US. Onboard Media has partnered with the Alaska Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and its BuyAlaska programme to showcase homegrown brands onboard all Carnival Cruise Lines sailing through Alaska this season.
Onboard Media, the LVMH-owned sales and marketing agency, is showcasing a diverse group of locally-owned Alaskan businesses through bespoke BuyAlaska Directory port guides and shopping materials. The guides are given to cruise guests during their voyage.
The BuyAlaska Directory are delivered to cruise passengers at every port. The guide is accessible via QR code and highlights different locally-owned businesses in every port of call.
The business directory comprises over 800 companies. It is part of a state-wide network supporting Alaskan small businesses. The directory’s goal is to showcase homegrown Alaskan brands and products to the state’s over one million annual visitors.
Onboard Media General Manager Jeffrey Meister commented, “We are thrilled to be the first media company to partner with the SBDC on this important initiative to promote small businesses from the ports visited, as well as align with our partner Carnival Cruise Line’s mission to support the local communities visited as part of the cruise itinerary.”
Carnival Cruise Line Head of Retail Andres Villalever added, “The partnership that Onboard Media developed with the SBDC very much aligns with Carnival’s values of supporting the local communities our ships visit as well as offering our guests a wonderful opportunity to bring home a truly unique item from their vacation.”
Onboard Media has also partnered with Made in Alaska and Silver Hand in showcasing brands and products that were made by the local and native artisans of Alaska.
The Silver Hand Seal proudly shows that the products were created by hand. The seal can only be attached to an original work produced in the state of Alaska by a full-time resident or member of a native Alaskan tribe.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Onboard Media and Carnival Cruise Line to educate visitors on the importance of authentic Alaska,” commented Made in Alaska Programme Manager Grace Beaujean. “We believe this will contribute to an outstanding guest experience and enable them to identify true Alaska keepsakes.”
Alaska State Council on the Arts Executive Director Andrea Noble added, “Being able to clearly and easily identify authentic Alaska Native arts and crafts is good for the artist and the cruise guest who is buying work that’s unique to Alaska, so we’re thrilled to be a part of this important initiative,”
The Alaska Small Business Development Centre is a state-wide programme that provides resources, advice and assistance to help small businesses grow. It is hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage through the Business Enterprise Institute.
Commenting on the initiative, Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Executive Director Jon Brittner said: “With Alaska not having received cruise guests since 2019, it was so important to support local port towns and small businesses, aiding in their economic recovery. With this Onboard Media partnership, we can provide exponentially higher exposure for our members’ businesses and expedite their recovery.”
