Unlocking Opportunities: Why Indigenous Businesses Should Attend IPW

Michael Martin – Director of International Buyer Engagement, U.S. Travel Association

Michael Martin is the Director of International Buyer Engagement at the U.S. Travel Association, where he leads the international buyer and media recruitment program for IPW, the world’s premier inbound travel trade show. In this role, he collaborates closely with U.S. Commercial Service global offices and manages over 55 international advisory committees, which help identify and recruit qualified international buyers and media for IPW. Michael also works with Brand USA, the premier sponsor of IPW. With 24 years of experience at U.S. Travel, Michael has held various roles in meetings and events as well as international marketing, contributing to the association’s strategic goals and success in promoting the United States as the top tourism destination.

Ben is of Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute and Washoe descent. Ben is part of the Nevada’s Indian Territory leadership team, a marketing arm of the Nevada Commission on Tourism. He has been the lead on Nevada’s Indian Territory destination development of the Great Basin tribal communities. He is a Native dancer and traditional artist. His passion is to share his Native culture through cultural presentations, dancing, fishing, hunting, traditional art, and being a steward of the Great Basin culture. He recently retired from the City of Reno Fire Department, after 33 years, in the fire service. Ben is married and has three sons and four grandchildren. Ben graduated from Oregon State University and recently received a Masters in Sustainable Tourism from Arizona State University. He also served in the U.S. Army as an Airborne/Infantryman

Apache Danforth, enrolled member of the Oneida Nation, Wisconsin. She is an entrepreneur and consultant who leads Good Words Consulting, LLC, specializing in public relations, tourism development & strategic planning, project management, and business development. In January 2024 she co-founded and owns Good Words Travel LLC, a receptive tour operation.

Sapooq’is Wíit’as (Nimiipuu)/ Ciarra Greene (Nez Perce) is the Education and Business Development Director for AIANTA. With her Master of Science in Science Teaching from Portland State University (2019) and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University, her focus has been on promoting the protection and healing of Indigenous communities and homelands through culture, education, and science. Her experience in tourism has rapidly developed in the past three years, while her fifteen years of experience in outreach and education, founded in interdisciplinary collaboration with tribal communities, institutions, agencies, organizations, and businesses, have propelled her career. She views our role in tourism truly as an educational experience for tribal communities and our visiting guests alike. Ciarra strives to perpetuate her passion so others too may attain successful operations for their own communities, businesses, and honored guests who we welcome to tribal homelands.