Why Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is enjoying a renaissance fueled by entrepreneurial attractions, activities and events that celebrate life in the Far North as well as public arts and spaces, coffee shops and food trucks, restaurants and locally made libations. A spirited place populated by independent, kindhearted, tough-as-nails, creative residents, Fairbanks’ cool factor has flourished in recent years and inspires and intrigues residents and guests alike. Geographically situated in a sweet spot in the Tanana Valley, Fairbanks has the Brooks Range to the north keeping the Arctic winds at bay and the Alaska Range keeping the wet, coastal weather to the south. You can expect dry weather, dramatic clouds, blue skies, little wind, warm summers and cold winters. Make sure you pack a sense of adventure as well as seasonal, casual clothing and shoes for your trip. Dressing in layers is recommended regardless of the season as temperatures fluctuate. Summer wear includes shorts, short-sleeved shirts and sandals, but also plan to pack pants, long-sleeved shirts and a light jacket. Winter gear includes parkas, boots, hats, mittens and snow pants for your outdoor adventures. Check out explorefairbanks.com to view the fun How to Dress for Winter video.

Population: Fairbanks North Star Borough, including the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole, has a population of nearly 100,000 residents. Time Zone: The state of Alaska is in the Alaska Standard Time Zone (AKST), four hours behind Eastern Standard Time and makes adjustments for daylight savings time. Mobile and WiFi: Available carriers include GCI, AT&T, Verizon and Cricket Mobile. SIM cards can be found at respective store locations. WiFi and cell coverage is abundant in cities but can be limited in rural areas. Money: Major credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted and ATMs are available for cash withdrawals.

Midnight Sun Season April 22 through August 20

Fairbanks experiences 24 hours of sunlight for seventy Average Daylight Hours and days from May Temperature 17 to July 27. Check out the online Midnight Sun Tracker that calculates the number of daylight hours, also known as civil twilight, 365 days a year in multiple locations.

Aurora Season August 21 through April 21

In the Fairbanks region, the aurora borealis (northern lights) almost always appears when the sky is relatively dark and clear. Check out the online Aurora Tracker that correlates aurora forecast, weather conditions and time of day to determine aurora viewing possibilities in multiple locations.

Winter Season Mid-October through March

During this time period, the Fairbanks region has Average Snowfall and reliably colder Temperature temperatures and snow cover. Winter offers remarkable activities and events like dog mushing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing and ice sculpting.

Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

Not only beautiful but informative, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is loaded with brochures, maps of all kinds, walking and driving tours and WiFi. Serving as the regional visitor facility, friendly and knowledgeable staff have answers to your questions. A 9,000 square foot portal into life in the Far North, the exhibition space has outstanding displays and dioramas about Interior Alaska’s people, wildlife, landscapes and seasons. The center showcases Alaska Native Culture and has programs, an outdoor excursion trip planning area, and an Alaska Geographic store. Explore the grounds and find colorful Athabascan flower mosaics, the farthest north antler arch and a classic 100-year-old log cabin. The center is home to Explore Fairbanks, Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Alaska Geographic Store and Denakkanaaga. See listing on page 23

Alaska Native Heritage

Fairbanks’ northern Alaska clime has a rich tapestry of indigenous cultures with Athabascan Indians in the Interior and Inupiaq Eskimos in the Arctic. Traditionally nomadic, many Athabascans retain a subsistence lifestyle of fishing, hunting and trapping supplemented by modern technology. The Inupiaq Eskimos subsist on the land and sea of northwest Alaska with its oft extreme climate. This rich tapestry comes to life through handmade beadwork, ivory and bone carvings, dolls and skin sewing, birch, caribou skin and driftwood masks and spruce root and grass baskets. Dancing, drumming and storytelling also enjoy a renowned legacy in the Interior and the Arctic. You’ll find beautiful beaded moose hide slippers, caribou antler dolls, whale baleen baskets, walrus ivory cribbage boards and more on display and for sale. Outstanding Alaska Native artists offer a link to the past, as well as a bridge to the future.

