SLED DOG LINKS:

Location: Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, Alaska
Contact: Ami Gjestson
Phone: (907) 488-5621
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sleddog.org/symposium/index.html

Welcome to our 21st annual International Sled Dog Symposium, hosted by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA). Mark your calendar for October 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2008. 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 trade fair (admission free and open to the general public), the second annual and wildly popular "Best Invention" contest, and our annual fundraising auction. Our exciting program includes a celebrity visit from famous lead dog and distance mushing phenomenon Zorro (who will be hanging out on Saturday at the trade fair, accompanied by Lance Mackey). Our keynote presentation is the Mind of the Bird Dog, with John Lunseth, and we're holding a second plenary session, Arctic Expeditions by Joe Henderson. Other speakers as of late July include Jeff Conn, Mark Cooper, Bill Cotter, Steve Darby, Curtis Erhart, Hans Gatt, Kelley Griffin, Dave Klumb, Tarika Lea, Sonny Lindner, Alyssa Quaile, Joee Redington, Brent Sass, and Mitch Seavey. Keep an eye on our preliminary schedule for updates. Friday evening will include two free sessions: a junior mushing presentation and a Mush with PRIDE presentation. The schedule for Saturday and Sunday includes a very special film-and-commentator presentation by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Film Archives, along with panel sessions on the evolution of distance racing and on high-tech sleds, as well as two sled repair sessions, and of course 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 has more details, 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.

There is no better way to start the season. Join us in Fairbanks on October 10–12 for the 2008 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium.