S U M M E R 2 0 15
Investing The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Engineering W h y I t Pays To B e S af e
Health Yo u S n o o z e , You Wi n
14 21 22
Investing in Alaska’s Future:
26,000+ Total jobs supported
80% Alaska hire
$21 million+ Community giving in the last 4 years
$2.7 billion+ Taxes and royalties paid (2013)
Rick Rodriguez
Fleet, Roads & Pads Team Leader BP Alaska
Find out more about BP Alaska at alaska.bp.com
2 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
63_15366 7 x 10 4c
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Anchorage Chamber Tent City Festival Sponsors The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting the Anchorage Chamber Tent City Festival at Delaney Parkstrip on July 25 and 26 Sponsors as of July 15.
Presenting Sponsor Alaska Oil and Gas Association
Legacy Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Northrim Bank Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska World Wide Movers Alaska Business Monthly AEDC Bronze Sponsors
KTUU Channel 2 iHeart Radio
BDO Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska The Aleut Corporation Sam’s Club First National Bank Alaska Kiewit Infrastructure Holiday Stores KPMG Alaska Cruise Association Microcom
Anchorage Foot & Ankle Clinic F. Robert Bell & Associates First Command Financial Services Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell, LLC Alaska Veterans Museum Budget Rent-a-Car
Family Sponsors
The Lakefront Anchorage MEA Alaska Executive Search Musk-OX Producers’ Co-Op
Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union Michael Baker Jr. The Hotel Group RSA Engineering, Inc. ENSTAR Natural Gas Company
Century Sponsors
AECOM Anchorage Glacier Pilots American Marine International Pacific Environmental Corporation Mapmakers Alaska Grant Provided By Anchorage
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 5
TECHNOLOGY 18
E D UC AT I O N 2 3
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 2 4
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 9 SUMMITING INNOVATION 10 VOLUNTEERISM HELPS ENGAGE EMPLOYEES 16 PREPARATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF TAX MANAGEMENT 17 TEX R US STILL LEADING IN LOCAL IT DEVELOPMENT 18 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE QUARTER 19 TOURISM BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURS ARE A NATURAL FIT 20 WHY IT PAYS TO BE SAFE FROM THE START 21 YOU SNOOZE, YOU WIN 22 IBEW LOCAL 1547 SUPPORTS THE POWER OF EDUCATION 23 A NEW GENERATION OF THE ‘BERRY’ BEST 24 CHAMBER EVENTS 25 MEMBER BENEFITS 26
Thank you to our 2015 renewing Executive Level Members
6 | advancing anchorage magazine | Spring 2015
2015-2016
board of directors 2015-2016 Elected (15 Required; 3 year terms; can serve up to 3 terms) Janelle Pfleiger, associate broker, RE/MAX Properties (chair) Julie Anderson, health, safety, environment & stakeholder manager, Alaska Energy Authority (chair-elect) J.R. Wilcox, President, PB Chemical (vice chair) Chris Clifford, vice president & principal business relationship manager, Wells Fargo Mike Hayhurst, office managing partner, KPMG Susan Jensen, manager, Bayshore Clubhouse Bill O’Leary, CEO, Alaska Railroad (secretary-treasurer) Melissa Reiser, vice president of commercial lending, First National Bank Alaska Tim Thompson, manager of public affairs, Alaska Airlines Joy Merriner, audit director, BDO USA, LLP Andy MacLeod, general manager, KTUU-TV Randy Cunningham, Renewal by Andersen Michael Carr, VP Finance, ConocoPhillips Matt Thiel, Chief Financial Officer, Hickel Investment Company
Appointees (Up to 12, Optional; 1-year terms; can serve up to 3 terms as appointed) Sandra Heffern, owner, EHD Enterprises (past chair) Art Clark, vice president, Real Estate Brokers of Alaska Dr. Michael Acarregui, CMO, Providence Alaska Medical Center Jan Seglem, operations technical manager, ExxonMobil Terry Welch, Senior VP of Operations, BP Richard Watts, district manager, Safeway Brian Franklin, CEO, Frontier Tutoring Jana Hayenga, owner, Cabin Fever Nick Brorson, vice president of Client Relations, Sockeye Business Solutions Ben Hemmila, Business Development Executive, The Wilson Agency Scott Torrison, Chief Operating Officer, Bristol Bay Native Corporation Jim Kostka, Senior Director of Commercial Service Delivery and Operations/Senior Director of Commercial Services, GCI
1016 W. Sixth Ave., Suite 303 Anchorage, AK 99501 phone (907) 272-2401 fax (907) 272-4117 info@anchoragechamber.org Anchoragechamber.org Executive Editor / Publisher Corey Hester Contributors: Allan Johnston Kevin Van Nortwick Ashly Collins Josie Wilson Heidi Bohi Kimberlee Hayward Lynn Klassert Photos submitted will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The Anchorage Chamber reserves the right to edit all information submitted for publication. Published by
Col. Bruckbauer, Commander, U.S. Air Force, Elmendorf Ed Graff, superintendent, Anchorage School District Bill Popp, president/ CEO, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation Rashmi Prasad, dean, College of Business and Public Policy at UAA Julie Saupe, president/ CEO, Visit Anchorage Christopher Schutte, executive director, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. George Vakalis, city manager, Municipality of Anchorage
Cover Design/Nadya Gilmore/AJOC
301 Arctic Slope Ave. Suite 350 Anchorage, Alaska 99518 (907) 561-4772 Publisher Rona Johnson Managing Editor Andrew Jensen Production Manager Maree Shogren Magazine and Cover Design Nadya Gilmore Advertising Director Jada Nowling: jada.nowling@morris.com Account Executives Zach Aregood: zachary.aregood@morris.com Ken Hanni: ken.hanni@morris.com Ryan Estrada: ryan.estrada@morris.com
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Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 7
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6/26/15 8:25 AM
letter from the president
GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUSINESS LEADERS Bruce Bustamante
Photo/Dan Joling/AP
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce has given us time to evaluate what has made our organization important and relevant to businesses in our city. Today our vision reflects a focus on advancing businesses for success and sustainability. This comes in the form of business-to-business networking, professional education, and bringing pertinent issues to our members. As we continue our work to advance business, the Anchorage Chamber must recognize and help develop the next generation of city and commerce leaders. Many of us in our younger days may recall that golden opportunity to serve on the board or a committee of a chamber, CVB or other non-profit groups and how important it was for our professional development. That involvement help build our commitment to the community. We have some of those golden opportunities in front of the Anchorage Chamber as we are developing a large and engaged Young Professionals Group. And reaching to a younger generation The Young Entrepreneurs Academy or YEA! had its inaugural year in Anchorage in 2015. YEA! was started in 2004 in Rochester, New York, with grant support from the Kauffman Foundation. This program targets students from grades 6-12 and provides training for students to
learn about starting or running a business or social movement. The YEA! includes donations from the private sector along with program guides or instructors that have been successful entrepreneurs themselves. At the end of the program (9 months) the students can progress by coming with a business venture, writing their own business plan and presenting their product to an investment board. The outcome of the program can be startup money to kick off their new business. Since this program is very new to Anchorage we were able to start with 10 students of which five graduated, creating five new businesses.
