On September 15, 2011, Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) will recognize seven individuals and organizations from around the state for their remarkable achievements. This year’s winners are:

* Stacy Studebaker, Kodiak – Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions
* Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats, Palmer – Lowell Thomas, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Organization
* Maka Monture, Yakutat – Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists
* Daisy Lee Bitter, Holmer – Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education
* Robert H. Armstrong, Juneau – Daniel Hausberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Photography, Film, and Video
* Dorothy Childers, Anchorage – Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions
* Caleb Pungowiyi, Wasilla- Outstanding Achievement by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual

ACF will be honoring the achievement heroes at the Alaska Aviation Museum on Lake Hood in Anchorage . The evening will include a cocktail hour reception and dessert provided by award-winning chef, Al Levinsohn, of Bridge Catering (featuring local Alaska foods). The awards presentation will be hosted by Emmy award-winning producer and TV personality, and ACF Trustee, Doug McConnell.

Last April, Representatives Austerman, Chenault, Johnson, Stoltze, Thomas, Peggy Wilson, and Herron introduced House Bill 222, a bill that would establish a multi-industry Alaska promotion and marketing fund and repeal the laws that authorized the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s annual marketing contract with the state.

The new fund would be administered by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) in consultation with a newly-created “Alaska Promotion and Marketing Board.” It would be used to promote and market industries, including tourism, that broaden the economic base of the state and provide jobs and business opportunities for state residents. Subject to appropriations from the legislature, DCCED would make grants to private entities for projects that further the purpose of the fund. Grant recipients would be required to provide a 30% or 50% match depending upon whether they are from emerging or established industries.

When HB 222 was introduced, it was viewed largely as a conversation starter with little chance of being passed by the legislature. However, now that we no longer have a long-term tourism marketing program, see Big Changes in Alaska Tourism Marketing, HB 222 provides an obvious and needed context for discussing the promotion and marketing of tourism and other Alaska industries. Not surprisingly, there is renewed interest in HB 222 and Representative Austerman expects multiple hearings on the bill.

This one will definitely be worth watching when the legislature returns to Juneau in January.

One of the most significant results of last May’s special session of the legislature is that the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is no longer charged with planning and executing the state’s destination tourism marketing campaign. An amendment to the capital appropriation bill deleted the provision in the operating budget which would have funded ATIA and instead directed a $12 million capital appropriation to the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) for a destination marketing campaign.

As many of you know, ATIA has had a legislative monopoly on state marketing money for over ten years. This is a pretty sudden change and it will take some time for the dust to settle. In the short term, DCCED is seeking program continuity and may contract directly with ATIA contractors and service providers. The really interesting question is what will happen in the long term. Will the legislature create an official “department of tourism” or will marketing be handled by some form of quasi-governmental entity? Another possibility has been suggested by Representatives Austerman, Chenault, Johnson, Stoltze, Thomas, Peggy Wilson, and Herron who introduced a bill in April that would create a multi-industry Alaska Promotion and Marketing Board.

Whatever happens, you can be sure that AWRTA will be actively engaged and exploring ways to ensure that there is a greater emphasis on sustainability and attracting independent travelers to Alaska. Tourism marketing is an issue in which all of AWRTA’s members and supporters have an interest. If you have thoughts or suggestions on what the next marketing model should be, please send us an email at info@visitwildalaska.com. We’ll collect the comments and if there’s enough interest, create a committee to develop a “vision” for tourism marketing in Alaska.