Away from urban hubs, rural CVBs thrive: rural convention bureaus offer scenery, views, fun activities and a helping hand.

• Author: Lavrakas, Dimitra
• Position: CONVENTION SPECIAL SECTION

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In Nome, they'll go to extremes for conventions. "We love conventions," said Nome Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Josie Stiles. "We're always willing to go out of our way to help people with details like catering and lodging to make sure their meeting is a success. That's what we do."

Although Old Saint Joe's Hall, a former Catholic church, was built in 1906, it does have all the bells and whistles needed to convene a present-day meeting. The other three facilities include the Nome Recreation Center, the mini-convention center and Pioneer Hall.

Adept at large events, Nome CVB hosts, of course, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and its mushers' banquet and awards ceremony and the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race.

The town's slogan, "There's No Place Like Nome," bolsters the draw of the city's unique location and gold rush history.

VISITORS CAN HELP UPDATE FACILITIES

And thanks to the filming of "The Big White" in 2004, the Arctic Brotherhood Hall in Skagway got updated with cable modern hookups and phone lines in the main hall when it served as headquarters for the film's production company. With its distinctive driftwood facade, the AB Hall, built in 1899, is one of the most-photographed buildings in Alaska and home base for the City and Borough of Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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In recent years, the city has hosted the Alaska Municipal League and the Association of Alaska School Boards, but of course would like more, said CVB Director Buckwheat Donahue.

Participants in conventions and meetings held in the summer can also take advantage of the town's major shopping district and tours offered from a train ride to hiking on a glacier. But this is not unique to Skagway.

NEAR AND SPECTACULAR

Kodiak's Crab Festival, its 50th year in fact, was in full swing over the Memorial Day weekend, and Kodiak Island CVB Executive Director Janet Buckingham was smiling. It was sunny for all three days, and that was definitely a plus, she said. The Kodiak CVB coordinates the crab festival, and on Day 2, Buckingham seemed to be relaxed and in control of the situation. Buckingham said they would also like to attract more meetings.

An informative half-century retrospective of the Crab Festival, the Golden Celebration Photo Exhibit, was on display at the lower level of the almost-completed Harbor Pavilion Convention Center in downtown.

With an office on the waterfront, right next to the ferry terminal...