Virtual Conference
Go International
Indigenous Tourism in the Global Marketplace
April 21-22, 2026
The American Indigenous Tourism Association's annual Go International training conference is a premier two-day virtual event that introduces Indigenous-owned businesses to international markets and equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to price, package, and sell their tourism products to markets overseas.
Indigenous tourism professionals, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs will gather virtually to:
- Learn from expert speakers throughout the national and international tourism industry
- Connect and network around shared vision and goals for business, Native Nations, communities, and tourism development
- Advance and develop their businesses, careers, and tourism ventures
- Gain practical understanding of international market participation and requirements
Join us to expand your reach, build meaningful industry connections, and prepare your business for the global tourism marketplace.
Speakers
Alyssa Aledo
Alyssa Aledo is Regional Manager of Tour Operations & Product Development for Pacific Alaska Tours (Alaska Independent Coach Tours). With nearly 20 years in hospitality, tourism, and transportation, she leads tour development and logistics across Southcentral Alaska with a statewide perspective.
Sandy Borowsky
Sandy Borowsky is Executive Vice President and third-generation owner of Starr Bus Charter & Tours, overseeing tour development, partnerships, marketing, and customer experience for the family-owned company serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Central New Jersey.
Gail Chehak
Gail Chehak, a Klamath Tribal citizen, serves as the Community and Partner Relations Director for the American Indigenous Tourism Association. She cultivates partnerships supporting the association’s programs, members, and tribal tourism leaders. She co-authored a Native Peoples of the NW traveler's guide.
Colleen Coleman
As the Community Navigator Project Director for the American Indigenous Tourism Association, Colleen Coleman leads an initiative with the U.S. Forest Service, helping Native Nations and communities access resources that support forestry, cultural tourism, and land stewardship planning.
Brian Dickson
Brian Dickson, founder and principal of Bus Business Consultants, brings nearly 30 years of leadership in transportation and multi-site service operations. A former Walt Disney World Transportation general manager, he now advises leaders on growth, transition, safety, operational excellence, and performance.
Stephen Ekstrom
Stephen Ekstrom is CEO and co-founder of Learn Tourism, a nonprofit academy. With more than 25 years in tourism, he advances tourism development, education, and sustainable economies. A lifelong learner, he holds certifications from USF, Brown University, and Harvard Business School.
Tyler Gomes
Tyler Iokepa Gomes of Maunawili, Oahu, is chief administrator of Kilohana at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, leading destination stewardship in Hawaii’s visitor industry. A former deputy director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, he also worked at Elemental Excelerator and was a public defender.
Eileen Gutierrez
Eileen Gutierrez is an Account Executive at WeTravel, helping small businesses grow with the platform. With 20-plus years in tourism development, she has supported community-based tourism across Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and North Dakota, and is passionate about helping travel businesses thrive.
Geri Hongeva
Geri Hongeva (Navajo) is the Tribal Content Developer for the American Indigenous Tourism Association, where she helps Native Nations and communities market their tourism destinations. She has over two decades of experience promoting travel on the Navajo Nation and supporting cultural tourism initiatives.
Vanessa Kanegai
Vanessa Kanegai is a communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience working with leading marketing and PR agencies across the hospitality and consumer lifestyle sectors. She has led strategy for hotels, resorts, destinations, and culinary brands, and founded The Avaka Collective in 2019.
Dee Kansiime
Dee Kansiime is the Operations Manager at Learn Tourism, overseeing tourism learning programs for destinations and Indigenous partners worldwide. He works with leaders and operators to create practical training that helps communities prepare bookable experiences for domestic and global markets.
Jason Morsette
Jason Morsette has served for 13 years as Special Projects Guide with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation Tourism Office in New Town, North Dakota. He works to welcome visitors to the reservation while sharing the history, culture, stories, and way of life of the MHA people over the generations.
Eva Mossberg
Eva Mossberg is the Regional Business Development & Partnerships Manager at the Adventure Travel Trade Association. With 30-plus years in tourism, she blends field experience, global trade expertise, and cross-cultural insight to help communities build resilient and authentic tourism partnerships.
Catherine Prather
Catherine Prather is president of the National Tour Association, a community of professionals focused on packaged travel. She joined NTA in 1994 and has dedicated her career to the travel industry. She also serves on the Tourism Cares Board and previously served on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Bruce Rettig
As the American Indigenous Tourism Association’s Research and Outreach Manager, Bruce Rettig builds partnerships with tribes, government, and the tourism industry to advance Indigenous tourism, including work on historic trails and the ongoing development of Destination Native America.
Ben Rome
Ben H. Rome is senior director of content at the American Bus Association and a communications strategist with nearly 30 years of experience in storytelling, narrative design, and brand development. Since joining in 2024, he has led digital, publication, press, and crisis communications, earning more than 25 industry awards.
Sherry L. Rupert
Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) is the chief executive officer of the American Indigenous Tourism Association and a national advocate for Indigenous tourism. With nearly 25 years of leadership, she advances travel as an economic driver for Native Nations and communities across the U.S. and its territories.
Tara Saunders
Tara Saunders, a member of the Qalipu First Nation, is the Director of Business Development at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, where she advances tools and initiatives that strengthen Indigenous tourism across Canada. She previously led culture and tourism development for Qalipu First Nation.
Lisa Simon
Lisa Simon is the CEO and executive director of the International Inbound Travel Association, the U.S. trade group advancing international inbound travel. She also leads The Simon Connection, LLC. A 35-year tourism and association leader, she previously served as president of the Tour Association.
Dawnielle Tehama
Dawnielle Tehama, a Modoc tourism professional and enrolled citizen of the Klamath Tribes, serves as Education and Business Development Director with the American Indigenous Tourism Association, advancing Indigenous tourism, stewardship, and partnerships with Native Nations and communities.
Roni Weiss
Roni Weiss is executive director of Travel Unity, a nonprofit that helps the travel industry welcome people of all backgrounds and identities. He led the creation of the first travel industry standards for inclusive practices, and he oversees certification programs, consulting projects, and the Alliance.
Registration Options
Full Conference: $350
One Day Pass - April 21, 2026: $175
One Day Pass - April 22, 2026: $175
Important Dates
Final Presentation Materials Due: April 6, 2026
Conference Dates: April 21-22, 2026
More Information
About the American Indigenous Tourism Association
Our Mission
To define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indigenous Tourism that honors traditions and values.
Since 1998, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has worked to correct long-standing inequities in the tourism system—empowering Native Nations to tell their own stories, on their own terms. Led by an all-Native board of directors, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is the unified voice for the $11.6 billion Indigenous hospitality sector, championing tourism as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, economic development, and community pride.
The American Indigenous Tourism Association is the national organization responsible for defining, introducing, growing, and sustaining American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values. The association provides strategic direction, coordination, and support for the development and promotion of Indigenous tourism across the United States.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Dawnielle Tehama, Education and Business Development Director.