Annual Convention & Trade Show Schedule

Coffee Service

Sponsored by: Explore Skagway

Check-in Open

CENTENNIAL CONVENTION CENTER LOBBY
Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

Continental Breakfast & Networking in Trade Show

Breakfast Sponsored by: 

First Timer's Event

Opportunity for first timers of Convention to learn more about what to expect, how to make the most of Convention, network, and get connected with mentors.
Sponsored by: Alaska Private Touring

ATIA Convention Kick-Off!

Emcee: Alyssa London

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

Sponsored by: 

Networking Break
 

General Session: Economic Update

Speaker: Kevin Berry, Professor of Economics, University of Alaska College of Business & Public Policy

Sponsored by: 

Lunch Program

Speaker: Laura Hodges Bethge, President, Celebrity Cruises

Sponsored by: 

General Session: Cultural Tourism

Sponsored by: 

Concurrent Sessions
 

CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Advocacy

CONCURRENT SESSION 2: How to Work with Travel Trade

CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Future-Proof Your SEO: Small Business Strategies with AI
Join us for a productive session exploring the transformative impact of AI on SEO, tailored specifically for your business. Discover how AI-driven features in search results are reshaping online visibility and what this means for your organic search efforts. Learn practical strategies to leverage AI tools for content creation, keyword analysis, and personalized user experiences. With real-world examples and actionable advice, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to future-proof your SEO strategy!
Speaker: Kristen Fowler Garland, Owner & Digital Consultant, Tonbo Digital

CONCURRENT SESSION 4: Accessibility

Networking Break in the Trade Show

Sponsored by: 

Speed Networking

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: 

ATIA Board of Directors Meeting

Invitation only

Opening Night Reception

ALASKA STATE MUSEUM
Mix and mingle with fellow attendees. Drinks and light appetizers will be served.
Sponsored by: Holland America Line and Princess Cruises

Enjoy dinner on your own with friends in Juneau!

Coffee Service

Sponsored by: Major Marine Tours

Check-in Open

CENTENNIAL HALL CONVENTION CENTER LOBBY
Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

Continental Breakfast & Networking in Trade Show

Sponsored by: 

General Session: Brand USA

Speaker: Jonas Onkelinx, Senior Manager of Research and Insights, Brand USA

Sponsored by: 

Networking Break in the Trade Show

Sponsored by: 

ATIA Annual Members Meeting / Voice of the Membership

Connect with colleagues, friends, and new partners to share ideas, opportunities, and challenges with ATIA leadership. 
Sponsored by: Mat-Su CVB
 

Lunch Program

Sponsored by: Alaska Railroad

Concurrent Sessions

  
CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Showcase your Tours with Great Photography
In an age where a broad and attractive social media presence is increasingly important, it becomes paramount to have great images to showcase your tour product. But, none of us have the luxury to hire a full time professional photographer to join our tours and provide regular, consistent visual content. However, your guides and other frontline staff are a resource you can tap to provide great visual content. This session will highlight the type of images you need and how to create them to ensure you have a strong, visually-driven social media presence. We are selling Alaska with our tours, so let your visual content help sell you! 
Speaker: Carl Johnson, Owner, Alaska Photo Treks

CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Alaska Seafood

CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Small Business Roundtable

CONCURRENT SESSION 4: German Speaking Europe Market

Networking Break in the Trade Show

Sponsored by: 

Concurrent Sessions
   

CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Emerging & Established Tourism Communities

CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Workplace Wonderland: Navigating the Labyrinth of Employment Law

CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Sustainability Panel

CONCURRENT SESSION 4: Travel Alaska Co-Op Marketing Program

Emerging Tourism Leaders Networking Reception

TRADE SHOW BUILDING
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. Bring your business card for the chance to win a great prize!

Sponsored by: Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises and AlaskaX

COMMUNITY NIGHT!

