FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Monica Poling, (505) 724-3578
mpoling@aianta.org
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
WHAT: 20th Anniversary American Indian Tourism Conference
WHEN: September 17 – September 20, 2018
WHY: AIANTA and the tourism industry will celebrate two decades of successful industry growth and economic development through tourism in Indian Country
AIANTA Celebrates 20 Years of Tribal Tourism Growth at Southwest Conference
More than 300 travel industry professionals working in or with Indian Country tourism will discuss successes and best practices during the conference September 17-20, 2018, at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, N.M.
Mobile workshops visiting successful, award-winning tribal tourism operations will take place the first day of the conference on September 17. Tours include Acoma Pueblo’s Sky City, Pueblo of Santa Clara’s Puye Cliffs and the Navajo Nation’s museum and a meet and greet with Navajo President Russell Begay and Vice President Jonathan Nez. Limited spaces are available to media.
On September 18, Tara Sweeney, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs; Mike Platt, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce; and Camille Ferguson, Executive Director of AIANTA will sign an historic Memorandum of Understanding naming AIANTA as the national non-profit association charged with facilitating provisions of the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act on behalf of the federal government. More information about the NATIVE Act.
September 18 is also Regalia Day. Conference attendees are encouraged to wear their traditional clothing representing their tribal affiliation. More than 100 tribes will be represented.
A conference tip sheet for media, a conference news release and a full conference program, including speakers, bios and breakout sessions are all available online. Photos will be available upon request.
Media must register for press credentials by sending an email with their name, company, title, website or blog, and topic of interest (if applicable) to Monica Poling at mpoling@aianta.org no later than September 14. Passes will be issued to media at the registration table.
Follow conference updates at #AITC2018.
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About AIANTA
For more than 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 and Alaska Native tourism that honors traditions and values.
To learn more, please visit www.aianta.org. For current updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@OfficialAIANTA).