Testimonials
Testimonials and Experiences from the 2009 ATWS
“It’s been invaluable to me to be able to create connections and spend time with people that share my passion for meaningful travel. I know that all of us who attended came away inspired, re-energized and grateful to be part of a community of people who want to make the world a better place.”
Peter Grubb
ROW Adventures
“The ATTA Summit was an inspiring and invigorating blend of best practices, travel innovations and progressive technologies based in a stunning location on the St. Lawrence River. The exciting and rich program was creatively presented and enhanced by the talented, savvy and visionary attendants, each with a great and unique passion to make the world a better place through adventure travel. The speakers brought a unique expertise, perspective and wisdom that kept my mind spinning and expanding from one session to the next. Returning home my pockets were filled with business cards and my mind was overflowing with ideas for my business.
Lauren Hefferon
Director & Founder
Ciclismo Classico
“The ATWS is the best place on earth to learn about Adventure Travel Tourism, meet the right people in the business and develop yourself to become one of the best players in the most important part of the growing travel industry.”
Kristian B. Jorgensen
Managing Director
Fjord Norway/ Tourist Board of the Fjords
“If you are determined with adventure travel, then the ATWS is 100% not the summit to miss.”
Andy Duvine
DuVine Adventures
“There were no goodbyes at the Summit in Quebec; only see you in Scotland in 2010!”
Scott Adams
Birchbark Media / Paddling Ontario
“We were new to the ATTA and the ATWS this year and found that the calibre of the participants was excellent and we have managed to build some new and exciting alliances that will assist us in creating new business in 2010.”
Rebecca Whiffin
Tucan Travel
“The enthusiasm, interaction and exchange of ideas at the Summit is incredible; I have never experienced this level of collaboration at a conference before. There are true decision makers here: thoroughly knowledgeable business owners and leaders of the industry. ”
Regina Fraser
Grannies on Safari
“The small groups in the new round-table sessions made it easy to share knowledge and business strategies – getting straight to the core of the discussion topic. We didn’t agree on everything, but the exchange of ideas is enlightening. I remember one North American tour operator giving advice from 25 years in business to a younger generation of South American operators like me. This open environment is what will bring me back to the Summit.”
Mariana Caliuolo
Marketing Manager, Socompa
“Having not been a member or ever attended the ATWS before, we found the pricing a bit of a stretch on our start up budget. However, once we witnessed the amount of contacts we could make, the caliber of the suppliers and the ability to meet people we would eventually do business with as opposed to email back and forth and never establish a connection…. We found the spend was well worth it and the best way to make leaps forward in such a short time.”
J R
Founder/Executive Adventurer
Great Beyond Adventures
“The ATTA Summit provided a potent brew of visionary thought, practical advice and networking with adventure travel professionals. There’s no other event like it.”
Dave Parker
Managing Director
Orvis Travel
“Congrats to the ATTA! Once again the bar has been raised and the ATTA is defining what successful travel trade events should look like. The networking, panels, receptions, workshops and venues were outstanding. The business that is sure to come out of the relationships and learings of the ATWS will not disappoint.”
Bryan Kinkade
Brand Manager & Director, Travel & Tourism
National Geographic Adventure
“[The Summit] was a fantastic experience and a big huge learning opportunity. I’m just starting to process all the incredible information and contacts – lots of great opportunities to implement everything into my company!”
Mike Brcic
President/Owner
Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures
“Congrats on an absolutely amazing Summit! I’m so glad I came. As a freelance travel, environment and science writer, it’s really all about the people and networking that makes attending so worthwhile.”
Michael Behar
Freelance Journalist
“For me, one word sums up the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s 2009 World Summit in Quebec – transformational. The content delivered by the featured presenters at this year’s Summit offered fresh and extraordinary perspectives that challenged everyone involved in adventure community worldwide to demonstrate the vision and leadership necessary to create a truly sustainable future. The passion and energy every attendee brought to Quebec made this Summit extraordinarily fun, productive and rewarding.”
Mark Campbell
President
Solaia Consulting
“The Adventure Travel World Summit in Quebec was easily one of the best conferences I have been to in years and I am spreading the word. Congratulations on the finalization of an exceptional event. I will be telling people that participation in ATTA is ESSENTIAL if you are in the adventure industry. More importantly, participation in ATTA Summits provides massive strength to current and potential relationships in the adventure travel sector. The event was simply excellent and well worth the investment.”
