2005 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium

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Friday, October 7th, through Sunday, October 9th
Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, Alaska

Sponsored by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association and the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks & Recreation Department Pioneer Park

Symposium speaker Wes Rau Skijor champion Jim Herriges and Iditarod and Yukon Quest musher Gwen Holdmann play the part of giant vertebrae for canine physical therapist Wes Rau at the 2003 International Sled Dog Symposium. Photo by Dave Partee.

For more information, see bottom of this page, email ADMA, or call (907) 457-MUSH.

Welcome to the 18th annual International Sled Dog Symposium hosted by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA). Mark your calendar for October 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2005. The symposium will again be held at Pioneer Park (formerly Alaskaland) in Fairbanks, Alaska.

As usual, this year's symposium will include informative sessions, our popular trade fair (admission free and open to the general public), and our annual fundraising auction.

Speakers at this year's symposium will include Ken Anderson, Miki and Julie Collins, Hans Gatt, Eric Jayne (the Bush Vet), Eric Lanser, Mark May, Jacques Philip, Wes Rau, Arleigh Reynolds, Frank Turner, and many more! We'll have sessions for every kind of musher, from experienced distance or sprint racers to recreational mushers and even non-mushing dog enthusiasts. Nearly every presentation will include time for questions and answers, so this will be a great opportunity to get the expert advice you've been looking for. Our preliminary schedule of events is now up on the web, and we are posting speaker biographies as we receive them. Please check back often for updates.

Our three-day trade fair, which is free to the general public, will feature vendors offering the latest in mushing and winter equipment, clothing, dog food, supplements, artwork and crafts, and much more. See our list of vendors, which will be updated regularly. We're hosting the Yukon Quest Birthday Party on Friday night again this year, and many of our trade fair vendors will offer Friday night specials. Come help the Quest celebrate and take advantage of these early-bird deals at the same time!

There is no better way to start the season. Join us in Fairbanks on October 7–9 for the 2005 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium.

Registration fees
Onsite registration: $60 for two days, $30 for one day
ADMA member rates: $5 discount for 2005–2006 ADMA members

The trade fair is free and open to the general public. Vendors, please see our trade fair information page.

Lodging
The Comfort Inn is offering a special symposium rate of $63 plus tax for a standard room (while rooms are available); includes full breakfast. Call (907) 479-8080 and ask for the 2005 sled dog symposium rate.

Dog & kid policy
No dogs are allowed in the Civic Center without prior approval. Contact Val Mackler or Andrea Swingley (see contact information below). On site, contact Don Kiely at the registration desk for approval.

Children under 10 are not permitted at symposium sessions, except for Friday night's Junior Mushing presentation, which is free and has no age limit. Children of any age are welcome at the trade fair, which is free to the general public.

For more information

Program, speakers, general information

See our program schedule, or contact Andrea Swingley by email or (907) 479-9729.

Trade fair

See the trade fair information page, or contact Val Mackler by phone at (907) 488-1452 or email c/o ADMA.

Trade fair vendor list

Auction

See our auction web page, or contact Jonni Roos by email or by phone at (907) 457-6874.

Miscellaneous

To be added to our symposium mailing list for the 2005 symposium, send your name and mailing address to Carol Kaynor.

For information on last year's program, visit the 2004 symposium website.