Page 5 - 2020 AITC Program

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROUD TO SUPPORT AIANTA OFFICERS Guw’áadz hauba hanu
Emerson Vallo, (Pueblo of Acoma),
Board President On behalf of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism
Association, Inc. (AIANTA) Board of Directors and staff,
Rachel Moreno, (Tlingit), Vice President we welcome you to our 22nd Annual American Indian
James Surveyor, (Hopi/Cheyenne-
Arapaho), Secretary Tourism Conference (AITC). We especially offer a warm
Lora Ann Chaisson, (United Houma thank you to all those who have supported this year’s
Nation), Treasurer AITC, including our partners and sponsors, without
whom this conference would not be possible.
ALASKA REGION
Rachel Moreno (Tlingit) AIANTA is proud to host the only national conference
Mario Fulmer (Tlingit) dedicated to travel and tourism in Indian Country.
This year AIANTA made the decision to host AITC on
EASTERN REGION a new online platform, and thanks to NATIVE Act funding,
Lora Ann Chaisson (United Houma Nation) the conference is offered at no cost to attendees.
Darrell Waldron (Seaconke Wampanoag/
Narragansett) We are honored to feature an all-star lineup of keynote speakers including some of
the top Native American women leaders in the country, such as U.S. Representative
MIDWEST REGION Deb Haaland (D-NM); Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan; President of
Crystal Holtz (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)
Kirby Metoxen (Oneida Nation of the National Congress of American Indians Fawn Sharp; Walker River Paiute Tribe
Wisconsin) Chairwoman Amber Torres; Lead Cultural Trainer for the Native Hawaiian Hospitality
Association, Hi’ilani Shibata and AIANTA CEO, Sherry L. Rupert.
PACIFIC REGION
Jamie SiJohn (Spokane Tribe of Indians) We urge all attendees to maximize their attendance by connecting with sponsors and
Hi’ilani Shibata (Native Hawaiian) exhibitors, asking questions of our panelists, and networking with fellow hospitality
professionals during the Zoom Happy Hours and on the AITC Conference App
PLAINS REGION (powered by Whova).
Jason Morsette (Mandan Hidatsa Arikara
Nation) Dáwáa’é and welcome to the American Indian Tourism Conference 2020.
Travis Owens (Cherokee Nation)
Emerson Vallo (Pueblo of Acoma)
SOUTHWEST REGION AIANTA Board President
Emerson Vallo (Pueblo of Acoma)
James Surveyor (Hopi/Cheyenne-
Arapaho) Greetings everyone and welcome to the 22nd Annual
American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC). This year’s
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS theme “One Country, Many Nations” focuses on how
Linda Cooley (Yurok Tribe) native-led cultural tourism efforts are paving the way for
Camille Ferguson (Sitka Tribe of Alaska) economic recovery in native nations. Although this year’s
challenges heavily impacted Indian Country and Cultural
Heritage Tourism, we are a strong people and together
STAFF we will get past these challenges as we have for thousands
GROW NATIVE AMERICAN Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), Chief of years.

Despite tight budgets and limited resources and
Executive Officer
Lower Taxes | Favorable Zoning | Reduced Liability | Manageable Labor Laws Hannah Peterson, Program Development uncertainty as to when visitors will be welcome to return
to tribal lands, Indian Country tourism marketers must
Director find a way to stay connected with their key audiences
Ariel Richardson (Walker River Paiute), and keep them informed on what opportunities currently
Lower taxes and operating costs, strategically located, Office Manager are and aren’t available to them. Safety is of course the main priority, and visitors need
to be aware of what steps are being taken in order to assure that their health is of
favorable zoning, reduced liability and manageable labor Bianca Mitchell (Pueblo of Acoma), utmost importance.
Education Manager
laws all accompany a Tribal partnership. Staking your future The tourism and travel industry is a powerful economic driver. In 2019, it generated
Sherrie L. Bowman (Pueblo of Laguna), more than $1.87 trillion in economic impact, supported 9.2 million American jobs,
on the sovereign Tribal land of the Saginaw Chippewa Education Support Specialist accounted for nearly 2.8 percent of the entire U.S. GDP, and continues to be the
Indian Tribe of Michigan is filled with benefits not available nation’s seventh-largest private sector employer and the country’s largest small
Monica Poling, Marketing & Public business employer.
anywhere else. Relations Manager
migiziedc.com Gail E. Chehak (Klamath), Membership & AITC, the only tourism conference dedicated to Indian Country tourism, provides tribal
tourism marketers the tools they need to grow and sustain their cultural tourism efforts.
Explore your options and a brighter future for your business Outreach Coordinator We look confidently toward 2021 and a bright future for tourism throughout Indian

today by contacting Migizi Economic Development Bruce Rettig, Travel Writer/Photographer Country.
Company – an entity of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Lorraine Gala Lewis (Laguna/Taos/Hopi), Boneedwa,
Research and Data Specialist
of Michigan. Sherry L. Rupert
Amy Meak (Navajo), Data Research Chief Executive Officer, AIANTA
Specialist
#AITC2020 | Page 1