News Release

Anchorage CVB Hires Andrea Schmidt as Convention Sales Manager

Anchorage, Alaska – Feb. 6, 2007 –Andrea Schmidt recently joined the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) as a convention sales manager. Schmidt’s territory will comprise the Midwest, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Madison and Des Moines.

Prior to working at ACVB, Schmidt was the assistant director of sales for Hilton Anchorage, the corporate sales manager at Alyeska Resort, and a regional sales manager in the cruise industry for 18 years.

As a convention sales manager at ACVB, Schmidt seeks out meetings that have the ability to choose Anchorage, based on size and availability, as a destination. Targeted groups include associations, incentive travel houses and company meetings. Schmidt develops relationships through sales calls, mailings, sales blitzes, lunches and attendance promoters.

“I enjoy turning people onto Anchorage as a destination,” says Schmidt. “Sometimes, clients need a little convincing. They think that the dream of coming to Alaska is beyond their reach. I let them know how accessible Anchorage is as a destination. Once we get them here on a familiarization trip, they love it!”

Schmidt has developed relationships with a number of organizations, including the American Massage Therapy Association, who plans to visit Anchorage this spring for a familiarization trip. She is also working with Neighborhoods USA, who plan to return to Anchorage in 2010. If booked, these conferences will have a significant economic impact for Anchorage.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.

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Media Contacts:

Laura Tanis
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
ltanis@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax

Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
nlarsen@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118 direct