ATIA would like to encourage you to complete the following survey. It is designed to review visitor industry training and workforce development needs for front line employees and is intended for business owners and operators within the Alaskan hospitality and visitor industry. Your assistance is needed and much appreciated in completing this survey.

The survey is completely confidential and represents a partnership between the Alaska Travel Industry Association, University of Alaska Statewide Programs, the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, and Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development.

• Click here to participate in this important survey.
• If you have any questions, please contact Dru Garson at dru.garson@alaska.gov or 907-465-2162

Are you taking care of your visitors - providing them with exceptional customer service and quality experiences during their stay in your community or business? Would you like to become an official AlaskaHost Customer Service Essentials trainer and provide customer service training within your community? If so, then consider attending the AlaskaHost Customer Service Essentials Train the Trainer class:

• Cost: $100
• Dates: April 11 (9 am - 5 pm) and April 12 (9 - 12 pm)
• Location: Alaska Aviation Museum
• RSVP to Dru Garson at dru.garson@alaska.gov or 907-465-2162
• Click for more information

Want to learn how to obtain start up funding from local investors? Do you need help deciding whether your great idea will succeed in the market place and grow your own business? Do you want to meet entrepreneurs and mentors and learn first hand how they achieved success? UAA is offering an Entrepreneurship Boot Camp on their Anchorage Campus ? click below for further details.

• Cost: $75
• Dates: April 21-23, 2011
• Location: College of Business and Public Policy, Rasmuson Hall, UAA
• RSVP to Johnna Golden at anjlm1@uaa.alaska.edu or 907-786-5445
• Click for more information

Here's a quick summary of co-op marketing programs still available for member participation. Click below for details:

• Direct Mail Leads
• Email Leads
• TravelAlaska.com Banner Ads
• TravelAlaska.com $25 Travel Specials
• 2012 Vacation Planner & TravelAlaska.com Ads

Today, Disney Cruise Line announced that their 1,750 passenger Disney Wonder will sail 14 sailings to Alaska in 2012 visiting Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway during a 7-day itinerary from Seattle. For more information about this announcement, please click here.