So, you’ll be heading to Wichita in October to attend TBEX Summit America 2025. One of the first things you may notice is the locals seem to have their own language and dialect. But don’t fret. We’ve assembled a guide to help you decipher your ICT experience. Don’t know what ICT means? Well, then we’ll start there.

ICT

You may hear locals saying “ICT,” or see it on signs and billboards around the city. So, what on earth is this acronym Wichitans are so fond of? ICT is the airport’s call letters, and it’s also the most popular nickname for our great city. When you see the letters around town or hear locals proudly saying them, you’ll now understand. Plus, when you learn Wichita is the Air Capital of the World, it’s no surprise those who call the city home are so fond of their airport’s call letters.

The Wichita Flag

As you explore our city, you’ll quickly see that Wichitans are proud of their city, and their favorite way to display their pride is through the Wichita flag. It can be seen everywhere, represented on mugs, murals, T-shirts, decals, license plates, jewelry, billboards and many other items. #FlagSwag is a collective term for all the gear you can buy with the Wichita flag symbol. Even if you don’t have a permanent tie to Wichita, you can still take a piece of ICT home with you from local shops such as Bungalow 26, Generations Antiques and Artisans, The Health Connection, Lucinda’s, Wichita Screen Printing and The Workroom. Museum gift shops, like the ones at Old Cowtown Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Wichita-Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum, and Wichita Art Museum, are also great places to find #FlagSwag.

Doo-Dah

In Wichita, “Doo-Dah” is more than a diner. Similar to ICT, Doo-Dah is a nickname said to come from many Wichitans’ laid back attitudes. A KFDI radio DJ coined the terms years ago. While you’re here, enjoy the chill environment and friendly, talkative locals. It’s just one of the reasons Wichita is the Heart of the Country. But don’t sleep on the diner, Doo-Dah Diner. It’s THE place to indulge in a made-from-scratch breakfast. Plus, it’s been named as the best restaurant in Kansas for a celebrity spotting. Harrison Ford, Henry Winkler and numerous ESPN anchors have dined at this Wichita staple.

Arkansas River

Sorry Arkies, this isn’t “Ark-can-SAW,” and the Arkansas River is not pronounced like the state. In Kansas, with our extreme sense of pride in our state, we pronounce it “Are-KANSAS.” It doesn’t matter if it’s the river or its street namesake, you will be corrected by locals for any mispronunciation, but always in a loving manner. At the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join in downtown Wichita, you’ll find the Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot tall steel sculpture created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin. Nearby is Boats & Bikes, which operates from the dock May through October, offering rental of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and pedal boats as well as bicycles and scooters.

Ring of Fire

Speaking of the “Keeper,” which you now know about thanks to the insight about the Arkansas River, it’s time we talk about the Ring of Fire. This isn’t some new type of barbecue, it’s a nightly lighting of the fire pots surrounding the Keeper of the Plains. Expect this beautiful spectacle each night from 7 to 7:15 p.m. during your visit, except during inclement weather, high winds or if the river is at high levels.

Dragging Douglas

In many towns, dragging main is a favorite pastime of teenagers who get their first cars or those not old enough to hit up active nightlife traditions. To this day in Wichita, locals can be found cruising Douglas Avenue, which makes up the main strip of the downtown area. In the past, it was commonly referred to as “Dragging Douglas.”

The Troll

You never know what kind of hidden gems you can find in new cities. Everyone knows the Keeper of the Plains is the most iconic Wichita attraction, but around this magnificent monument lies a hidden treasure. See if you can find the Troll located somewhere along the river, nearby the Keeper of the Plains Plaza. Created by local artist Connie Ernatt, it showed up in May 2007 hiding inside a huge grate right by the Arkansas River. Ernatt also created a sleeping troll, which can be found near the Koch Carousel Gardens at Botanica Wichita.

Joyland

This word brings fond memories and disappointment to many ’90s kids in Wichita. It was the first and largest amusement park in the city, equipped with a rickety old roller coaster, “Wacky Shack” haunted fun house and other carnival rides. Within the park, automated, autonomous Louie the Clown, sat in front of a Wurlitzer organ, playing a song that could be heard throughout the park. Joyland is now abandoned and has made the list of the creepiest theme parks in a book called, “Bizarro: The World’s Most Hauntingly Beautiful Abandoned Theme Parks.”

Joyland will forever resonate in the hearts of the Wichitans who got to enjoy it, and many were sad to see pieces of it sold and the lot shut down. However, you can still catch a piece of Joyland by visiting Botanica Wichita, where organizers refurbished and installed Joyland’s carousel in a pavilion within the park, which is one of only five Allan Herschell Carousels left in the world. Bonus: ride this piece of history for only $3!

Kellogg

You may hear Wichitans talking a lot about Kellogg. They’re not obsessed with cereals and snacks, they’re referring to where US Highway 54 runs east and west through the city. This freeway has been known to have ongoing construction, although now impressive upgrades are complete. Don’t be alarmed if no one knows how to merge onto it though. That’s a work in progress.

But wait, there’s more!

As you make your way around Wichita and through Kansas, you might hear a few well-known points of interest pronounced a bit differently. Greenwich is a road in east Wichita, but you’ll most likely hear Wichitans call it “Green-Witch” instead of “Gren-Itch.” Another important pronunciation to have in the bag before you arrive in Wichita, is how to pronounce a beloved neighborhood in the city’s core, Historic Delano. This area is known as “Deh-Lay-No.” Northeast of Wichita is El Dorado Lake. Think that it’s “El-Door-Aw-Doh?” Well, here in the Heart of the Country, it’s referred to as the “El-Door-Ray-Dough” Lake.

These are just a few of the unique things you might hear come up in conversation while attending #TBEXWichita. Now that you speak fluent Wichitan, you’re almost ready for your trip. Be sure to check out some of Wichita’s iconic foodie finds and see what national brands got their start in the Heart of the Country. Plus, you’ll be visiting our city during fall festival season. We can’t wait to welcome you to Wichita!