The businesses included:
• Alaska Paracord Designs (emergency survival essentials built into a wrist band) • Riju (natural health drink) • Macedonia Education Movement (provides reading glasses to needy students in Macedonia) • Only The Details (mobile auto detailing) • Ben’s Bug Out Bags (emergency survival gear in a back pack) Roughly 40 Anchorage Chamber member businesses and 55 volunteers, mentors and investors provided support to this year’s program. And a special thank you to Buzz Bizz Studios for being the presenting sponsor and volunteering five staff to create websites and marketing collateral for the students.
And the good news is that registration for the 2015-16 school year is now open, as our goal is to grow the program significantly this coming year. In the midst of a generation drawn to online social networks and online networking groups, Anchorage young professionals have not had an engaged and social network that addresses their specific needs until the Anchorage Chambers Young Professionals Group (YPG) was formed in June of 2014. It was formed to address the challenges and support the growth of young professionals in Anchorage and ultimately throughout Alaska. YPG is the largest young professional organization in Alaska with over 200 engaged members. YPG is an ideal group to join if one is thinking about being an entrepreneur as the networking and professional development aspects compliment the Anchorage Chamber’s wide variety of opportunities to engage within multiple facets of the business community. YPG averages over 25 professionals per event, and has implemented a variety of different avenues for professionals to develop key business skills and strategies, grow personally and professionally, and provide unique networking opportunities with other motivated and social professionals. It is critical for the future success of the Anchorage Chamber that we have engagement and active participation from our young professionals. It is not only and a leadership investment for the future but many of these people are leaders today! Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 9
Zoi Maroudas-Tziolas, a long-time entrepreneur and owner of Pizza Olympia Restaurant, created Bambino’s Baby Foods. Her product is quickly transforming the baby food market with the first FDA-approved Alaskan baby food.
By Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Anchorage continues to generate bold new ideas and create solutions 100 years after its conception on Ship Creek. As the
city’s startup resources develop to the likes of more established and populated cities such as Seattle or Boston, a growing network of investors, access to diverse capital, and a shared interest in innovation motivate Anchorage entrepreneurs to turn their
10 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
ideas into reality. Many of these inventors and creators can find an encouraging and supportive atmosphere, along with a wealth of knowledge and resources scattered throughout the city.
Photo/Peter Luchsinger/Pal Photography
Generating Entrepreneurs
Anchorage has attracted and produced a steady flow of savvy entrepreneurs, thanks in part to the two major local universities and various organizations around town. The University of Alaska Anchorage has steadily increased its commitment to entrepreneurial activity. The College of Business and Public Policy has a strong and comprehensive undergraduate and graduate program that enables eager students in any major or field to start a company. UAA’s Business Enterprise Institute and the recently expanded Center for Corporate and Professional Development are aimed at increasing entry-level and midlevel employees’ business acumen. Alaska Pacific University has also increased promotion of entrepreneurship through its graduate studies in entrepreneurship programs, Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, and MBA course offerings geared toward students eager to start their own business or venture. Magen James, a graduate of the MBA program, enjoyed the focus on remaining at the cutting edge of entrepreneurship trends. “They were talking about and teaching lean startup methods before it was the vogue thing to do,” mentions James. “The program really inspired me to take a step back from traditional methods of entrepreneurship and program development, and focus on how I can create programs that are innovative and really meet the needs of my audience.” But what about programs for younger minds eager to delve into the business realm? Entrepreneurship has progressively gained interest and traction among younger students throughout Anchorage. Junior Achievement has always had an excellent “business fundamentals” program that teaches real-world business skills to middle-school and high-school students. Their program is widespread throughout the Anchorage School District. Recently, the Anchorage Business Committee endorsed the King Career Center’s Business Institute entrepreneurial initiative. There, students learn and experience business operations through a hands-on and problem-based curriculum. In addition, students hone their portfolios, in order to demonstrate proficiency in skills considered essential by the business Continued on page 12
A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way By Kimberlee Hayward & Lynn Klassert
Alaska Small Business Development Center University of Alaska, Business Enterprise Institute Suppose for a moment you’re moving to a foreign country to earn a living. You’re passionately excited about your new venture, willing to give up your current life style, drag your family along for the ride, and invest your savings to make it happen. As exciting as it all is, would you, even for a moment, seriously consider making the move without a reasonable understanding of the language spoken in that country? Certainly not! At the very least, your chances of success would be greatly diminished and your chances of struggle and hardship greatly enhanced. The same is true when you are starting a business; to succeed you need to speak the language — numbers. At a minimum, you need to understand the difference between direct and indirect expenses, know how to read and interpret the three foundational financial statements, and understand how to calculate and interpret your key ratios. “The story is in the numbers” and without a clear understanding of what the numbers are telling you, you will be, in the end, doomed. Another key point to understand, especially during the early phases of your business (and then again when you are adding new products or services) is that a “brilliant idea” is not always a “brilliant business idea.” A brilliant idea is one that meets a need or solves a problem; a brilliant business idea is one that solves the problem in a way that generates profits
(in a reasonable amount of time using a reasonable amount of resources). There are millions of great ideas that aren’t great business ideas. Knowing the difference means analyzing your idea to see if the numbers work (again with the numbers already!) They will tell you if your idea has a realistic opportunity to develop into a profitable business and how long it might take for that to happen. If it’s not looking like the brilliant business idea it once did, sometimes you can tweak it until it becomes a good business idea. Sometimes, however, it means scrapping it all together and moving onto another. It doesn’t mean your idea wasn’t brilliant… it just wasn’t a brilliant business idea. No shame in that! Another concept that’s often not well understood by entrepreneurs is “the tighter you niche your market, the more success you’ll have.” This is a very counter-intuitive concept that meets with a lot of resistance because defining a tight niche market feels limiting. While that may be true, it is also true that the tighter your market niche, the more effective your marketing. Consider the light bulb and the laser…they both work off of the same energy but look at what a laser can do that a light bulb can not, simply because the laser’s energy is more tightly focused. It’s common to mistakenly believe that our brilliant ideas are brilliant business ideas, that we can pay someone else to take care of our numbers, and that “everyone” is a valid target market. Yet as much as we want to believe these things, they just don’t hold up when it comes to business success. The willingness to hear and apply the wisdom in these messages does; a little understanding goes a long way toward success. Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 11
Continued from Page 11
YEA! graduate Grayson Davey has been a successful entrepreneur since he started his company, Alaska Paracord Designs, when he was 11.
