ATTA and 2010 Summit Mentioned in Scottish Cabinet Secretary Russell’s Blog
In his blog about his recent travels to Canada and the United States, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell referenced his April meeting with the ATTA in San Francisco. Secretary Russell highlighted the importance of building relationships with organizations such as ATTA in order to continue to develop Scotland’s role in world tourism. He also emphasized a key component of the meeting, which was the principle role of culture and climate change in the upcoming 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit to be held in Aviemore, Scotland this October. He remarked, “Those involved in adventure travel now want to make sure there is a broad and sustainable agenda for all their clients.” Read the full post here.
Travelvideo.tv Covers 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit
The 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit was featured last week on Video Travel News. The article covered VisitScotland’s partnership with ATTA to bring the global industry event to Aviemore, Scotland this October 4-7, as well as the multiple Pre-Summit Adventures being offered for Summit delegates. Read the entire article here.
Adventure Travel Trade Association Selects Aviemore, Scotland to Host the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit
(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 29, 2009 – The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) announced its selection of Scotland as the host destination of the seventh Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), the annual global assembly of adventure tourism executives, in 2010, which is scheduled for October 4-7.
During last week’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Québec, Canada, attended by more than 500 delegates representing nearly 50 countries, the ATTA announced its selection of Scotland. The ATTA decided on Scotland after a lengthy and detailed review, including several presentations and site visits, of destinations worldwide. Salta, Argentina, was the first runner-up in the bidding process.
“Hosting this summit is an excellent opportunity for both Scotland and the Adventure Travel Trade Association to highlight the many options for adventure travel, business and recreation in Scotland,” said Minister for Tourism Jim Mather. “It is vital that we continue to look at new and innovative ways of attracting new visitors to our great country through initiatives such as this, ensuring that Scotland continues to be one of the ‘must visit’ destinations in the world that is open for business all year round.”
Scotland’s successful bid hinged upon many factors, most importantly for VisitScotland’s enthusiasm, planning and strategic vision, for a supportive government at the highest levels, for the country’s commitment to sustainable lifestyles, for its world-class adventure travel resources, and its early and active engagement of regional partners to strengthen European involvement in the event. VisitScotland also secured the support of Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, rallied several major country tourism boards to support the trade conference, and partnered with event venue, transportation and accommodation partners to ensure a high value, cost-effective event for delegates worldwide.
“With such incredible destinations stepping up to host our the adventure travel community’s annual gatherings, the Summit site decision-making process has become more and more challenging,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “Scotland’s inventive approaches, understanding of the ATTA’s short- and long-term vision, and its commitment to our mutual success gave this emerging adventure travel destination the edge.”
The ATTA’s Summit conferences engage, enlighten, inspire, and energize the leaders of the adventure travel community with executive-level networking, business and professional development programs, educational seminars and emerging adventure destination product review opportunities. Among the special offerings slated for 2010, the ATTA will feature new “Transformative Thinking” plenary sessions, enhanced special programs dedicated to connect delegates with high quality journalists, and “Key Market Forces” and “Tactics for Today” sessions designed to help adventure travel organizations turn operational, marketing, partnership and prospect challenges and opportunities into results-oriented endeavors.
With its ATWS events, the ATTA and its Summit delegates, primarily tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, media, agents, adventure lodges, and service organizations (e.g., transportation, technology, marketing, etc.), influence the manner in which adventure travel is introduced, executed and sustained in any given destination worldwide. These adventure travel organizations collaborate to encourage the industry to adopt sustainability and best practices that give back to the people and places impacted by adventure travel.
Host destination of the 2010 Adventure Travel World Summit is Scotland. Registration is accessible at www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com.
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a privately held, global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com), the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.
Delegates to Gain Center Stage at 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit
(SEATTLE) – July 14, 2009 – With intensive focus on peer-to-peer networking, exploration of real-world case studies and active engagement with attending journalists, by design registered delegates of the October 19-22, 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit will take center stage in a manner unmatched at all previous Summit events.
“After delivering five previous successful Summits, we’ve adapted to rapid market shifts and evolved this year’s agenda to reflect the immediate needs of trade professionals, all while keeping our sights set on the long haul,” said Shannon Stowell, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the organizing association of the annual Summits. “This year, delegates gain a pivotal role in influencing the agenda and helping to manage the direction, dialogue and debates before, during and after the Summit.”
The ATTA has introduced for 2009 three new programs: Marketplace (a first for the ATTA in North America), Meeting of the Minds and Collaborative Learning. Each of these featured programs are delegate-driven versus conference-organizer driven.
For Marketplace, buyers, specialty adventure travel agents and travel journalists connect for pre-set appointments with tour operators and ground suppliers representing destinations worldwide. To aid delegates in maximizing their networking time at the Summit, the ATTA has introduced Summit Connections, a delegate-directed online networking schedule planner. In addition to connecting directly with others, the online tool also enables delegates to craft personal Summit itineraries.
