Each year, ATIA recognizes individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to serve Alaska’s visitors and the tourism industry. Awards are given for outstanding leadership, professional excellence, entrepreneurial creativity and/or exceptional community support. While not given every year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Stan Stephens Stewardship Award, and Visitor Industry Hall of Fame Award may be awarded based on nominations received.
2018 Industry Award Winners
Alyeska Award – Lazy Otter Charters, Whittier
This award is presented to a business or organization for its outstanding leadership, professional excellence and group contribution to the Alaska travel industry.
Chuck West Award – Alaska Photo Treks, Anchorage
It was Marguerite West’s intention to carry on the tradition and to honor her husband by funding this award, which is given to a new pioneer in the industry who has exhibited entrepreneurial creativity, innovation and courage in the introduction of a successful new product for the benefit and enjoyment of Alaska’s visitors.
Denali Award – Deb Hickok, Fairbanks
This award is presented to a living individual for his or her outstanding leadership, professional excellence and personal contribution to the Alaska travel industry.
Spirit of Alaska Award – Northern Alaska Tour Company, Fairbanks
This award is presented to an individual or business that has demonstrated exceptional efforts to support a local community, charity, or other organization outside the travel industry.
Stan Stephens Stewardship Award – Colleen Stephens, Valdez
This award commemorates the passion and dedication that Stan Stephens lived by in his commitment to safeguard a place he loved dearly. Stan was a meticulous steward of Prince William Sound, and after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, publicly declared that he would dedicate the rest of his life to making sure the area was protected. Recipients of this award, like Stan, have worked nobly and passionately over time to protect a place or resource or pursue a just cause that greatly benefits all of us in travel and tourism. The award is only presented during years when a qualified recipient has been nominated.
Special Recognition Award – UnCruise Adventures, Seattle
The special recognition award is granted periodically to an individual or business who has made substantial contributions to the tourism industry in Alaska. The recognition may be due to the individual’s personal efforts on behalf of the industry or through the efforts of a tourism related businesses that has positively enhanced Alaska tourism and travel.
Visitor Industry Hall of Fame – Steve Mahay, Talkeetna
The Visitor Industry Hall of Fame award is granted periodically to an individual who has demonstrated lifelong support of and leadership in Alaska tourism, promoted industry standards of excellence, and contributed to the industry’s growth.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dee Dee O’Brien, Anchorage
While not a standing annual award, this recognition is conferred upon an individual who has demonstrated lifelong support of and leadership in Alaska tourism, promoted industry standards of excellence, and contributed to the industry’s growth as a whole.