community. The Anchorage Chamber graduates these students at a Monday forum with an endorsement certificate for those who successfully meet this portfolio requirement. Earlier this summer, the program graduated four qualified students excited to put their newly garnered business skills to use. Aside from local educational institutions implementing compelling business classes and training, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce has also been responsible for incubating many major successful programs and startups that continue to thrive in the business community. A new initiative recently undertaken by the organization and backed by the Anchorage Business Committee
is the newly launched Young Entrepreneur’s Academy. As Anchorage Chamber President Bustamante mentioned in his opening letter, the Anchorage Chamber’s YEA! program kicked off its first year with great success, as this program successfully taught students how to start and run their own real business. This year’s program had dozens of participants, mentors, investors, and volunteers, and it graduated five incredibly business-savvy young entrepreneurs. Anchorage Economic Development Corporation took the lead on establishing Alaska Entrepreneurship Week. This dynamic marathon of entrepreneurial interaction, compelling seminars and workshops, along with a variety of luncheons and
12 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
panels, hosted by multiple industry partners, is the peak of all things entrepreneurial in Alaska compacted into one week.
Entrepreneurial Spotlight
As Anchorage’s economic growth spreads throughout the state, Alaska’s economic and business statis-
tics frequent national news and rankings. Most recently, Alaska’s creativity and hard work have topped some of the leading business charts. In a study that came out last year, Alaska ranked second-highest in terms of entrepreneurial growth and activity, with the Kaufmann Continued on page 13
Photo/Courtesy/Grayson Davey; Photo/Courtesy/Alaska Pacific University
Angel Investor Eric MacCallum speaks to a group of MBA students at Alaska Pacific University.
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Continued from Page 12
B U I L D I N G
D R E A M S
T O G E T H E R
The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Alaska is Energized By Allan Johnston
CEO,TEAM Network Inc. The Entrepreneurial support system in Alaska is alive and well. One of the driving catalysts of this has been Anchorage’s good fortune of being the first city in the United States to apply for and receive 13 million dollars of small business startup /expansion capital from the 2010 Jobs Act legislation. Anchorage received the first payment of approximately 4 million in February of 2012 and has since received their entire $13.2 million allocation. This money was specifically designated for new business startups and small business expansion within the boundaries of the Municipality. The Municipality of Anchorage is investing these funds through a newly created entity called the 49th State Angel Fund (www.49saf.com). Federal regulations requires a minimum 1-to1 match with local private capital. The 49th State Angel Fund next created a local advisory board of nine individuals to assist in soliciting and reviewing proposals to accomplish the private sector capital match. Currently $10 million of local private money has been committed by four new Angel Fund Groups. These four groups now have a combined total of $20 million looking for local opportunities to invest in. The most active of the 4 funds is made up of two professors from UAA in partnership with an Alaska Pacific University professor and a founder/owner of the Boardroom Coworking Space. Ky Holland, the Alaska Pacific University professor and Al Hermann the UAA MBA Entrepreneurship professor, are both involved in organizing the annual Alaska Business Plan Competition where they are now actively
mentoring and funding several of the recent and past business plan winners. Katherine Jernstrom, the owner/ founder of the Boardroom Coworking Space is creating additional investment opportunities for her team by providing a weekly Million Cups of Coffee forum at the Boardroom where local entrepreneurs present their business ideas for feedback and possible funding. All four of the existing Angel Funds are looking for investments so it might be worthwhile learning about each of them in case your needs and their interests align. If you would rather create another Angel Fund instead of a business, don’t forget that the 49SAF still has $3 million to invest in one or more new Angel Funds. Anchorage Economic Development Corp. spearheaded bringing the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Week program to Alaska two years ago. This program has been a great success and now numerous local and statewide organizations are expanding this inspirational entrepreneurial initiative throughout Alaska. There have been more new entrepreneurial groups, activities and opportunities created within the last three years than I can ever recall happening in Alaska previously. The single biggest barrier I see to our next level of entrepreneurial development in Alaska is a statewide mentoring/investment network. All of the famous accelerators we hear about like Y-Combinator or TechStars all have more mentors associated with their program than they do entrepreneurs. If you are interested in being a mentor or a potential investor please give me a call about our statewide Angel Investor/ Mentor Network at 727-1187 or email me at allanrjohnston@yahoo.com
14 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
Index of Entrepreneurial Activity reporting on average 470 per 100,000 Alaskan adults were engaged in entrepreneurship. This year, Alaska edged out Hawaii by leading the nation as the state with the highest well-being, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Furthermore, Anchorage was named the hardest-working city in America, with the greatest labor force participation (79.21%) according to WalletHub. This should come as no surprise. This strong work ethic and innovative business sense is exhibited by a variety of awardwinning, nationally recognized entrepreneurs and active members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Who would have thought that, with organic food sales in America hitting over $35 billion in the past couple years, there would be a need for another niche market? One Alaskan woman did. After realizing that there was vast room for improvement regarding the quality and variety of baby food, Zoi Maroudas-Tziolas, a long-time entrepreneur and owner of Pizza Olympia Restaurant, created Bambino’s Baby Foods. Her product is quickly transforming the baby food market with the first FDA-approved Alaskan baby food. Her products are the first refrigerated baby food line ever. “There are many reasons why I became an entrepreneur. It’s not limited to seeing a need and filling it. It is the community you will grow around your business,” says Maroudas-Tziolas. “It’s establishing that connection with your society and your employees. Founding a company and setting roots takes commitment in yourself, family, and your community.” As an active Anchorage Chamber member, Zoi utilizes her membership not only to expand her business, but also to network and collaborate new ideas with likeminded entrepreneurs. “It’s beneficial for making friends and networking. It is very important to pay attention to the crowd around you. There is always a wonderful way of helping or partnering together for the greater good and perhaps a mutual benefit.” With Zoi’s driven personality and strategic business skillset, Bambino’s Baby Foods is negotiating for a larger manufacturing facility for mass production as the statewide and national demand flows in.
