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Now entering its 28th year, the annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s Indigenous communities.
American Indigenous Tourism Conference
Indigenous Tourism is Sovereignty in Action
October 19-22, 2026
Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington hosted by The Tulalip Tribes
This year’s conference theme celebrates a powerful truth: Indigenous tourism is a living expression of sovereignty. Around the world, Native Nations continue to exercise their inherent right to govern themselves—protecting homelands, nurturing economic opportunity, and safeguarding the well-being of their citizens. These sovereign responsibilities extend naturally into the realm of cultural tourism.
True Indigenous tourism must be Native led. It must be guided by our people, supported by our consent, and rooted in our authority to decide which stories are shared—and how they are shared. No longer will our stories be told without us. Through Indigenous tourism, we uphold our cultural identities, define our own narratives, and strengthen our nations for generations to come.
As we gather at this year’s American Indigenous Tourism Conference, we honor the sovereignty of our Native Nations and celebrate the transformative role of tourism in advancing our self-determination. Indigenous Tourism is Sovereignty in Action—and together, we are creating a future where our cultures, communities, and stories thrive.
It’s an exciting time for travel and tourism in America’s Indigenous communities. The AITC is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s Indigenous communities and the energy is electric as we prepare to celebrate the 28th anniversary. Taking place from October 19-22, 2026, at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington, this is a must attend event for anyone looking to grow their presence in this vibrant industry.
Join more than 300 attendees for networking opportunities, high-level keynotes, and informative sessions led by top hospitality and tourism experts. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate and elevate Indigenous tourism!
Discover the Value of Attending the AITC
Are you interested in gaining invaluable insights into Indigenous Tourism? Look no further than the AITC – the perfect event for those looking to connect with fellow Tribal leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals in areas such as tourism, museums, fish and wildlife, parks and recreation and more. Even if you are not directly involved in the industry, media professionals and travel enthusiasts alike can benefit from attending this conference and learning more. The event also provides a fantastic networking opportunity for artisans and exhibitors who are interested in showcasing their products and services and forming valuable partnerships. So don’t wait, secure your spot today and take the first step towards advancing your career in American Indigenous Tourism that honors traditions and values!
Suggested AITC Attire Itinerary
As you prepare for the cultural workshops, AITC and Excellence In Indigenous Tourism Industry Awards Gala, we encourage you to plan your attire accordingly and consider the weather conditions. During mid October, temperatures range from daily highs of 68°F to 88°F and nightly lows of 47°F to 68°F.
In mid-October, Tulalip, Washington experiences cool autumn weather with daytime highs dropping into the upper 50s to low 60s (°F) and overnight lows into the low to mid 40s (°F). It is important to check the weather forecast before packing your bags and ensure you have appropriate attire.
Schedule at a Glance
Monday, October 19
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration & AIT Lounge Open
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Business of Art Seminar
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: AIT Board Meeting (Invite Only)
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: First Timers Orientation
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Welcome Reception (Hosted by the Tulalip Tribes)
Tuesday, October 20
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration & AIT Lounge Open
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Grand Entry & Opening Ceremony
Keynote: Jeanette Rousch, Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation, Brand USA
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Break – Native Art Market & Artist Demo #1
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM: Breakout Session 1
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM: Breakout Session 2
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch & Plenary Session
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Break – Native Art Market & Artist Demo #2
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM: Breakout Session 3
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Regional Meetings (Open to All)
Wednesday, October 21
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration & AIT Lounge Open
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM: Continental Breakfast & Annual Report to the Membership
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM: Breakout Session 4
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Break – Native Art Market & Artist Demo #3
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM: Cultural Workshops (Off-Site Tulalip and Lummi Nation Cultural Workshops)
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Breakout Session 5
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Cultural Tour Lunch Pickup
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM: On-Site Demonstrations and Workshops
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Gala Cocktail Hour & Networking
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards Gala & Silent Auction
Thursday, October 22
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration & AIT Lounge Open
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Welcome – Final Day
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Break – Native Art Market & Artist Demo #4
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM: Breakout Session 6
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM: Breakout Session 7
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch & Preview – AITC 2027 / Next Host Reveal
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM: General Session
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: The Heart Speaks: Eric Hernandez, Speaker, Hoop Dancer, The Lumbee Tribe
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing Session
Cultural Workshops: Learning Through Place and Community
New for 2026, the American Indigenous Tourism Conference is introducing Cultural Workshops, formerly known as Mobile Workshops, as part of the conference programming on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
These host-led experiences invite attendees to move beyond the conference venue and learn through place, food, story, song, and community. Each Cultural Workshop is shaped by what its hosts choose to share, creating opportunities for meaningful connection, reciprocal learning, and a deeper understanding of Indigenous tourism in practice.
Space is limited. Additional information about workshop timing, accessibility, and participant preparation will be shared as details are finalized.
Lummi Nation Cultural Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Hosted by: The Lummi Nation
Capacity: Up to 100 participants
Transportation: Round-trip motorcoach transportation from Tulalip Resort Casino
Travel from Tulalip to the Lummi Nation for a day grounded in Coast Salish history, hospitality, and community connection.
Tulalip Cultural Workshops
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Hosted by: The Tulalip Tribes
Transportation: Round-trip motorcoach transportation from Tulalip Resort Casino
Explore the culture, history, and sovereignty of the Tulalip Tribes through a selection of host-led experiences across the Tulalip Reservation. Attendees can choose from three Cultural Workshop opportunities.
