Newsletter - June Page 02

A word from the President:
Reflections on Another Annual Meeting

Twenty six. That's how many times CIRI shareholders have come together in an annual meeting setting to help set the corporation's future. I always look forward to the annual meeting because it's a time to renew friendships, engage in healthy debate and see if our efforts over the past year have met shareholder expectations. This year was certainly no different.

I had the distinct pleasure of reporting on our financial condition at the meeting, which I will happily repeat here. CIRI reported profits of more than $50 million for 1998, the highest in our company's history.

As evidenced by the vote, I believe that a majority of shareholders are proud of their company's performance as it continues to demonstrate the wisdom of investing back into the company to ensure its growth.

The meeting returned to Anchorage after rotating through Kenai and Washington state. Nearly 350 people came in person, making this meeting especially well-attended considering the weather in Anchorage was among the finest days of the year.

And it was a good day inside as well. Shareholders re-elected four incumbent board members and added a new member to the board, Sharon Isaak. Sharon hails from Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula and owns and operates a rental business there. Sharon is also a past chairman of the Alaska shareholder participation committee and knows her company well. I look forward to her contributions to the board. My congratulations to her and to all the candidates who stood for election.

I would also like to thank all the shareholders who participated in this year's annual meeting, either in person or by proxy. It is your involvement in the corporation that makes it work.

For the beginning of the next century, we will be returning to the Kenai Peninsula for our meeting. I know the board and staff share my anticipation of that particular milestone event. Until that time, I hope you will continue to remain involved by contacting us whenever you have questions or concerns or suggestions. For us, we'll continue to keep you informed of your company's performance as the year progresses. Thanks again, and I hope to see you next year.

Let's Get to Business

Anchorage RV Park Blossoms in the Summer

The Anchorage RV Park, one of several CIRI tourism endeavors, officially opened May 15th for its third summer season. Located adjacent to the new Alaska Native Heritage Center, the RV Park has seen an increase in visitors this summer.

"We actually had to open the RV Park a little earlier than anticipated this summer, due to early interest," said Delia Call, general manager of the Anchorage RV Park. "I was selling spaces before the May 15th opening at a reduced rate to accommodate our early visitors."

And according to Call, the Park's reservations have nearly doubled over last year.

This season, the RV Park not only boasts a close proximity to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, but an expanded gift shop to house Native arts and crafts, and a new barbecue pavilion to accommodate groups of up to 50 people. RVers also find comforts such as cable TV connections,

laundry facilities, showers, and work stations with modem ports in the main lodge.

The Park, which is open through mid-September, has 100 percent Native hire.

CIRI shareholders receive a 30-percent discount at the Anchorage RV Park. For more information or to make reservations, contact them at 800-400-7275 or (907) 338-7275, or visit their website at www.anchrvpark.com.

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge Unveils

Alaska Climbers Hall of Fame

Visitors to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, CIRI's latest endeavor in the Alaska tourism industry, will be treated to the state's first official Alaska Climbers Hall of Fame. The first 10 inductees into the Hall of Fame were announced during a special ceremony at the lodge on May 21.

"The new lodge offers spectacular views of Mt. McKinley & North America's tallest and most climbed mountain, so it only made sense to incorporate a mountain climbing theme in the new lodge," said Dennis Brandon, CIRI vice president of tourism. "We felt it was important to establish a link between the lodge and the climbing community, which is so much a part of

the local culture. And we think visitors to the lodge will find the Hall of Fame intriguing."

The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is built on land CIRI has owned since 1983, which overlooks the

Talkeetna River Valley and the Alaska Range, including Mt. McKinley. The 10 inductees chosen into the Alaska Climbers Hall of Fame are well known for their historical association with Mt. McKinley climbing expeditions.

"There have been many notable and courageous climbers in the last century who deserve to be recognized for the contribution they have made to Mt. McKinley expeditions," said Brandon. "We believe the Hall of Fame will be an ideal way to recognize some of these people and to educate visitors to the lodge about their feats and their importance to the local climbing community."

The 1999 Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by a panel of four judges, include:

Belmore Browne, who formed the Browne-Parker expedition to attempt the first summit