Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
ABILENE - The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail has been named the 2025 Collaboration of the Year by the Midwest Travel Network during its annual conference held in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The Kansas Gunsmoke Trail is a cooperative tourism campaign that connects four iconic Kansas communities: Wichita, Hays, Dodge City, and Abilene. Through shared storytelling, historic attractions, and cowboy charm, the trail captures the spirit of the Wild West and invites travelers to explore it town by town.
“If you’ve followed Kansas destinations this past year, you know this trail is drawing attention from travelers of all ages,” said Sara Broers, co-founder of Midwest Travel Network. “It’s fun to see how this collaboration includes four Kansas towns and Midwest Travel Network content creators.”
Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, praised the strength of the partnership. “We know the best way to share Kansas is by working together,” said Roller Weeks. “The Kansas Gunsmoke Trail builds on the stories travelers already love, including legendary characters, classic TV shows, and unforgettable small towns, and brings them to life across the state. We are honored to be part of a collaboration that is putting Kansas on the map in a new way.”
Launched in 2023, the trail promotes cowboy heritage, small-town hospitality, and Western-themed experiences that travelers can enjoy both in person and online. The campaign has quickly gained momentum thanks to the enthusiastic support of local communities and tourism content creators from across the Midwest.
To learn more about the 2025 Midwest Travel Network Awards, visit https://midwesttravelnetwork.com/midwest-travel-network-award-winners.
To explore the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail and plan your own Wild West adventure, go to www.KansasGunsmokeTrail.com.
