Sitka: Historic Outpost
Located on Baranof Island, Sitka was also settled by the Tlingets before the Russians established a fur-trading colony in 1804. Today, Sitka boasts 21 National Historical Registry sites. The onion-domed St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral still dominates downtown Sitka, and the story of Russian America comes alive at Sitka National Historic Park, which commemorates the last Tlingit-Russian battle. Also downtown are the restored Russian Bishop’s House and Castle Hill, where Russian America was transferred to the United States in 1867. Former Sheldon Jackson College, Sitka’s art mecca, offers a variety of meeting spaces, a state museum, festivals and a fine-arts camp that offers year-round, adult workshops. The Alaska Raptor Center features bird-in-hand programs for groups. The Fortress of the Bear sanctuary provides up-close brown bear viewing.
“Outdoor activities span kayaking, flightseeing, ATV tours and golf,” said director of tourism Sherry Aitken for Visit Sitka. “We have Alaska’s highest salt-water catch rate for king salmon, plus world-class halibut and freshwater fishing.”
Downtown Sitka will have 326 hotel rooms next summer after the Aspen Hotel opens with 70 suite-style rooms. Another 200 rooms lie outside the central district. The 105-room Westmark Sitka provides 2,759 square feet of flexible space for five meeting rooms, with banquet space for 100 and classroom seating for 75.
Located on Sitka’s historic waterfront, the 72-room Totem Square Hotel and Marina offers airport shuttle service and meeting space for up to 25 attendees. Across the street is the Community House, a performance venue and meeting space modeled after a Tlingit clan house, with a stage and tiered or banquet-style seating for up to 300.
Sitka’s 32,000-square-foot Harrigan Centennial Civic and Convention Center was completely renovated and reopened in October. It offers breathtaking mountain views from its 4,127-square-foot auditorium and seven meeting rooms. The experienced staff can help plan events, plus provide the latest in multimedia equipment and a commercial kitchen with approved caterers.
Off-site events at the modern Sitka Performing Arts Center have a 650-seat capacity or space for 150 for a lobby cocktail reception. For a unique site, catamarans moored in the downtown marina can accommodate up to 100 guests and offer full audiovisual and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Visit Sitka can assist with accommodations, group room rates, meeting facilities and local transportation contacts. Volunteers are available for delegate information, registration or room set-up support. Promotional assistance can include providing delegate bags, local visitor guides, walking maps and promotional items, depending on meeting size.
To build interest, a PowerPoint presentation, a video or a slide show can be provided for premeeting promotion. Discounts with local galleries, boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants can also be coordinated.
“Our staff is intimately involved with each event,” said Aitken. “We treat everyone who comes here like a star.”
Sitka, Alaska
Access: Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (Alaska, Delta), Alaska Marine Highway System
Major Meeting Spaces: Harrigan Centennial Civic Center, Sheldon Jackson Campus thru Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Westmark Sitka Hotel, Sitka Performing Arts Center
Hotel Rooms: 575
Offsite Venues: Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka Sound Science Center, Univ. of Alaska SE, Sea Mountain Golf Club, Allen Marine Catamarans
Contact Info:
Visit Sitka
800-557-4852
www.sitka.org
