AITC 2019 Conference Agenda

Don’t miss this year’s AITC opening session featuring welcoming words from dignitaries such as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Jerry Winchester, executive director of Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation. Special performances include the Cherokee National Youth Choir and the Anikituhwah Warriors. A grand entry preceded by the Cherokee Nation Color Guard will open the ceremony, and guests are encouraged to wear regalia, ribbon shirts and skirts, or other traditional dress.

Section 5 of the NATIVE Act mandates that federal agencies such as the Administration for Native Americans, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as other agencies with tourism functions, utilize their grant programs to support the efforts of tribal organizations and use the arts and humanities to help revitalize Native American communities. Hear from federal representatives on what funding opportunities are available to tribes interested in strengthening their cultural heritage and tourism programming.

Speakers/panelists: Chris Carroll, Oklahoma Humanities; Jeannie C. Hovland (Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota), Deputy Assistant Secretary, Native American Affairs; Cornell Wesley, Economic Development Administration (EDA).

In 2018, nearly five percent of the 40 million overseas visitors to the United States reported visiting an American Indian community (VAIC) during their travels, spending big dollars along the way. Native American tourism destinations not incorporating overseas marketing in their business plans risk missing out on an important customer segment, as overseas VAIC travelers are known to stay longer in the U.S. than the average overseas traveler and visit more destinations. In this session, be among the first to see 2018 VAIC data and also get a preview of the international travel picture for early 2019.

Speaker: Julie P. Heizer, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Artists are one of tourism’s greatest assets – sharing culture, producing income for their families and serving as ambassadors for their tribal nation as they travel to artisan shows across the country and around the world. In this workshop, tribal presenters will share how they built their tribal arts programs, from creating trademarks to cooperatives to discussing the benefits of galleries, tours and art markets.

Speakers/panelists: George Rivera (Pueblo of Pojoaque), Artist and former Governor of the Pueblo of Pojoaque; Linley B. Logan (Seneca Nation of Indians), Longhouse Education and Cultural Center, Evergreen State College; Nina Alexander, Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior.

During a keynote speech at the American Indian Tourism Conference, Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, will provide an overview of the state of the travel industry and the association’s top advocacy priorities—including the work being done to protect and promote America’s heritage, cultures and landscapes—as well as discuss the ways the organization is elevating the industry in the eyes of policymakers, the media and the public.

Travelers to Canada are increasingly seeking authentic indigenous experiences, particularly those driven by First Nations’ cultural workers–the Elders and knowledge keepers–who define many of the cultural experiences available throughout the country.

In 2017, Canada’s indigenous tourism sector was valued at $1.7 billion, reflecting a momentous acceleration of 23.2 percent over 2014. More telling, the growth in demand for indigenous tourism experiences considerably outpaces the performance of Canada’s tourism industry in its entirety, which only grew 14.5 percent during the same period.

As demand for these experiences grows, Canada has seen many of its First Nations’ communities transform their economies through the creation and growth of their cultural tourism offerings.

During his keynote speech at the American Indian Tourism Conference, Keith Henry, President & CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) will discuss how indigenous communities across Canada are helping drive new demand across the country.

Partnerships with the tourism industry are essential components of the USDA Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management operational plans. Representatives from each agency discuss key initiatives and tourism success stories, while also sharing information on what resources are available to tribal entities.

Speakers/panelists: Toby Bloom, US Forest Service; Donald Leadbetter, National Park Service; Erin McDaniel (Choctaw), Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Angela West, Bureau of Land Management; Karen Wilde (Muscogee (Creek) Pawnee), Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site 

Tribes across the nation are investing millions of dollars into stunning new cultural centers, with nearly a half billion dollars’ worth of inventory currently under construction. While these centers are a key component to perpetuating tribal culture, they also serve as hybrid visitor centers and museums, where travelers can experience language, cuisine, heritage and hands-on activities. Representatives from some of the newest facilities as well as one of the originals, speak to the importance of considering the visitor experience when developing cultural programming.

Speakers/panelists: Kate Anderson (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (moderator); Marnie Leist, Shawnee Tribe Cultural Center; Shoshana Wasserman (Thlopthlocco/Muscogee (Creek)), The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum.

Annual sales of recreational vehicles has more than tripled in the past decade, with 2018 witnessing nearly a half million RV sales. During this session, the RV Industry Association will share data, trends and tips as well as ideas on how to collaborate with RV clubs to increase your campground revenue.

Speakers/panelists Shawn Loring, Escapees RV Club; Michael Ochs, RV Industry Association.

“In 2018, the Sitka Tribe of Alaska partnered with the National Park Service to implement a historic telling of place program, the first compacting agreement of its kind.

Similarly, Navajo Nation, which has an extensive parks system, is charged with collaboratively protecting a portion of the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal agencies. Learn how these tribes work collaboratively with the National Park Service and what process they used used to implement co-managed programming.”

Speakers/panelists: Martin Begaye (Navajo Nation), Navajo Parks and Recreation Department; Lisa Gassman (Sitka Tribe of Alaska), Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

Storytelling is an inherent part of indigenous cultures. It breathes life into culture and is a powerful way to connect generations and to welcome visitors to new lands. It is also a key element in today’s most successful marketing campaigns. A properly crafted story can create an immediate connection with prospective visitors, tour operators and build a stronger demand for your product. Our panel of expert destinations marketers share examples and stories of their most successful marketing campaigns.

Speakers/panelists: Monica Poling, AIANTA (moderator); Kainoa Daines (Native Hawaiian),  Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau; Sébastien Desnoyers-Picard (Huron-Wendat), Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.

Lewisandclark.travel, a new geotourism website promoting sustainable tourism along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, encourages visitors to experience the local culture and heritage, history, food, nature, adventure, water, music and arts along the famed Trail. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the new Lewisandclark.travel site, with a particular emphasis on tribal inclusion and voice.

Speaker: Daniel Wiley, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, National Park Service.

As Indian gaming revenues hit an all-time high in 2018, casinos are also recording huge gains in non-gaming revenues. Learn how casinos are maximizing their non-gaming revenue streams by celebrating tribal heritage through distinctive cultural programming that incorporates culinary arts, artworks and other cultural activities.

Speakers/panelists: Tracy Banfield, Tulalip Resort Casino (Moderator); Demetri B. Morris (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Legendary Waters Resort & Casino.

Although marketing in the 21st century is developing at a lightning speeds, marketers must always remember to keep track of the basics. Understanding your audience and knowing how to find them remain key elements of any marketing plan. This session will review the most important programs in your marketing toolkit, whether you’re a team of 20 or a one-person show, including highlighting the basics (research and partnerships), and then walking you through building online campaigns, using Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Over the Top (OTTI) and AIANTA’s own consumer site, NativeAmerica.travel.

Speakers/panelists: Gail Chehak (Klamath Tribes), AIANTA; Jordan Crahan, Shank Marketing; Tony Hines, BHW1 Advertising.

While experiences and programming are at the core of every tourism program, customer service is the true key to success. Understanding the value of good customer service, and techniques used to build a better customer service ambassador program will be part of this interactive session. Participants will self-evaluate their communities as a part of learning how to develop a cultural tourism program in their village, reservation or tribal community.

Speaker: Camille L. Ferguson (Sitka Tribe of Alaska), Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

In some cases, purposefully limiting visitor numbers can be the key to better visitor experiences, higher profit margins and, most importantly, a reduction in the negative effects from over-tourism. Panelists discuss the importance of building a sustainable tourism plan to protect your cultural tourism programming.

Speakers/panelists: Jon D. Panamaroff (Native Village of Afognak), Kodiak Brown Bear Center; Stacey M. Simmons (Village of Afognak and Native Village of Port Lions), Kodiak Brown Bear Center; Greg Takehara, Tourism Cares.

Negotiating and administering contracts on behalf of your Tribe or business can be a daunting yet beneficial task. Developing and reviewing a contract can help you improve your processes, reduce
expenses, and attain accurate prices, but it can also provide a roadmap for navigating complicated issues of sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Speaker: Taiawagi Helton, University of Oklahoma College of Law.

According to U.S. Census data, the growth in Native American-owned hospitality and tourism businesses over the past decade has far outpaced the overall growth in all Native American-owned businesses. To fully demonstrate the economic importance of tourism to federal and regional representatives, Indian Country must find a way to measure itself by similar standards. This panel discusses the importance of data collection as well as approaches in addressing the unique challenges in measuring Indian Country tourism performance.

Speakers/panelists: Monica Poling, AIANTA (moderator); Kyle Dean, PhD, Oklahoma City University, Patti Krausert, Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau;Paige Williams Shepherd, Chickasaw Nation.

Familiarization (fam) tours are an important component of any destination marketing program. Identify strategies on which themes best attract travel media and/or tour operators and learn how to work with your community to identify potential hosts and ensure community readiness.

Speaker: Dawn Melvin (Navajo/Hopi/Tewa), Arizona Office of Tourism.

Building a sustainable cultural tourism program requires strategically addressing all assets—cultural, environmental and physical—to establish and maintain a delicate balance between components. But what are the necessary procedures and operations needed to produce a plan that moves beyond a document of good ideas to something real and tangible that results in community and economic benefits? Presenters share lessons learned when building their respective cultural tourism programs. Finally, attendees will be provided with a toolkit for assessing their own cultural tourism programs.

