2022 Winter Conference

Iditarod Education Department Winter Educators Conference

“Engage, Inspire, Succeed!”

at the Lakefront Hotel

February 28 – March 3, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska

Registration will soon be open for the Iditarod Winter Educators Conference and we can’t wait to see you! Join us the week prior to race start to rejuvenate, or begin building your Iditarod lesson library.  Through engaging presentations, you will be inspired to try something new, different, or more in-depth in your curriculum, which leads to success for your students, which is what we all want. This is professional development like you can’t get anywhere else.

 Educators in Alaska are able to register for single days at a special rate. Please use your Alaska school district email when you register and/or include your school name.

 Monday, February 27:  Make arrangements to arrive on this day so you are rested and ready for non-stop activities and learning.

 Tuesday, February 28, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.:  Become engaged in sessions led by Iditarod EDU staff, including our 2023 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™️, Juli Westrich. Special session from Rod Perry, veteran Iditarod musher. And a sneak peek at the vet check process.  Breakfast starts at 8.

 Wednesday, March 1, 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Be inspired on Field Trip Day! Enjoy a scenic ride on a chartered bus to Iditarod headquarters to experience pre-race vet checks first hand, have a Denali view (weather permitting) lunch at Little Su Cafe in Big Lake, and then visit Champion Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennels to meet the dogs! There are bus tickets available for purchase for  guests. Lunch included.

Thursday, March 2, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.:  Our finalists for the 2024 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™️ will present morning sessions. The afternoon will include guest speakers and participant sharing opportunities.  We are always “blown off the sled” by the lessons that are shared with us.  This day ends with you attending the Musher Banquet in downtown Anchorage. Your ticket is included in your registration fee. Breakfast starts at 8.

Friday, March 4, 9 a.m. – 12 noon: Speaker series: “Behind the Scenes of the Iditarod”:   CEO Rob Urbach, Race Marshall/DirectorMark Nordman, Chief Pilot Wes Erb, and others share the workings of the race.  The main conference ends at 12 noon on Friday. Breakfast on your own.

 1:30 – 3:30 I.C.E. add-on Become an Iditarod Certified Educator! More information here:  ICE@iditarod.com

AND other experiences, race resources, and SWAG!

Additional information:

–   Attendees will be able to stay at the Lakefront Hotel for the volunteer room rate as long as rooms are available – being announced soon.

– The Iditarod is not requiring a COVID vaccine to participate in its activities.

–   Consider planning your visit to include the Mach 4, 2023 Saturday morning Ceremonial Start in downtown Anchorage. Interested volunteers:  Become an Iditarod Volunteer

–   Stay even longer and attend the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race re-start in Willow, AK, on March 5, 2023.  Interested volunteers:  Become an Iditarod Volunteer

Registration will open soon and space is limited. If you would like to be on the conference information email list, please send a message to Jane Holmes, Director of Education at jane.holmes@iditarod.com.