Native Tourism Association Conference Set to Begin September 11

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

September 11-14

FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA - The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will host its 13th American Indian Tourism Conference beginning September 11-14 at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The theme of the conference is "Tribal Tourism: An Economic Force in Indian Country."

"We invite tribal tourism programs and businesses to come share their experiences at our conference - so together we can build on the many opportunities and meet the challenges of welcoming more visitors while preserving our cultures," Tina Osceola, Seminole and president of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association.

"Tribal tourism is growing despite the economic downturn because we continue to reach out and educate tourism markets about tribal destinations," Osceola stated.

Speakers include: Congressman Sam Farr, California - 17th District, Co-chair of the Tourism Caucus in the US House of Representatives; Michael Wein, Vice President of Marketing for Alaskan Dream Cruises; Margo Grey-Proctor, Chair of the National Center for American Indian Economic Development; Gail Adams, Director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of the Interior; Len Sanderson of the Washington DC, public relations firm Sanderson Strategies; and Valerie Taliman, West Coast Editor of "Indian Country Today."

The host tribe is the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, which will host a day-long workshop that will include visiting the Camp Verde State Park and the cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument.

To conclude the conference, Crow Tribe and Billings Montana Convention & Visitor Bureau, hosts of the 2012 conference, will host a conference reception.

posted August 31, 2011 11:57 am edt