Connecting Indigenous Cultures in the Event Industry

Join us for an enlightening discussion on fostering meaningful partnerships, support, and collaboration between the events industry and the indigenous tribes whose lands host our gatherings. This event will feature insights from tribal property sales directors, local tribal members, and experts in indigenous relations, guiding us on how to respectfully honor the tribes that call our region home. Following the conversation, engage in networking opportunities with local event professionals and delve into the driving forces behind the vibrant events industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Moderator:

Bob Sulkosky

Bob Sulkosky grew up in Orting, Washington and currently resides in the Bellingham area and is serving the Lummi Nation as Business Development Manager at Silver Reef Casin Resort.   He has been in the hospitality & tourism field his entire career.  By trade Bob is a certified pastry chef and has held positions as regional manager, director of sales and marketing, and general manager. He has had the opportunity to live and work across the US including Eastern Washington, Oregon Coast, Minnesota’s Iron Range, and Fargo North Dakota.

Panelists:

Beau Farris, MBA

Tulalip Resort – [email protected]

Beau is a Tulalip Tribal member and was born and raised on the Tulalip Reservation. He studied business management, and economics and recently received his MBA from the University of Washington. Beau currently serves as a National Account Manager at Tulalip Resort Casino, utilizing his role to honor traditions and practices of his tribe for meetings and events.

tel-em-ich-ten (Brandon Ray Morris)

telemichten (Brandon Morris) is from Lummi and serves as a Department Chair at Northwest Indian College for the Tribal Governance and Business Management department. He is also an Alumni of Northwest College, earning his bachelor degree from Northwest Indian College in the Native Studies and Leadership program. His master’s degree is in Public Administration and from The Evergreen State College’s Tribal Governance cohort of 2018. Brandon serves in multitude of roles at NWIC, he is co-lead and facilitator of the teaching and learning institute and contributes to the development of content with the committee to prepare all staff to work within tribal college context and learning environment. He is also the curriculum chair and supports the approval and feedback process for new programs, courses, and changes.