ATIA Conference
Dear Editor: I attended the Alaska Tourism Industry Association conference here in Sitka last week and I am so impressed with the superior volunteer effort that was once again exhibited in this wonderful community.
Our visitors couldn’t have been more pleased with everything: accommodations, food, restaurants and bars, shopping, the Hames Center transformations, the opening reception at Harrigan Centennial Hall, and what I would call the “award winning” community night that by all accounts has broken the popularity record.
We were told at the banquet that this was the best ever ATIA conference. A special thank you to Tonia Rioux, for having the courage to bring ATIA to Sitka, and for her and the SCVB staff for overall conference planning and implementation. Also a big thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for heading up the community night activities planning, to Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Tribal Tours for sponsoring the AV equipment, to Tribal Tours, Sitka Tours and Alaska Coach Tours for their huge part in providing transportation every day, to the venues that entertained everyone on community night: Allen Marine Tours, Old Sitka Dock, Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka Sound Science Center, and the Dock Shack.
The Ferricks were amazing with all their decorating they did and equipment provided. Harrigan Centennial Hall staff were once again ready to jump to help at a moment’s notice. The Hames Center staff were wonderful and a special thanks goes out to the members that had their exercise regimen interrupted that week. And a big thanks goes out to Alaska Arts Southeast for letting us take over their campus and for being such a great partner in this endeavor. Thank you to every volunteer (too numerous to mention by name, and I wasn’t in charge so I don’t know who you all are) for pitching in and making it happen. Sitka, you rock!!
Mim McConnell, Mayor
City and Borough of Sitka
