The Latest News
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence KS Announces Completion of its SGS Cleaning & Disinfection Assessment
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence is proud to announce the successful completion of the SGS Cleaning and Disinfection Remote Assessment. This independent health and safety assessment ensures that Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence has implemented all measures outlined in Radisson Hotel Group’s global Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol in partnership with SGS, Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE JOINS THE ‘STOP HATE FOR PROFIT’ CAMPAIGN
Lawrence, KS, July 1, 2020– eXplore Lawrence has joined hundreds of businesses who have suspended paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram at least through July. The Stop Hate for Profit coalition, which includes Color Of Change, NAACP, ADL, Sleeping Giants, Free Press, and Common Sense Media, has called on advertisers to pause ad spending on Facebook and Instagram Read More …
MORE THAN 150 LAWRENCE BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TAKEN THE LAWRENCE PROMISE
LAWRENCE, KS – More than 150 Lawrence businesses and organizations have taken the Lawrence Promise. The Lawrence Promise is a commitment to keeping residents, employees, and visitors safe from COVID-19. Lawrence businesses and organizations that sign the Lawrence Promise are committing to: adhering to all federal, state, and local public health mandates including: creating transmission barriers implementing enhanced Read More …
LAWRENCE BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE ‘LAWRENCE PROMISE’
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – eXplore Lawrence, along with The Chamber of Lawrence, Downtown Lawrence Inc., and the Lawrence Restaurant Association invites local businesses, organizations, and residents to take the Lawrence Promise. The Lawrence Promise is a commitment to keeping residents, employees, and visitors safe from COVID-19. Lawrence businesses and organizations that sign the Lawrence Promise are committing to adhering Read More …
National Travel and Tourism Week 2020 Celebrates “Spirit of Travel”
eXplore Lawrence Will Use 37th NTTW (May 3-9) to Look Ahead to Recovery Lawrence, KS, May 1, 2020– National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight resilience and hope in the face of the coronavirus pandemic with this year’s theme: the Spirit of Travel. Celebrated Read More …
2020 UNMISTAKABLY LAWRENCE VISITORS GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL EXPERTS
The interactive guide uses augmented reality to unlock bonus content Lawrence, KS, December 4, 2019– The 2020 Unmistakably Lawrence Visitors Guide is now available and invites visitors to explore a place where they are free to be themselves. The magazine features six local experts who share their favorite spots and events in Lawrence. Lawrence Tourism Read More …
LAWRENCE BUSINESSES RECEIVE TOURISM AWARDS
Named Some of the Most-Visited Places in Kansas in 2018 Lawrence, KS, February 12, 2019– Massachusetts Street, 23rd Street Brewery, Lawrence Beer Co., Free State Brewing Company, and the Lawrence DoubleTree Hotel and Convention Center received awards for being some of the most visited places in Kansas from Arrivalist, a visitation-intelligence company, and the Kansas Read More …
AS A PART OF NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY EXPLORE LAWRENCE ANNOUNCES NEW PERSONALIZED TRIP PLANNING TECHNOLOGY POWERED BY UTRIP
Lawrence, KS, January 29, 2019– Today eXplore Lawrence announced the launch of a new partnership with Utrip, the data-driven travel personalization platform. Utrip’s innovative technology will enable visitors to create unique, personalized itineraries for their trips to Lawrence, Kansas. The experience is available at https://trip.unmistakablylawrence.com/. eXplore Lawrence is launching this new trip planner on National Plan for Read More …
THE LAWRENCE BUSKER FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE WORLD’S FIRST ALL-FEMALE BUSKER FESTIVAL
Street Performers descend upon Downtown Lawrence, May 24-26, 2019 Lawrence, KS, January 15, 2019 – The city of Lawrence, Kansas has been the home of many notable women of incredible strength and will. After the town burned down and most of the men were killed in the mid-1800s, it was the women of Lawrence who brought Read More …
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM IN DOUGLAS COUNTY
Douglas County visitor spending and impacts jumped in 2017. Lawrence, KS, December 10, 2018 – Tourism is an increasingly important part of the economy of Douglas County, Kansas according to the most recent (2017) Tourism Satellite Account conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company. The economic impact study measures spending and employment in several Read More …
LOCAL NON-PROFITS TEAM UP FOR GIVING TUESDAY CAMPAIGN
