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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
| 2011 Meeting Update
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Greetings!
Good morning. We're getting ever closer to the 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 about the three days, including 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 this Friday to take advantage of the early registration. We hope to see you in February!
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A Few of the Topics at This Year's Conference...
The economy of Southwest Alaska, at its core, rests on fish and the value we derive from the sea. This year we will hear about some of the new and existing market opportunities available for seafood producers. We will discuss Steller sea lions and their coexistence with commercial fishing and fishing communities, both from an historical perspective and in the context of today's current events. We will have four respected journalists discussing some of the biggest fish stories of this and previous years, and we devote an entire day to seafood development and the coastal communities that rely on our marine resources during the Sea Grant workshop (see next story).
But our regional economy is also so much more than fish, and we must look to develop some of the other opportunities within our grasp. Southwest Alaska is home to large and untapped clean energy capacity, both in terms of resources and efficiencies, and we will hear about those on Feb. 11. Our area could potentially be transformed by the new innovations introduced by broadband technology, and someday the region could produce more of its own food to contribute to personal health and the local economy. The SWAMC region is blessed with successful Regional Native Corporations. It is full of bright and eager youngsters, deserving of the best education experiences we can offer. We invite you to participate in this year's conference as we explore these and other topics dear to our region and its quality of life. Let's work to keep our communities strong and economies vibrant.
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 New Feature: Coastal CommunitiesWorkshop
In addition to our traditional 2-day event, SWAMC is teaming up with the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program to sponsor a Coastal Communities Workshop 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.
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SWAMC Membership Meeting: February 11
At 10 AM on Friday, February 11, SWAMC will hold its Annual Business Meeting for 2011. The membership will discuss various resolutions put forth by the members, elect new officers, discuss community issues in the region, and take care of other organizational business.
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. Resolutions may be submitted by any municipal or associate member of SWAMC and are accepted through email, snail mail, or fax (888.356.1206). Resolutions for this meeting should be received at the SWAMC office by February 4. Click here to read more on the resolution guidelines.
Thanks again for reading. Let us know if you have any questions about this year's events.
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Thanks to These Sponsors!
2011 Highliners
Sponsorship opportunities remain. Please click here or contact us for more details...
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| Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember | |
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As always...
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Thanks for your support of SWAMC. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns and events. For previous newsletters, click the link below.
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