Annual Convention & Trade Show Schedule

Check-in Open

WESTMARK HOTEL LOBBY

Sponsored by: Miles Partnership

Continental Breakfast & Networking in Trade Show

TRADE SHOW / YUKON ROOM

Sponsored by: Alaska Magazine / Milepost

First Timer's Event

Opportunity for first timers of Convention to learn more about what to expect and network.

Sponsored by: Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises

ATIA Convention Kick-Off!

GOLD ROOM
Emcee: Jerry Evans, Explore Fairbanks

• Land Acknowledgement, Tribal Chair, Sharon McConnell, Denakkenaaga
• Welcoming Remarks & Community Welcome
• Year in Review, ATIA Board President Craig Jennison and ATIA President & CEO Jillian Simpson

Sponsored by: Explore Fairbanks

Keynote Speaker: Denise Lee Yohn

GOLD ROOM

Extraordinary Experiences: Drive Customer Experience with Employee Experience to Fuel Your Growth
Customer experience is the new competitive battlefield where customer loyalty is won or lost. The key to winning is your employee experience. Learn how to rethink your approach to organizational culture and employee engagement, and design and deliver employee experiences that fully engage your people and translate into customer experience excellence. Denise lays out the complete game plan you need to win the hearts and minds of customers and employees.

Lunch - Program TBD

Sponsored by: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Concurrent Sessions

How to Cultivate Culture with a Compelling Purpose & Core Values

GOLD ROOM 1 & 2
A healthy effective organizational culture is grounded in an overarching purpose (why does your business exist?) and core values (what are the essential and enduring principles and priorities of your business?). Learn how to develop and use your purpose and values to drive, align, and guide everything your company does and to motivate customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
Speaker: Denise Lee Yohn
Sponsored by: Alaska Wildland Adventures

Tourism Industry Research

GOLD ROOM 3
Speakers: Andrew Parkin, Adara; Dave Dahlman, Zartico; David Reichbach, Future Partners
Sponsored by: NorthStar Helicopters

Alaska Long Trail: Development, Challenges, and Impacts for Alaska Tourism

YUKON ROOM
Haley Johnston of Alaska Trails will provide an update on Alaska Long Trail development, including state funding, route selection, land access, and economic impacts of the trail.
Speakers: Haley Johnston, Alaska Trails
 

Concurrent Sessions

Capturing Travelers and Clicks: Social Media Insights and Trends to Watch

GOLD ROOM 1
In today’s social media landscape, where a TikTok influencer gets more daily impressions than most Fortune 500 corporations, having an active and relatable social media presence is a must for tourism businesses large and small. This session will focus on decoding social media trends; how to really film a TikTok or Reel to share your story; and ways to take advantage of new tools to advance your marketing efforts.
Speaker: Kailee Stickler, Thompson & Co.
Sponsored by: Homer Chamber

Sustainability

GOLD ROOM 2
Sponsored by: Lighthouse Excursions

Cultural Tourism

GOLD ROOM 3
Sponsored by: Explore Skagway

Mendenhall Glacier: Resident and Visitor Impacts

YUKON ROOM
Speaker: Liz Perry, Travel Juneau
Sponsored by: Alaska Alpine Adventures

Networking Break in the Trade Show

WESTMARK RESTAURANT

Sponsored by: Northrim Bank

Speed Networking

GOLD ROOM

Stock up on business cards and get ready to make some new connections! The concept is simple: two lines of attendees face each other and take a minute to introduce themselves. With new faces to meet every 60 seconds, you'll end the session with a pile of new professional contacts in Alaska's visitor industry! 

Transportation to Opening Night Reception
 

Opening Night Reception

FOUNTAINHEAD ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM

Mix and mingle with fellow attendees. Drinks and light appetizers will be served.

Sponsored by: Holland America Line & Princess Cruises

Enjoy dinner on your own with friends in Fairbanks!

