Alaska’s top business symposium, the Alaska Chamber’s Alaska Business Summit (formerly Fall Forum) attracts business leaders from all across the state. The Summit will highlight business issues of statewide importance, host the Premier Business Awards presentation, and set our 2025 advocacy agenda.
2024 ALASKA BUSINESS SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 8th
9:00-1:00pm - Local Chamber Executives Roundtable Sponsored by AOGA
The Future of AI and Chambers: Understanding the fundamentals and how you can implement AI to work smarter, not harder.
Speaker: Carlos Machuca, MBA, AI Resource Program Director, SBDC
This session is for local chamber executives only.
2:00-4:00pm - Board Meeting
Open to current and onboarding board members and invited guests
2:00pm - Optional Tours (Pick ONE) - Buses Depart from Westmark
Open to all Alaska Business Summit attendees!
RSVP’s required – Email lydia@alaskachamber.com to secure your tour slot.
Kinross Fort Knox Mine Tour
OR
Commercial Drone Tour with UAF at Fairbanks International Airport https://acuasi.alaska.edu/
5:00pm Bus Departure from Westmark for Opening Reception
If unable to attend the Kinross Fort Knox or UAF drone tour, hop on the second bus to attend our opening reception!
5:30- Opening Reception at Silver Gulch: Pints & PAC's Sponsored by Samson Tug & Barge
Tour participants will meet up with the rest of the Business Summit attendees for a private reception. Contributions to the Alaska Business PAC and Alaska Miners Association PAC are welcome!
7:00pm - Depart Reception for Westmark
Dinner on your own!
Wednesday, October 9th, Westmark Gold Room
7:30am - Doors open for Alaska Business Summit - Breakfast sponsored by Hilcorp Alaska
Joe Balash, Board Chair, Alaska Chamber
William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year Presentation
Award Winner: Jeff Cook
Presenters: Kara Moriarty and Marilyn Romano
Video address by Senator Murkowski
Joey Crum, President & CEO, Northern Industrial Training
Facilitated by: Kara Moriarty, President & CEO, Alaska Oil & Gas Association
From barriers to employment, birthrates to immigration reform, and generational divides among employees; an update on today’s workforce shortage and how employers should prepare for the next ten years. In addition, a primer on SkillBridge, a veteran-hire program all employers should know about.
9:00am - Strategic Leadership in the age of AI: From Vision and Challenges to Impact
Carlos A. Machuca, AI Resource Program Director, Alaska Small Business Development Center
Mike Satre, Director of Governmental Affairs, Hecla Mining Company
Ellie Booth, Senior Manager, Public Policy, Amazon
Facilitated by: Laura McDonnell, Small Business Owner, Caribou Crossings
What are the strategic challenges of implementing AI in your organization and how can you safely embrace and manage the technology.
10:00am - Break - Refreshments Sponsored by Transportation Institute
10:15am - Ballot Measure 1: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Rebecca Logan, CEO, Alaska Support Industry Alliance
Michael Cervantes, Owner, The Banks Alehouse
Elizabeth Hall, Chief Operating Officer, John Hall's Alaska Tours Transportation
A primer on the so-called minimum wage measure on the statewide ballot this year and why your business, regardless of size or type, should care.
10:45am - Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Presentation
Award Winner: Northern Industrial Training, LLC
11:00am - Foot on the Gas: Switching Directions: Trucking LNG from Prudhoe to Fairbanks
Andrew Limmer, Vice President, Harvest Alaska
Elena Sudduth, General Manager, Interior Gas Utility
First delivery of Prudhoe LNG is expected to arrive in Fairbanks in early 2025. An update on the Harvest-IGU project.
Local Chamber of the Year Presentation
Award Winner: Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce
Presenter: Holly Meyer, Aspen Hotels of Alaska
Video Presentation by Senator Sullivan
Luncheon Keynote Fireside Chat
Rich Nolan, President & CEO, National Mining Association
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association
Mike Satre, Director of Governmental Affairs, Hecla Mining Company
Joe Balash, Santos, Alaska Chamber Chairman
Kati Capozzi, President & CEO, Alaska Chamber
Kari Nore, Director of External Affairs, Alaska Chamber
2:00pm - Tipping Point: The Cost of Living, Working, and Playing in the Last Frontier
Dr. Brett Watson, Assistant Professor of Applied and Natural Resource Economics, ISER
Akis Gialopsos, Deputy Executive Director, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Commissioner Heidi Hedberg, Department of Health, State of Alaska
Alethea Gomez, Colorado Executive Director, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC)
Facilitated by: Stacy Barnes, Director, Governmental Relations and Public Affairs, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
While jobs and GDP are up in Alaska, the cost of housing, childcare, and groceries are hurting employers’ abilities to attract and retain workforce. What’s the solution?
2:45pm - Break
3:00pm - Elections 2024: Hot Takes
Matt Larkin, Owner, Dittman Research
Nicole McCleskey, Partner, Public Opinion Strategies
Facilitated by: Renee Reeve, VP of Government and Community Relations, Cruise Line International Association Alaska (CLIA)
With 50 legislative races, two ballot measures, a Congressional seat, and a rollercoaster of a Presidential campaign, hear the perspectives and predictions of two pollsters who are the best at what they do, both in-state and nationally. Less than a month until election day!
Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year Presentation
Award Winner: Trident Seafoods
Presenter: Scott Habberstad
Champagne Toast: Sponsored by CLIA
5:15pm to Lobby for those riding bus to Morris Thompson Center
5:30-7:30pm - Reception at Morris Thompson Center Sponsored by Usibelli Coal Mine and Explore Fairbanks
Bussing is provided from the Westmark to reception in 15 min rotations
Thursday, October 10th - Westmark, Gold Room
8:30am - Breakfast Doors Open Sponsored by Santos
9am - 11am - Policy Forum – Open to Alaska Chamber members only
Our annual advocacy agenda-setting event! Learn about, discuss, and cast your vote on policy positions submitted by members for the Alaska Chamber’s advocacy agenda.
To include as many members as possible, this will be a hybrid event. If you are a member and do not plan to attend in person, contact kari@alaskachamber.com to register and receive your secure link to attend virtually.
12:00 - 1pm Congressional Candidate Forum
Co-hosted by the Alaska Chamber and Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
Congresswoman Mary Peltola - confirmed
Nick Begich - confirmed
The Alaska Business Summit will conclude at 1:00p.m. sharp.
THE POLICY FORUM & PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS ARE PART OF THE 2024 ALASKA BUSINESS SUMMIT
*Closed for 2024* More information about the Policy Forum, including how to submit a policy position can be found on our Policy Forum page.
*Closed for 2024* More information about the Premier Business Awards, including how to submit a nomination can be found on our Premier Business Awards page.
Past Fall Forums
2023 - Celebrating 70 Years - Anchorage, Alaska
2022 - Partners in Progress - Fairbanks, Alaska
2021 - Rejuvenating Alaska's Economy - Girdwood, Alaska
2020 - Virtual Fall Forum - Presentations Here
2019 - Charting Our Future - Girdwood, Alaska
2018 - 65 Years of Pro-Business Advocacy - Fairbanks, Alaska
2017 - A Tale of Two Economies - Sitka, Alaska
2016 - Illuminating the Path Forward - Kenai/Soldotna, Alaska
2015 - Renovate. Innovate. Repeat. - Fairbanks, Alaska
2014 - Our Business, Our Story - Girdwood, Alaska
2013 - It's Your Business - Fairbanks, Alaska
2012 - We Mean Business - Anchorage, Alaska
2011 - Champions for Alaska's Future - Talkeetna, Alaska
2010 - Alaska + Business = Economy “Back to the Basics” - Juneau, Alaska
2009 - Riding the Wave: Setting a Course for the Next 50 Years - Homer, Alaska
2008 - 49th State, 49th Year: Planning for Alaska's Prosperity - Fairbanks, Alaska
2007 - Alaska's Business Environment: Anticipating Changing Times - Anchorage, Alaska
2006 - Charting Alaska's Future - Anchorage, Alaska
2005 - Providing the Tools for Alaska's Future - Valdez, Alaska
2004 - Meet the Faces Behind Alaska Business - Juneau, Alaska
2003 - Reclaiming Alaska's Spirit: A New Attitude for Making it Happen - Kodiak, Alaska
2002 - Celebrating Our Past: Prospecting Alaska's Future - Fairbanks, Alaska
2001 - Planning for Progress in Challenging Times - Juneau, Alaska
2000 - Accepting the Challenge - Leading the Way - Girdwood, Alaska
1999 - New Millennium: New Economic Opportunities - Wasilla, Alaska
1998 - Learning From Our Golden Past to Energize Our Future - Valdez, Alaska
1997 - Business in Alaska: Gateway to Opportunity - Ketchikan, Alaska
1996 - Providing for Today - Preparing for Tomorrow - Sitka, Alaska
1995 - Golden Past, Brilliant Future - Whitehorse, Alaska
1994 - Business Partnerships for Alaska's Future: Let's Make a Difference - Fairbanks, Alaska
1993 - The Future Isn't What It Used to Be - Anchorage, Alaska
1992 - Mining: Alaska's Sleeping Giant - Juneau, Alaska
1991 - Its Good Business - Kenai/Soldotna, Alaska
1990 - Connections East and West: Onward to 2000 - Fairbanks, Alaska
1989 - Alaska Business: Alive and Well - Anchorage, Alaska
1988 - Alaska Summit: A view from the Top - Sitka, Alaska
1987 - Building World Market for Alaska - Juneau, Alaska
1986 - Alaska's Economy: Challenging and Exciting - Fairbanks, Alaska
1985 - Alaska Business: Serving Alaska - Anchorage, Alaska
1984 - Silver to Gold - Valdez, Alaska
1983 - Alaska's “Unity in Diversity” - Sitka, Alaska
1982 - Sitka, Alaska
1981- Anchorage, Alaska
1980 - Juneau, Alaska
1979 - Fairbanks, Alaska