Update: SPIN AdventureCon has been postponed till 2021.

As shown by recent experiential marketing studies, people are craving more human-to-human experiences at events, which for event organizers means shaking things up. From events like Haute Dokimazo’s Secret Family Reunion to Ateema Media & Marketing’s Planner Master Class roundtables, planners are implementing creative new ways to meet differently.

SPIN AdventureCon, a new event from the Senior Planners Industry Network for senior planners, promises a combination of education and unique experiences that will provide plenty of opportunities to build human connection. AdventureCon will be held Jun. 1-4, 2020 at the Alyeska Hotel & Resort in Anchorage, Alaska.  

Officials say that AdventureCon will deliver a combination of senior-level planner education, along with opportunities to explore Anchorage and surrounding communities. In effect, the event will be a blend of learning, networking and a familiarization experience. Visit Anchorage Alaska is the host CVB and Alaska Destination Specialists is the host DMC, guaranteeing attendees will get a true Alaskan experience.

“We created this new event in direct response to our members’ desire to explore destinations outside the lower 48 states,” explained SPIN founder Shawna Suckow.

The event will offer a glacier cruise, a whale-watching cruise, dog sledding (with puppy cuddling), “flightseeing’” of Denali National Park, a visit to a wildlife conservation center, an iPhone photography workshop, hikes, outdoor yoga and more. Education will include senior planner roundtables and hands-on crisis drills.

Another thing that makes AdventureCon unique: unlike most conferences or fam trips, guests are invited to attend.

“AdventureCon will be the first SPIN event to welcome members’ friends and family, because our members want time for both professional and personal pursuits,” said SPIN Vice President of Everything Catherine Jensen. “Why not combine them at an industry event?”

As an association, SPIN has embraced thinking differently. In December, association officials announced that SPIN would be returning to its roots of being, first and foremost, a networking organization. Doing away with an official chapter model, members are now empowered to organize their own group events. The two exceptions are the annual SPINCon, which will be held Dec. 13-15, 2020 at the Kimpton EPIC in Miami, Florida, and the new AdventureCon.

AdventureCon is open to all qualified planners with 10 or more years of experience, along with their guests who are 18 or older. To join SPIN, simply request to join the association’s Members Only Facebook group. Jensen vets all applicants through a short series of questions and a LinkedIn profile check.

While SPIN membership is not open to suppliers, a limited number of AdventureCon sponsorships are available and sponsors are welcome to attend the event.

To learn more about SPIN AdventureCon, go here.

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