Her current products include organic, gluten-free, and kosher ingredients to maintain the all-natural and high-quality state of healthy baby food. But success comes at all ages, and in this case, can occur even before becoming a teenager. Earlier this year, national media outlets including the Washington Times profiled our Young Entrepreneurs Academy graduate Grayson Davey. At just 13 years old, Davey has been a successful entrepreneur since he started his company, Alaska Paracord Designs, when he was 11. As with any professional, a mentor is an often overlooked yet incredibly valuable asset to professional and business growth. Davey relied on the relationship with his mentor to diversify and strategically grow his business. “The YEA! program helped me expand my business by working with a mentor, Al Herman. Since then, the company has grown to seven employees and is in the process of expanding to more retailers,” says Davey. Anchorage has seen numerous organizations and companies focus on implementing training and seminars to create and innovate ways to grow productivity or their companies. Most need to look no further
From left to right seen at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Graduation are: Lutfi Lena, Raymond Maggard, Grayson Davey, Magen James and Ben Culbertson. Not pictured: Alexi Erickson.
than the copious entrepreneurial programs and resources scattered throughout the city, as these collectively add to the city’s diverse economic base. As the nation continues to recognize Anchorage as one of the cities to watch, the number of innovative entrepreneurs that contribute to Anchorage’s economy is rising. The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and its members help keep our city in that positive spotlight. Al-
though starting a business and keeping it running is no easy feat, the community of Anchorage has a growing entrepreneurial support system of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. As the state churns through its economic challenges, Anchorage remains a bubbling economic hub that continues to welcome, support, and enable a new generation of spirited entrepreneurs as they summit the peaks of innovation.
ELEVATING ANCHORAGE Aviation has played a larger-than-life role in Alaska’s history, and that’s never been truer than it is today.
Photo/Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
As the world’s fifth largest cargo airport, Anchorage Airport is a vital part of Alaska’s economy. And the airport also delivers tourism dollars, hugs from grandparents, and adventures to Alaskans headed outside or around Alaska.
www.AnchorageAirport.com Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 15
Volunteerism Helps Distinguish Brands and Engage Employees
banking
By KeyBank
Singletrack Advocates Mountain View Boys and Girls Club.
unteer jobs. All but one KeyBank branch in each market closed statewide – allowing nearly 400 KeyBank employees in 13 branches to participate in volunteer projects from Anchorage to Unalaska, and Fairbanks to Kodiak. Brian Nerland, who just marked his 30th year with KeyBank, was part of the first Neighbors Day and was proud to continue the community service program when he became Market President in 2002. His personal Neighbors Day tradition is to visit every project in Anchorage, and bring treats to the single branch that remains open to provide customer service. His one regret? The year his record of perfect participation was interrupted by a meeting requiring travel to the Lower 48. “I spent the entire trip wishing I could
16 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
be with my team,” he confesses. And sometimes there’s drama. “One year, we had to cancel a trail cleanup at the last minute due to the unscheduled appearance of a grizzly bear.” “When it comes to Neighbors Day lore,” Nerland says, “that’s what we call The Alaska Factor.” This year, the only wildlife encountered was a moose spotted by the team assisting Singletrack Advocates with trail maintenance. The team covered nearly 1.5 miles of trail using shovels, rakes, mcleods and polaskis to clear drainages and remove obstructions. Anchorage employees also pitched in at the Alaska Botanical Gardens, NeighborWorks Alaska, Anchorage Youth Court and the Mountain View Boys & Girls Club. KeyBank employees across the state volunteered at projects in Eagle River, Fair-
Photos/Courtesy/KeyBank
Entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to distinguish their businesses, engage their employees, and attract new ones. One significant tool is volunteerism. According to a 2013 Health and Volunteering Study from UnitedHealth Group, 81 percent of respondents agreed that volunteering together strengthens relationships among colleagues. What’s more, four out of five people who volunteered in the past year say that they feel better about their employer because of the organization’s involvement in volunteer activities. As for those elusive millennials, Deloitte’s fourth annual Millennial Survey reports that today’s career-seeking 20-somethings are just as interested in how a business develops its people and contributes to society as they are in products and profits. KeyBank has supported this position since launching Neighbors Make the Difference Day 25 years ago in Alaska. The first Neighbors Day began with a customer appreciation event at the Benson branch in Anchorage, where about 100 guests and employees gathered to ceremonially close the branch doors at 1 p.m. The mayor proclaimed it to be “Neighbors Make the Difference Day,” and about 100 employees left to work on six different area projects. Media reported on the “parade” of Tshirt-wearing employees as they left the branch, tools in hand, to go to their vol-
PREPARATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF TAX MANAGEMENT By Kevin Van Nortwick
finance
Taxes are not often the first thing on a business owner’s ever-growing list of to-dos. For many new startups, every day presents another challenge or situation that requires immediate attention, often making thoughtful planning — taxes or otherwise—a pipedream. However, hindsight will be of little consequence come tax filing season — a time of year that can be quite overwhelming for businesses of all sizes and in every sector. Thus, allocating due brainpower, time and consideration to understanding taxes and your tax strategy could pay dividends come March 2016.
a federal and state level, which offer businesses a wealth of opportunity to improve their tax liability. While there are myriad of credits and incentives available, let’s take a moment to explore the most common federal provisions that, for all intense and purposes, are considered sector and company size agnostic. In May of this year, the House passed a bill making the R&D tax credit permanent. The bill currently sits with the Senate. However, if past is prologue, many industry professionals suspect that the credit will either be renewed for tax year 2015 or made permanent. Broadly speaking, the R&D tax credit can be claimed if you are developing or attempting to develop new or improved products, processes, or software. Additionally, the Section 179 deduction, which is a deduction that can be claimed for qualifying equipment and software purchases, currently has an expensing limit of $25,000 and a $200,000 phaseout threshold for property placed in service during tax year 2015. This is a significant decrease from the expensing limit of $500,000, with a phaseout of $2 million, that was previously available. However, as politicians promise a tax code overhaul in 2015, we will likely see a number of changes hit before next tax season. What’s the bottom line? Tax planning can have a material impact on your business and, as such, should be fully integrated into your business planning. Additionally, with an increasingly complex tax environment, you may consider the benefit of working with a tax professional to help you better navigate the evolving and uncertain tax landscape. Material discussed is meant to provide general information and should not be acted on without professional advice tailored to your firm’s individual needs.
