Here’s a little bit about me, as well as our disclosure policy per the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Who: My name is Scott McMurren. I write the Alaska Travelgram. I’m an Alaska travel expert, with 30 years’ experience in the travel business–primarily in Alaska. I live in Anchorage with my wife, our kids and our dogs, Tanya and Penny. We love Alaska.

What: The Alaska Travelgram is an email travel newsletter/website published by Shining Sea Communications, Inc.

When: We send out the newsletter once a week. Occasionally we send out extra issues if there’s a particular special, a sale or a big event.

Where: The Alaska Travelgram is published in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact us: zoom@gci.net

Why: The Alaska Travelgram is a for-profit business enterprise. The “mission” of the Alaska Travelgram is to provide “news you can use” about new travel destinations, hot travel deals, special insider knowledge on when and how to get the best deals, and other items of interest to travelers. I consider travel to be the first leg of diplomacy–so I am a real evangelist for the art and practice of traveling–whether it’s around Alaska or around the world.

How: The Alaska Travelgram does not accept third-party banner ads, pay-per-click ads (such as Google Ads), commission or affiliate links (such as Amazon.com). No pop-up or pop-under ads. No “paid placement”. No surprise re-directs. We do not sell, rent, give away or provide your email address or IP address to anyone.

IMPORTANT: The Alaska Travelgram solicits advertising sponsorships and other forms of compensation from appropriate vendors. That means I have a “material connection” with the companies or individuals you read about in the Alaska Travelgram. Sponsors (advertisers) are selected based on my travel industry expertise and how I think the information will benefit travelers. Click here to view a list of companies I’ve worked with as sponsors.

Accordingly, this compensation influences the topics mentioned in the Alaska Travelgram. Most, but not all, of the content in the Alaska Travelgram is produced as part of a sponsorship package. Not for lack of trying, mind you. But for the sake of clarity, readers may conclude that all the content presented in the Alaska Travelgram is sponsored (paid advertising).

Does that make the information less credible? I don’t think so. But that is a question for you, the reader. Is there an opportunity for a conflict of interest? Sure. But working with editors, collaborators, employers, friends and colleagues over the years has taught me to be as straightforward as possible.

So, think of the Alaska Travelgram as one big commercial. I spend all day trying to get people to buy travel goods and services and all the things that go along with that. I tweet about it. I post on Facebook. I have  a radio show and a regular time slot on a local TV station. I write for other publications. Part of my expertise is advising when and how to make the most intelligent and appropriate purchasing decisions.

But another big part of the travel experience is sharing great stories about who we meet, where we travel and the journey itself. We think new thoughts, eat new foods and dream new dreams.

To me, the practice and passion of traveling is a big part of who I am. I just came across a great quote here–and I wanted to share it with you:

“The Journey knows what the Traveler does not.”

So–join me on the journey! It’s worth it!

–Scott McMurren