12/01/04 AlaskaFest A Success/Press Release
News Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Dec. 1, 2004
AlaskaFest A Success
AlaskaFest kept Anchorage businesses bustling as statewide residents came out in droves to attend festivities held Oct. 15 – 31, 2004.
The Native American Music Award (NAMA) NAMMY Winner’s Showcase proved to be the premier event during AlaskaFest, attracting more than 1,000 people to the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center. The resonating voices and sounds of NAMMY winners Martha Redbone, Pamuya, Robert “Tree” Cody, Joseph Fire Crow, and many others celebrated Native America’s rich and diverse musical heritage at this one-night concert.
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) Convention Sales Manager Janine Oros-Amon said the event was such a success that Anchorage may play host to another showcase in 2005, as well as the NAMMYs in 2006.
Anchorage Downtown Partnership (ADP) Membership and Development Director, Cherri Spink, estimated 500 visitors graced the halls of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for the first Alaskan Women’s Art Fest. Spink also said more than 40 attended the Alaska Women’s Author Festival at Cook Inlet Books, and 60 attended the free showing of Jill Bess’s one-woman musical, “The Mommy Dance,” at Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse.
“The comments we received from the shoppers and visitors was that they loved the venue of the Performing Arts Center,” Spink said. “The venders were very happy with the space and the event, and are excited to return next year.”
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Communications Specialist, Emily Ford, said she believed the 2004 City of Lights Kick-Off Celebration was one of the most successful events in years, attracting 350 people. The lighting was televised live on KTUU during peak news hours. Ford wanted to thank the hundreds of volunteers who worked to string more than 250,000 lights across the Municipality of Anchorage.
AlaskaFest is a cooperative marketing effort between the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership (ADP).
Media Contacts:
Erika Siegel
Public Relations Manager
toll free: (800) 446-5352 x 331
direct: (907) 257-2331
esiegel@anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, APR
Director of Communications
toll free: (800) 446-5352 x 310
direct: (907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
