Page 22 - 2020 AITC Program

12–12:55 p.m. Networking Break : AIANTA’s Hospitality Scholarship Program
Learn more about AIANTA’s Hospitality Scholarship Program and meet some of the
recipients of these scholarships, and learn what these successful students are up to post-
graduation. AIANTA team members will also share details on how indigenous students in your
communities can apply for these annual scholarships.
1–1:55 p.m. Breakout Session 7
Session 7a: Planning for the Return of the International Visitor—Will You be Ready?
Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, US Dept. of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office
Industry & Analysis | International Trade Administration
Sharon Calcote, Louisiana Byways Director, Louisiana Office of Tourism
Tony Lyle, Vice President, Tourism Development, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Lisa Weigt, Principal, Destinations by Design
Learn how tourism organizations are addressing marketing and promotion activities during
this pause in international inbound traffic due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Panelists will
discuss creative ideas to maximize marketing efforts and also best practices and lessons
learned to help tribal tourism professionals avoid those pitfalls in their own work.
Do you recognize the transformative power of tourism?
With a Master of Sustainable Tourism you receive a comprehensive online
education with a focus on the environmental, economic, and social aspects of tourism.
“ASU’s MST program equipped me with the “I am learning how my business vision can
skills and experience to transition into a career contribute to cultural preservation, economic
in tourism development within the hospitality growth and ecosystem conservation, through
sector.” my education in the MST program.”
– Kate Garner, MST alumna – Ben Rupert, MST student
scrd.asu.edu
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Session 7b: Stories around Food: Blending Agriculture and Tourism
Janie Simms Hipp, CEO, Native American Agriculture Fund
Steve Larese, Travel Writer/Consultant, AIANTA
The United States is home to nearly 80,000 indigenous farmers, who generate some $3.5
billion in agricultural sales. As Americans become increasingly confused about the origins of
their food, many are seeking solutions that involve locally or organically grown and raised
products. At the intersection of these two demographics is agritourism, which provides
farmers and ranchers with additional revenue streams as they demonstrate their traditional
growing and harvesting techniques to an audience hungry for more information. Join Janie
Simms Hipp, CEO of the Native American Agriculture Fund and Steve Larese, Award Winning
writer as they discuss how farmers can use this interest in food sovereignty to develop their
own agritourism programs.
2–2:55 p.m. Breakout Session 8
Session 8a: Understanding the Tourism Distribution System
Chris Pilley, Owner/Contract Manager, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours
Marketing directly to visitors is just the first step in developing new economic revenue
streams. Tourism marketers can also expand their scope by focusing on indirect tourism sales,
which target third-party buyers such as retail travel agents, online travel information sites,
inbound tour operators and wholesalers. Although these indirect sales may involve varying
commissions and buying structures, they also offer far greater rewards in terms of reach
and volume.
Session 8b: The Brownfield Resources for Heritage Tourism in Indian Country
Eugene Goldfarb, Adjunct Associate Professor
Scott Nightingale, Co-Director; Kansas State Tribal TAB Program
Brownfields are underutilized properties complicated by the actual/potential presence of
hazardous substances. Redevelopment and reuse of properties supports local communities
and job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure and improves the environment. The EPA
supported KSU Tribal TAB program provides free tech assistance to move this complicated
process along. Heritage tourism and brownfields are a good fit and can provide incentives
to restore and reuse tribal lands as well as preserve Native American traditions and culture,
and the revenue stream to support a community. Restoring, reusing and/or redeveloping
underutilized properties better serves the community and brings additional resources. TAB
is looking for ways to present the tourist and visitation options when assisting tribes and
exploring how to facilitate the connection between Heritage Tourism and Brownfields-Tribal
Response Programs.
3–3:55 p.m. Enough Good People Industry Awards
The Best of Indian Country Tourism
AIANTA recognizes leading tribal tourism enterprises and individuals in three categories:
Destination of the Year, Best Cultural Heritage Experience and Excellence in Customer Service.
In addition to the Industry Awards, AIANTA, led by an expert panel of tourism industry
professionals, also awards the Industry Professional Award to individuals who have made a
significant impact on tribal tourism and/or who have helped AIANTA achieve its mission.
These awardees represent tourism entities that foster a greater understanding and
appreciation of authentic culture, history, heritage and/or the arts.
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