Virtual Conference

April 21-22, 2026

Go International

Indigenous Tourism in the Global Marketplace

Call for Speakers

The American Indigenous Tourism Association is seeking dynamic speakers for our annual Go International training conference. This premier two-day virtual event 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

Who We're Looking For

We seek engaging speakers with proven expertise in:

International tourism (B2B and B2C)

Product development and packaging for global markets

Indigenous and cultural tourism practices

Market readiness strategies and implementation

Digital marketing and sales to international audiences

Operations and business development for tourism enterprises

Ideal speakers include tour operators, destination marketing professionals, Indigenous tourism practitioners, international buyers, digital marketing experts, cultural tourism consultants, and business development specialists.

Theme Tracks & Topic Areas

We are seeking proposals across the following tracks:

1. INTERNATIONAL MARKET READINESS FUNDAMENTALS

Market readiness assessment tools and frameworks
Understanding international traveler expectations and quality standards
Building operational capacity for international visitors
Language accessibility and cross-cultural communication
Compliance and legal considerations for international business

2. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & PACKAGING

Creating bookable, scalable tourism products
Packaging authentic Indigenous experiences for international markets
Developing compelling itineraries that showcase culture and place
Seasonal programming and yield management

3. B2B MARKET ACCESS & DISTRIBUTION

Building relationships with international tour operators and wholesalers
Understanding distribution channels, commission structures, and contracts
Trade show strategies and maximizing ROI
Creating effective sales materials and hosting FAM tours
Contract negotiation essentials and terms of trade
Working with DMOs, CVBs, and tourism boards

4. B2C DIGITAL MARKETING & DIRECT SALES

Direct-to-consumer booking platforms and strategies
Social media marketing for international audiences
Online reputation management (TripAdvisor, Google, review platforms)

5. AUTHENTIC STORYTELLING & CULTURAL INTEGRITY

Developing authentic cultural narratives for marketing
Protecting sacred knowledge while engaging markets
Visual storytelling: photography and video best practices
Brand development rooted in cultural values
Balancing commercial success with cultural preservation
Community protocols and stakeholder engagement

6. CASE STUDIES & SUCCESS STORIES – TOO/ITAC

Indigenous businesses thriving in international markets
Lessons learned from market entry challenges and pivots
Successful partnership models and collaborations
Innovation in cultural tourism experiences
From local to global: scaling strategies
Measuring success and impact

Session Formats & Specifications

Session Length Options:

45 minutes (presentation + Q&A)
60 minutes (workshop or panel)
90 minutes (deep-dive workshop or masterclass)

Format Options:

Presentations with Q&A
Panel discussions (3-4 speakers)
Interactive workshops with breakout activities
Case study presentations
Fireside chats/interviews

Platform: All sessions will be delivered virtually via Zoom

Technical Requirements: Speakers must have reliable internet connection, webcam, and microphone

What We Offer Speakers

Platform to share expertise with Indigenous tourism professionals nationwide
Complimentary conference registration
Promotional exposure through the association's network and communications
Recording and archive of your session (with permission)

Submission Requirements

Proposals should include:

Speaker name(s), title(s), and organization(s)
Brief bio(s) (100-150 words per speaker)
Session title
Session description (250-300 words)
Preferred theme track
Session format and length
Learning objectives (3-5 key takeaways)
Target audience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, all levels)
Any special technical requirements

Important Dates

Proposal Deadline: February 6, 2026

Speaker Notifications: February 20, 2026

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.

We look forward to receiving your proposal and welcoming you to Go International 2026!

Learn More About Our Mission