).

Wiggins awarded KSAE associate member of the year Luke Wiggins, Convention Sales Manager, Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been awarded as the associate member of the year by the Kansas Society of Association Executives. Wiggins joined the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau in February 2015, and in his role the CVB booked 63 conferences that resulted in more than 6,600 room nights in Manhattan hotels. The economic impact of the numerous conferences was nearly $5 million to the Manhattan economy.

The Kansas Society of Association Executives promotes common business interests for association executives, and provides a forum to exchange ideas and experiences among association management. Congratulations to Luke for this distinguished award!

Name our charging station The Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau came through with a much-used and popular cell phone charging station just a few months ago. Well, we were remiss in one area: it doesn’t have a name. Everyone responds to and likes to hear their name. So help us name our charging station, and win $25 in Little Apple dollars. Forward your suggestions to Michael@Manhattan.org. We’ll announce a winner in February.

Many conference attendees around Manhattan recently have had the added luxury of this Infuse Charging Station for cell phones.

Business never stops these days, and a daylong conference can be a drain on cell phone batteries. Solution? The 12-port charging station from InCharged. This charging station can accommodate just about any phone, and incorporates video on the station to include Manhattan’s promotional video.

Find your action and adventure, all right here in The Little Apple

Manhattan is an active community with a wide range of activities to pry the would-be couch potato from the comfort of a lounge chair. Thousands of college students take activity to another level, and Manhattan has taken it up another notch with a plethora of outdoors attractions to lure people of all ages into action. Chase your kids around Blue Earth Plaza or any of the omnipresent city parks. Combine exercise with bird watching on a Tuttle Creek hike. Hop on a kayak and traverse the Deep Creek stream near Pillsbury Creek. A hike at Konza Prairie is always special when coupled with a breath-taking sunset, as the sun falls over the western horizon and bathes the prairie with one final splash of golden glare.

Need a goal? The Bill Snyder Highway half-marathon will be in its second offering this spring (May 21). The full 13-mile run may be a bit much for a beginner, but a 5-kilometer distance may be just right. Set a goal to measure yourself and try to attain … 45 minutes? Go for it! If you’ve already challenged yourself at the 5- and 10-kilometer distances, maybe it’s time to step up for a half-marathon. The first offering of a half-marathon in Manhattan drew 2,000 runners, and Coach Snyder handed out awards to medalists.

Running isn’t everyone’s favorite hobby, and outdoor offerings extend well beyond pounding the pavement. Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park offers the zeal and adrenaline of seven zipline runs, and adds a wilderness flavor. Stagg Hill Golf Course is a walkable layout for a round of golf, as weather has cooperated to uncommonly extend the golf calendar well into January. Find all the golf, trails, hunting and fishing references you’ll need on our website at VisitManhattanKS.org.

Introducing the 2016 Manhattan Visitor’s Guide

It’s a new year, and a new approach to life as we ponder resolutions for 2016. For the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau, tourism is key as Manhattan grows and city-wide amenities expand. Manhattan is a burgeoning community, and with the photos and stories in the 2016 Visitor’s Guide, the CVB presents a vibrant community to match the zeal and passion that makes Manhattan a special place to live and visit.

Visitors may start on a website, and google maps is always within reach, still a visitor’s guide is a basic necessity for first-time travelers, an illustration of what we all know and love about The Little Apple®. What are those things? As Feast Magazine declared in a September spread entitled, “A Food Lover’s Guide to Manhattan,” we’ve become a foodie destination. Our restaurants have become well known not just for great food and service, but as unique dining venues that add a distinctive flavor.

The Visitor’s Guide seeks to emphasize all of the positive enhancements we’ve experienced recently, and the facets of Manhattan we’ve loved for years: Flint Hills Discovery Center, Sunset Zoo, Kansas State University … Poyntz Avenue and Bluemont Hill.

We’ve made our best impression for visitors with our 45-page publication. We rely on Manhattan residents’ friendliness to continue to impress visitors with Midwest charm, positive attitudes and welcoming spirits. Thanks for all you do!

Cultural and local sporting events

Flint Hills Discovery Center • Flint Hills Masters series through Jan. 17. Paintings and sculptures by more than 50 premier artists from around the world and give rise to multiple senses of feeling for the Flint Hills. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 8 p.m.

Thursday).

• A View From Space, highly interactive, hands-on science exhibit of the world from a satellite perspective.

Premiers Jan. 16.

FlintHillsDiscovery.org K-State home men’s basketball • Texas Tech, 7 p.m. Jan. 12; Iowa State, 3 p.m. Jan. 16; Oklahoma State, 5 p.m. Jan. 23; Mississippi, 1 p.m. Jan. 30.

K-State home women’s basketball • West Virginia, Jan. 6; Oklahoma State, Jan. 13; Texas Christian, Jan. 16; Texas, Jan. 30.

All home games played at Bramlage Coliseum Women’s games all 7 p.m. tipoff.

K-Statesports.com

Museums • Art for Every Home: Associated American Artists.

Traveling exhibition of 136 works by Thomas Hart Benton, John Steuart Curry and Grant Wood from more than 25 museums and private collections. Through Jan. 31. Beach.K-State.edu • Stan Herd’s "Cairns on the Beach" highlights the natural beauty to the region's geology, honors the history of stone structures in Kansas. Beach.K-State.edu • Only the Best through Jan. 9.

Strecker-nelsongallery.com Music • Zane Williams at The Hat, 7 p.m. Jan. 15.