Hotel & Travel Information
Make the most of your AITC experience by staying at the official conference venue, Tulalip Resort Casino, located in Tulalip, Washington, home of The Tulalip Tribes. A special conference rate of $159 per night (plus local taxes) is available for a Standard, Non-Smoking King room, providing both comfort and convenience just steps away from all conference activities.
To secure this discounted rate, reservations must be made by September 17, 2026. Staying at the conference hotel ensures easy access to sessions, networking opportunities, and the full AITC experience.
Sponsor Opportunities
Sponsoring the American Indigenous Tourism Conference is an incredible opportunity to support our mission of promoting and preserving the rich heritage of American Indigenous communities. By partnering with us, sponsors play a vital role in enabling us to lead important discussions and provide the necessary foundation for tribes and Indigenous communities to develop, introduce, grow, and sustain cultural tourism.
Through this sponsorship, you will not only make a tremendous impact on the tourism industry but also contribute to the economic empowerment and cultural preservation of these communities. Your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm will be recognized and celebrated as we work together to create a brighter future for American Indigenous tourism.
Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards
To recognize enterprises and individuals excelling in our industry, the American Indigenous Tourism Association honors Native Natives and communities’ travel and cultural tourism in nine categories. Awardees are formally recognized at the annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference hosted by the American Indigenous Tourism Association. The Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards Gala will be Oct. 21, at Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington.
Submission Portal for 2026 in now closed. We hope you submit in 2027!
Artist and Exhibitor Opportunities
If you're looking for a targeted marketing approach, a table at the American Indigenous Tourism Conference will provide you with direct access to 300+ tourism professions who attend this annual gathering.
Exhibitors are located in a highly trafficked conference area, allowing them to connect directly with attendees and share their marketing and promotional materials.
In addition to showcasing their work at the Native Art Market, artisans also receive complementary admission to the Business of Art seminar, which includes educational sessions on marketing and promotion for Native artists.
Business of Art Seminar
This seminar, held on Oct. 19 at AITC in Tulalip, Washington, is designed to help tribes develop or expand their artist programs and to provide professional development for artists.
Sessions include marketing, pricing, working with galleries, museums, trade shows and markets. Hear from Native Nations and communities who have developed successful programs and get tips on how to market to the visitors of your homelands.
Cultural Workshops
Experience Indigenous culture, hospitality, and place through immersive, host-led workshops on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Space is limited, so visit the registration page to explore the experiences and reserve your spot.
Support Our Scholarship Program
Supporting the American Indigenous Tourism Association Scholarship Program through the silent auction is a meaningful way to invest in the future of Indigenous tourism and cultural preservation. By contributing to the auction, you help provide critical financial assistance to Indigenous students pursuing degrees in hospitality, tourism, and related fields. These students are the next generation of leaders who will strengthen tribal economies, celebrate cultural heritage, and bring authentic Indigenous voices to the tourism industry. Your support not only empowers students to achieve their academic and career goals but also reinforces our mission to elevate American Indigenous tourism through education and community engagement.
There are also other ways you can support this wonderful cause! See all the ways you can support the American Indigenous Tourism Association. For more information on the silent auction, or to make a cash donation to the Scholarship Program, please contact Ariel Richardson, Office Manager by email or call (505) 724-3592.
Keynote Speakers
Sherry L. Rupert(opens in new tab)
Chief Executive Officer
American Indigenous Tourism Association
Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) is CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association and has nearly 25 years of experience advancing Indigenous tourism. She leads the only national association dedicated to Indigenous tourism, advocating for tourism as an economic driver for Native Nations and communities across the U.S. and its territories. Rupert serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, the National Park Service Advisory Board Tourism Committee, and the board of Destination Original Indigenous Tourism. She previously served as president of AIT's Board of Directors and helped secure passage of the NATIVE Act. In 2025, she led AIT’s transition to its current name. Rupert holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Janette Roush
Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation
Brand USA
As Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation at Brand USA, Janette spearheads AI-driven strategies to enhance tourism marketing, streamline internal operations, and foster innovation for the benefit of both Brand USA and the broader U.S. travel industry. She joined Brand USA from New York City Tourism + Conventions, where she oversaw the organization’s paid media strategy, programs and media insights to drive visitation across the five boroughs. Prior to joining NYC Tourism, she spent more than two decades marketing Broadway at organizations such as Broadway.com and AKA NYC.
The Heart Speaks
Eric Hernandez
Speaker, Hoop Dancer
The Lumbee Tribe
Eric Hernandez, a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, is a world-renowned Native American hoop dancer with more than 20 years of experience. Mentored by Terry Goedel, Eric's skills took center stage as the lead in Cirque du Soleil's Totem, touring over 17 countries. A recent TEDx speaker, his mission is to challenge stereotypes and spread ancestral wisdom about Native Americans through the art of hoop dance. Now, Eric brings his story to the screen as the writer and director of Courage, a powerful short film inspired by his real-life journey of learning hoop dance from his Uncle Terry. Courage is a tribute to the strength of cultural storytelling and the importance of reclaiming identity through tradition.
Emcee
Emcee Leroy “Buster” Silva
Executive Director
Laguna Community Foundation
Leroy “Buster” Silva (Pueblo of Laguna) is the executive director of the Laguna Community Foundation, as well as a nonprofit champion, husband, father, educator, inspirational speaker, actor, and coffee connoisseur whose energy and confidence make him a natural fit for the stage. Buster specializes in turning conferences into memorable experiences. Whether he is moderating high-profile panels or leading an event as master of ceremonies, he brings an engaging presence that keeps audiences energized, connected, and tuned in throughout the program.