Maisa Fernandez
Account Manager
Myriad Marketing
“The 2010 Summit was, as always, exceptional. It is THE place to meet industry professionals and consistently makes my business for the year.”
Alexia Nestora
Lasso Communications
“If you are an adventure travel operator, outfitter or someone that provides services to these companies, you need to be at the Adventure Travel World Summit. This is the one conference you should attend if you are in the adventure market.”
Stephen Joyce
CEO
Rezgo.com
“The ATTA Summit is a must do for anyone interested in this market, I wish more events were as focused and opportunistic as this.”
Anonymous
“The Summit really attracts a dynamic group of people, and Summit Connections made it easy to find the delegates I wanted to meet in person.”
Gene Shannon
Frommer’s/John Wiley & Sons Canada
“You put on an incredible summit! The pre-adventure was thrilling, good for the soul and created a circle of new international friends. The presenters and sessions were of superior quality and thought provoking. The meals were scrumptious and much of the content provided by the appealing range of partners was high calibre. The networking was absolutely awesome, and we were able to make dozens of excellent connections for both Guyana and Palestine. I truly enjoyed every minute of the Summit and am grateful to have been involved with it. Thanks again to you and your team!”
Judy Karwacki
President
Small Planet Consulting
“I thought the Summit would be a gathering of rough entrepreneurs needing help growing their businesses. I was surprised by the caliber of advanced professionals willing to share their knowledge and vulnerabilities in order to create a larger pie. This has been a great introduction to the global travel community for me and I look forward to working with many of the talented people I met in the near future.”
Ken Sooley
Owner
CapeRace Cultural Adventures
Summit 2008 Attendee Testimonials
“The Summit was energized by an agenda that challenged participants to share their impressions about important thinking from a great variety of disciplines. It left participants understanding their own unique challenges and opportunities in a richer context. Further, I did not meet one delegate that I would not want to go on a hike with.”
Francis X. Farrell
Publisher
National Geographic Adventure
“Thank you so very much for the Summit’s great organization and the very interesting meetings and sessions. The quality of the entire event was really very good! Bravo!”
Anne Desse
TAWA EUROPE
“Thank you again for a great show. The seminars were extremely informational and the contacts I made, even better!”
Ellen Burke
Active Traveler Account Manager
Outside Magazine
“The Summit allows us to connect with the industry’s leaders and visionaries, and learn from thought-provoking speakers on subjects important to us and the adventure traveler. As a result, we think the Summit is the premiere event in the adventure travel space and not to be missed.”
Dick Schulte
CEO
Adventure Central
“Congratulations on another stellar event!”
Bryan Kinkade
Director, Travel & Tourism
National Geographic Adventure
“A HUGE ‘thank you’ to your team for hosting such an exciting and educational summit. The South American Summit was a fantastic platform for ExOfficio to introduce the brand to attendees from around the globe.”
Chris Keyes
Marketing Coordinator
ExOfficio
“The 2008 Adventure Travel World Summit in Brazil proved to be an invaluable networking opportunity. There were countless opportunities to brainstorm with travel industry leaders as well as representatives from the media, worldwide organizations, government, and associations.”
Timo Shaw
President
Country Walkers
“As a Key Sponsor, the summit was a great platform to highlight new destinations of Peru directly to the leaders of the industry worldwide, while also facilitating business connections with our Peruvian operators during the event.”
Indira Palomino
Adventure Travel Specialist
PromPeru
“The ATTA’s annual Summits are remarkable events – great networking, excellent content, countless forums for debate and exchange of ideas in adventure travel and world class keynotes.”
Nicky Fitzgerald, Marketing Director
CC Africa
“This year’s event went so far beyond [expectations] as to lift in a category of its own. It was brilliantly executed, as organized as a Swiss timepiece convention, with speakers who fiercely challenged, informed and entertained, with participants whose passion for adventure was only surpassed by a fervor to learn and share, and featuring good coffee and fare, which may be the rarest of the qualities cited.”