Tax managing partner, Anchorage, BDO USA
Singletrack Advocates: From left to right: Chad Burris (STA Vice President), Patrice O’Connell, Chris Yelverton, Brian Nerland (Alaska Market President), Jodi Bourn, Sidney Flores, and Devin Bemman banks, Juneau, Kodiak, Palmer, Soldotna and Unalaska. The Alaskan-born concept swept across the bank, and, in 1993, the company made Neighbors Make the Difference Day an official day of volunteerism. It has since grown to be one of KeyBank’s most visible community projects and one of the largest corporate volunteer projects in America, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to helping communities thrive. In 2015, more than 6,000 employees in 13 states, from Maine to Alaska, left their bank branches at noon and volunteered to help make a difference in their respective communities. In the past 25 years, Key employees have given more than half a million volunteer hours through Neighbors Day. While KeyBank Alaska’s volunteer spirit sparked a nationwide company movement, it was noteworthy in Anchorage at the time as well. According to Jennifer Ferguson, KeyBank’s Alaska operations leader, who has been with KeyBank in Alaska since 1981, “The very first Neighbors Day was a quite a big deal because no other bank in our area had actually closed its doors during banking hours to do community projects.” That entrepreneurial moment distinguished KeyBank then and does to this day.
Year-end Planning
There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to taxes. The tax code is complex and legislative changes are consistently being passed down. However, as a rule of thumb, year-end tax planning is key to managing your tax position. What you have to remember is that annually on Dec. 31 a number of provisions expire, requiring taxpayers to take action before they are no longer available. While tax planning should be an ongoing business activity, the fall months typically mark the beginning of year-end tax preparation.
Documentation & Recordkeeping
While it’s no secret that documents and records are key to supporting your tax position, startups and new business owners sometimes fail to keep critical records and documents on file. As such, maintenance of relevant records and documentation should be done on an ongoing basis throughout the year, including but not limited to: • Documentation of stock and stock option issuances to investors, employees and contractors • Previously filed tax returns • Gross receipts, purchases and expenses • Documentation of quarterly estimated tax payments Credits & Incentives Credits and incentives are available on both
About the author: Kevin Van Nortwick is a tax managing partner in the Anchorage Office of BDO USA, a professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies. Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 17
The small Badami field on the North Slope, taken over by Savant and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. from BP about three years ago, produces about 1,200 barrels per day and is using a customized IT platform by Tex R Us to reduce operating costs.
technology
Tex R Us
By Ashly Collins
Business Solutions Consultant,Tex R Us Tex R Us, LLC (TRU) is a mediumsized Alaskan based organization with its only office residing in Anchorage, established in 1999. We are the only company in Anchorage that offers both IT Support and Custom Software Development. We use the Full Team Approach giving our clients the advantage of an entire team of IT Professionals. This allows us to offer clients years of solid experience in a wide range of technologies. As an industry everything is moving to the “cloud” on both the infrastructure and the development sides. TRU has been on the leading edge of this trend, having been creating cloud based applications since the early 2000s. One application created by TRU is known as Savant App, which is an
application made to run small oilfields. SavantApp handles ALL aspects of camp management from hiring, training, billeting, travel, production, Health Safety and Environmental to compliance reporting. This application was co-developed with a Savant Alaska, a producer that runs the Badami oilfield, and is currently in use with other producers as well. The days of desktop applications are behind us. Clients are requesting private/ public cloud services. Enterprise networks of the future will be less hardware-centric and instead be compromised of more virtualized services instead of physical boxes. Because of this new movement in technology many companies have turned to local telecom companies to better support their bandwidth needs. Both major carriers have stepped up to the plate and made Tex R Us project managers Jim Henry, standing, and Victor Bakumenko are seen at their office in Anchorage.
18 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
major fiber investments to better care for the Anchorage business community. With these changes higher speeds have been made more readily available and prices have been adjusted to make this feasible for businesses of all sizes. With everything moving to the cloud we also see a shift in the workforce itself. More workers need to be able to work from anywhere and everywhere, creating a large mobile workforce. Often we see employees working off of tablets and phones instead of just the standard desktop or laptop. This creates new challenges from a development perspective when creating web pages and web based applications. Now development companies are using responsive design so that a web page/application collapses in different templates depending on the size of the device being used. This is a design that has been brought about for ease of use and is becoming more prevalent. A mobile workforce also brings about a new set of challenges from the IT stand point as well. Devices are now being blended for personal and business uses as more companies adopt the “bring your own device (BYOD) policy.” As an infrastructure support company we are now challenged to always be vigilant with important company data and companies themselves are changing their policies to allow for more BYOD without completely compromising security. With the ever-changing world of technology we are ready and excited to see what new challenges we will face. It is always a great opportunity to learn about new practices and see how we can use them to better service our clientele.
Photo/Tim Bradner/Alaska Journal of Commerce
STILL LEADING IN LOCAL IT DEVELOPMENT
Advancing Business, Advancing Anchorage The Anchorage Chamber’s Young Professionals Group is the largest young professional organization in Anchorage with over 250 active members. YPG works to address the challenges and support the growth of young professionals in Anchorage, as well as enhance a successful business climate both within the Anchorage Chamber’s network and outside into the Anchorage community at large. Each quarter, one Young Professional is elected by the entire YPG membership to receive the award for exemplary leadership and engagement both within YPG and the Anchorage Chamber, as well as consistently contributing and creating a positive impact within the Anchorage community. We are happy to announce that Jenny DiGrappa was elected by her peers as Anchorage’s Young Professional of the Quarter for Summer 2015! Jenny spends a majority of her time working in the non-profit sector, where she most recently served as the Bowl For Kids’ Sake Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, the largest fundraiser for the organization. In addition to her work at BBBS, she
worked for the Anchorage School District, where she taught grades K-12 throughout the city. Previously, Jenny served as the Interim Executive Director and eventually Operations & Outreach Director with the Alaska Brain Injury Network. Jenny serves as the Community Service Chair on the Young Professional Group Executive Board and Vice Chair of the Girls On The Run Southcentral Board of Directors. She is actively involved in the Anchorage Kiwanis Club, Young Entrepreneurs Academy, as well as many other non-profit organizations. Jenny plans to pursue her Masters in Public Administration from UAA, and would like to spend her career serving the community through involvement with non-profit organizations, the University of Alaska, and the Alaska legislature. As a member of the Anchorage Chamber and YPG, Jenny enjoys numerous benefits including the opportunity to listen to topics at the Make It Monday forums, and the various networking opportunities at all the Chamber events. “Participation in the Young Professional Group within the Anchorage Chamber
Jenny DiGrappa
young professional of the quarter has been the highlight of my young professional career so far. YPG has given me limitless opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The energy within the group is contagious, and each and every member continues to inspire me to do more, and be more, each and every day.” She was born and raised in Fairbanks, where she grew up helping her mom train for the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. She is an avid traveler, and spends much of her time outdoors, enjoying all that Alaska has to offer. Congratulations again to Miss DiGrappa for demonstrating outstanding leadership and volunteerism as an active young professional, and for successfully advancing the goals and mission of the Chamber and the Young Professionals Group, well done Jenny!
