2023 is the year we triumphantly commenced the Amway Leadership Seminar (ALS) once again. Besides celebrating the achievements and tenacity of our Leaders, this event was a chance for them to reconnect with one another as they embarked on an unforgettable cruise to discover the majestic beauty of Alaska.
This ALS was made extra special as Amway hosted one of the highest number of qualifiers – 1,346 qualifiers in total, which resulted in the qualifiers travelling in two waves. Our Alaskan adventures began with a warm welcome, accompanied by refreshing drinks and an inspiring speech from Mike Duong, the Managing Director of Amway Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, onboard the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
Sailing across the North Pacific Ocean to Sitka, which is known for its Tlingit culture and picturesque remnants of its Russian heritage, the first wave indulged in exhilarating kayaking adventures, exploring the beauty of the Sitka National Historical Park, and basking in authentic Alaskan hospitality at the Alaska Bear and Silver Bay Homestead Experience, among other unforgettable activities.
The second wave of Leaders made their way to the vibrant city of Ketchikan, experiencing highlights like observing playful harbour seals on the Ketchikan Waterfront and Wildlife Cruise; travelling onboard an amphibious boat on the Ketchikan Duck Tour; and exploring the Saxman Native Village, known for their collection of Native American Totem Poles, the largest collection of standing Totem Poles.
Both waves were thrilled to explore Skagway, which is home to gold-rush-era buildings, now preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The sight of soaring rugged mountains, cascading waterfalls formed by the melting snow, and the landscape stretching endlessly before us was a sight to behold.
Some Leaders embarked on a scenic journey aboard the White Pass Scenic Railway, while the other half marvelled at the majestic beauty of the Alaska White Pass and Yukon Alpine route by bus before trying their hand at gold panning at Alaska 360's Dredge Town, home to an authentic gold dredge.
The Leaders were also very fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring Dawes Glacier, a blue-tinged, coastal glacier measuring over 600 feet tall. This impressive tidewater glacier is a mighty remnant of an even bigger ice block that forged the Endicott Arm Fjord thousands of years ago.
Later in the day, we arrived in Juneau, which is the capital of Alaska and one of the most beautiful cities in the state. Some Leaders visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Centre & Nugget Falls to enjoy views of the thirteen-mile-long river of ice, which terminates on the far side of Mendenhall Lake. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of many major glaciers that connect to the vast Juneau Ice Field, a 1,500 square mile remnant of the last ice age, cradled high in the coast mountain’s lofty peaks.
Others went for the eagerly anticipated once in a lifetime chance to experience of a whale watching and wildlife cruise. The sheer emotional impact of witnessing these magnificent mammals spouting and fluking in their natural habitat, against a stunning backdrop of Alaska mountains or coastline was indescribable. No photographs or videos could fully capture the essence of this remarkable spectacle.
We wrapped up our adventures at Juneau with an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, which delighted our hungry Leaders with abundant servings of freshly caught wild Alaskan salmon and Alaskan Dungeness Crabs that were grilled to perfection over a fragrant alderwood fire. Dining amidst the lush scenery of the Alaskan rainforest while being entertained by local musicians made this culinary experience truly one of a kind.
In addition to the shore excursions at the different Alaskan cities, we also organised various Amway-exclusive activities onboard the cruise ship such as roller-skating, FlowRider, silent disco, Royal Bingo, and several sports activities which the Leaders enthusiastically took part in.
While numerous precious moments lingered in our memories, one of the undeniable highlights of the trip was Amway Day, which took place at the Royal Theater onboard the Ovation of the Seas. The day kicked off with a business session, during which we formally recognised the achievements of the Leaders who qualified for 2021 ALS Alaska and 2020 ALS Sydney, as well as newly qualified Diamonds.
Once the formalities concluded, the Leaders returned to their rooms to get dressed and build up an appetite for the Gala Dinner which followed shortly after. The event saw Leaders brought their A-game and showcased their impeccable fashion sense to suit the theme "Dancing Queens and Kings”.
Amidst the mingling and networking, each Leader had a special treat as they got to savour the cruise’s highly coveted signature lobster dish, one of the highlights of the dinner. Each Leader was served a whole lobster, a treat that was specially arranged by Amway. Satisfied and energised, the stylish Leaders then took to the dance floor to celebrate and party the night away. Amway Day ended on a high note with the Best Dressed Winners receiving prizes from their exceptional style.
To conclude this incredible cruise adventure, the final leg of the journey took us on a short trip to Victoria, Canada. The Leaders had the opportunity to indulge in some last-minute shopping, acquiring souvenirs to serve as cherished mementos, inspiring memories of this experience and potentially fuelling anticipation for future ALS adventures.
As we reflect on this memorable experience, we are grateful for the turnout of qualifiers who joined us. Undoubtedly, it was their presence and companionship that made this year's ALS truly remarkable. We sincerely hope that we will be blessed with the participation of familiar faces and the addition of many new qualifiers as we embark on another exciting chapter of ALS adventures.