#UnmistakablyGiving Campaign is Underway Lawrence, KS, November 12, 2018– Fifteen Douglas County non-profit organizations, the Douglas Community Foundation, and eXplore Lawrence are working together to highlight Giving Tuesday in Lawrence and Douglas County with the #UnmistakablyGiving campaign. #UnmistakablyGiving showcases area non-profits and provides an opportunity for community members to give one gift that will impact Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE WINS THREE TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS MARKETING AWARDS
Lawrence Block-by-Block project wins “Best In Show” Lawrence, KS, October 29, 2018– eXplore Lawrence brought home three Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) marketing awards during the Kansas Tourism Conference awards banquet, October 24, 2018. eXplore Lawrence earned the first place award in the following categories: Community Awareness, Large Community: Weekly Things-to-Do Videos eXplore Lawrence began Read More …
Keeping Legends Alive: Honoring the First WWI Memorial and Legacy of the 1926 Haskell Arch and Stadium Dedication
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – On September 21-22, 2018, the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, in partnership with many others throughout the Lawrence community, will be celebrating military veterans and the original 1926 dedication of the Haskell Arch and Stadium. This event will commemorate the WWI Memorial and honor all those who served in the military as Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE HIRES DIRECTOR OF SALES
Lawrence, KS, July 17, 2018– eXplore Lawrence is pleased to announce the hire of Kendra Schultz who has joined the team as Director of Sales. In this role, Schultz will promote and sell the city of Lawrence as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Schultz was born in Minnesota and raised in Read More …
Artist Faith Ringgold to headline inaugural National African American Quilt Convention
Lawrence, KS – The African American Quilt Museum and Textile Academy will bring internationally renowned painter, author and quilt maker Faith Ringgold as keynote speaker at the Second Annual National African American Quilt Convention to be held July 11-14, 2018, in Lawrence, Kansas. Ringgold will be featured at several events throughout the Convention, including giving Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE ENCOURAGES BLOOD DONATION DURING AMERICAN RED CROSS MISSING TYPES CAMPAIGN
Lawrence, KS, June 11, 2018– eXplore Lawrence is proud to partner with the American Red Cross for the Missing Types campaign to raise awareness of the need for new blood donors. This June 11 to July 3, eXplore Lawrence will join the Red Cross and other companies, organizations and celebrities to remove the letters A, Read More …
The 38th Annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships to be held Sunday, August 26, 2018
(LAWRENCE, KS) – The 38th Annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships will be held on Sunday, August 26, in South Park, Lawrence, Kansas. The Championship event on Sunday hosts two stages with four concerts and eight music competitions: fiddle, youth fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ensemble folk-singing, flatpick guitar, misc. acoustic instruments, and finger-style guitar. All ages and Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE AND DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE INC HOSTING SAFETY SUMMIT
We invite you to get prepared! Lawrence, KS, June 6, 2018– Join eXplore Lawrence and Downtown Lawrence, Inc. for the first ever Lawrence Safety Summit. Captain Troy Squire from the Lawrence Police Department will present an Avoid. Deny. Defend. Training for dealing with active shooting events. Then, stay to hear from USD 497 Communications Directory, Julie Read More …
LIVE ON MASS – A FREE, OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
Presented by The Granada Theater and #LiveOnMass Lawrence, KS, May 24, 2018– This summer, the Granada Theater presents #LiveOnMass, a free, outdoor concert series on the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, Kansas. Catch performances by The Wailers on Friday, June 29th and Split Lip Rayfield on Tuesday, July 3rd. Friday, June 29th – THE WAILERS with Read More …
EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, BLOCK-BY-BLOCK
New project reveals the stories behind Lawrence favorite spaces Lawrence, KS, May 3, 2018– eXplore Lawrence is thrilled to announce the launch of Lawrence: Block-by-Block, a project that reveals the then and now of the buildings we dine, shop, and dance in. The Block-by-block project began in the spring of 2017 in a journalism class at Read More …
LAWRENCE, KANSAS/FINAL FOUR – FAST FACTS
Outside of San Antonio, Lawrence, Kansas is the place to watch the Final Four! CRADLE OF BASKETBALL No other city in the world can boast an array of basketball history like Lawrence, Kansas. James Naismith Invented the game of basketball on December 21, 1891, to fill the need for an indoor winter sport. In 1898, Read More …
Lawrence restaurants are serving up something different and delightful.
DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE RESTAURANT WEEK: JANUARY 19-27 Lawrence, KS, January 16, 2017– Join us for the fourth annual Downtown Lawrence Restaurant Week, January 19-27. Lawrence’s downtown restaurants are cooking up something different for this culinary event experience that’s as eclectic as Lawrence. New this year – Downtown Lawrence Restaurant Week has expanded beyond the Downtown borders Read More …
ADD FINAL FRIDAYS TO YOUR DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY AND SANTA RESCUE PLANS
Support local artists with your holiday shopping Lawrence, KS, November 21, 2016– The streets of Downtown Lawrence will be bustling with activity this Friday, November 25. The holidays come alive with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Santa Rescue at 9th & Massachusetts St. The evening begins with the lighting and live entertainment at 5:30 Read More …
23 VENUES SET TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MONTH’S FINAL FRIDAYS
New Final Fridays Webpage Provides Event Details and Map Lawrence, KS, October 27, 2016– Final Fridays returns to the streets of Lawrence on Friday, October 28 from 5 to 9 p.m.! Here’s a sampling of events: Cocktails at the Castle – The first Final Fridays at the Castle! Sponsored by Maceli’s and the Lawrence Art Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE WINS FOUR TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS MARKETING AWARDS
2015-16 Lawrence Visitors Guide takes 1st place Lawrence, KS, October 25, 2016 – eXplore Lawrence took home four Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) marketing awards during the Kansas Tourism Conference awards banquet, October 19, 2016. The 2015-16 Lawrence Visitors Guide was awarded with the first place trophy in the Outsourced Visitors Guide category. “Winning Read More …
STRATEGIC SPINOFF ALLOWS EXPLORE LAWRENCE TO SHARPEN ITS FOCUS AND GROW TOURISM IN LAWRENCE
Lawrence, KS, October 25, 2016 – The Board of Directors of eXplore Lawrence (EL), the Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County, announced today the spinoff and transfer of its sports development activities to the Lawrence Sports Corporation (LSC), whose mission is to create and support sporting events in Lawrence. “With Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE HIRES DIRECTOR OF SALES
Lawrence, KS, October 7, 2016– eXplore Lawrence is pleased to announce the hire of Judy Riling who has joined the team as Director of Sales. In this role, Riling will promote and sell the city of Lawrence as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Riling who was born and raised in Lawrence Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE MEASURES ITS EFFECTIVENESS
Results help determine priorities and strategies for the future Lawrence, KS, September 29, 2016– eXplore Lawrence recently embarked on an important self-assessment of how Lawrence scores as a tourist destination. The DestinationNEXT assessment, a diagnostic tool provided by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), takes the form of a 360-degree survey of key stakeholders in tourism, Read More …
2017 USATF JUNIOR OLYMPICS HOTEL ROOMS ARE FILLING UP
Lawrence, KS, August 22, 2016– Just as the 2016 USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympic Championships in Sacramento, CA came to an end on July 31, Lawrence hotels began filling up with teams for the July 24-30, 2017 event which will be hosted at Lawrence’s Rock Chalk Park. A Junior Olympics accommodation page was Read More …
TOUR OF LAWRENCE RETURNS FOR ITS 8TH YEAR: Competitive cyclists will race through the streets of Lawrence, July 15-17
Lawrence, KS, July 7, 2016– More than 750 professional and amateur cyclists will descend upon Lawrence, July 15-17, for the 8th Annual Tour of Lawrence. This premier, USA Cycling-sanctioned event is on the Pro-Am men and women cyclists’ circuit. Tour of Lawrence is presented by U.S. Bank and made possible by eXplore Lawrence. The event Read More …
AAU TRACK AND FIELD COMING TO LAWRENCE: More than 1,700 youth athletes to compete
Lawrence, KS, June 20, 2016 – Lawrence will be hosting the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Region 16 Track and Field Championships at Free State High School June 23-26, 2016. This meet will showcase talent from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. More than 1,700 youth athletes in nine different age groups will compete in running and Read More …
LAWRENCE VISITOR CENTER EARNS 2016 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Lawrence, KS, June 16, 2016 – eXplore Lawrence today announced that the Lawrence Visitor Center has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all Read More …
CEREMONY, ACTIVITIES PLANNED TO CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPURPOSING OF UNION PACIFIC DEPOT