Continental Breakfast & Networking in Trade Show

TRADE SHOW / YUKON ROOM

Destination Stewardship: Maximize the Benefits and Minimize the Negative Impacts

GOLD ROOM
Speaker: Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Sponsored by: Zartico

Advocacy in Action: Amplifying the Importance of Tourism By Sharing the Story of Your Business

GOLD ROOM
Speakers: Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska; Scott McCrea, Explore Fairbanks; Jaimie Palmer, Allen Marine Tours; Jay Ramras, Pike's Waterfront Lodge

Sponsored by: TEMSCO Helicopters

ATIA Annual Members Meeting / Voice of the Membership

GOLD ROOM
Connect with colleagues, friends, and new partners by region. Share ideas, opportunities, and challenges with ATIA leadership.

Sponsored by: Mat-Su CVB

Scholarship & Continuing Education Lunch

GOLD ROOM

ATIA Foundation & Scholarship Fundraiser
Let’s raise $$$ to support Alaska’s students and professional development in Alaska travel and tourism! Text giving proceeds support the ATIA Foundation. Thank you for your support!

Roads Not Taken: Access and Tourism on Alaska's Arctic Wilderness Parkway
Speaker: Prof. Phillip Wight, UAF Associate Professor, Arctic & Northern Studies

Sector Update: Cruise, Cultural Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, International, Group, & Independent Travel 

GOLD ROOM

Sponsored by: Aramark Leisure

Networking Break & Afternoon Snack in the Trade Show

WESTMARK RESTAURANT

Sponsored by: Major Marine Tours

Concurrent Sessions

Decipher the Code of Google Analytics 4

GOLD ROOM 1
Decipher the code of Google Analytics 4 in this introductory guide. Discover what sets GA4 apart from Google Analytics Universal, and how this can change your approach to data. This session will cover navigating the GA4 interface, setting up properties, and understanding key reports to successfully propel your travel business forward.
Speaker: Gray Lawry, Miles Partnership
Sponsored by: Visit Ketchikan

Small Business Ideas: Financing New Business Operations

GOLD ROOM 2

How to Work with Travel Trade

GOLD ROOM 3
Sponsored by: Alaska Travel Connections

Concurrent Sessions
 

DMMO Roundtables

GOLD ROOM 1
Sponsored by: Travel Juneau

Small Business Owner Roundtables

GOLD ROOM 2
Join your small business peers to spend time discussing issues most relevant to your sector regarding administrative and operational challenges.

Travel Alaska Cooperative Marketing Roundtable

GOLD ROOM 3
Join Skye Hostetler to learn more about Travel Alaska’s cooperative marketing programs, including information on affordable new programs as well as updates to some of the classics. Also, share your thoughts on the programs and what your business is looking for.
Speaker: Skye Hostetler, ATIA
 

Emerging Tourism Leaders Networking Reception

YUKON ROOM

Sponsored by: Aspen Hotels of Alaska

COMMUNITY NIGHT!

Continental Breakfast & Networking at Trade Show

TRADE SHOW / YUKON ROOM

State Legislative Panel: Senator Bert Stedman and Representative Calvin Schrage

GOLD ROOM

Sponsored by: Doyon, Limited

Travel Alaska Marketing Plan Presentation

GOLD ROOM
Speakers: Wendy Swenson and Tanya Carlson, ATIA

Sponsored by: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Lunch
 

ATIA’s Alaska Tourism Shark Tank

GOLD ROOM

Have you been thinking of that great new tourism product, innovation, or service? You have no-fin to lose by applying to present your idea at the returning Alaska Tourism Shark Tank! One of our Alaska “Shark” sponsors may just “chews” your idea to win a cash prize.  Get ready to share your jaws-some idea at the tank!

Shark Sponsors: Alaska Railroad, GCI, Wells Fargo

New Product Presentations

GOLD ROOM

Back by popular demand! Do you have a new product, tour, or event that you want to share with the industry? Now is your chance to get on stage and tell us about it! New this year, presenters will have up to 90 seconds on stage! Get creative and enjoy the limelight as you and your team share your new products with the industry. No need to sign up in advance - just get in line when the session starts. We will provide a mic, but no other audio or AV will be available.

Presentation of 2024 Conference Theme & Logo

Sponsored by: Salmon Berry Tours

ATIA Board of Directors Meeting and ATIA Foundation Board Meeting

Invitation Only

Banquet Reception

Sponsored by: Goldbelt

Alaska Travel Industry Association Awards Banquet & Live Auction

GOLD ROOM

Formal Night

Wine Sponsored by: Knightly Tours