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Colby Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrates 40 Years of Welcoming Visitors to the Oasis on the Plains
For 40 years, the Colby Convention & Visitors Bureau has been helping roll out the welcome mat for visitors to Colby, and today there is a little extra celebrating going on at Exit 53.
The Colby CVB is celebrating its 40th anniversary today, September 16, with cookies, giveaways, a guest book to sign and, fittingly, plenty of time to stop in and visit with friends at the Colby Visitors Center.
It is a milestone for an organization that has spent four decades promoting Colby as a place to visit, stay, meet, hold events and explore.
The CVB's mission is to "champion Colby as a premier choice for tourism, events, meetings, and conventions," while inviting travelers to experience Colby's combination of a small-town atmosphere and big-city amenities.
A Familiar Sight at Exit 53
While the CVB is turning 40, the Colby Visitors Center itself isn't quite that old. At closer to 20 years old, though, the building at 2015 S. Range Avenue has become one of the most recognizable entrances to Colby.
And it is pretty hard to miss.
Located just off Interstate 70 at Exit 53, the Visitors Center combines traditional Kansas limestone with a contemporary design and a very northwest Kansas feature: a real grain bin incorporated right into the building.
The grain bin recognizes the importance of agriculture to the area while also making the Visitors Center stand out to travelers coming off I-70.
Outside, flowers, benches, grass and shade provide a place for travelers to get out of the car and stretch their legs. Inside, visitors can cool off or warm up depending on what Kansas weather has decided to do that day, grab a cup of coffee, check the weather, browse Kansas travel information and learn more about Colby and the surrounding area.
Sometimes, after several hours on I-70, a friendly face and a good place to sit for a few minutes are attractions all their own.
Four Decades of Promoting Colby
The Colby CVB is financed through the guest tax, with its annual budget approved by the Colby City Council. Its advisory board includes representatives from lodging facilities and local businesses who are appointed by the mayor and meet monthly.
The current CVB Advisory Board includes Penny Vogler of Chance Management, Leesa Wark of Triple R Insurance, Martha Brewer, Aaron Lamberston of the Colby Events Center, Quinnlyn Carpenter of Woofter Construction & Irrigation, Lisa Endreola of Hampton Inn, Jennifer Linden of the Prairie Museum of Art & History, Dana Brockelman of City Limits Convention Center, Shelly Macumber of McCarty Family Farms and Shanda Mattix of Barnwood & Bling.
Leading the CVB today is Executive Director and Colby native Carson McLaughlin.
Over its 40 years, the role of the CVB has gone well beyond simply handing out brochures. Tourism brings people into Colby hotels, restaurants, stores, attractions and events, while the CVB works to promote the community as a destination for meetings, conventions and other gatherings.
And for thousands of travelers making their way across Kansas on I-70, the Visitors Center may be their very first introduction to Colby.
Stop In and Help Celebrate 40 Years
Today is a great day for locals to visit the Visitors Center, too.
The Colby CVB is marking its 40th birthday with cookies, giveaways and a guest book for visitors to sign. Stop in, say hello, visit with the staff and friends, and help celebrate four decades of promoting the Oasis on the Plains.
But don't wait for an anniversary to stop by.
The Colby Visitors Center is located at 2015 S. Range Avenue near I-70 Exit 53. Admission is free, and whether you're traveling across the state or you've lived in Colby for years, there's always something to discover about the community and Kansas.
Happy 40th birthday to the Colby Convention & Visitors Bureau from NWKS Radio! Here's to many more years of welcoming people to Colby.
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