Innovators & Influencers — a destination marketing organization (DMO) or convention and visitors bureau (CVB) deserving of a spotlight and applause. This special edition of Innovators & Influencers features Visit Mat-Su Valley and its involvement in the Arctic Winter Games.
 

Video by Jeremy Kasik, videographer


Since 1970, the Arctic Winter Games have served as a biennial celebration of sports, culture, and community; this was the first time that the event was held in the CVB’s region. The event brings together 2,000 athletes and 4,000 spectators, featuring traditional sports, like basketball and hockey, and culturally significant Arctic sports.

Casey Ressler headshot

It was really, really inspiring as a community to see everybody come together and the smiles on the kids' faces. I get a little goosebumps just thinking about it … it was just really inspiring to see what it did for our community.

Casey Ressler, CDME, President & CEO, Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau

This was Visit Mat-Su Valley’s first time working hand-in-hand to help organize an event of this magnitude. Its small team was heavily involved in working with 2,000 volunteers to pull off a successful event. The unity between the CVB and the locals showcased the strength of the community and left a lasting legacy — reinforcing the importance of cultural celebration and collaboration in creating unforgettable experiences.

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