U.S. ALASKA: Glaciers & Networking

By Stefanie Gorder, CTP, DS

Alaska Bureau Chief

Glaciers & Networking
An awesome and cool fit

Glaciers cover 10% of the world’s land mass and 75% of our freshwater comes from glaciers. Most would agree that glaciers are magnificent rain or shine. They can be deep blue in color from compressed snow and ice and full of mystery. Constant change and motion define both networking and glaciers. They can be altered by changing climates and the movement and shapes adjust over long periods of time. While networking in Alaska is not as slow moving as many glaciers, it can be conducted in a unique glacial setting. The question to ponder is if the venue is filled with memory creating opportunities, is the business conducted of more or less value to the participants?

One of Alaska’s finest networkers lives in the agricultural and historical region known as Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Valley (http://www.alaskavisit.com/). As the Marketing Manager at their Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tammy Bruce’s role is to convince tour operators and consumers alike to include her destination in future travel plans. To convince Premier Alaska Tours (http://www.premieralaskatours.com/) to bring more visitors to her region, Tammy hosted me on a whirlwind day trip (product development is under my realm of responsibilities). One of the activities which she believed would be of interest to small groups was glacier trekking. Being born and raised in Alaska does not make me an adventurer as I admit the great outdoors and I do not see eye to eye. Upon arrival at the Matanuska Glacier, Tammy handed me a helmet and ski poles and my immediate reaction was to run. However, with crampons and a professional guide provided by Mica Guides (http://www.micaguides.com/) on hand to reassure me, we went trekking on this spectacular moving piece of ice. With crisp blue water pooling in small crevasses creating unique formations, the adventure was nothing short of fantastic!

Along our full day journey, we discussed the great and numerous glacial opportunities available throughout Alaska. Would combining a day cruise with gray whales and puffin sightings with the wonders of a river raft bobbling amongst ice bergs go hand in hand with a glacial trek? Upon visual inspection, only ten percent of an iceberg shows above water meaning the main mass of these giant pieces of ice lie below the water’s surface.

Tammy’s strength is in not the selfish promotion of her own destination but realizing that selling all of Alaska will allow her destination to benefit. Therefore, ten percent of her day was spent convincing me that this region would tie in with existing tour product and the rest of the day she left to me to discover the beauty of this vast area as it unfolded around every corner. Now, Premier Alaska Tours features the Matanuska Susitna Valley in numerous tour programs (and much more than 10 percent).

Various types of glaciers, various networking opportunities

Group networking at its finest happened when Alaska played host to the Travel Alliance Partners, LLC annual TAP Dance conference. One of the main networking events was aboard the 26 Glacier Cruise (http://www.26glaciers.com/), a phenomenal cruise through the calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound. Guests come face to face with towering masses of ice, migratory whales and scenery that take the breath away! Imagine conducting business over beverages filled with ice thousands of years old and where the thundering sound of calving glaciers, make conversation come to a standstill.

Creating a venue where businesses can benefit through idea building intermingled with the “fun factor” is how TAP conducts their day to day operations. It goes without saying that an organization that works in cooperation with others will be successful and TAP is on the right course. The goal is to cross promote tour products to gain higher revenues through sharing client bases & product. With having hosted their prestigious conference, Alaska has gained valuable exposure and is reaping the rewards of greater in-bound group tour business.

TAP (Travel Alliance Partners, LLC) is a partner-owned organization of 34 premier tour operators in the United States and Canada. The company continues to stride forward according to its business philosophy of networking by establishing partnerships based in respect, reciprocity and reward (http://www.travelalliancepartners.com/).

Bobbling amongst icebergs or people …

Networking in the travel industry doesn’t always need to be with travel professionals. Consumers can offer a unique look into product awareness, especially in a destination where one saves for a lifetime to visit. One summer I was provided tickets aboard the world famous Alaska Railroad (http://www.akrr.com/) to experience a backcountry wilderness rail excursion combined with a scenic float trip on Spencer Lake. I was just slightly nervous when the conductor announced it was time to disembark the rail when all I could see was remote wilderness out the window. I was about to enter bear and moose habitat however this time, I was well prepared since I had read the brochure in advance! With our adventure guide we boarded a rubber raft and were led on a gentle float trip. I was mesmerized by the raft bobbling in Spencer Lake completely surrounded by stunning vistas and enormous icebergs. It was completely different than the glacial trek or large boat experience. I enjoyed myself as much as my raft mates, who were mostly visitors checking Alaska off their bucket list. This networking opportunity allowed me to listen to the visitor perception of the experience and bring immediate new product to Premier’s tour operation. The venue can strengthen networking opportunities immensely whether it is in or out of the comfort zone.

While competition exists in Alaska, the low population counts mean that everyone in all industries must play together nicely or risk being an outcast. If this concept was embraced around the world, imagine how truly rewarding life would be. While glacial networking might be unique to the great state of Alaska, the concept can be adapted to other environments with success.

For more information on group glacier treks, day cruises & adventures, contact any of the quality service providers noted in this article.