To provide delegates with real-time focus on practical matters such as online marketing, public relations, sustainable tourism, standards and best practices, guide certification, risk management, agent and operator collaboration, among other timely topics, the ATTA has introduced for 2009 the Meeting of the Minds and Collaborative Learning series. Each program, heavily reliant on round-table discussions presented and facilitated by delegates, will primarily focus on attending delegates’ real-world issues along with specific case studies. Top experts from the field will serve as opening panelists to help to set context for specific topics, then will shift to facilitation roles so that Summit delegates’ drive the programs.
ATTA guided, the delegate-led Meeting of the Minds carries pre-published agendas designed to address key challenges/opportunities brought forth by the global adventure travel industry for collective brainstorming, dialogue and debate. Meeting of the Minds concurrent sessions include: Sustainability, Standards & Best Practices; Social Media & Networking; Specialty Adventure Travel Agent & Operator Collaboration; Global Online Distribution Systems; and Evolving Paradigms for Guides – Relationships, Technique, Credentials.
Whereas Meeting of the Minds focuses on broader industry matters, Collaborative Learning sessions provide delegates the chance to share and explore their own real-world case studies to build understanding, to gain practical tools and insights, and action plans for organizational implementation. Concurrent sessions include: Supply Chain Collaboration, Public Relations Strategies, Online Marketing Strategies, Image, Branding & Storytelling, Social Media & Networking, and Sustainable Tourism in Emerging Destinations.
Delegates also will figure prominently in one of the ATTA’s Adventure Travel World Summit perennial favorites, “Meet the Press,” which offers delegates a chance to meet one-on-one with influential journalists to pitch stories. Each concurrent session starts with fresh panels of journalists (including international media representatives) who will discuss their outlet, their editorial calendars and upcoming projects. In the interactions, delegates gain insights into how to work with and effectively pitch travel journalists, then gain one-on-one access to their desired media of choice. Media outlets served by journalists already registered: The New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, Smithsonian, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, The L.A. Times, National Geographic Traveler, The Boston Globe, Discover, Sierra, Best Life, Hemispheres, Outside, Wired, Travel Age West Magazine, Robb Report, Away.com, The Denver Post, TravelandLeisure.com, and many more.
Plenary sessions include inspirational keynote addresses delivered by famed Québec natives Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque de Soleil and president and chief executive officer of Groupe Le Massif, and astrophysicist and ecologist Sir Hubert Reeves. Additionally, an array of industry experts will deliver Transformative Thinking talks to help leaders step outside day-to-day operational mindsets to consider much broader concerns and possibilities.
Additional details regarding Marketplace, Meeting of the Minds, Collaborative Learning and other programs and speakers scheduled for the 2009 Summit are available at www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com.
Adventure Travel World Summit sponsors include: Host Destination Tourisme Québec and Aventure Ecotourisme Québec; Major Sponsors ExOfficio and Men’s Journal; and Key Sponsors Alpine Tourist Commission, Archaeology Magazine, Best of the Alps, Brazil, Tourism Promotion Corporation of Chile, Eddie Bauer, Innovation Norway, and National Geographic Adventure.
Established in 1990, the ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences, the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.
Preview of Summit Adventures Announced for 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit
Just Released! ATTA and host destination Tourisme Quebec have unveiled a preview to the Pre-Summit Adventures (Oct. 16-19) and Day of Adventure (October 19) activities being planned ahead of the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit.
For 2009, Québec Province offers quality adventure options provided by members of the highly respected ATTA Association Partner member, Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ) and in partnership with regional tourism destinations.
Past participants in the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Pre-Summit Adventures consider Pre-Summit Adventures and Day of Adventure early conference excursions some of the most valuable networking time – quality time spent between delegates who naturally build relationships in an environment conducive to genuine fun, conversation and thoughtful dialogue. Such adventures are designed to spur networking and to help delegates explore a new destination.
Click here for more information to plan your adventure at the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit.
Marketing Visionary and Adventure Pioneers Headline at 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits
(SEATTLE) – Registrations opened, preliminary agendas were released, and exceptional headliners were announced today by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) for its 2008 Adventure Travel World Summit South American and European fall conferences expected to draw a combined 800-900 executive-level delegates for peer-to-peer networking, professional development and adventure familiarization and press tours.
Influential speakers during the ATTA’s 2008 Summits include: the author of Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want (Harvard Business School Press, 2007), which Time magazine recognized in March 2008 as one of the “10 Ideas That Are Changing the World”; an adventure and environmental explorer-researcher duo who have circumnavigated the world via low-level flights that contributed to the science of conservation; and an internationally acclaimed author and filmmaker who is considered the world’s most accomplished living polar explorer.