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Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 19
tourism
Tourism Business, Entrepreneurs are a Natural Fit A seemingly crazy idea, a vision of what could be, an insight to an underserved market, or a scheme to turn a hobby into a full time gig: Creating a successful business can start in many ways. The most famous examples are wellworn stories. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Richard Branson-types who started with little and made it large. They often take a garage venture and cultivate it into a huge business. But entrepreneurship isn’t only at the heart of these (now) larger-than-life people and their companies. The same spirit is alive and well in Alaska. It’s the spirit that propelled our largest companies and sparks new ones as well. Mighty oaks grow from acorns. Take Wally Hickel, a man who famously came to Alaska with 37 cents in his pocket. It may be hard to look at one of the largest hotels in the city and recall its startup origins. But remember that Hickel built his first hotel in 1953 with a vision of future growth. And the Hotel Captain Cook sprang from the Good Friday earthquake, one of the most destructive events in our state’s history. Over the course of 50 years in business the Hotel Captain Cook has quite literally shaped our city and redefined our economic landscape. All that from 37 cents and a vision. Mike and Kelly Bender each spent years on the waters of Prince William Sound be-
fore turning their personal passions into a professional venture. Mike started sailing in the sound in 1980 and Kelly started a career at the same time working on tour boats between Valdez and Whittier. Lazy Otter Charters first made waves in 1994, and their growing fleet is a testament to the power of personal passion. Owner and “hoperator” Brian Caenepeel launched Big Swig Tours last summer. The former land tour leader and guide saw space in Anchorage for a tour of Alaska brews. I guess you could say he’s quenching a thirst travelers have for all things local. The entrepreneurial spirit has fueled many such stories. From a single van, an outfit grows into a major transportation company. A home business evolves to an operation with the largest global corporations as clients. A downtown walking tour expands to a team of guides crisscrossing Southcentral and sharing Alaska with thousands of visitors. Not every start in tourism also ends in tourism. But a start in tourism spurs business success later in life too. No matter where they end up, people who start their careers in tourism go on to earn more. According to the U.S. Travel Association two out of five workers who start their careers in the travel industry go on to earn more than $100,000 per year. Think about the high school or college students you know in Anchorage. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that leisure
20 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
and hospitality is the sector where onethird of Americans who are getting an education find part time employment while they work on degrees or certifications. In Alaska, 1 in 11 jobs is attributed to the visitor industry. For many, it is these “first” jobs in tourism that develop a lifetime commitment to the industry and the first sparks of the entrepreneurial spirit. Just like the Benders, Wally Hickel or Brian Caenepeel, today’s front-line tourism employees have the front-row view of the unmet needs, the questions not yet answered or, perhaps, just that crazy idea sparked by a conversation. They are just the people I expect to be the next generation of entrepreneurs of community leaders.
The tourism industry provides over 39,000 year-round and 46,000 peak jobs in Alaska. Many jobs, such as this one aboard a day cruise, instill career-building customer service skills. Nearly 170,000 visitors received advice in Visit Anchorage’s information centers last year. Information center staff gain knowledge of the entrepreneurial spirit embodied in many of Alaska’s tourism operators.
Photos/Courtesy/Visit Anchorage
By Visit Anchorage
WHY IT PAYS TO BE SAFE FROM THE START By Josie Wilson
Communication Director, CH2M Starting and running a business entails numerous decisions. Entrepreneurs commonly think about all the financial, legal, and operational decisions that might help or hinder success. Deciding about workplace safety is not typically on the top of the list for a majority of start-up businesses. However, research shows that organizations with a strong safety culture receive a financial benefit in addition to a moral or ethical one. If a worker is injured on the job, it costs the company in terms of lost man hours, increased insurance costs, workers’ compensation premiums, and legal costs. Productivity suffers when other workers have to stop doing their job to deal with the situation. That doesn’t include the time spent on reporting and documentation. Then absenteeism can means longer wait times and potentially dissatisfied customers. When a workplace is safe, workers feel more comfortable and confident. This improves productivity and decreases absenteeism which means employees can focus on customer service and the bottom line. In fact, research shows that for every $1 invested in worksite wellness, companies can receive up to $3 in return according to AHA Workplace Wellness. Companies who focus on safety have an advantage over firms that do not. It can protect your reputation, attract and retain high potential employees, and affect profits. Even addressing the small incidents, first aid situations, and “near misses” can have a major impact. Herbert William Heinrich, an American industrial safety pioneer from the 1930s, studied hundreds of accidents and their probability vs severity. In his book Industrial Accident Prevention, A Scientific Approach in 1931 found that the more often minor incidents are allowed to occur, the greater the chance a serious incident will occur. His empirical finding became known as Heinrich’s Law. Start-up firms are in the best position to implement excellent workplace safety from day one. Identifying the potential risk factors and implementing safe practices at the beginning can save both time and money. One consideration might be ergonom-
ics. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration state that $1 of every $3 of workers comp dollars are related to muscular skeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back injuries. 34% of all lost workday incidents are also related to muscular skeletal disorders. Proper ergonomics can reduce these issues that are becoming more frequent and expensive. Another idea might be AED machines and first aid kits conveniently and centrally located throughout the workplace. “Approximately 90% of all Americans will develop hypertension over their lifetime and 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, yet, many people don’t even know they have it,” according to The American Heart Association. Building a strong safety culture can be simple. Here are the top best practices for a top Safety Program: 1. Demonstrate Management Commitment 2. Safety Planning 3. Education and Training 4. Involvement
The Heinrich 1 Major Injury 300-29-1 Model Minor Injuries 29
300
Near Misses
engineering 5. Hazard Recognition 6. Incident Investigations 7. Leading Indicators 8. Safety Staffing 9. Substance Abuse Testing 10. Subcontractor / Community / Client safety 11. Safety Incentives It is the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s goal “To make Alaska a viable and competitive place to do business.” Being safe can make you more competitive. Whether you are thinking about launching a new company or investing in your current business, it pays to be safe from the start. Josie Wilson is the Communication Director for CH2M in Alaska. She is also an adjunct professor in the College of Business and Public Policy at UAA.
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Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 21
health
Lack of sleep fuels our cognitive processes, and a deficiency decreases attention span, mental alertness, focus, concentration, thinking, communication, learning, and reasoning abilities.
