Mark your calendar for next year's symposium, October 10–12, 2008.

2007 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium

Parks & Rec logo

Eagle Pack

October 19–21, 2007 • Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, Alaska

Sponsored by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, Fairbanks Junior Dog Mushers Association, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks & Recreation Department Pioneer Park, and Eagle Pack Pet Foods.

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.

Welcome to our 20th annual International Sled Dog Symposium, hosted by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA). Mark your calendar for October 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2007. 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), a brand-new "Best Invention" contest, and our annual fundraising auction. Our exciting program includes distance mushing phenomenon Lance Mackey, dog trainer and consultant Claudia Sihler, Iditarod veterinarian Al Townshend, distance mushers John Schandelmeier and Aliy Zirkle, veterinarian and nutritionist Arleigh Reynolds, perennial favorite Wes Rau, and others. Sessions will include an all-day Yukon Quest Rookie Workshop on Friday, a junior mushing presentation, a panel session on alternative kennel management, and two special workshops for nonprofit organizations by the Foraker Group, along with veterinary presentations and much more. There's something for every kind of musher and working-dog owner, from experienced distance or sprint racers to recreational mushers, as well as non-mushing dog enthusiasts involved in agility, search and rescue, retrieving, and other canine activities. Nearly every presentation will include time for questions and answers, so this is a great opportunity to get the expert advice you've been looking for. Our preliminary schedule of events is on the web, and we're posting speaker biographies as we receive them. Please check back often for updates.

Our three-day Working Dog 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 lots of other goods and services. 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!

As a very special treat this year, throughout the trade fair UAF's Alaska Film Archives will run a series of film excerpts relating to northern dogs and especially dog mushing. The footage, gleaned from archival silent films, will illustrate the historical use of dogs as workers and racers in Alaska and other northern environments. Four or five films will be sampled and run as a continuous loop of about one hour for the duration of the symposium trade fair. Notable film makers and topics include Leonard Seppala, expeditions, and early ONAC races. Come enjoy this rare historical look at our northern dogs.

There is no better way to start the season. Join us in Fairbanks on October 19–21 for the 2007 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium.

Registration fees

Friday night's presentations are free.

Advance registration for Saturday and Sunday: $55 for two days, $30 for one day
Onsite registration: $65 for two days, $35 for one day
ADMA member rates: $5 per day discount for 2007–2008 ADMA members

Download an advance registration form (60 KB PDF) or download a copy of the complete program mailing (120 KB PDF)

The trade fair is free and open to the general public.

Lodging

The Comfort Inn is offering a special symposium rate of $65 plus tax for a standard room (while rooms are available); includes full breakfast. Call (907) 479-8080 and ask for the 2007 sled dog symposium rate.

Dog policy

No dogs are allowed in the Civic Center without prior approval. Contact Ami Gjestson (see contact information below).

For more information

Program, speakers, general information

Contact Ami Gjestson by email or (907) 488-5621. This year's program is now complete, but if you have ideas for speakers or topics for future symposia, please let us know. We are always looking for suggestions to make the symposium even better.

Registration

Contact Bonnie Borba regarding mail-in registration, (907) 457-1016, or Kriya Dunlap, (907) 488-4680.

Working dog trade fair

Contact Lori Wilson, admin@grubstakefeed.com.

Auction

Contact Nancy DeWitt, ndewitt@alaskabird.org, 457-1420 (h) or 322-5537 (cell)

Best Invention Contest

Contact Lynn Orbison, daisyacres@mosquitonet.com, 488-9685, or Kathy Fitzgerald, alaskadogmushing@gci.net, 488-1357.

Symposium recordings

Sled Dog Studio has symposium recordings available for purchase.

Mailing list for symposium flyer

To receive a symposium flyer for the 2007 symposium or future symposia, send your name and postal mailing address to Carol Kaynor.

Last year's symposium

For information on last year's program, visit the 2006 symposium website.

Organizing Committee

Ami Gjestson, chair
Scott Campbell
Kriya Dunlap
Shannon Erhart
Kathy Fitzgerald
Carol Kaynor
Don Kiely
Deb McGrath
Jennifer Probert
Andy Seitz
Susan Seitz
Ken Severin
Andrea Swingley
Lori Wilson