Alaska State Chamber of Commerce

In 1953, a few years before Alaska was granted statehood, the "All Alaska" Chamber of Commerce was formed for the purpose of promoting commerce in Alaska. The construction boom, brought about by World War II, was winding down, and Alaska’s business leaders recognized the need for an organized effort to develop a new, stronger economic base for Alaska. The first leaders of the Alaska Chamber discussed tax incentive legislation, development of the state’s forest and mineral resources, promotion of the tourism industry, and increasing agricultural production. With statehood, the name was changed to the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, and the organization represented the first unified effort to have the voice of business in the state legislature.

A few Alaska State Chamber leaders have gone on to become state and national leaders. Walter Hickel, once Chairman of Economic Development for the State Chamber, became Governor of Alaska, twice, as well as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Former board Chairman Bill Sheffield later became Governor of Alaska, and U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski also once served as chairman of the board.

The Alaska State Chamber still serves as the voice of business. Today, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce has approximately 500 business members, represented by a 81 person board of directors which includes representatives of thirty-five local Alaskan chambers and the chambers of Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Portland and the Yukon. Members annually select the priority issues they want addressed by the legislature. These become the focus of the State Chamber’s active lobbying program and range from issues that are ongoing, like fiscal planning and regulatory reform, to specific economic development issues in resource development and land access. Among its many achievements to date, the Alaska State Chamber successfully lobbied for paving of the Alaska Highway, launched the first Alaskan trade mission to Japan, and was instrumental in passage of major tort reform legislation.

The 1952 headline announcing the formation of the first All Alaska Chamber of Commerce was proudly displayed by the founding president Jack Anderson to retiring President Dave Murdey and incoming President Bill Sheffield. (Picture from 1976)

Newspaper articles on the formation of the All-Alaska Chamber of Commerce

1. Click here for Article and Headline from Anchorage Daily News on formation of All-Alaska Chamber August 25, 1952 part 1 [63kb .pdf]
2. Click here for Article from Anchorage Daily News on formation of All-Alaska Chamber August 25, 1952 part 2 [81kb .pdf]
3. Click here for Editorial from Anchorage Daily News "A Great Start is Made at McKinley" August 25, 1952 [79kb .pdf]
4. Click here for Editorial from Anchorage Daily News on Formation of All-Alaska Chamber January 19, 1953 "Acid Test is Passed" [75kb .pdf]

Newspaper articles on the formation of the All-Alaska Chamber of Commerce provided by Past President Jack Anderson. Mr. Anderson served as the first President of the All-Alaska Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce was credited with conceiving the idea of a State Chamber.

Alaska State Chamber Past Chairs