You snooze, you win By Heidi Bohi
Alaska Regional Hospital You’re getting sleepy… If you agree with this statement, you might be one of the thousands of Alaskans who suffer from a lack of sleep a few nights a week or more. We compulsively track trending super foods, antidioxidants and everything gluten free, while monitoring high intensity interval training on our Fitbit activity trackers, but when it comes to sleep—one of the most important influences on our sustainable health—most of us who struggle with getting enough shut eye go undiagnosed and untreated. Although popular belief is that individual sleep needs vary between six and 10 hours per night, in fact most healthy adults are hard-wired to perform best with a full eight hours of shuteye, Ruth Townsend, Director of Alaska Regional Hospital’s Health & Well-being Solutions says. With age, she adds, the ability to fall and stay asleep may become more difficult, though the need for sleep actually increases.
You Are What You Sleep
Some people are not aware of the risks of sleep deficiency and may not realize that they are sleep deficient. Even with limited or poor-quality sleep, they often believe that they are functioning well. Besides commonplace bags under your eyes and waking up on the wrong side of the bed, lack of sleep can result in immediate damages— such as those sustained in a car crash. Drowsy drivers may feel capable of driving, though studies show that sleep deficiency harms driving ability as much as, or more than, being drunk: driver sleepiness is a factor in about 100,000 car accidents each year, resulting in about 1,500 deaths.
It also results in chronic health problems that harm you over time, though are no less serious. Deep sleep is essential for a person’s physical health and supports healthy growth and development. It triggers the body to release the hormone that boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues, defending your body against foreign and harmful substances that threaten your immune system and make it more difficult to fight common infections. About 90 percent of those who suffer from a chronic lack of sleep develop problems including cardiovascular issues, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Sleep Better, Live Better
At the same time, getting enough quality sleep at the right times greatly contributes to emotional wellbeing and quality of life, affecting how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others. You do not function well after a night of poor sleep because sleep fuels our cognitive processes, and a deficiency decreases attention span, mental alertness, focus, concentration, thinking, communication, learning, and reasoning abilities. On the job, this means more than just dozing at your desk. In the work place or classroom, those who are sleep deficient are less productive, take longer to finish tasks, have a slower reaction time, experience apathy, impaired memory, an inability to multitask, and make more mistakes. Irritability and moodiness are also some of the first signs that indicate you may be suffering from lack of sleep. It can affect people in all lines of work, including healthcare workers, pilots, students, lawyers, mechanics, and assembly line workers. After several nights of losing even as little as 1–2 hours per night, your ability to function suffers as if you have not slept at all for a day or two.
22 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
Sweet Dreams
Developing a routine that allows for getting enough sleep takes time and starts with going to bed earlier every night for a certain period of time, Townsend says. Here several other techniques she recommends for combating common sleep problems. For more information on sleep disorders, call the Alaska Regional Sleep Lab at 276-1131. ✔ Keep a regular sleeping and waking schedule ✔ Do not drink or eat caffeine four to six hours before bed and minimize daytime use ✔ Do not smoke, especially near bedtime or if you awake during the night ✔ Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before sleep ✔ Get regular exercise ✔ Minimize noise, light and excessive hot and cold temperatures where you sleep ✔ Develop a regular bed time and go to bed at the same time each night ✔ Try and wake up without an alarm clock ✔ Get tested for sleep apnea ✔ Do not use computers, phones, and other electronic devices that emit artificial electronic blue lighting in the hours right before bed time Most healthy adults perform best with a full eight hours of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).
Most In the work place, those who are sleep deficient are less productive, experience apathy, impaired memory, an inability to multitask, and make more mistakes.
IBEW Local 1547 Supports the Power of Education
IBEW Local 1547’s involvement with the School Business Partnership began in 2001 with Denali Montessori. Over the years, IBEW has underwritten many events for Denali families including the beginning of the year BBQ, end of the year ice cream social, science nights, family spaghetti feeds, RIF Books for students, backpacks and school supplies for students in need, holiday and food baskets to help families needing a little extra assistance, attendance recognition and more.
Instructor Journeyman Wireman Dalton Thompson (far right) instructs the students in conduit bending at the Tom Cashen Electrical Training Facility.
Beginning with one partnership, IBEW’s commitment to Anchorage children has grown tremendously throughout the years to include agreements throughout the entire school district, including: Wendler Middle School, Polaris K-12, and North Star Elementary School. In addition, IBEW provides support to Anchorage children and families via:
school business parthnership
inflatables, and even a DJ. Hundreds of CIT families have had the opportunity to participate in this amazing event.
King Career Center
IBEW’s partnership with the King Career Center (KCC) began over 10 years ago. The goal was to provide two topnotch students with a great career opportunity directly out of high school. The first student that received the honor of a direct interview was Ryan Andrew. Today, Ryan has not only proven to be a great asset in his field, he is also now a Wiremen Instructor at the NECA/IBEW Apprenticeship School. In May of this year, two more students were recognized as the most recent KCC graduates to receive this most distinguished honor. Both students were selected based on their excellent attendance, dedication to the construction electricity program at KCC, and strong work ethic. Due to the assistance of the KCC staff and the Department of Labor, KCC is now officially a Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
IBEW Apprenticeship School
IBEW and Apprenticeship School staff educate Anchorage youth on electrical safety, career opportunities in the electrical industry, and provide tours to the NECA/
Journeyman Wireman Dalton Thompson provides classroom instruction to apprentices at the Tom Cashen Electrical Training Facility.
IBEW Apprenticeship School for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Apprenticeship School staff also work year round with the Career, Technical and Education Program to provide speakers to middle school youth learning about career options.
About the IBEW 1547
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547 was chartered in Alaska on October 1, 1946. IBEW advocates for safety and protection of the rights of electrical and communications workers and others in nonconstruction occupations.