LAWRENCE- The City of Lawrence, along with Explore Lawrence, Union Pacific Railroad and the North Lawrence Improvement Association invite citizens to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Union Pacific Depot rededication to house the Lawrence Visitors Center, as well as be a community space of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. The celebration will be Read More …
EXPLORE LAWRENCE HIRES DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Lawrence, KS, May 31, 2016– Explore Lawrence is pleased to announce its recent hire of Andrea Johnson who has joined the team as Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Johnson will build upon the success of the Unmistakably Lawrence brand through innovative marketing and communications initiatives to increase visitation to the area. Johnson Read More …
Lawrence, KS wins its bid for 2017 USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Championships
Lawrence: The USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships will be coming to Lawrence in 2017, eXplore Lawrence, the city’s tourism bureau, announced Saturday. USA Track & Field youth chairs selected Lawrence over Des Moines, Iowa today at their convention in Houston to bring the event here July 23 – 30, 2017. The bid for Read More …
USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Championship 2017 Site Visit
Lawrence: Officials from USA Track & Field will be in Lawrence Monday through Wednesday, November 9 – 11, in a site evaluation visit that may ultimately bring the USATF Junior Olympic Championships to Lawrence in 2017. The proposal to host the Junior Olympics in Lawrence has been a joint effort of eXplore Lawrence, the travel Read More …
Kansas State Championships for Cyclocross are in Lawrence Sunday November 15 at Centennial Park
Lawrence: The 2015 Kansas State Championships for Cyclocross will provide exciting bike racing at Centennial Park on Sunday, November 15. This is the first year for Lawrence to host the Championship, but for three years prior the 360 Cup Cyclocross bike races have been here. The races, made possible by 360 Racing Club and eXplore Read More …
eXplore Lawrence scoops up state and international awards for its website, Visitors Guide and marketing campaign.
Lawrence: With a new name, logo and website, eXplore Lawrence’s marketing efforts have been receiving recognition and various awards both statewide and internationally this fall. eXplore Lawrence, formerly the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, changed its name and launched a new look last summer, according to Toni Dixon, marketing and communications manager for eXplore Read More …
Midwest USSSA National Championships
Midwest USSSA National Championships draws 60 Girls Fastpitch Softball teams to Lawrence United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Girls Fastpitch National Championships will bring 60 teams from ten states to Lawrence beginning July 20. The week-long agenda of games will culminate in the Championship game on Saturday, July 25. The girls (ages 14 and under) and Read More …
7th Annual Tour of Lawrence and free outdoor concert by Split Lip Rayfield
Competitive cyclists will race through the streets of Downtown Lawrence and Haskell Indian Nations University Friday through Sunday (LAWRENCE) The 7th Annual Tour of Lawrence will offer a new venue as well as a return to an old favorite for more than 750 professional and amateur cyclists who will be racing the streets of Read More …
Tour of Lawrence
Tour of Lawrence bike races show competitive cyclists that Lawrence is not flat (LAWRENCE) More than 600 professional and amateur bicycle racers and enthusiasts are expected in Lawrence June 27, 28 and 29 for the 6th Annual Tour of Lawrence. The Tour of Lawrence is a USA Cycling-sanctioned, Pro-Am event featuring street sprints, circuit races and Read More …
Visitors Guide Is Award Winner
International marketing award presented to Lawrence’s Visitors Guide magazine Lawrence: With engaging photographs and helpful itineraries to introduce visitors to Lawrence, the 2014/15 Visitors Guide magazine has been recognized in an international awards competition. Marcom Awards, an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communications professionals, included the Visitors Guide in its 2014 Read More …
MS 150 Bike Ride
Bikers will see the beauty of the back roads between Kansas City and Lawrence as they raise money through the MS 150 Bike Ride Lawrence: Nearly 2,000 cyclists will take a two-day bike ride that will lead them along the scenic back roads from Kansas City to Lawrence and back while raising money for the Read More …
USSSA World Series Tournament
USSSA World Series Tournament is expected to bring about 2200 people to Lawrence for Girls Fastpitch Softball (LAWRENCE) United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Fastpitch World Series will bring 60 teams from ten states to Lawrence July 21 through 26 with a week-long agenda of games. Lawrence will host about 2200 people, including players (girls Read More …