Annual Convention & Trade Show Schedule

Registration Open

GARDEN ROOM

Sponsored by: JL Hospitality Management

9:00AM - 1:00PM: Alaska Host Train the Trainer

BOREALIS ROOM

Pre-registration required. 
Trainers: Tay Clayton, ATIA; Rachel Roy, Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce

9:00AM - 10:30AM: Public Lands Forum

GAZEBO ROOM

10:30AM - 11:30AM: ATIA Board of Directors Meeting

BOARD ROOM

12:00PM - 1:00 PM: First Timer's Event

GAZEBO ROOM

Welcome first timer's of Convention! This is your opportunity to learn more about what to expect, how to make the most of Convention, and network.

Sponsored by: Salmonberry Travel & Tours

Enjoy lunch on your own in Fairbanks! On-site food options at Wedgewood Resort will be available. 

Trade Show Open

TRADE SHOW

All-Day Coffee Sponsored by: Granicus Destinations

Convention Kick-Off

CONFERENCE CENTER

Emcee: Tekla Butcher-Monson, Trail Breaker Kennel

Sponsored by: 

Tourism Year in Review

Speakers: Josh Howes, Premier Alaska Tours & ATIA Board Chair; Jillian Simpson, ATIA President & CEO

Trade Show Open with Networking Break and Snacks

TRADE SHOW

Sponsored by: Borealis Basecamp

Concurrent Sessions

Working with Influencers

CONFERENCE ROOM
Moderator: Valerie Stimac Bailey, Travel Writer
Panelist: Trinidad Collier, Northern Epics

Small Business - Management Training

GAZEBO ROOM
Speaker: Kirk Hoessle, Alaska Wildland Adventures

Effective Advocacy: How to be an Informed and Successful Champion for Tourism

BOARD ROOM

Mentorship Connections

BOREALIS ROOM

Speed Networking

TRADE SHOW

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! 

Sponsored by: 

Transportation to Opening Night Reception

Sponsored by: 

Opening Night Reception

ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM

Sponsored by: Holland America Line and Princess Cruises

80's Karaoke

BAR AT BEAR LODGE

Trade Show Open

All-Day Coffee Sponsored by: Major Marine Tours

Registration Open

GARDEN ROOM

Sponsored by: JL Hospitality Management

Breakfast on your own.

Concurrent Sessions

What’s Working on Social Media in 2026 (and What’s Not)

BOREALIS ROOM
Social media changes fast — but not every trend deserves your attention. In this session, Thompson & Co.’s Senior Vice President Kailee Stickler will break down the biggest platform updates, algorithm shifts and content trends impacting Alaska tourism marketing today. Learn which platforms deserve your time, what types of content are driving engagement, and practical ways to create social media that inspires travelers without requiring a full-time marketing team. Whether you’re managing social media yourself or wearing multiple hats, you’ll leave with actionable ideas you can put into practice right away.
Speaker: Kailee Stickler, Thompson & Co.

AI Tools for Small Businesses

GAZEBO ROOM

The Trust Land Office: Partnering with the Visitor Industry and Supporting Alaska's Communities

BOARD ROOM
Speaker: Jusdi Warner, Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office; Jaimie Palmer

General Session: Voice of the Membership

CONFERENCE CENTER

Sponsored by: Mat-Su CVB

Trade Show Open with Networking Break and Snacks

TRADE SHOW

General Session: 
The Front Door and the Back Office: How AI Is Changing Both Sides of Tourism

CONFERENCE CENTER

Brand USA's SVP of Innovation and Chief AI Officer Janette Roush gives a clear-eyed look at AI's two-sided impact on tourism. First: how AI is becoming the new front door to your destination — shaping how travelers discover where to go and which places get surfaced. Then: how AI is changing the way we work, with practical tools any team can put to use on Monday.
Speaker: Janette Roush, Brand USA

Sponsored by: Miles Partnership

Lunch - Candidate Forum

CONFERENCE CENTER

Sponsored by: Alaska Railroad

Concurrent Sessions

Travel Alaska Co-Op Marketing Programs

BOREALIS ROOM
Speakers: ATIA Staff; Jackie Contaldo and Justin Gibbs, Miles Partnership

Alaska Dark Skies / Astrotourism

GAZEBO ROOM
Speaker: Carl Johnson, Alaska Photo Treks

Concurrent Session 3 TBD
    

Trade Show Open with Networking Break

TRADE SHOW

Concurrent Sessions & Peer Roundtables

Destination Marketing Organization Peer Roundtable

GAZEBO ROOM
Moderator: Casey Ressler, Mat-Su CVB

Small Business Peer Roundtable

CONFERENCE ROOM

Avoiding the Disaster Zone: Managing Environmental Threats in Alaska's Tourism Industry

BOREALIS
Speakers: Mike Lucio and Jeremy Agee, State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Barrett Salisbury, Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys; Tasha Shields, US Wildland Fire Service

Emerging Tourism Leaders Networking Reception

TRADE SHOW

We will be hosting a special reception for young professionals who are the next generation of leaders in the Alaska tourism industry. Everyone is welcome to attend. Mix and mingle with emerging and established leaders in the tourism industry.

Sponsored by: Pursuit

COMMUNITY NIGHT
 

The community of Fairbanks will be hosting a special SURPRISE event for ATIA Convention attendees full of food, fun, and festivities. All ATIA attendees are welcome to attend. 

80's Karaoke

BAR AT BEAR LODGE

Trade Show Open with Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar, Hot Chocolate, & Snacks

TRADE SHOW

Sponsored by: Alaska By Design

General Session 3

CONFERENCE CENTER

Sponsored by: 

General Session 4: Cultural Tourism

CONFERENCE CENTER

Sponsored by: 

Lunch / General Session 5: ATIA Foundation Lunch & Travel Alaska Marketing Plan Presentation

CONFERENCE CENTER

Lunch Sponsored by: Norwegian Cruise Line
Marketing Plan Presentation Sponsored by: Thompson & Co.

180 Seconds of Fame!

CONFERENCE CENTER

Now is your chance to share your story with 180 Seconds of Fame! Convention attendees get to come up on stage and have three minutes to present on your business, product, updates, and more. Anything goes - PowerPoint slides, song and dance, show and tell - just make it a quick and captivating 180 second presentation. Presenters must sign up in advance by emailing Jeff Samuels at [email protected]. Spaces are limited!

Sponsored by: 

Trade Show Open with Networking Break and Dessert

TRADE SHOW

All-Day Coffee Sponsored by: Lighthouse Excursions

ATIA Board of Directors Meeting and ATIA Foundation Board Meeting

BOARD ROOM

Concurrent Sessions & Peer Roundtables

Small Business Peer Roundtable: What I Wish I Knew When I Started

BOREALIS ROOM
Moderator: Kelly Bender

Marketing Peer Roundtable: Impacts of AI on Website Marketing

CONFERENCE CENTER
Speaker: Justin Gibbs, Miles Partnership

Do Solar Energy Systems Make Sense for Your Business?

GAZEBO ROOM
Speakers: Jason Toole, Longspring Solar; Jason Paskvan, Energy & Climate Planning Specialist at Tanana Chiefs Conference

Transportation to Closing Reception & Banquet
  

Closing Reception

8 STAR EVENTS CENTER

Mix and mingle with your fellow attendees before the closing night Banquet.

ATIA Awards Banquet & Advocacy Live Auction

8 STAR EVENTS CENTER

Sponsored by: Alaska Airlines