Richard Bangs
“No other travel industry conference or event I’ve been to in the last decade has offered better networking and better speakers than the Adventure Travel World Summit! You deliver consistently great informative and educational sessions, with an element of fun that makes us remember why we’re in the adventure travel business. Kudos! This is my second year and I look forward to next year.”
Allie E. Almario
Vice President
Myths and Mountains
“On behalf of the Nepal delegation and Myself, I would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to the ATTA and its members for the generous hospitality accorded and excellent arrangements made for the conference. I am very happy and honored to meet all so many adventure enthusiasts, friends and colleagues. I hope that we can strengthen our friendship by working together in the future for our mutual benefits.”
Ang Tshering Sherpa
President
Nepal Mountaineering Association
“The Summit provides a great venue for adventure travel industry leaders to gather to discuss and learn about some of the most important trends and issues facing the adventure travel community. National Geographic Adventure strongly values our presence at the ATWS and continues to view the ATTA as an integral partner in the magazine’s continued success and growth.”
Bryan Kinkade
Travel Manager
National Geographic Adventure
“Extremely satisfied.”
Leo Le Bon
President
Wanderlust Consulting
“The single most effective conference we attend for our industry.”
Brian McCutcheon
Director of Global Marketing
OARS Family of Companies
“Many thanks for a great Summit! The ATTA did a fantastic job and I really enjoyed the sessions, networking and hiking. I was so glad V.A.S.T. was able to support the Green Summit initiative and Backroads looks forward to being there again next year. Congratulations on a successful event.”
K.C. Hoppe
Marketing Manager
Backroads
“Apart from being a great opportunity for networking, the summit was a fantastic event to keep pace with the most recent conceptual, empirical and technological developments in the tourism industry.”
Ataklti Hagege Hailu
Consulate General of Ethiopia
“‘This year’s summit was truly a peak experience. The conference was superbly organized, the keynote presentations were provocative and illuminating, the networking was (as always) terrific, the attendees were a very diverse and fascinating mix, and the entire event was high energy. ATTA is at the forefront of a global network and the future of the active and specialty travel.”
Mark Campbell
President
TCS Expeditions
“Being at ATTA was an eye opener for me in terms of learning what opportunity that India has to promote itself as an adventure destination. The attendees were real professionals committed to promoting Adventure and responsible travel and it is hard to meet this quality crowd under one roof; thanks to ATTA”
Venkatesan Dhattareyan
Assistant Director
India Tourism
“The 2006 Adventure Travel World Summit enlightened me to issues and missions that were well beyond my immediate reach. From marketing techniques to enhanced environmental practices I was stirred and revitalized in my quest to grow within the adventure travel industry.”
Ben Bressler
Founder & Director
Natural Habitat Adventures
The Adventure Travel World Summit has a different energy to it than any other industry conference I’ve been to–the people there are particularly passionate about what they do. Adventurous, sustainable travel is their lifestyle, not just their work!”
Brook Wilkinson
Associate Consumer News Editor
Condé Nast Traveler
“The Summit was great—the keynotes and sessions were informative and engaging, and the delegates represented a ‘who’s who’ of adventure travel. With plenty of opportunities for networking I walked away with contacts and real tools that I can employ right now!”
Bruce Palmer
Admission and Marketing Director
NOLS
“You put on an excellent conference. Our industry is full of bright and lovely people. It is a pleasure to have a chance on an annual basis to get away from the day-to-day and talk about issues and renew friendships. Thanks for making this opportunity possible for all of us out there in the trenches.”
Paul Lehman
Managing Director
Austin-Lehman Adventures LLC
“Both the content from the seminars / speakers and the welcome from the ATTA staff/Directors made the long trip from Ireland worth it all. I will be back.”
John Ahern
SouthWestWalks Ireland
Irish Cycle Tours
“Very well organized and a great opportunity to engage others we know of but not had the chance to meet.”
Frederick Dure
Founder
Boreal Wilderness Alaska
“This is not your ordinary industry meeting, but a confluence of varying expertise, knowledge and disciplines that makes for continued learning, business opportunity and friendship.”
Joe Luchison
Director of Marketing
Ciclismo Classico
“I didn’t think it was possible for the ATTA team to top their first annual adventure travel Summit. In a nutshell – they did just that! ExOfficio was thrilled with such targeted brand exposure, quality networking and partnership opportunities, and the ability to meet with such prominent media contacts within the outdoor/travel industry. We are already looking forward to the 2007 Summit.”
