AIANTA Seeks New Members for Board of Directors
AIANTA is looking to fill eight vacant leadership positions. AIANTA’s Nominating Committee is leading the recruitment, with Mary Goddard, the Board’s Southeast Alaska Representative, as Chair of the Committee.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (August 8, 2022) – The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is seeking qualified candidates for eight open leadership positions on its Board of Directors. With representation from throughout Native Nations and communities, the AIANTA Board of Directors guides the organization and its staff in working towards the association’s mission: to “define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.”
“We are looking for active, engaged leaders to join our Board,” said Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), AIANTA CEO. “Tribes look to AIANTA to help grow their economies through cultural tourism programming and we welcome hospitality professionals and others with subject matter expertise in the areas of accounting, legal, technology and fundraising who can help build partnerships and programs while advocating for Native American tourism at local, regional and national levels.”
AIANTA is currently seeking representatives from the following regions, that will expire in October 2022:
- Southeast (AL, AR, East TX, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC and TN)
- Midwest (MI, MN and WI)
- Hawaii
- Alaska (outside of Southeast Alaska)
- Central California
- Rocky Mountain (MT, WY, ND and SD)
AIANTA is also seeking representatives for the following regions that can be immediately appointed for the remainder of the terms:
- Pacific Northwest (OR, Northern CA), term expires 2024
- Central Plains (IA, IL, IN, KS, MS, NE, OH), term expires 2023
If selected to fill open vacancies, new Board members will fill these vacancies until that term expires. Board members can then run for election at the following American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) for a full three-year term.
All applications are due to AIANTA by Friday, September 2, 2022 by 5pm MT. The application can be completed online here.
Founded in 1998, AIANTA was established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system. Governed by an all-Native board of directors, AIANTA serves as a united voice for the $14 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s priorities are; 1) to provide technical assistance and training, research, and publications to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities engaged in tourism and hospitality; 2) to facilitate conversations with the Native communities, federal agencies, non-profit associations, and elected officials on the economic and cultural importance of a healthy hospitality industry; 3) to highlight the importance of visiting authentic Native destinations, including cultural, heritage, historic, and artistic sites; and 4) to generate awareness, interest and demand for these destinations with domestic and international travelers, the travel trade and the media. www.aianta.org