Why Attend the American Indian Tourism Conference?

The annual American Indian Tourism Conference, the only national conference dedicated to travel and tourism in Indian Country, connects tribal leaders and tourism enterprises with tourism and hospitality professionals to help grow tourism in tribal communities throughout the United States.

Hear From Industry Leaders and Tribal Influencers

AITC brings together dozens of nationally and internationally recognized expert speakers, who provide insights from the tourism industry and Indian Country.

A list of invited speakers at AITC Tulsa includes:

  • Chairman Jeff Grubbe, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
  • Keith Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
  • Jefferson Keel, President, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
  • Janie Simms Hipp, Native American Agriculture Fund
  • Roger Dow, President/CEO, U.S. Travel Association
  • Donald Leadbetter, Tourism Program Manager, National Park Service
  • Chrystal Denys and Luisa Salmonelli, U.S. Commercial Service from London, England and Milan, Italy respectively
  • And many more expert speakers

View the full AITC Conference Agenda here.

Contribute to a National Discussion

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) will host its first Tribal Tourism Information Gathering Session to hear public opinion from tribes and the tribal tourism industry about the barriers to success in implementing cultural heritage tourism programs across Indian Country.

The session will provide a forum for interested stakeholders to provide input on the status of their cultural heritage tourism objectives and what more is needed to ensure the success of those objectives.

Attend Educational Sessions and Programs

AITC features an impressive lineup of expert speakers who will share their knowledge and experience with attendees through six general sessions in addition to a series of 27 workshops and speaker panels.

View the full AITC Conference Agenda here.

Build Your Network

The tourism industry is built upon relationships, and some of the most important conversations happen at AITC.

From general sessions to workshops, daily meals to refreshment breaks with an exhibitor showcase, and exclusive evening functions, AITC programming is designed to encourage conversations and the growing of personal networks with like-minded tourism professionals and global industry experts.

Location, Location, Location

Every year, AITC is hosted by a different tribe across the country.

This year’s conference, hosted by Cherokee Nation, will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the perfect jumping-off point to explore Oklahoma’s 39 tribes.

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Come a day early to join an AITC mobile workshop, with a choice of one of three options:

Or fly into Tulsa on Sunday, September 15, to explore Tulsa or play a round of golf at Cherokee Hills Golf Course.

Raise the Bar for Indian Country Tourism

AITC attendees understand the importance of Indian Country tourism as an economic driver. Collectively, we are defining standards and helping to raise the bar for all Native American tourism enterprises.

When speaking with one voice, Indian Country tourism can drive economies, amplify the importance of cultural authenticity, and help build awareness for legislative and policy issues.

For more information, visit the American Indian Tourism Conference homepage or register for the conference now.

Who Should Attend?

AITC is perfect for tribal leaders, tribal entrepreneurs, artisans, tour operators, and staff working in the following departments or businesses: tourism, museums, fish and wildlife, parks and recreation, camping and RV parks, planning and economic development, workforce development, cultural preservation, transportation, hotels and casinos, arts programs and gift shops, and youth programs.