Alaska Business Week

Registration for Alaska Business Week 2012 is open.

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Alaska Business Week Flyer

What is the Alaska State Chamber’s Alaska Business Week program?

The Alaska Business Week program is modeled after the very successful and long-running Washington Business Week program, and we work very closely with them to assure all aspects of the program are covered. We have utilized their curriculum, crafting it to make it applicable to Alaska and Alaskan high school students. It has now been incorporated into a college-level program, endorsed by the UAF School of Management as a two-credit elective course. Students must earn these credits by being actively involved in team efforts to run a complex business model, while striving to attain new heights in their leadership capabilities. We have also developed a relationship with UAF and the UA Foundation to provide education tax credits for contributions to this program.

Why is this program important?

Alaska businesses will need qualified, educated young Alaskans to assume leadership positions in the future. Alaska high school students will some day become our future leaders. This is one way members can take an active role in grooming future leaders of our state. What better way to address this need than to actively participate in this endeavor!

Alaska Chamber membership participation is especially important because this program gives students a hands-on experience in running a business – something some of them will aspire to do in their long-term careers. What better way to get them started on this track to groom them for future leadership positions - a very wise investment indeed!

We encourage high school students from all over the state to participate – home schooled, private or public schools – they are all encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Free transportation opportunities are available for early registrants. Applications are now being taken on-line at: www.uaf.edu/abw.

Over the past two years we have experienced a 55% growth rate in our program, and anticipate over 100 students will participate this coming summer. Students have come from over 35 Alaskan communities over the past two years. 

Statistics show a similar academic program at UAF encourages students to excel in their pursuit of higher education, and a very high percentage of them complete at least one college degree. Although the Alaska Business Week program is still young, we are starting to hear antidotal evidence from our graduates that they too are taking their future educational options very seriously. The results of this one-week program are paying off already.

Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Click Bishop met with all the students during the course of the program and asked each of them to describe their aspirations. One student in particular, Tessa Baldwin, stood up and declared she wanted to be the president of her Native Corporation some day! She has gone on to be appointed to the Governor’s Taskforce on Suicide Prevention, and has attained both AFN and national honors in this regard. She was also developing her own non-profit organization for this mission during the course of the Business Week program last summer.

As Tessa has demonstrated so clearly, these students are the leaders of tomorrow. Anyone who participates in the Alaska Business Week program can take pride in what transpires during this short period in the summer. It’s truly remarkable.

How can I get actively involved in this worthwhile program?

Many businesses and individuals have contributed to this program over the past two years. To date, we have raised over $338,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to make this program work, and we are diversifying our funding sources as this program gains a reputation for successful results. This is not an inexpensive endeavor. We estimate it costs approximately $1,800 per student to cover expenses, and many students rely on partial or full scholarships in order to be able to participate. Tuition is $450 for the entire week in and is in line with other similar summer leadership programs. It includes housing, food, program materials, and tuition and activity fees.

Many students would not be able to attend this program if it weren’t for the generous sponsorship of many benefactors. Here are some ways you can contribute to this worthwhile program:

·      Provide scholarships

·      Share your success stories – be a speaker 

·      Be a company advisor!

·      Act as a chaperone - get a free trip on July 14 and/or July 21 on the Alaska Railroad.

·      Consider what your company can provide in-kind

·      Program sponsorship

Whether you contribute $1,000 or $50,000, your contributions benefit the students. Your active participation provides our future leaders with a head start in developing their talents and dreams. And they receive college credits for successfully completing the program – an inspiration to keep going!

Note:  Your contribution may be eligible for the education tax credit. Funds are held by the UA Foundation for use by the Alaska Business Week program for educational purposes.  Please see: www.alaska.edu/uafound for more information.

We are fortunate to have many generous benefactors to keep this program running, and encourage Alaska Chamber members to join this effort.

We encourage direct participation in the way of monetary contributions as well as identifying students, company advisors, speakers and in-kind support.