By BECKY KISER Hays Post

January kicks off 2021 in Hays with some events that can be enjoyed in person - with COVID-19 precautions - and other activities that remain virtual only as the pandemic continues.

Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) executive director, has a preview of some of the fun as well as a check of sports events as local athletes return to their classrooms following the holiday break.

Dixon also noted the growing interest of conventions hosted in Hays following the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/98dc94f2-5e77-4739-8325-9017ea0fb03a">Oct. 30 opening</a> of the Hilton Garden Inn &amp; Convention Center, 221 W. 43rd.&nbsp;

"We're planning for events in 2022 right now," Dixon said Tuesday. "I haven't seen many for the next few months, but definitely down the road we're seeing some reservations."&nbsp;

The 100-room hotel features more than 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting space that can accommodate up to 500 people with built-in projectors and screens.

Hays has been without a formal convention center since December 2015 when the former Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine, closed.&nbsp;

An updated community events calendar is available on the CVB website <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575300742886.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostJanuary kicks off 2021 in Hays with some events that can be enjoyed in person - with COVID-19 precautions - and other activities that remain virtual only as the pandemic continues.Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) executive director, has a preview of some of the fun as well as a check of sports events as local athletes return to their classrooms following the holiday break.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GWNYoq1ab04"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dixon also noted the growing interest of conventions hosted in Hays following the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/98dc94f2-5e77-4739-8325-9017ea0fb03a">Oct. 30 opening</a> of the Hilton Garden Inn &amp; Convention Center, 221 W. 43rd.&nbsp;"We're planning for events in 2022 right now," Dixon said Tuesday. "I haven't seen many for the next few months, but definitely down the road we're seeing some reservations."&nbsp;The 100-room hotel features more than 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting space that can accommodate up to 500 people with built-in projectors and screens.Hays has been without a formal convention center since December 2015 when the former Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine, closed.&nbsp;An updated community events calendar is available on the CVB website <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.&nbsp;

🎥 January events in Hays include return of school sports