Page 18 - 2020 AITC Program

1–1:55 p.m. Breakout Session 4
Session 4a: Expanding Your Culinary Tourism Footprint
Chef Crystal Whapepah, Chef & Owner, Wahpepah’s Kitchen
The important discussions around food sovereignty for tribal communities have led to an
emergence of a brand new culinary scene. This is an emerging market segment for tribes
interested in expanding tourism revenues as culinary tourism is a particularly important
market segment with travelers. The World Food Travel Association estimates visitors spend
up to 25 percent of their entire travel budget on food. These travelers are not interested in
the same old menus, they are looking for exciting new options, with many interested in locally
produced foods. The new Native-owned restaurants cropping up across the country feature
exciting new menus, many with few commonalities, except that their roots are grounded in
Native traditions. Join Chef Crystal Wahpepah, the first-ever Native American Indigenous Chef
to be featured on Food Network’s Chopped television show. Her catering menus are informed
by her Kickapoo heritage and include such Native menu items as bison, venison, squash
and corn with recipes passed on through the generations. During this session, Chef Crystal
discusses the emergence of this exciting new culinary scene and how tribes interested in
tourism are well served by developing their own unique culinary offerings.
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#AITC2020 | Page 14
Session 4b: Possibilities Through Partnerships:
How NPS & USFS Support Community Tourism
Donny Leadbetter, Tourism Program Manager, National Park Service
Toby Bloom, Manager of Tourism and Interpretation, U.S. Forest Service
Identifying, developing, conserving and preparing your tourism assets for visitor experiences
are fundamental steps in the development of a tourism economy. Cultural heritage and
natural resources can be critical components of a destination’s tourism portfolio, and the
U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service manage several programs that can be tapped to
cultivate cultural and natural assets. Join this session to learn about technical assistance and
funding programs available from the agencies as well as examples of community-park and
community-forest collaboration.
2–2:55 p.m. Breakout Session 5
Session 5a: The One-Page Marketing Plan
Monica Poling, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, AIANTA
A good marketing plan can provide clarity about an organization’s priorities and ultimately
lead to increased visitation, expanded relationships and new business. So why do so many
companies skip building these road maps to success? Building a one-page marketing plan will
provide your organization with the building blocks it needs, while keeping you focused on only
the most important goals. Who is your audience, what do they want, what do you need, and
how does that all come together? Join Monica Poling, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
for AIANTA, as she walks you through basic steps in building your own plan.
Session 5b: Importance of Data Collection
Speakers: Alan P. Meister, Ph.D., CEO & Principal Economist, Meister Economic Consulting
Mike Meczka, President, Meczka Marketing Research and Consulting, Inc.
Tribes that strategically collect data across all their customer segments—not just their
casinos—can realize multiple benefits, ranging from improved operational and financial
performance, increased media exposure, stronger funding proposals and increased support
from federal and regional partners. Furthermore, data allow Tribes to develop and monitor
a better understanding of their various customer segments and their preferences in order to
ensure that the tribe is providing what their customers value and want. During this session, Dr.
Alan Meister, CEO & Principal Economist of Meister Economic Consulting, who has consulted
for many Native American Tribes and the National Indian Gaming Commission, will address
the importance, benefits, and challenges of collecting data on Indian Country tourism. Meister
is joined by Michael Meczka, President of MM/R/C Consulting, who has been researching the
hospitality industry for more than 35 years.
3:00 p.m. Zoom Happy Hour: Meet Ricardo Cate
Cartoonist Ricardo Caté describes Indian humor as the result of “us living in a dominant
culture, and the funny part is that we so often fall short of fitting in.” His cartoon column,
Without Reservations, is a popular daily dose in the Santa Fe New Mexican. Actor Wes Studi
says, “Caté’s cartoons serve to remind us there is always a different point of view, or laughing
at every day scenes of home life where Indian kids act just like their brethren of different
races. Without Reservations is always thought-provoking whether it makes you laugh, smirk,
or just enjoy the diversity of thought to be found in Indian Country.”
Ricardo Caté has been drawing the daily cartoon for the Santa Fe New Mexican since 2006.
His wry and often poignant humor pokes fun at both the white man and the Indian. Ricardo
follows the ways of his Kewa Pueblo heritage and teaches on the reservation. He has three
children and lives in the Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico.
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