Arts & Entertainment

Captivated by the natural world, artists find the Fairbanks region a wellspring for creativity. Galleries, exhibits, local shops and more display art of all kinds— paintings, ceramics, masks, found art, sculpture and photography. Premier orchestras and symphonies offer concerts. Study-performance and folk school opportunities attract instructors and students from around the world, local dance clubs welcome visitors and noted authors and composers call Fairbanks home. Many local artists craft brilliant works of art inspired by the nature and wilderness surrounding Fairbanks. Downtown has a strong artistic vibe, where painted ventilation pipes, drain covers and colorful murals populate and beautify. Vibrant First Fridays showcase local, end-of-the-road artists, and other colorful and varied events and performances can be relished year-round.

Small Town, Big Events

Indoors or out, Fairbanks’ calendar offers an array of engaging events. Ice sculpting competitions, sled dog races, hockey, curling bonspiels, midnight sun and winter solstice festivities and Alaska Native celebrations are all a part of Fairbanks’ vibrant culture. To find out what’s happening during your time in Fairbanks, visit the online events calendar at www.explorefairbanks.com. Remember to be COVID-19 conscientious and confirm dates with the individual events you plan to attend.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Go exploring! Go to UAF and take a hike. Take a tour. You have 2,250 acres to explore on the Fairbanks campus and there’s always something going on. UAF hosts national and international academic and scientific conferences throughout the year. Then there are the fine arts festivals, museum exhibits, movie nights, free lectures, woodland walks — if you’re curious, if you’re wondering, if you want to know more, chances are you can find it at UAF.

Eielson Air Force Base

Eielson Air Force Base is located 25 miles from Fairbanks, just south of the community of North Pole. Eielson is home to the 354th Fighter Wing which hosts multiple RED FLAG-Alaska exercises each year and the 18th Aggressor Squadron flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Eielson is also host to several tenant units including Alaska’s Air National Guard 168th Refueling Wing and the Arctic Survival School. The base recently became home to the F-35 fighter jet and is anticipated to have 54 total jets by December 2021, making Alaska the U.S. state with the highest concentration of combat-coded, fifth generation aircraft.

Fort Wainwright Army Post

From a small cold-weather test station to one of the Army’s largest training areas, Fort Wainwright has come a long way. Fort Wainwright’s strategic location, superior training capabilities and dynamic relationship with our local civilian communities make Alaska a significant national asset and world-class power projection platform for military operations anywhere in the world. Today, Fort Wainwright is home to the United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright team and units of United States Army Alaska (USARAK)—including the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, also known as the 1-25th SBCT; the USARAK Aviation Task Force and the Medical Department Activity-Alaska team.

Fairbanks—The U.S. Arctic Hub Community

Just 140 air miles or 195 road miles below the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks is the farthest north city in Alaska and in the United States accessible by air, road and rail. This location affords Fairbanks the most advantageous position to access, research, promote and support the Arctic. Local businesses provide transportation and innovative services to Arctic neighbors. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is devoted to a wide variety of Arctic studies. The regional military bases recognize the strategic location and singular environment the area provides. Visitors can easily take an extraordinary tour north above the Arctic Circle by road or plane. These elements come together in Fairbanks to create a local core on the cutting edge of all things integral to the Arctic.

PERKS OF MEETING IN FAIRBANKS

Plenty Of Space: Fairbanks’ meeting venues provide more than 175,000 square feet of meeting space, from rustic to modern. Local hotels and other area accommodations offer abundant sleeping rooms with more than 2,900 year-round guest rooms. Affordability: The city of Fairbanks offers lower bed tax, no state tax and no local sales tax. You‘ll also take advantage of lower service charges, lower rates, free WiFi and free parking. Dining Options: You will find extensive dining opportunities to tantalize your taste buds. From fine dining to coffee shops, international fare to fast food, as well as numerous craft breweries and distilleries—your conference attendees will have no trouble finding something to satisfy their craving. Small Town Hospitality: Fairbanks locals are known for their warm and welcoming nature. After just a short time you’ll understand why Fairbanks is called the Golden Heart of Alaska. Pre-/Post-Convention Excursions: Pan for gold, visit Santa, mush a dog team, tee off at midnight, view giant ice sculptures, go flightseeing above the Arctic Circle, ride a riverboat on the Chena River. . .the list is endless. Attendance Boosters: Explore Fairbanks has a substantial presence in the social media world. We can help promote your conference through Facebook or Twitter or a post to our blog. Fairbanks Winter and Visitors guides are available to tantalize your attendees to participate.