Request for Proposal (RFP) Design Services for the 2026 Northwest Kansas Ultimate Guide Issued by: Northwest Kansas Travel Council 1. Introduction The Northwest Kansas Travel Council (NKTC) is requesting proposals from qualified graphic design firms or independent designers to provide professional design services for the 2026 Northwest Kansas Ultimate Guide. This guide serves as a primary tourism marketing publication for the 18-county Northwest Kansas region and is distributed in print and digital formats to promote travel, visitation, and economic activity. This RFP is specifically for design services,content development, photography, and ad creation. 2. Project Overview The Northwest Kansas Ultimate Guide is a comprehensive visitor guide highlighting attractions, communities, events, outdoor recreation, and travel experiences throughout Northwest Kansas. Estimated specifications: Approximately 58 pages, including front and back covers Full-color publication Print and digital (PDF) versions Combination of editorial content and paid advertising The guide will include, but is not limited to: Road trip and themed travel itineraries Hunting and fishing information Event listings Destination and community highlights Outdoor recreation and regional attractions Advertisements from businesses and attractions across 18 Northwest Kansas counties 3. Scope of Work The selected designer or firm will be responsible for the following: Design & Layout Overall creative design concept for the 2026 Guide Design of front and back covers Interior page layout and formatting Integration of text, photographs, maps, and graphics. Some will be provided. Consistent visual branding throughout the publication Design of advertisement placements of varying sizes Ad Integration Placement and formatting of ads. Some will be provided by NKTC and others will need creation with guidance from the ad purchaser. Ensuring ads meet print-ready specifications Maintaining visual balance between editorial content and advertising Demonstrated familiarity with ad-heavy publications such as visitor guides, magazines, newspapers, or similar multi-ad layouts File Preparation Preparation of print-ready files in accordance with printer specifications provided by NKTC Preparation of a digital/PDF version optimized for online distribution Delivery of packaged design files (e.g., InDesign files, linked assets, fonts as allowable) Revisions Incorporation of a reasonable number of revisions during layout and proofing stages (please specify the number included in your proposal) 4. Content & Assets Provided by NWKTC NWKTC will provide: Some written content Photographs and logos Brand guidelines (if applicable) The designer will not be responsible for selling ads. 5. Timeline The anticipated project timeline is as follows (subject to adjustment): RFP release: 12/18/2025 Proposal submission deadline: 2/20/2026 Vendor selection and notification: 3/2/2026 Initial design concepts: 3/23/2026 Draft layout completion: 5/29/2026 Final files delivered to printer: 8/3/2026 Proposers should include a proposed timeline based on these general milestones. 6. Proposal Requirements Proposals should include the following components: 1. Company or Designer Overview Brief background and relevant experience Primary contact information 2. Relevant Experience Examples of similar projects, with an emphasis on ad-heavy publications such as visitor guides, magazines, newspapers, or tourism publications Links to online samples or PDFs 3. Design Approach Description of your creative process How you approach layout for content-heavy and ad-supported publications 4. Project Team Identification of key personnel who will work on the project 5. Cost Proposal Total cost for design services Description of what is included in the fee Costs for additional revisions or services, if any 6. Availability & Timeline Confirmation of availability to meet project deadlines 7. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Relevant experience and quality of past work Demonstrated experience with ad-heavy publications Understanding of the project scope Design approach and creativity Cost-effectiveness and value Ability to meet deadlines References (if provided) 8. Submission Instructions Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format. Submission deadline: 2/20/2026 Submit proposals to: Kris Oldsen – [email protected] Questions regarding this RFP should be submitted via email no later than 2/13/2026. 9. Rights & Reservations The Northwest Kansas Travel Council reserves the right to: Reject any or all proposals Waive informalities or minor irregularities Negotiate scope and pricing with the selected vendor Cancel or modify this RFP at any time All materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of NKTC and will not be returned. 10. Contact Information For questions or additional information regarding this RFP, please contact:Kris Oldsen Treasurer Northwest Kansas Travel Council [email protected] 785-332-3508 Or Lynelle Shubert President Northwest Kansas Travel Council [email protected] 785-743-8325 To view previous Northwest Kansas Ultimate Guides 2025 2023 2021