Speakers/panelists: Travis Owens (Cherokee Nation), Cherokee Nation Businesses; Anne Ketz, 106 Group; Penny Peters (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe), Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

The lack of physical infrastructure continues to be a barrier to tourism in some tribal communities. Visitors need to be able to reach the destination in order to experience it. Hear how the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are working to improve and maintain transportation systems to provide economic development opportunities and to increase public safety in Indian Country.

Speaker:LeRoy Gishi: Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Learn how developing a tribal agricultural program as a tool for food sovereignty can lead to further economic development by including agritourism elements. Learn about work being done to grow tribal agriculture tourism programs and how tribes are benefiting from developing, growing and enhancing their agricultural businesses.

Speaker: Janie Simms Hipp, J.D., LL.M. (Chickasaw), Native American Agriculture Fund

Indigenous communities around the world are helping to maintain their traditional way of life and increase their livelihoods by promoting and sharing their cultural heritage with travelers. AIANTA in partnership with the George Washington University have developed a Cultural Heritage Certificate program, which in six weeks, details the key steps to building a cultural heritage tourism program from the ground up, by utilizing careful planning, management and shared stewardship. Take a sneak peek at how to get started building your own program in this workshop led by George Washington University instructors.

Speakers/panelists: Seleni Matus, the George Washington University; Anna Barrera, the George Washington University.

Salmon recovery, tribal bison programs, the 100th anniversary of the jingle dress and the re-opening of the Stewart Indian School as a museum and cultural center have been some of the Indian Country tourism stories that have received the most press this year. But these stories were not developed in a vacuum. Careful planning and relationship-building can play a big role in whether your story receives coverage or not. Our panel of experts discuss the key components to a successful media relations plan.

Speakers/panelists: Levi R. Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), Native News Online; Whitney Dittman (Cherokee Nation), Cherokee Nation Businesses.

Around the world, visitor centers take on many shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a modern, fully-staffed visitor center or a one-person show at the local travel center or a concierge desk staff at the casino or tribal library, there are plenty of ways your tribe can welcome guests. Providing travelers with free area information encourages them to make a stop on their way from point A to B, bringing with them dollars for dining, shopping and even an impromptu stay.

Speakers/panelists: Gail Chehak (Klamath Tribes), AIANTA (moderator); Linda K. Cooley (Yurok), Yurok Economic Development Corporation; Erin McDaniel (Choctaw), Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

The success of a sustainable tribal tourism program can often be measured by the success of the triple bottom line: profits, people and the planet. Learn how the Blackfeet Tribe used the triple bottom line and the Blackfeet ways of “knowing, being and planning” to build an integrated, holistic approach to agriculture, resource management, conservation, food sovereignty and tourism development.

Speaker: Loren Bird Rattler (Blackfeet), Blackfeet Nation.

Speakers/panelists: Toby Bloom, US Forest Service; Tedd C. Buelow, USDA Rural Development;  Dr. Lee R. Denney, USDA Rural Development.

The Commercial Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, can help U.S. tourism companies drive international travel to their destinations. In this session, Commercial Service officers from the United Kingdom and Italy share tips on utilizing these tools, which can include in-market research, tourism trade shows and events, and one-on-one assistance. Also learn about travelers from the U.K. and Germany—two of the top overseas markets to Indian County—who spend more and stay longer than the average international visitor.

Speakers/panelists: Chrystal Denys, U.S. Commercial Service (United Kingdom); Luisa Salomoni, U.S. Commercial Service (Italy).

Learn how to leverage relationships with tour operators and receptive operations in order to bring more visitors to your destination, attraction, hotel or restaurant. Learn how partnering, networking and collaborating on itineraries can help you build a successful tourism program.

Speakers/panelists: Crystal Holtz (Oneida Nation), Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay (moderator); Apache Danforth (Oneida Nation), Native American Tourism of Wisconsin; Donovan Hanley (Navajo), Navajo Nation.

Tribes are increasingly converting pristine acreage into tribal national parks, which provide a habitat where endangered species can grow, acreage for a dedicated food sovereignty program and a space where visitors can go to avoid the crowds found at larger national park sites. Learn how Blackfeet Nation, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Navajo Parks and Recreation took steps to develop protected lands and what they are doing to continue to preserve and protect those spaces.

Speakers/panelists: Loren Bird Rattler (Blackfeet), Blackfeet Nation (moderator); Martin Begaye (Navajo Nation), Navajo Parks and Recreation Department; Gabrielle R. VanBergen, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.