In April, the Alaska Division of Economic Development will conduct a “train-the-trainer” workshop for people interested in using the Alaska Tour Guide Training Program (ATGT) curriculum to train new or returning guides within their company, community, or organization. 

The ATGT course curriculum provides instruction on the following topics:  elements of a successful trip, different learning styles of clients and guests, Alaska’s visitors and their expectations, the art of interpretation or telling a story, principles and techniques for responding when trips don’t go as planned, and more. 

• Anchorage:  April 14 & 15 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 16 – 9 am to noon.  BP Energy Center, 900 East Benson Boulevard            
• Juneau:  April 21 & 22 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 23 – 9 am to noon.  AK Dept. of Education, 801 West 10th – corner of 10th and Glacier
• Fairbanks:  April 28 & 29 – 9 am to 5 pm; April 30 - 9 am to noon.  Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center - 101 Dunkel Street 

For more information or to register, contact Odin Brudie at odin.brudie@alaska.gov, 907 465-5466, or Dru Garson at dru.garson@alaska.gov, 907 465-2162.

On March 24th, AWRTA member, Dennis Swiderski of Orca Island Cabins, testified before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee in support of Senate Bill 32.  S.B. 32 would lower costs for businesses by providing low-interest loans for efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects and appropriate $10 million to the revolving loan fund.  In recent years, Alaska has taken big steps in energy efficiency by rapidly expanding state programs for residential and public buildings.  However, there is currently minimal state assistance for businesses and non-profits. 

Dennis testified as an Alaska business owner who already uses renewable energy and hopes to expand that use.  Orca Island Cabins offers beautiful, eco-friendly yurts in Humpy Cove southeast of Seward and has recieved a gold-level certification from Adventure Green Alaska.  Electricity at the yurts is provided by solar power which, among other things, is used to power the water pumps and the fans which vent the compost toilets.  Dennis urged the legislature to pass S.B. 32 and provide small busineses with the resources to utilize alternative energy in Alaska.     

For more information about S.B. 32, contact Dave Theriault, Alaska Conservation Alliance, at 723-9944.  To learn more about Orca Island Cabins, go to www.orcaislandcabins.com.