Chamber News

Haines, Alaska - one of the Top 10!

Hundreds of spots around Alaska have unparalleled access to the outdoors, but only Haines has the Hammer Museum, one of the town's many quirks that has led to a thriving community of 2,000 kayakers, hikers, anglers and rafters. Though winter days are short--about six hours-they're filled with backcountry skiing at Chilkat Pass (Alaska Backcountry Outfitter, 907-766-2876) and dog-sledding among Itidarod and Yukon Quest competitors (Chilkoot Sled Dog Adventures, 907-766-3242) and capped with sightings of the Northern Lights. Plus, cozy restaurants including the Bamboo Room (907-766-2800) and lodgings like the Hotel Hälsingland (907-766-2000) stave off any seasonal-affective disorder. When it gets warmer, slip into Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on a kayak to explore the 65-mile long fjord and Y-shaped bay, dotted with islands and wildlife (Alaska Discovery, 800-586-1911). Glacier Bay also has rafting on class II and IV rapids while farther inland, 15,300-foot Mount Fairweather beckons to mountaineers. The adventure options are so many, you may not even have time for the Hammer Museum.

Haines was advertised in the following publications: Package Traveler Inside Magazine – September/October issue, Outside Go Magazine – Fall edition, RV West Magazine – September/October issue (in news stands in August), Sunset Magazine – September issue, Alaska Magazine – October issue. Also in the September issue of Alaska Magazine, the Eagle Festival and gathering phenomenon was featured on a full page.

ATIA organizes Alaska co-op pages in specific magazine publications. Haines will be participating in three of these in 2008: Sunset Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Outside Magazine. ATIA is also attending six consumer shows around the country and offer brochure distribution for members. Haines will be participating in this offer. The shows in which we will have brochure distribution are: Life @ 50+: AARP’s National Event & Expo in Boston, Adventures in Travel Expo: New York, Florida RV Supershow, Quartzsite Sport, Vacation & RV Show in Arizona, Adventures in Travel Expo: Long Beach, CA, and Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis, MN.

The CHARR Convention is scheduled to be in Haines in the fall of 2008. Exact dates for the Haines venue will be determined in the next few months and officially announced at the CHARR Board meeting in February, 2008.

Bidding procedures for the TIA Yukon Spring Conference have just been released. The specifics are being addressed and Haines will bid on the conference at the TIA Yukon Fall Round-up conference later in October.

The Juneau Leadership Organization is making plans to hold a conference in Haines on January 18, 2008. They are in the very beginning stages of their planning but anticipate approximately 25 – 30 delegates for their conference.

Made In Alaska has also been in touch with the Tourism Department regarding their plans to hold a workshop in Haines March 27, 2008. They also are in the beginning stages of making their workshop plans.

Alaska Extreme Sports is planning a skiing event the last week of March into the first week of April. The event looks to be approximately five to six days. Communication regarding this event is in the early stages and details are in the process of being organized but the event is already being promoted on their web site: Alaska Extreme Sports