West heads north next week when more than 200 delegates from more than 130 member Visitors Bureaus across the western United States and Western Canada are expected to attend the 2007 Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Egan Convention Center, Oct. 10 - 14, 2007.

WACVB is currently comprised of more than 140 Destination Marketing Organizations from 11 states and two Canadian provinces. While not the first time the organization has held a meeting in Anchorage—the WACVB CEO Forum was held in Anchorage in 1996, 1999 and 2004—this is the first time that the Annual Conference has taken place in the city.

The Egan Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska is the host venue for the 2007 Western Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.

For attendees, the WACVB Annual Conference offers professional growth and networking opportunities with sessions focusing on creative and resourceful marketing strategies, innovative technologies and tips for adapting to industry trends and organizational demands. Delegates collect ideas and energize planning efforts at a variety of workshops focusing on branding, media familiarization tours, email marketing, visitor centers, convention services and performance measures. The opening ceremony will feature four- time Iditarod champion Martin Buser.

Julie Saupe, President,  Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"WACVB is an excellent opportunity to network and gain insight on what other bureaus are doing, tackle industry issues related to travel and form partnerships with other CVBs," says Julie Saupe, President,  Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The conference also provides a forum to showcase Anchorage as a destination."

The destination appeal of Anchorage will soon be enhanced by Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center, scheduled to open in next year. It was recently reported that the venue will feature unique art exhibits combing the contemporary with Alaska’s native culture.