Alaska’s top business symposium, the Alaska Chamber’s Fall Forum attracts business leaders from all across the state. The Forum will highlight business issues of statewide importance, host the Premier Business Awards Gala, and set our 2024 advocacy agenda.
Fall Forum Sponsorships are NOW AVAILABLE! Information about sponsorships can be found here.
Additional event details, including registration, hotel and travel information can be found here.
(This draft agenda is tentative and subject to change)
Tuesday, September 26th
12:00-4:00pm - Local Chamber Executives Roundtable
2:00-4:00pm - Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 27th
All Day Fall Forum - downtown Hilton Hotel
7:30am - Welcome Desk and Registration Opens - Breakfast
8:15am - Opening Remarks
Kati Capozzi, President and CEO, Alaska Chamber
John Sims, Board Chair, Alaska Chamber
Recorded address by Senator Lisa Murkowski
8:30am - An economy in flux: How do Alaska’s workforce trends compare to the rest of the country, and how do employers compete for           talent?
Kevin Berry, Associate Professor of Economics, UAA ISER
Chad Moutray, Chief Economist, National Association of Manufacturers (virtual)
Andrew Kupperman, Workforce Technology Consultant, RISQ Consulting
Moderated by Sarah Erkmann Ward, President, Blueprint Alaska
Recorded address by Senator Dan Sullivan
9:30am - Life After the 80th Percentile Rule and Health Insurance Ratings 101
Gary Strannigan, Vice President Legislative Affairs, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska
U.S. Chamber Update
Chris Eyler, Executive Director, Congressional and Public Affairs
The fight for free enterprise: A labor update from Washington D.C.
Glenn Spencer, Senior Vice President, Employment Policy Division, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
10:30am - Break
10:45am - Southcentral Natural Gas Update
Dan Britton, General Manager, Interior Gas Utility
John Sims, President, ENSTAR Natural Gas Company
Noon - Alaska Native corporations: Leading the next chapter in industry
Aaron Schutt, President and CEO, Doyon, Limited
Josie Hickel, President, Chugach Alaska Corporation
Russell Dick, President & CEO, Huna Totem Corporation
Moderated by Kim Reitmeier, President and CEO, ANCSA Regional Association
1:30pm - AI and the future of Work
       Michael Cruz, Senior Data & AI Expert, Microsoft
2:00pm - Infrastructure Update: The BigÂ
Overview – Shareen Crosby, Infrastructure Investment Coordinator, State of Alaska
Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League
Broadband – Thomas Lochner, Director, State of Alaska Broadband Office
Transportation – Katherine Keith, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Transportation
Energy – Curtis Thayer, Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority
3:00pm - AIDEA Update
        Randy Ruaro, Executive Director, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
       Advocacy Soup to Nuts: The Importance of Engagement
Joe Balash, former Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources
Christy Resler, President and CEO, ASRC Energy Services, LLC
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association
Renee Limoge Reeve, Vice President of Government & Community Relations, Cruise Line International Association
Moderated by Kara Moriarty, President and CEO, Alaska Oil and Gas Association
4:00pm - Closing Remarks
Forum concludes at 4:00pm to allow for preparation of evening awards gala.
4:00pm - Cocktail Hour Reception
6:00pm - Doors Open
6:15pm - 70th Anniversary Gala: Champagne Toast, Dinner, Silent Auction, Premier Business Award Winners Announced
        Cocktail Attire
9:00pm - Gala concludes
Thursday, September 28th
8:30am - Breakfast
9am - Policy Forum
New Positions for Consideration
- Support State resource management authority in the bodies created for those purposes by the legislature
- Submitted by Nicole Kimball, Vice President, Pacific Seafood Processors Association
- Support the protection of ERISA
- Submitted by Pat Shier, Alaska Member Representative, Pacific Health Coalition
- Support for Electric System Upgrades and Generation Diversification
- Submitted by Michael Rovito, Deputy Director, Alaska Power Association
- Support Education Tax Credits (ETC)
- Submitted by Chad Hutchison, Director State Relations, University of Alaska
- Support Alaska Performance Scholarship
- Submitted by Chad Hutchison, Director State Relations, University of Alaska
The Fall Forum will conclude at or around 11:30am on Thursday, September 28th
Immediately following the Policy Forum, there will be a short board meeting to ratify new positions and set 2024 Chamber priorities. The board meeting is expected to conclude at or around noon.
THE POLICY FORUM WILL NOW BE A PART OF THE 2023 FALL FORUM
More information about the Policy Forum, including how to submit a policy position can be found on our Policy Forum page.
PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS WILL NOW BE A PART OF THE 2023 FALL FORUM
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
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