Next month: meet an Alaska legend, four time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser.
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Stefanie Gorder, ctp, ds

marketingCents
Email: Stefanie@marketing-Cents.com
Twitter: @StefanieGorder

Premier Alaska Tours, Inc.
Email: Stefanie@tourAlaska.net
Twitter: @PremierAlaska
Web: www.PremierAlaskaTours.com

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U.S. ALASKA: Glaciers & Networking

U.S., ALASKA: Welcome to My Alaska!

by Stefanie Gorder, CTP, DS

Alaska Bureau Chief

Welcome to My Alaska - A selfish promotion of the Great Land

Alaska! An expansive land framed by unparalleled scenery. A place where wildlife comfortably roam through lush green valleys as well as civilized cities. A destination one-fifth the size of the United States, where caribou outnumber people.

Whenever I mention I’m from Alaska, the questions come quickly from left and right. So, let’s just start with a basic understanding of our great state so that you will accept a personal invitation to read MY monthly article. The intent is to provide insight into Alaska travel, northern networking opportunities and introduce the world to the hottest people in the coolest state by bringing a personal perspective through not just stories, but also photos! Knowledge is power and having power makes what seems to be impossible actually possible.

Alaska. Where is that?
Depending on the television show, Alaska could border Canada or Mexico (watch the morning national weather shows and see how Hawaii and Alaska are often to the left of Mexico and you’ll know what I’m talking about). Alaskans know we are a short three hour flight north of Seattle Washington and very accessible via air, cruise ship and land. Head North… North to Alaska!

Alaska. Does anyone live there?
Absolutely! With over 571,950 square miles of land, Alaska has a population of about 683,000. Anchorage is the most cosmopolitan city with over 260,000 residents enjoying a lifestyle typical of any “lower 48” city.

Alaska. Why do people live there?
Great question! There are a few typical stories on what brings folks to this part of the nation.

1. Military. Alaska plays an important role in the safety of our nation and we are a very transient state. My parents came up in 1964 (after the BIG earthquake) and never left. It’s a very typical story.

2. In hiding. Some people just can’t play nicely with others and Alaska seems to be a great destination for alternative lifestyles. Even today, people move north to the wilderness desiring to live off of the land. Think camping with modern day amenities a great distance away. The so called “rat race” does not exist anywhere in Alaska and this calm style of living is appealing to many. Everyone in Alaska knows someone who has a cabin with no running water. This is not the life I lead as indoor plumbing remains at the top of my list of “necessities”.

3. Industry. Whether it be oil, fishing, timber or tourism, Alaska is a great place for big and small business. As an entrepreneurial state, it’s a great place to make a difference and thrive. This is the northern spirit that keeps my family here.

Just click on the Logo above for a no-strings TEST DRIVE

Alaska. What about that weather?
Contrary to a popular myth, we are not in the land of cold and ice year-round. In fact, mid-westerners often remark how their temperature is much colder than Anchorage during the winter season. Now move further north into Alaska’s harsh arctic region and WOW is it cold! That’s why we run away to Hawaii, Arizona or Mexico during the winter months.

Alaska. It’s in the news a lot lately.
Yes we are!!!!….and it’s best to let the national media outlets continue their crazy frenzy alone. We have our ties to wildlife interactions and famous Alaskans involved in politics but you won’t be reading a great deal about those subjects here. We are about networking. We are about expanding our horizons. We are fact based … with a little fun thrown in.

Alaska. The WOW factor (or facts to impress your family over the dinner table).
· Alaska has areas that have over 24 hours of daylight during the summer months.
· Alaska has areas that have over 24 hours of night during the winter months.
· Alaska has over 3 million lakes and is the only state to have coastlines on three different seas (Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea).
· Alaska has 29 volcanoes (the most recent being Mt. Redoubt, which erupted March 22, 2009 and is still active).
· Alaska’s record high temperature in 1915 was 100 degrees and record low temperature was minus 78.
· Alaska’s record snowfall in 24 hours was 62 inches and record snowfall in a year was 974 inches near Valdez.

Alaska. The FUN factor.
· If Alaska were cut in half, Texas would be the third largest state.
· It would take 10 Illinois’s to fill the land mass of Alaska.
· Alaska comes in first in the national consumption of ice cream.
· Alaska comes in second (only to Hawaii) in the consumption of Spam.
· Alaska is the only state name that can be spelled on one line of a standard keyboard.

Alaska. Historically speaking.
It’s fantastic to be invited into The National Networker family during Alaska’s 50th Birthday Celebration! William Henry Seward was Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln when he began negotiating a deal for the United States to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million or 2 cents an acre. The purchase agreement was signed by Seward on March, 30, 1867, and approved by the U.S. Senate May 27, 1867. President Andrew Johnson signed the final treaty the following day and the transfer was made Oct. 18, 1867, in Sitka. In 1917, the third Alaska Territorial Legislature created Seward's Day to mark the signing of the treaty. That same year, lawmakers also designated Oct. 18 "Alaska Day." Alaska was first a district, becoming an organized territory on August 24, 1912. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
Consider this the official invitation to explore Alaska with a real Alaskan. Watch for our monthly article and if there are specific topics you would like to be intertwined into our writings, please send those ideas to Stefanie@marketing-Cents.com.

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Stefanie Gorder, ctp, ds
marketingCents

Anchorage, AK
Stefanie@marketing-Cents.com

www.PremierAlaskaTours.com

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Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. All rights reserved.
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To subscribe for your free TNNW Newsletter, go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/ For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/

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U.S., ALASKA: Welcome to My Alaska!