Janet Kuhn, convention sales manager for the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, was awarded the Leilani Thomas Spirit of Tourism Award at last week’s Kansas Tourism Conference in Mulvane.

In 2019, Kuhn served as president of the Northwest Kansas Travel Council, treasurer for Tour Kansas, and treasurer for the Kansas I-70 Association. She also represents Hays as a member of Sports Kansas and Meet Kansas, travel coalitions that promote the state as a destination to those respective groups.

“Janet is so deserving of this award, and it was wonderful to see her peers in the industry acknowledge her dedication,” said Melissa Dixon, Hays CVB executive director. “She is an amazing ambassador for our community and our state, and we are lucky to have her working with us in Hays.”

Kuhn has been on staff at the Hays CVB for over 15 years. Prior to that, she was director of sales for the former Holiday Inn Convention Center and increased banquet sales by 10 percent during her time there.

The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau is located in the Hays Welcome Center at 2700 Vine. For additional information on CVB efforts or community events, call 785-628-8202 or go to www.VisitHays.com.

— Hays CVB