<p>As for me, I would prefer seeing an elk on the billboard.</p>
<p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – A new billboard campaign is reminding would-be tourists that someday it really could be too late to visit the northern frontier.</p>
<p>The billboards in Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, proclaim “Alaska B4UDIE” – or Alaska, before you die.</p>
<p>The Alaska Travel Industry Association launched the monthlong, $180,000 campaign Monday.</p>
<p>“'People say time after time that Alaska is on the list of places they want to go,” said association spokesman Dave Worrell. “We want to get people thinking about Alaska now rather than later…'”</p>
<p>I see no difference between this and New Hampshire’s “Live free or die” slogan. It is doing the trick, look at all the free media coverage AK is getting because of this. Even if they are forced to pull the slogan, the job of advertising is done. Marketing students should pay attention to this story.</p>
<p>well those have to be better than the this is gin… billboards that are alongside 99.
winter fall isn’t really the time of year I want to see alaska though- maybe in June</p>
<p>“Voir Madrid et mourir.” It was a common expression when I was growing up in France.</p>
<p>When I was in grad school, I returned to Paris. In a restaurant, I overheard a conversation between two women who’d just gone to the American consulate to get visitors’ visa. One reported that she’d gotten her visa because, when asked by the consular officer why she wanted to visit the US, she’d responded that her late husband had always told her to “see Disneyland before you die.”</p>
<p>Frankly, I don’t think the people of Alaska can be trusted with federal money. I would like to see some massive pork removed from Alaska and then move on to the other States.</p>
<p>…actually, I don’t think the people of <em>any</em> state (mine included) can be trusted with federal money. The attitude of “hey, it’s free money” seems to develop all too readily.</p>
<p>Big dig anyone? The Euclid Corridor project in Cleveland comes to mind locally. The New Orleans situation will be interesting to see how in develops in terms of federal funds.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, a lot of this excess spending indirectly is the fault of the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress gave President Clinton the line item veto which would have enabled him and future Presidents to strike wasteful spending proposed by Congress. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law.</p>
<p>We lived in Anchorage for 6 years. One summer we were flying back after visiting the grandparents on the east coast, myself and my 2 sons then ages 3 years and 9 months. Upon arrival in Chicago for our connection we were informed that the flight was WAY overbooked. Looking around I could see plenty of ‘blue hairs’ (as we called them when I was younger…ashamed to say). I KNEW it meant good things for me.</p>
<p>Patiently I waited (the boys not so patiently) as first they offered one free ticket for willing bumpees…then 2 free tickets…finally 3 free tickets/bumpee- a virtual gold mine for me as we had 3 seats! </p>
<p>Now I see that all the ‘blue hairs’ were just like lemmings to the sea following the command to see Alaska before they died, and they just couldn’t risk taking a flight 4 hours later…</p>
<p>I think the campaign is taking their slogan from the popular travel book, “100 Places to Visit Before You Die,” ( title may not be exact, but I think that’s it.) The title seemed to sell a lot of books - maybe they’re hopiing it will be similarly effective in their ad.</p>
<p>And the funny thing is we Alaskans allow no billboards (passed by referendum) within State highway r.o.w. So at least WE won’t be seeing billboards for your lovely destination.</p>