Jillian Simpson

President and CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association

THE BASICS

Name: Jillian Simpson

Title: President and CEO

Company, city: Alaska Travel Industry Association; Anchorage, Alaska

First job: I was a receptionist for a small company in Boston that ran Irish pubs; it was fun.

Where to next: I’m going to Denver, to Red Rocks, to see Brandi Carlile with my daughters.

A LITTLE BIT MORE

What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life? I’d choose Julia LouisDreyfus because I have been told I dance like Elaine from Seinfeld.

What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?

I would like to do something with the Arctic Council. I’m interested in the Arctic, and I’m currently getting a masters in Arctic and Northern Studies from University of Alaska Fairbanks.

What is your favorite book, movie or television show? I recently read The

Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, an Alaskan writer. It’s historical fiction about a couple who homestead in Alaska and can’t have children. They built a child out of snow and it came to life, so it’s magical, beautifully written and touching.

What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with? I really admire the naturalist Mardy Murie, often called the grandmother of the conservation movement. She spent a lot of time in the wilderness and Arctic Alaska, learning about the flora and fauna.

THE BUSINESS

What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?

One big thing ATIA works on is expanding and amplifying cultural tourism. Most recently, we dedicated a seat on our board of directors to an Alaskan Native person. We [have a] culture guide and a lot more cultural assets and ambassadors, whether on travelalaska.com or our social media channels. A lot of our advertising and content creation focuses on recognizing