Coffee Service

Sponsored by: All Alaska Tours

Check-in Open

CENTENNIAL HALL CONVENTION CENTER LOBBY
Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

Split General Session

   
General Session 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Speaker: Kristin Dialessi, VP of Destination Strategy, Madden Media

General Session 2: US Forest Service and National Park Service Updates
 

General Session: Legislative Panel

Speakers: Speaker Cathy Tilton, Representative Bryce Edgmon, Representative Calvin Schrage, Senator Bert Stedman, Senator Jesse Kiehl

Sponsored by: 

Lunch Program: Travel Alaska Marketing Plan

Speakers: Wendy Swenson, Director of Marketing, ATIA; Tanya Carlson, Director of Travel Trade, International Markets, & Sustainability, ATIA

Presentation Sponsored by: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
Lunch Sponsored by: Miles Partnership

General Session: 5 for 5

Want a chance to introduce your business to ATIA Convention Attendees? Sign up for the new "5 for 5" event, where you'll get to come up on stage and have 5 minutes to present up to 5 slides about your business or product! As our sponsor for this event, Thompson & Co, says: good PR starts at home. This is your chance to tell your story or pitch your product in front of your tourism industry peers. Tell us about your business in a quick and captivating 5-minute presentation. Email Jeff Samuels if you'd like to sign up to present. Sign up deadline is October 4. Presentation slides are due October 15. 

Sponsored by: Thompson & Co. Public Relations

Alaska Native CulturalHost Training

The Alaska Native CulturalHost Seminar is a comprehensive training program designed to provide a greater understanding and appreciation of Alaska Native culture for Alaska’s hospitality and tourism industry. Workshop participants will learn and share information on Alaska Native cultural groups in this interactive program. This curriculum was built by ATIA’s Cultural Enrichment Committee with assistance from the Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s Hospitality and Tourism Career Institute (HTCI), and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Sharing this information with our frontline tourism and hospitality staff in Alaska helps ensure that visitors will learn accurate information about Alaska Native Peoples when they visit our great state. Participants will receive an ATIA sponsored CulturalHost Certificate of Completion from the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development that can be added to your resume!

About the Instructor: Jaime Bricker is Skagway’s Tourism Director and Elected Tribal Chair for Skagway Traditional Council. Bricker is Alutiiq, living and working on Lingít Aani in Shg̱agwei. Jaime is the 2017 Outstanding Student Academic Award Recipient and UAS Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. She has a Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism from the George Washington University School of Business. Bricker is currently one of two people certified to teach ATIA’s Cultural Host content. As the descendent of Pius X Mission survivors, Jaime is a passionate advocate for Indian Boarding School truth and reconciliation. She loves being a mom more than anything. Jaime also enjoys running, singing, paddleboarding, cooking, and sharing all of life’s experiences with family and community. Since December 2023, Bricker has taught 8 classes and certified over 120 participants.

Limited to 40 participants and open to anyone. Cost: $50. REGISTER HERE.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Tour

Join Norwegian Cruise Line for a reception and a ship tour of the Norwegian Jewel, which will be in port in Juneau during Convention. This free tour is limited to 60 attendees, maximum of 3 attendees per company. Registration is required in advance and government issued identification is required to board the ship. REGISTER HERE.

Sponsored by: Norwegian Cruise Line

ATIA Board of Directors Meeting and ATIA Foundation Board Meeting

Invitation Only

Banquet Reception

Mix and mingle with your fellow attendees before the closing night Banquet. Don't forget to bring your Banquet Reception drink ticket that you received at check-in. 
Sponsored by:
 

XTRATUF Banquet

ATIA Awards Banquet & Advocacy Auction

Join us for the culmination of the ATIA convention at our Awards Banquet and Advocacy Live Auction. Inspired by the "Immersive Alaska" logo for this year's convention, our formal night pays homage to Alaska's favorite waterproof footwear. Pair your formal attire with your favorite pair of XTRATUFs or other waterproof boots to show off your true Alaska style.  

Auctioneer: Dave Karp
Special Oosik Award Presentation: David Kasser

          
Sponsored by: XTRATUF
Wine Sponsored by: Knightly Tours

After Party at Red Dog Saloon