Go Wichita Launches Contest to Convert City Skeptics

CVB Offers Wichitans a Chance to Win Trip for Friends and Family  

Wichita, Kan. - Go Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau today launched a grassroots effort to reinvigorate Wichita's image among American travelers. "The Search for Wichita Skeptics" contest will encourage Wichita-area residents who know and love the city to nominate friends or family members who have a less than positive view of Wichita.

"Once people come to Wichita, they discover how much our city has to offer," said John Rolfe, president and CEO of Go Wichita. "We have friendly citizens, diverse cultural experiences and more restaurants than you can shake a fork at. Bringing people to Wichita will reveal our city's unique mix of attractions and amenities at Midwestern prices. We can turn skeptics into believers."

Residents of Sedgwick, Sumner, Harvey and Butler counties can visit www.visitwichita.com/Skeptics and nominate a skeptical friend or family member, someone who's never been to Wichita, to win an insider's look at the city. The winners will be invited to visit Wichita and will be given personal tours of the city and its attractions. Winners' travel, lodging and entertainment costs will be provided by Go Wichita.

"As part of the trip, skeptics will share impressions of the city online," Rolfe said. "We want skeptics who visit to share photos and blog posts about their trip. The more people who see and read about enjoyable firsthand experiences, the more people will believe the great things about Wichita."  

Nominations will be accepted from April 8 to April 22. The first 100 people to complete a nomination will receive a free Wichita T-shirt.

Local Wichita judges, including Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, Carrie Rengers of The Wichita Eagle and Brett Harris of B-98 FM, will select five finalists. From May 2 to May 9, visitors to the Go Wichita Web site will be able to vote for their favorite skeptic. The three finalists with the most votes will be the grand prize winners invited to visit Wichita.

For more information about the contest, contact Go Wichita at 316-265-2800.

Go Wichita's mission is to market the greater Wichita area, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. To learn more visit, http://www.visitwichita.com/.

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