Community Engagement Committee
The Community Engagement Committee (CEC) is essential for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration between AECO, its members and Arctic communities.
By developing initiatives, collaboration and tools aligned with AECO’s values, the CEC ensures that community perspectives are heard and integrated into our initiatives, strengthening the bonds between AECO, its members and Arctic communities.
Members
- Laura Macfarlane, Lindblad Expeditions (chair)
- Sarah Minty, Adventure Canada
- Steffan Danino, Albatros Expeditions
- Annika Rautiola, Ponant
- Benjamin Bradley, Quark Expeditions
- Michaela Sauer, Silversea
About the Committee
Mandate
- Develop recommendations for effective community engagement, ensuring alignment with AECO’s values and vision, and execute them in collaboration with the Secretariat.
- Identify and prioritize key community issues that necessitate action, facilitating proactive and responsive measures and develop proposals for this.
- Foster collaborative partnerships with community and regional representatives, actively soliciting and incorporating feedback to enhance engagement initiatives, and communicate significant feedback themes to the membership as relevant.
- Advise the Secretariat on community engagement projects, measures, and issues to ensure strategic alignment and effectiveness.
- Evaluate existing community engagement tools and propose new or amended versions as needed to optimize engagement outcomes.
- Explore opportunities for local value creation and propose methods to document AECO members’ contributions, aligning efforts with relevant other committees and groups.
- Research and share best practices in community engagement, facilitating implementation across AECO membership.
- Raise and address issues related to local community relations within AECO’s operational area, advocating for solutions and enhancements as necessary.
Structure
- The committee will comprise no less than three (3) and no more than six (6) members, who should have experience in community engagement in the Arctic, and who represent operators who actively visit or interact with communities frequently.
- Committee members are expected to attend and cover the travel costs for 1-2 in-person committee meetings per year and attend relevant community engagement events.
Focus Area
The Community Engagement Committee focuses on strengthening partnerships with Arctic communities and creating local value. Key priorities include expanding cultural and economic opportunities and enhancing knowledge sharing and trust through dialogue and collaboration. Current focus projects are Made in the Arctic, Community-Specific Guidelines, and Cruise Ready.
Secretariat Lead
Gyða Guðmundsdóttir, Head of Community Engagement
Last update: 28. November 2025