Meet the Team

That knowledge isn’t just entertaining, it’s insightful; as Vice President Convention Sales, Jim has helped thousands of meeting planners plan successful events in Alaska and guided the convention sales team to exceed their goals. Jim spends his free time outdoors in Big Lake, Alaska, boating, snowmachining or firing up the BBQ.

 

 

 

Phone: 907-257-2327
Email: jdodds@anchorage.net

In the land of Oz, Julie Dodds would certainly be one of the wizards driving the success of the Visit Anchorage over the past 22 years. With a passion and dedication to sharing Anchorage’s Big Wild Life™, Julie collaborates with other departments, turning ordinary into extraordinary. From convention sales projects to assisting with media interviews, contributing to the Wild Review, the Destination Guide and collaborating on a variety of marketing collateral pieces. Serving as the “market expert” at both the local and national level, Julie brings enthusiasm and awareness to conventions in the Last Frontier. Washington D.C. is her primary market, so don’t be surprised if you see her walking down the streets of our nation’s capital. Her favorite pastimes include wildlife viewing, sewing, quilting and fishing.

 

Convention Sales Operations Manager
Phone: 907-257-2341
Email: cdeclue@anchorage.net

A jack of all trades, Cindi is a multi-talented, creative thinker who recognizes the important role conventions play in supporting the vibrant culture of Anchorage, Alaska’s metropolitan center within the wild. After several years in the banking industry, Cindi joined Visit Anchorage in 1992 and manages daily operations, budgeting, accounting and inventory. She also supervises administrative staff, trains Visit Anchorage employees on computer programs and assists the vice president. Gardening, baking, working on projects around the house or entering sweepstakes keep her busy outside the office. Like many Alaskans, Cindi arrived “just for the summer” 33 years ago to work at a cannery in Southeast Alaska, stayed 4½ years, and met her significant other at a convention in Anchorage - now that’s networking!

 

Phone: 907-257-2317

Email: aschmidt@anchorage.net

The midnight sun in Alaska lends extra hours of daylight to all kinds of activities and Andrea takes advantage of the extra rays tending to her flowers and veggies or walking her dogs, Lulu and Bugg. As with many Alaskans, skiing, hiking, biking, salmon and trout fishing are all part of her way of life. Learning to cook Chinese cuisine might present a challenge for some, but not Andrea. Her savvy style and willingness to try new activities and learn how things work while maintaining long term relationships in the industry has helped her remain a frontrunner who looks after the Midwest states - Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

 

 

Start with the elegance and graceful rhythms of strings at the Anchorage Symphony, add one part local acoustic duo and stir in a healthy dose of sports enthusiasm cheering on the Alaska Aces hockey team, golfing, camping, backpacking and berry picking. Blend that all together and allow to rise over 34 years in Alaska, and you’ll start to get a sense of the energy that drives this mother of three to success. Dawn keeps a busy schedule and knows that meeting planners rely on Visit Anchorage for efficiency and excellent follow through. She brings her talents and positive attitude to convention sales in the southwest United States; Dawn’s region stretches from California through Texas to Louisiana and Arkansas. 

 

 

Phone: 907-257-2376
Email: hthomas@anchorage.net

 

Helen moved to Alaska for an adventure and got one. It’s been more than 22 years since that first trip to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, but the adventures didn’t end when she left the Aleutian Islands; she’s still kayaking, fishing, biking and exploring the trails of Anchorage with her dogs. Work in convention sales with one of Anchorage’s downtown hotels and several years on the board of a California chamber of commerce have given her business savvy and the connections that make selling Anchorage a breeze. Helen says working with local partners and learning about different groups, their challenges and what brings them all together is what she loves the most about working for Visit Anchorage, and as sales manager for the Northeastern U.S., she definitely has the opportunities. If she’s not at the desk, you may find her hanging out at the cabin or on the open road exploring Alaska in the motor home.

 

 

 

Magda was born and raised in Germany, lived in Greece and England. She worked in the tourism industry in England and got her first experience working in the USA at the American Consulate in Munich. From there she finally found her way to Alaska. Magda has been employed by Visit Anchorage since July 1999 and works with State Associations, State Departments, Religious Organizations and various other groups to find meeting space and accommodations for their events. She also makes sure attendees get supplied with the helpful conference materials Visit Anchorage provides.

Phone: 907-257-2336
Email: mgeils@anchorage.net

 

An active Alaskan who spends summers fishing, kayaking or boating in Prince William Sound, Marlene also enjoys cooking up feasts for the friends she has made over the years. When winter arrives Marlene is right at home skiing downhill the advanced terrain at Alyeska Resort. As their former director of sales, she knows the mountain well. Keeping her eye on the Pacific Northwest, Utah and Colorado, Marlene knows firsthand the importance of balancing work and pleasure to achieve optimal results. Conventions that incorporate both elements are a perfect way to build stronger teams and push companies forward to their next level of success and future growth. She has been in Alaska since 1985.

 

 

Shelli Stanton
Convention Sales Manager
Phone: 907-276-4118 or 1-888-257-2381 ext. 313
Email: sstanton@anchorage.net

Born and raised in Alaska, this “Hock-cer-ball” (hockey, soccer, baseball) mom of two is active year round with hiking, skiing, fishing and hanging at the cabin. Responsible for the Southeast (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) Shelli keeps her focus on track. Her favorite Alaska activity is hunting with her husband.

 

 

 

 

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Ashleigh Hill
Convention Sales & Service Assistant
Phone: 907-257-2335
Email: ahill@anchorage.net

It has only been a few years since Ashleigh left Oklahoma for the Last Frontier, but she's already well on her way to exploring every corner of the state. In the office, she helps keep things running smoothly for Visit Anchorage's sales managers in the western United States. When the day is done, odds are you will find her out on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or scouting a new hike with her husband and their dog Sully.

 

 

 

 

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Kimberly Kellar
Convention Sales & Service Assistant
Phone: 907-257-2343
Email: kkellar@anchorage.net 

Kimberly knows Alaska from the ground up, literally! Just ask her about her collection of meteorites, minerals and fossils. Principally responsible for supporting Anchorage convention sales efforts east of the Mississippi River and overseas, she brings a wealth of experience from her work state governments, advertising, accounting and sales. Kimberly is active in community organizations including the Alaska Veterans Museum and MY House. Camping and photography round out her time in Alaska, after all, the state's geological wonders don't always fit on the shelf like rock samples!