Alaska to Make Presence Known at Seatrade

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell has informed members of Alaska ACT that he will attend the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami trade show and conference March 15-18 to reinforce that Alaska is open for cruise business. Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami is an annual three-day conference and trade show attended by every major cruise line from around the world, as well as destinations and ports of call competing for their business.

Parnell will become the first Alaska governor in more than a decade to attend and participate in Seatrade. “We welcome the governor’s participation and are pleased that the governor has responded to the concerns that have been expressed by Alaskans who own businesses dependent on a healthy cruise industry,” said Alaska ACT President Bob Berto. “It’s been a number of years since Alaska had a major presence at Seatrade, and having the governor there just reinforces our message that Alaska is open for cruise and tourism business.”

“Tourism is Alaska’s second-largest industry and the cruise sector is a very significant component,” said Susan Bell, special assistant to Parnell. “The governor recognizes the significant contributions the cruise industry makes to Alaska’s economy and is committed to help reverse the decline in cruise visitors.”

Alaska ACT has teamed up with the Alaska Resource Development Council, Alaska State Office of Tourism, Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to make a big impression at this year’s Seatrade with a 400-square-foot booth in the exhibition hall. More than 25 delegates from Alaska ACT, the cities of Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines and Sitka, plus representatives from 19 private companies will be on hand to meet and greet attendees at the trade show.

Additionally, on March 17, members of the Alaska delegation will be taking part in a special panel discussion on “How tax and regulation policies impact local economies and industry.” This panel will discuss the lessons learned as a result of the Alaska ballot initiative that significantly increased taxes and environmental regulations on the cruise industry in Alaska.