Photos/Courtesy/IBEW 1547
Child in Transition(CIT)/ Homeless Program
Partnering with the Child in Transition (CIT)/Homeless Program gives the IBEW the opportunity to provide noncareer related opportunities to youth in need throughout the Anchorage School District. In 2011, IBEW and North Star Elementary teamed up to work with CIT and sponsor a Fall Carnival so all CIT students could enjoy food and games for free. CIT helps to arrange transportation for students and their families to attend the event. North Star provides the facility, volunteers for the event, and candy for all of the booths; IBEW sponsors the food,
Journeyman Lineman Stephen Horwatt talks to Denali students about electrical safety at the Tom Cashen Electrical Training Facility Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 23
member spotlight
A NEW
GENERATION OF THE
By Salmon Berry Travel and Tours The sweet simplicity of our red and green brochure, our crisp white vans, and the enthusiasm of our knowledgeable guides in signature salmonberry pink are just a wink and a smile of the entity that is Salmon Berry Travel and Tours. Candice and Mandy, co-owners as of this year, have worked together to make Salmon Berry an innovative company, standard-setting, and they’ve collected a team with a certain “je ne sais quoi” that blends creativity, warmth and femininity with the raw and wild Alaskan frontier. We make a point to go the extra mile in
hospitality and comfort for our guests who may be unfamiliar with the “Alaska Factor,” the unknown and unexpected. Weather is no influence — Alaska is always fun! Candice received her master’s degree in the hopes of founding a company pivotal to the Alaskan people and economy, just like her dad in 1980 with Carlile Transportation. From humble beginnings as an Anchorage walking tour in 2005, Salmon Berry has expanded into a daily tour operator of south-central Alaska and a curator of travel throughout the whole state. Those seeking the experience of a lifetime come year round: to see wildlife and the lush flora of summer, and to witness
24 | advancing anchorage magazine | Summer 2015
the aurora borealis dance above the snowcapped mountains in winter. We strive to provide an Alaskan experience that is genuine and authentic, to share what we love most about our own home state. As a member of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Salmon Berry enjoys the benefits of networking and exposure to other growing businesses that help each other in the mutual growth of Alaska’s tourism market. With the industry’s recent boom, Salmon Berry, as well as other tour groups, has seen an influx of curious visitors and wandering explorers who arrive by sea and by air. The communal resource of the chamber has provided connections essential to Salmon Berry’s growth. We call ourselves “berries” and “the berry best team,” because whimsy abounds in a collection of people who are whole-hearted in sharing their sense of adventure. We come from the stock of those who adventured to this wild country in the first place — first, second and third generations of wild spirits. It’s a kind of pride, we suppose, and we’re eager to share it. That is why we welcome you with a smile, why we bring you cookies and make sure you have extra socks. We are your sister and your friend, and we want you to love Alaska as much as we do!
Photo/Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
‘BERRY’ BEST
chamber events Anchorage Chamber 58th Annual Gold Pan Awards Friday, September 18 6 – 9 p.m. Hosted at: Dena’ina Center The Anchorage Chamber Gold Pan Awards is one of the organization’s longest running civic programs, established in 1957 as Anchorage’s No. 1 premiere business awards event. For 58 years, Gold Pans have been awarded to those that have shown business and entrepreneurial excellence, as well as a loyal commitment to Anchorage through community service.
Anchorage Chamber Annual Train Ride Friday, October 2 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hosted at:Alaska Railroad,Anchorage downtown depot Network, dine and enjoy frosty beverages while viewing sights along Turnagain Arm, with a brief stop at beautiful Spencer Glacier, an Alaskan wonder accessible only by train. The Annual Train Ride is the Anchorage Chamber’s premier networking event and seats have sold out in the past.
REOCCURING MONTHLY EVENTS: Young Professionals Group – Monthly Meeting
Business After Hours
Second Tuesday of every month 4 – 5 p.m. Hosted at: Anchorage Chamber boardroom
Third Thursday of every month 5 – 7 p.m. Hosted at: participating Chamber member’s business
A great networking event that provides an opportunity for members to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere while making those important business connections.
A great networking event that provides an opportunity for members to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere while making those important business connections.
Chamber Academy
Young Professionals Group – Monthly Networking Luncheon
Second Wednesday of every month 12 – 1 p.m. Hosted at: Anchorage Chamber boardroom This lunch-time educational seminar is geared towards business owners, entrepreneurs and young professionals, where community experts present on a variety of topics.
Last Friday of every month 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hosted at: participating Chamber member restaurants Come and meet fellow young professionals from around Anchorage in a casual environment to eat and sip while socializing and talking politics, business, and what’s currently going on in Anchorage and the world. Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 25
member benefits
Awareness, Credibility and Access We would like to acknowledge all members that have invested in renewing their membership with the Anchorage Chamber. Thank you for your continued support of the organization. As a member driven business organization your efforts are equal to the mission to advance a successful business climate. You have taken a step towards investing in civic responsibility, while also capitalizing on your own success. Community members and business associates understand the value of membership, as do you.
According to a study conducted by the Schapiro Group titled “The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce”: Most consumers (59 percent) think that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an overall effective business strategy. It is 29 percent more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26 percent more effective for communicating that a business is reputable. When a consumer knows that a company is highly involved with its local chamber of
commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and an industry leader. People like doing business with companies they like and trust, but that trust must be earned. Get more involved with the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce by visiting Anchoragechamber.org and take advantage of the many programs, events and advocacy options available to members each month. For more details on how you can get involved, contact Brenda Hansen at 677-7118, or email brenda@anchoragechamber.org.
new members ALASKA DENTAL ARTS 907-337-9434 | ANCHORAGE.ALASKADENTALARTS.COM ALASKA HEALTH FAIR 907-278-0234 | WWW.ALASKAHEALTHFAIR.INFO/HOME_PAGE. HTML TOP SHELF REALTY, LLC 907-301-0875 | WWW.ALASKATOPSHELFREALTY.COM MIDTOWN CHIROPRACTIC 907-770-6325 | WWW.MIDTOWNCHIROPRACTIC.NET TEAM NETWORK INC 907-346-1087 | WWW.TEAMAK.ORG DJ TEI 1013 / SOUNDS OF A SOLDIER PRODUCTIONS 907-854-7514 | DJTEI1013.COM/ RE-BATH ALASKA 907-677-8103 | WWW.ANCHORAGEBATHROOMREMODELING. COM THE ARC OF ANCHORAGE 907-277-6677 | THEARCOFANCHORAGE.ORG HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - ANCHORAGE 907-272-0800 | WWW.HFHANCHORAGE.ORG/
26 | advancing anchorage magazine | Winter 2015
RIJU 907-317-4462 | WWW.RIJUJUICE.COM ALASKA PARACORD DESIGNS 907-250-0678 | WWW.ALASKAPARACORD.COM ONLY THE DETAILS 907-575-5774 | ANCHORAGECHAMBER.CHAMBERMASTER.COM /LIST/MEMBER/ONLY-THE-DETAILS-18199 MACEDONIA EDUCATION MOVEMENT 907-268-0982 | WWW.MKEDUMOVEMENT.ORG RSA ENGINEERING, INC. 907-276-0521 | RSA-AK.COM/ WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY, INC. 907-770-8300 | WWW.WWT.COM ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF ALASKA 907-561-5354 | WWW.AGCAK.ORG/ GOOD DEAL MAGAZINE 907-344-1616 | WWW.GOODDEALMAGAZINE.COM ANCHORAGE FAIRS & FESTIVALS 907-279-7500 | ANCHORAGEFAIRSANDFESTIVALS.ORG
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Anchorage Chamber of Commerce | 27
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