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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
2011 Meeting Update
Greetings!
Hello again. This is another friendly reminder of 2011 Southwest Alaska Economic Summit & SWAMC Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for February 9-11 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. The theme of this year's event is Strong Communities, Vibrant Economies. Read on below for more details about the speakers, banquet, and the Coastal Communities Workshop taking place on February 9. If you'd like to become a sponsor for the 2011 meeting please go here, and if you are interested in having an exhibitor booth, please contact our office. Remember to register before January 28 to take advantage of the early registration. Thanks for reading- we hope to see you in a few weeks!
Media Panel: What's the Scoop on Our Coastal Communities?mic
 
We may be in a 24 hour news cycle these days, but who couldn't use a little more perspective as they digest some delicious vittles? To that end, Friday's lunch will also provide a good deal of intellectual nourishment as we hear from four journalists covering the Southwest Alaska beat. Margie Bauman (Alaska Newspapers), Wesley Loy (Deckboss blog), Mike Mason (KDLG Dillingham public radio) and Laine Welch (Fish Radio) will each take their turns being in front of the microphone as they tell us about some of their favorite fish/coastal stories of 2010, and what some of the biggest topics may be in store for 2011. Each panelist has a unique perspective on the big issues facing Alaska's fishing towns, and this will be our opportunity to hear from those who cover the news. We promise that this "fair and balanced" discussion will be a fun and interesting addition to the Friday program.

Local Food Production: Adding to the Economy and the Communityveggies

Scaled food production is starting to enter the minds of more and more Alaskans, and not only from those close to the Railbelt. The question on most folks' minds, however, is this: is it actually a feasible venture? We will have three speakers on hand to speak to this question, and to explore the concepts of food as a community development initiative and an economic business model. Jim Nordlund (USDA Alaska State Director) will discuss food production, security and the Administration's food priorities;  Jeff Werner (UAF) will talk about some of the greenhouse research he's been doing in Alaska; and AlexAnna Salmon (Tribal Administrator) will describe Igiugig's experience with a wind-powered greenhouse in the community.

Culture and Economy of Southwest Alaska: A Trip Through Time
 
tcoleThe Friday night banquet will be held in the majestic Quarter Deck high above the city scape of downtown Anchorage. As we overlook the vista of Sleeping Lady and the swirling waters of Cook Inlet, we'll also look back at the history of Southwest Alaska, one of the state's most rugged treasures. Two of the state's more prominent historians - Terrence Cole of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Joan (Jo) Antonson, State Historian for Alaska - will provide a fun and enlightening account of the settlement of Southwest Alaska, up antonsonthrough the present day. Ms. Antonson will talk about the development of communities and economies and the forging of cultural identities. Mr. Cole will give us a lively rendition of Southwest Alaska's place in the State and National economies, starting with the WWII era, and how the region has transformed through the ages with new technologies, discoveries, and individual actions. It should be a perfect conclusion to the week's' events, so don't miss it!
Southwest Alaska's Regional Native Corporations
The first block on Friday morning will feature the 3 Regional Native Corporations of Southwest Alaska: The Aleut Corp., Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and Koniag, Inc. The RNC leaders are taking part in a session we've called Investing in Community: The Triple Bottom Line Approach. The "triple bottom line" approach goes beyond the financial concerns of an investment by also including a focus on environmental and social implications. Today's corporate world is transitioning to a point of investing in communities and projects with an eye toward a sustainable future, while also fulfilling their shareholder agreements. During this panel we'll hear how Southwest Alaska's RNCs are utilizing this approach by using traditional corporate tools to create a more systemic and balanced approach to investing in communities and regions.
sea grantNew Feature: Coastal CommunitiesWorkshop
 
In addition to our traditional 2-day event, SWAMC is sponsoring a Coastal Communities Workshop with the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program  on February 9th, also at the Captain Cook. The workshop will be an open dialogue and include presentations and discussions on various topics that are at the heart of thriving and healthy communities that reside on our rural coastlines. The Marine Advisory Program has a stable of knowledgeable experts on those issues that affect coastal life, from seafood harvesting operations to food security to small business potential. Most importantly, however, this workshop will provide a forum to discuss some of the characteristics that make coastal Alaska great, the challenges that lie ahead, and the opportunities to perhaps make coastal Alaska even better. This workshop will be a first for the SWAMC conference, so make sure to visit the link above to sign up. Registration is free and easy, so visit today.
SWAMC Board Electionsboard table
SWAMC will have four (4) Board of Directors seats up for election this year: one Municipal seat from each of the three (3) sub-regions - Aleutian/Pribilofs, Bristol Bay, and Kodiak - and one At Large seat. Board members serve two year terms and are elected on a staggered basis. Any SWAMC member in good standing may declare his or her candidacy for a sear or may nominate another SWAMC member for a Board seat. The nominations process will take place during Friday morning's General Membership meeting on February 11.

 

That's it for this event reminder. Stay tuned for more updated information in the coming weeks.
In This Issue...
Media Panel
Food Production
Friday's Banquet
Southwest's RNCs
Coastal Workshop
Board Elections
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2011 Highliners

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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
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