AIANTA Introduces New Tribal Relations & Outreach Department
Long-term AIANTA employee Gail Chehak will head the new department which is charged with identifying and cultivating strategic organizational partnerships.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (February 11, 2021) – The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is celebrating the formation of a new department, the Tribal Relations & Outreach Department, which was created to further the organization’s goals in identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships.
The department will be headed by long-term AIANTA employee Gail Chehak, who was promoted to Tribal Relations & Outreach Manager after serving nearly eight years as AIANTA’s Membership & Outreach Coordinator.
“Gail has done an outstanding job of coordinating a targeted outreach program to tribal nations and Native-owned businesses, while gathering essential information on tribal tourism efforts throughout the country,” said Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA CEO. “The intel collected has been particularly impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Gail provided a direct conduit between tribes and AIANTA, reminding them that there are resources available to them as they create recovery programs for their cultural heritage tourism programming.”
In addition to identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships, the new department is also responsible for growing the organization’s membership base and increasing the content of and participation in AIANTA’s consumer website, NativeAmerica.travel.
“I encourage you all to reach out and congratulate Gail and while you do, be sure to set up a virtual call with her to keep AIANTA apprised of your efforts in developing and growing your cultural heritage tourism programming,” said Rupert.
The new department was established, effective January 18, 2021.
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About AIANTA
For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.
For more information and images, contact:
Monica Poling
Marketing & PR Manager
AIANTA