
The Alaska Business Summit attracts business leaders and elected officials from all across the state to connect, collaborate, and strengthen Alaska’s business community. The Summit will highlight business issues of statewide importance, host the Premier Business Awards, and set our 2026 advocacy agenda.
2025 ALASKA BUSINESS SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 8th
12:00pm-5:00pm - Local Chamber Executives Roundtable
Sponsored by: AOGA
This session is for local chamber executives only.
3:00-5:00pm - Board Meeting
Open to current and onboarding board members and invited guests.
5:30pm- Opening Reception held at the aBar at Alyeska Resort
Open to all attendees.
7:00pm - Dinner on your own!
Thursday, October 9th
7:30am - Breakfast Doors Open
Columbia Ballroom
Breakfast Sponsored by: Hilcorp Alaska, LLC
8:00am - Opening Remarks
Kati Capozzi, President & CEO, Alaska Chamber
Joe Balash, Board Chair, Alaska Chamber
Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year Award
Award winner: Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal
Presented By: Ralph Samuels
Livestream Remarks from U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich
Generations At Work: Building Alaska’s Workforce of Tomorrow
Keynote Presenter Jeff Utecht
From Boomers to Gen Z, the workplace has them all! In this interactive session, Jeff shares insights on leading across generations and explores how we can recruit, retain, and inspire Alaska’s workforce of tomorrow.
10:10am - Refreshment Break
Sponsored by: At-Sea Processors Association
William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year Presentation
Award winner: John Hendrix
Presented By: Aaron Schutt
The State of Alaska’s Economy: The Berry Breakdown
Katie Berry, President, McKinley Research Group
Kevin Berry, Professor of Economics, University of Alaska Anchorage
Two leading economists — who also happen to share a home and three children together — bring their joint expertise to the stage. They’ll explore key economic trends in Alaska, from resource development to workforce shifts, offering insights that matter to businesses and communities alike.
Alaska LNG Project Update
Adam Prestidge, President, Glenfarne Alaska LNG, LLC
11:30am - Break
12:00pm - Luncheon Program
Sponsored by: Donlin Gold
Local Chamber of the Year Presentation
Award winner: Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Presented By: Casey Sullivan
Best & Worst for Alaska’s Industries: A Fireside Chat
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association
Jillian Simpson, President & CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association
Jamie Benson, President & CEO, Alaska Trucking Association
Sierra Minder, External Affairs Manager, Alaska Oil and Gas Association
Nicole Borromeo, President, ANCSA Regional Association
Alicia Kresl, Executive Director, Associated General Contractors of Alaska
Caitlin Yeager, Vice President of Policy & Engagement, At Sea Processors Association
Moderated by: Heather Handyside, President & COO, Thompson & Co.
In this rapid fire conversation, hear from some of Alaska’s key industry leaders on the highs and the lows their industry is facing in today’s economic and political climate.
1:30pm -Trade Winds: Steering Business Through Tariff Uncertainty
Mike Satre, Director, Governmental Affairs, Hecla Ltd.
Jessica Rostad, Owner/CEO, Big Ray’s
Jonathan White, Founder, SteamDot
Moderated by: Greg Wolf, President & CEO, Alaska International Business Center
Ballot Measure 1: The Aftermath
Mike O’Brien, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Alaska State Legislature
Laura McDonnell, Owner, Caribou Crossings
Moderated by: Kati Capozzi, President & CEO, Alaska Chamber
An update on the newly released paid sick leave regulations; how to comply, and current legislation that could provide relief for thousands of businesses.
The ERA and the Corpus: The Case for Account Consolidation
Jason Brune, Chair, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
3:00pm - Refreshment Break
Sponsored by: At-Sea Processors Association
Global Energy Institute Update
MacKenzie Morales, Director of Advocacy & Outreach, U.S. Chamber GEI
Unleashing Alaska's Resources: How the State is Responding to President Trump's Executive Order
Rachel Bylsma, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Dunleavy
Generative AI: Empowering leaders to innovate and drive productivity
Jeff Utecht, Speaker and Consultant, Jeff Utecht Consulting
Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year Presentation
Award winner: STG Incorporated
Presented By: Krag Johnsen
Champagne Toast
Sponsored by: CLIA
5:30pm - Summit at the Summit Reception
Sponsored by: Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance
Bar Sponsored by: Alaska Miners Association
Tram opens up at 5:00pm and will run every 10-15 minutes for ABS attendees only. MUST HAVE NAME BADGE TO ENTER.
7:30pm - Dinner on Your Own
Friday, October 10th
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.

Registration Rates (Registration Now Closed)
Member $575
Non Member $675
Late Registration (Begins October 1st) $750
Local Chamber Executives and Staff $250
THE POLICY FORUM & PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS ARE PART OF THE 2024 ALASKA BUSINESS SUMMIT
More information about the Policy Forum, including how to submit a policy position can be found on our Policy Forum page.
More information about the Premier Business Awards, including how to submit a nomination can be found on our Premier Business Awards page.
Previous Alaska Business Summits
2024 - Alaska Business Summit - Fairbanks, Alaska
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