For its September 3-6 Adventure Travel World Summit-South America in São Paulo, Brazil, Authenticity (http://www.authenticitybook.com/) author James Gilmore’s keynote, “Real Travel: Rendering Authenticity in an Increasingly Unreal World”, will address the emerging experience economy and the rise of authenticity as a consumer sensibility with insights into experience design, customer experience management and experiential marketing that renders truly authentic travel experiences. Additionally, in service of environmental and scientific causes, explorers Margi and Gérard Moss, who have traveled more than 20 years in around-the-world light aircraft expeditions photographing and filming at low altitude the land, seas, forests and deserts, will share their most ambitious climate-change related project yet, “The Flying Rivers” (http://www.riosvoadores.com.br/), a project that aims to quantify the amount of water vapor transported in “flying rivers” – the air masses blown down from the Amazon region carrying huge quantities of humidity that triggers rainfall.
For the ATTA’s October 21-25 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) held aboard an expedition passenger ship voyage between Tromsø and Bergen, Norway, delegates will gain unprecedented first-hand polar region insights from famed Norwegian explorer and filmmaker, Børge Ousland (http://www.ousland.com/). Ousland, whose copious polar expedition records include a successful dead-of-winter North Pole expedition and the first solo ski expeditions to both of earth’s poles, will inspire delegates in Tromsø-the world’s “Polar Headquarters”-with real-world guidance in preparing for and managing risks, dealing with adversity, tolerating change, innovative thinking and re-defining and achieving success.
These pioneers will be joined by additional keynote presenters and a combined field of approximately 40 trend setters and industry experts representing diverse business disciplines. Summit conference sessions are geared toward giving market professionals tools to grow and improve their businesses, professionalizing and promoting adventure travel worldwide, and increasing business-to-business networking and collaboration. In addition, the Summits will address regional business needs and address common, cultural and environmental sustainability issues impacting the world today.
Expected to draw 500-600 delegates, the ATTA’s ATWS-South America agenda will emphasize:
- Practical tools for day-to-day business decisions;
- Focus on operations, guide support and recruitment, publicity, industry best practices;
- Connecting incoming companies with Brazilian and South American partners in a marketplace environment; and
- Top-level trends and research for future planning.
In Norway, the ATTA expects approximately 300-350 executives from around the world, with higher levels of participation expected from North American, European and African markets. In addition to small, dialogue-based sessions focusing on visionary, strategic, big-picture organization and systemic issues today and for the future, heavy agenda emphasis includes:
- Peer-to-peer executive level networking, both structured and informal;
- Market research and trends;
- In-depth sessions with a special emphasis on marketing and sales;
- International partnership development; and
- Adventure travel as a vector of sustainable development.
Considered the global adventure travel industry’s most strategic conferences, the ATTA’s 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits, which follow on the heels of its 2005, 2006 and 2007 widely acclaimed Summits in North America, take the professional gathering to new markets to increase the worldwide connectivity of the adventure travel industry. Early-release Summit information, including more complete agendas for each Summit event, delegate registration fees, and special transportation and accommodation packages for each Summit, is available at http://www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com/.
Major Sponsors of the ATTA (http://www.adventuretravel.biz/)-a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and sustainably growing the adventure travel market-and both 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits include: Brazil Tourism, ExOfficio travel clothing, Innovation Norway, Men’s Journal magazine, and W.L. Gore and Associates. Key Sponsors include Adventure Central, Alpine Tourist Commission, Best of the Alps, Chile, National Geographic Adventure.
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2008 Adventure Travel World Summit – Europe
October 21-25 (pre- and post-Summit adventure activities, FAM and press tours to be announced)
Aboard Hurtigruten’s MS Midnatsol, an expedition passenger ship, the 08 ATWS-E will make this networking conference one of the most innovative and productive that the adventure travel industry has experienced. Starting in Tromsø, the world’s “Polar Headquarters”, Summit delegates will enjoy a working (and playing) four day voyage, with several port stops and closing in Bergen.
2008 Adventure Travel World Summit – South America
September 3-6 (Adventure activities, FAM and press tours start September 7th)
The Immigrants Pavillion (Pavilhão Imigrantes)
The 08 ATWS-SA is co-located with Brazil’s thriving trade and consumer event—the Adventure Sports Fair, which draws thousands of companies and is expected to receive more than 70,000 consumers visiting the event.
South America, Europe To Host ATTA 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today announced it will host two distinct Adventure Travel World Summits in 2008 on two continents. Each will: improve industry-wide access to networking; increase business-to-business marketplace opportunities; provide world-class learning and address regional business needs along with addressing common, global issues aimed at sustainable growth.