Janine Robertson
Public Relations Manager
ExOfficio
“The 2006 ATTA World Summit was a must-attend for our new adventure travel business. The key note speeches were thought provoking and entertaining; break-out sessions educational and networking opportunities invaluable.”
Jay Mahoney
President
Vivo International Adventures
“With the everyday demands of running a business, it’s rare to have thoughtful debate and exchange of ideas with industry colleagues. Thank you for creating this valuable forum and allowing us to focus on the big ideas and the long view of our industry.”
Anonymous
“I want to congratulate you and the ATTA team on an outstanding event. I was very inspired by the keynote address and many of the case studies selected were new to me in the “eco” arena, which made it fresh. I can see there is much to be done, but I think that ATTA has laid out a terrific game plan to move the industry forward.”
Megan Epler Wood
Partner
NativeEnergy Travel Offsets
“The Summit was a great opportunity for Archaeology Magazine as well as the subject of archaeology to be part of the adventure travel movement.”
Scott Verchin
Associate Publisher
Archaeology Magazine
“The Summit taught me what I needed to know in order to properly position my product and service within the Adventure Travel Industry. If you are new to the industry, you must attend!”
Marcus Shapiro
President
Travel Strong
“The Summit is an essential conference for anyone involved in the travel industry.”
Sharon Malakoff
Sales Development Manager
TurnHere Productions
“This ATTA Summit was an excellent opportunity to learn firsthand about the exciting growth in the adventure travel industry. I was impressed that I met tour operators and diplomats from Ireland, Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and India, as well as throughout the U.S. I returned home inspired and full of new story ideas.”
Karen Kefauver
Freelance Journalist
“The range of topics presented at the Adventure Travel World Summit managed to provide both global appeal and local solutions. It was one of the most valuable conferences we attend all year.”
Rodney Bliss
President
Resmark Systems
“The Adventure Travel World Summit was life changing for me. I was inspired and up-lifted daily by both the people and the subject matter on both a personal and professional level. I have never before found myself surrounded by such a large group of diverse, interesting and passionate like-minded people who are serious and getting it done! I am a fan for life of ATTA and plan to attend next year no matter where it is held!”
Anonymous
“The Adventure Travel World Summit is a must-attend event for adventure tour operators and tourism bureaus, adventure travel writers, and anyone interested in protecting the world’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.”
Molly Feltner
Associate Editor
SmarterTravel.com
“Probably one of the best adventure travel events I’ve attended in 10 years. I stopped attending these events several year ago – your event will have me back!”
Neel Inamdar
Senior Advisor, Ecotourism
Conservation International
“Inspiring, educational and motivating. I will bring this experience forward to our colleagues and industry partners, and build a stronger presence for Norway in this market.”
Hege V. Barnes
Manager Tour Operator and Trade Relations
Innovation Norway
“I learned about the power and importance of creating trust between tour operators and travel agencies. I left with the vision of these two entities working together more and more in a symbiotic relationship. Each playing the role they specialize in and therefore being able to concentrate resources on being professional. My specialty is running my trips, their specialty is in marketing and selling trips. Together we should be able to provide the perfectly special trip for every client.”
Tonya Schlentner
Denali West Lodge
Lake Minchumina, Alaska
“I have generated far more contacts, leads and work to be done from the ATWS than any other conference I have ever attended, by far.”
Anonymous
“This is a absolutely wonderful conference for anyone involved in world travel, especially those in charge of publicizing their trips.“
Bill Kizorek
CEO
Two Parrot Productions
“This was our first Summit. We found the energy present, the venue, the creation by the ATTA of an atmosphere conducive to interaction and networking to be of superior quality. The Summit is a must event for us.”
Mike Ferris
President
Inozo Media Inc.
“For me ATWS was a timely and valuable opportunity to learn, connect with thought leaders and get an unfiltered view of business.”
Dick Schulte
CEO
Adventure Central
“A great event for gaining global exposure and spreading your company’s message.”
Martin Ostrovsky
Director & CEO
MonkeyBean Solutions, Inc.
“Thanks for a great show! We really enjoyed the classes and learned so much.”
Amanda Lowney
Director of Sales
Alexis Hotel