Thehatksu.com • Tracy Byrd at The Hat, 7 p.m. Jan. 22. Thehatksu.com • Eli Young Band at The Hat, 7 p.m. Jan. 30.

Thehatksu.com • Atma Trio (Hale Library Concert Series, seating limited to 120) followed by wine/dessert reception. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29, fifth floor, Hale Library (Hemisphere Room).

• Tyler Gregory, native Kansan remains a local favorite in the Flint Hills. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29, Columbian Theatre.

Columbiantheatre.com • Ten Strings and a Goat Skin (BirdHouse Music Series), Canadian trio fuses Irish, Acadian, French and original creations infused with modern and world rhythms.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Manhattanarts.org Special events • Manhattan Bridal Show, tips to plan a dream wedding.

Noon Jan. 17, K-State Alumni Center.

Mhkbridalshow.com

6

K-State Basketball (W) vs. West Virgina Bramlage Coliseum 7:00 PM 800-221-2287

10 Happy Zoo Year Sunset Zoo Noon-4:30 PM 785-587-2737 12 K-State Basketball (M) vs.

Texas Tech Bramlage Coliseum 7 PM 800-221-2287 13 K-State Basketball (W) vs.

Oklahoma State Bramlage Coliseum 7 PM 800-221-2287 16-5/1 Exhibit: A View from Space Flint Hills Discovery Center 785-587-2726 16 Winter Farmers Market Pottorf Hall, CiCo Park 9 AM-noon 785-341-7794 16 K-State Basketball (W) v. TCU Bramlage Coliseum 7 PM 800-221-2287

January 2016 16 K-State Basketball (M) vs.

Iowa State Bramlage Coliseum 3 PM 800-221-2287

30 Ten Strings and a Goat Skin Manhattan Arts Center 7:30 PM 785-537-4420

22-25 Winter Sidewalk Sales Manhattan Town Center 785-539-3500

30 K-State Basketball (M) vs. Ole Miss Bramlage Coliseum 1 PM 800-221-2287

23 Science Saturday at the Zoo Sunset Zoo 1-3 PM 785-587-2737

30 K-State Basketball (W) vs. Texas Bramlage Coliseum 7 PM 800-221-2287

23 K-State Basketball (M) vs.

Oklahoma State Bramlage Coliseum 5 PM 800-221-2287

30 Winter Farmers Market Pottorf Hall, CiCo Park 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 785-341-7794

26 2nd Annual Pint for a Pint (or Pita) Blood Drive Aggieville

30-5/1 Exhibit: How People Make Things Flint Hills Discovery Center 785-587-2726

29 Tyler Gregory Concert Columbian Theatre, Museum & Art Center, Wamego 7:30 PM 800-899-1893 29 10th Annual Hale Library Concert Series: The Atma Trio Hemisphere Room, KSU Hale Library 7:30-9:30 PM 785-532-7442

K-State men’s home basketball schedule TIME 7 PM 3 PM 5 PM 1 PM 5 PM 7 PM 5 PM 6 PM

(January games)

DATE Tue, Jan. 12 Sat, Jan. 16 Sat, Jan. 23 Sat, Jan. 30 Sat, Feb. 6 Wed, Feb. 10 Sat, Feb. 20 Mon, Feb. 22

OPPONENT Texas Tech Iowa State Oklahoma State Mississippi Oklahoma Baylor Kansas Texas

K-State women’s home basketball schedule (December-January games)

TIME 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM 2 PM 3:30 PM

DATE Wed, Jan. 6 Wed, Jan. 13 Sat, Jan. 16 Sat, Jan. 30 Tue, Feb. 9 Sat, Feb. 13 Sun, Feb. 21 Sat, Feb. 27

OPPONENT West Virginia Oklahoma State Texas Christian Texas Oklahoma Kansas Texas Tech Baylor

Upcoming Conferences, Sports and Special Events in The Little Apple ®

January ..................................Anticipated Attendance Numbers Conferences/Meetings/Reunions 15 Kansas Lions Mid- Winter Rally ........................................................250 15 Blue Key Honor Society National Leadership Conference........100 22 Kansas Grape Growers and Wine Makers Annual Conference 150 23 1st Infantry Division 1-6 Combat Aviation Brigade......................250 Winter Formal 29 Young Farmers and Ranchers of Kansas Annual Convention ....600 Sporting Events 16 Manhattan Optimist Kids Wrestling Club Little Apple Classic..600

CONNECT WITH US! Visit Manhattan Kansas @meetnmanhattan Manhattan CVB

Visit Manhattan

Manhattan CVB Steering Committee

Evan Grier, Chair, Dining Neal Farmer, Business Jennifer Fritchen, Hotel Evan Grier, Dining Bernie Haney, Youth/Sports Dennis Hulsing, Hotel Meridith McKee, Hotel Penny Senften, Entertainment Ben Sigle, Attraction

Laird Veatch, KSU Jeff Wolfe, Meeting Planner/ KSU Ex-Officio Members Eddie Eastes, City of Manhattan Lyle Butler, Chamber President Usha Reddi, City Commissioner

CVB Mission Statement: To increase to local area economy by attracting visitors.

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau 501 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502 (785) 776-8829 • (785) 776-0679 fax

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff Karen Hibbard, Director karen@manhattan.org

Marcia Rozell, Tourism Sales Manager marcia@manhattan.org

Luke Wiggins, Convention Sales Manager luke@manhattan.org