Visitor Products Cluster Working Group

Co-Chairs

Jaimie Palmer, Vice President, Allen Marine Tours
Liz Barlow, Director of Sales, Above and Beyond AK

Summary

Since 2011, the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) has led an industry cluster-based approach to economic development in the Southeast Alaska region. Called the Southeast Alaska Cluster Initiative, this approach brings private sector industry cluster” firms together with federal, state and local agencies, university faculty, trade association representatives, economic development organizations, community leaders and other stakeholders into facilitated Cluster Working Groups. The Cluster Working Groups address industry needs, concerns, and opportunities on a cooperative basis. Since its inception, the Southeast Alaska Cluster Initiative has served as a successful catalyst for private-public partnerships. In its initial phase, JEDC assembled and facilitated startup of four Cluster Working Groups, including the Visitor Products Cluster Working Group (VPCWG).

Action Initiatives

JEDC recently revived the VPCWG with funding from a five-year agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. The VPCWG has outlined seven (7) “Action Initiatives”, each led by a private-sector business leader, to inform their work going forward:

• • • Winter Tourism
    • Seasonal Workforce Housing
    • Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Development
    • Cultural Tourism (appropriate integration of Native heritage)
    • Infrastructure & Access
      
    • Shared Value (includes Regenerative Tourism) 
    • Outreach, Engagement, and Advocacy