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.
Québec Province Wins Bid to Host ATTA’s 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit
Marketing, Networking & Best Practices to Drive the 2009 Summit Agenda
Extending its reach into South America and Europe in 2008, the ATTA, now a nearly 500-member trade group representing 51 countries, returns to its North American roots in 2009 after a six month bidding process. With the ATTA’s foundation and largest membership base is in North America, it will continue to maximize its strength on this continent by connecting it with the global market and vice versa.
ATTA’s trade-only conference venue and date will be announced in December 2008. ATTA made its destination host choice shortly after its 2008 adventure travel trade conferences in Brazil and Norway which attracted a total of nearly 1,000 delegates.
For 2009, Québec won the bid for the estimated 600-delegate gathering primarily because of its active involvement in the ATTA for more than two years, a strong on-the-ground association partner in Aventure Ecotourisme Québec (AEQ), its world-class conference venue options, and access to compelling nature-based and cultural adventure travel product, including its Northernmost territory of Nunavik. Its geographic location also served as a tremendous advantage as it will enable the ATTA to make its Summit more accessible than ever before to adventure travel professionals on the East Coast of Canada and the U.S. In addition to financial sponsorship, Québec’s proposal also included substantial commitment to cooperative marketing efforts, discounts with accommodations, air transport and adventure tour options for Summit delegates.
“Québec clearly recognizes the value of serving as host to the Adventure Travel World Summit, as it brings to the province a large contingent of travel industry influencers and media,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “When it comes to promotion and tourism strategies, Tourisme Québec understands that by assembling the global adventure travel community it is more strongly positioned as an adventure travel destination, and it gives the province a powerful opportunity to showcase its adventure travel product to the media and potential buyers.”
Previous venues have included Seattle (2005-2006), Whistler, B.C., Canada (2007), Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008), and Norway (2008). ATWS events 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. With the ATWS, the ATTA and its Summit delegates influence the manner in which adventure travel is introduced, executed and sustained in any given destination worldwide – encouraging the industry to adopt sustainability and best practices that give back to the people and places impacted by adventure travel.
Pursuing its strategy to host one World Summit annually, the ATTA will host its 2009 Summit in North America. In 2010 and beyond, the ATTA aims to host ATWS events outside North America in alternating years. Already well into the bidding process, the ATTA, once it has selected its 2010 host destination, will open the bidding process for its Adventure Travel World Summit events for 2011 (North America) and 2012 (outside North America).
Early Sponsors of the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit include Tourisme Québec, ExOfficio, W.L. Gore & Associates and Men’s Journal.
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market worldwide. ATTA Members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, travel agents/agencies, guides, lodges/resorts/attractions, media, and service providers. Host of the ATWS, the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost saving resources to its members.
