Smart Meetings

The natives of Alaska call the transition between winter and spring the “breakup,” because the thaw tears apart huge chunks of ice that have formed over lakes and rivers.

Not long after this time of raging water, the first wildflowers poke through the mud. The first bears awaken from hibernation. And, with too little fanfare, the season’s first cruise ships stream into port. And by September, more than a million people from “outside,” as the locals call it—among them many business groups and conventioneers—will pay their visit, then fly or sail away again, leaving the state’s hardy citizens to brave the winter’s long nights without them.

Alaska is divided into five regions. The Southcentral region, containing Anchorage and Valdez, is the jumping-off point into the rest of the state. Fanning out clockwise from the Southcentral region, the Southwest region extends westward across Kodiak Island and all the way to the western tip of the Aleutian Islands. The Interior region is home to Fairbanks, due north of Anchorage and also Denali National Park and Preserve. The aptly-named Far North region includes Nome, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska with Prudhoe Bay just to the east. Finally, continuing clockwise to the southeast, is the Inside Passage, comprising hundreds of islands and fiords along with Juneau, the state’s capital, Sitka and Ketchikan.

 In Alaska, you can plan a full day’s worth of meetings, throw in some hiking, kayaking, whale watching, bird watching, fishing, glacier exploring, and then move on to the seafood feasts and evening parties. You’d be surprised what kind of stamina people show when the sun never sets. Of course, the summer has its costs: the price of a hotel room and three meals a day goes up by about $100−$150 per person, on average. So when else to go?

Most planners regard the winter season with a certain wariness (understandable, given the highs in the 20s and the 7−8 hour days), but the fact is, winter in Alaska gets a bum rap. An Alaskan winter has all sorts of romantic delights, including top-notch skiing (often on lighted slopes) and sleigh rides, as well as fantastic nightly light shows courtesy of Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights.

 And if you want an unforgettable teambuilding experience, try taking your group to Alaska in the dead of winter. Still not your cup of tea? Then consider holding a meeting during Alaska’s shoulder seasons, late March through May and September through October. The city of Anchorage averages 55-degree highs in May and September—with temps in the mid-60s in between. The prices are lower and your group will have nearly the whole state to themselves. Whenever you choose to come, take heart: few southlanders can pass up the chance to see the largest state in the U.S., which has a strong reputation as a must-see-if-only-once-in-a-lifetime destination. 

Good web sites for more information include alaska.com, operated by the Anchorage Daily News; travelalaska.com, run by the Alaska Travel Industry Association; and alaskainfo.org, run by the Southeast Alaska Tourism Council.

Getting There

The primary airline serving the state is Alaska Airlines (alaskaair.com), though several other carriers also fly into Anchorage and Fairbanks. Seattle serves as the state’s major link to the “Lower 48.”

Several cruise liners make voyages to Alaska; alaskatravel.com/alaska-cruises.

The Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System also offers several options (dot.state.ak.us/amhs/) for arrival by boat.

Not To Be Missed

Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs Resort (chenahotsprings.com), 65 miles north of Fairbanks, can’t be beat. This four-room structure is made entirely of ice.

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