Smart Meetings

The heritages of three cultures come together here: that of the centuries-old Tlingits; 19th-century Russia, and 19th- and 20th-century America. Sitka’s slice of Alaska’s historic legacy is rich; 24 attractions made the National Register of Historic Places, including seven National Historic Landmarks.

At the heart of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rain forest in the world, Baranof Island offers a relatively mild climate, exceptional salmon and halibut fishing, and wildlife viewing. Sitka’s January low-to-high is 29 to 38 degrees F and July’s is 51 to 61 degrees F.

The Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau (sitka.org) is so focused on catering to the meetings industry that they’ve come up with the VIP (Very Interested Planner) Club, featuring a menu of specific services for your group. They’re ready to provide you with a choice of attractive meeting spaces: The Harrigan Centennial Hall, a contemporary building overlooking Sitka Sound, can accommodate 500. It would be hard to top Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House, which can accommodate 200, for stunning Native-American ambience.

The Alaska Raptor Center in the Tongass National Forest will enable your group of up to 175 to meet an American bald eagle face to face. Allen Marine Tours will convey a group of up to 150 from among their 22-vessel fleet to a private cove or inlet, one of thousands in Alaska’s Inside Passage. To view all four resources, go to sitka.org and click on “planning professional at the top.

Notable among Sitka’s hotels is the Westmark Sitka (westmarkhotels.com), with 100 guest rooms and meeting facilities for up to 120. Sitka is also the jumping-off point for an exceptional retreat or incentive destination, the Talon Lodge (talonlodge.com).

Last November USA Today described this fishing getaway as the only 'luxury lodge in Alaska.' The proprietor—former Hilton Hotels exec Philip Younger—flies in nationally renowned chefs for special 4-day, 3-night packages. Only Hawaiian and Far-East restaurateur Sam Choi’s dates in September are still available for this year’s schedule.

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Getting There

Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; alaskaair.com) links Sitka daily to Juneau and Ketchikan with flights that then continue nonstop to Seattle and Anchorage.

To get to town from the airport or ferry dock, the Sitka Tours bus charges $6 one way. No reservations are needed.

Sitka Cab, at tel. 907/747-5001, is among three taxi companies in town; the ride from the ferry dock is around $15.

The airport has branches of Avis (tel. 800/230-4898 or 907/966-2404; avis.com) and North Star Rent-a-Car (tel. 800/722-6927 or 907/966-2552; northstarrentacar.com)

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Not To Be Missed

The Sitka Salmon Derby - occurs at the end of May and beginning of June; contact the Sitka Sportsman's Association (tel. 907/966-2281) for information.

The Sitka Summer Music Festival - 3 weeks in early summer (June 2-23, 2006). Contact the festival office for information (tel. 907/277-4852; www.sitkamusicfestival.org)

Alaska Day -  October 18. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has information.

The Sitka Grind - a music and arts celebration at varying sites around town, takes place the third Saturday of each month from October to March.

The Sitka WhaleFest (tel. 907/747-7964; sitkawhalefest.org) takes place over a weekend in early November, during the fall and early winter period when humpback whales congregate in Sitka Sound.

 

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