Hello Alaska,    

Aliza Sherman Tweeted last week about the overuse of the word Guru, which is kind of funny, because she's one of them. In matters of social media inbound marketing, blogging and the most effective way to use various IT tools to spread your message, Ms. Sherman is consistently at the cutting edge of the industry and in 1995 was named as one of the "Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet" by Newsweek magazine. Proving her staying power, 14 years later Fast Company included her name on the list of "11 of the web's most talented writers". Best of all, she is one of our own and makes her home in the IT Megacenter of Tok. What sets authors like Aliza apart from the rest of much of the Internet blogging crowd is that you can understand her. She teaches, rather than preaches (check her out at: http://alizasherman.wordpress.com).  

I continuously educate myself on this industry before sharing information with you. In doing so, I read a number of online publications and subscribe to several blogs.  More and more I notice that -

1) The same information is circulating throughout the Internet for weeks at a time, being re-hashed and shared over and over again as news.

2) Most of the self-proclaimed gurus speak to a very specific audience, which leaves the rest of us asking, "WTH did he/she just say?" (note* Its an easy trick to sound intelligent and educated when you talk above the comprehension point of your audience).

Hey, you out there, whether you're a sales person, marketer, teacher, manager, or business owner that on occasion has to make a presentation, it is equally important to be interesting, as well as engage your audience (one usually helps the other). Talk with someone, don't speak at them. Whether I watch you with a crowd of 400, we are in a private conversation, or I am reading your material online, not understanding what you mean will not make me think that you're brilliant. Even worse, like most people, you usually only get one shot at my attention and the next time around, I will either shut down early, or avoid your presentation/blog/speech all together!

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While I was composing this narrative I received an email reminder from my pal Dana Applebee for the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation Outlook Luncheon. AEDC events, which include the annual forecast luncheon are some of the highest attended gatherings in the state. The information that is provided is current and without fail, the presenters are entertaining, educational and often inspirational. This year the speaker will be Kurt Andersen, a critically acclaimed best-selling author of multiple books and co-host of the award winning public radio program Studio 360. To register visit www.aedcweb.com, or call 258-3700

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Well, well, well, look who is advertising for sponsorship opportunities. That's right, your armed forces are. Below is the first such item I have seen since beginning this newsletter a few years ago. I haven't checked on the rates, but if the Army/Air Force is your target market (specifically as it relates to fitness), then check out the information below. Not only does this seem like a unique step for a government entity, but it goes so far as to consider in-kind services and goods in exchange for the exposure, as well as the possibility of doing on-site demonstrations; Very interesting!

Support of this fitness program offers excellent visibility by reaching out to over 100,000 military personnel and civilians at PACAF.  Sponsors have substantial "Return On Investment" by reaching our entire Pacific region:  Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson inAlaska, Kadena AB, Misawa AB and Yokota AB in Japan, and Kunsan AB and Osan AB in Korea.  The ten Fitness Centers in PACAF have approximately 400,000 visits each month.  Your brand can connect to this broad market, sustain the Air Force mission to be fit, making this a unique, lucrative, and cost-effective sponsorship opportunity. Commercial sponsorship support may take the form of goods, cash, or services in exchange for sponsor recognition and promotional benefits.  Sponsorship exposure may include company logo place on posters, advertisements, base television channel and publications, announcements on AAFES radio, e-newsletters, and a link on the base website.  Cross-marketing promotions of a product may be coordinated with the Commissary and Base Exchange to include an on-site demonstration and sampling. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF

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A different kind of government opportunity:

Department of the Interior, National Business Center

The Department of the Interior/National Business Center/Aviation Management'sAlaska Region Office in Anchorage, has three airplanes, two of which are damaged, for sale on http://gsaauctions.gov under Sale Number N1AMDI11004 (Lots 001, 002, and 003). The individual auctions will begin on Friday, July 1, 2011 and end on Friday, July 15, 2011https://www.fbo.gov/notices

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Although other bid opportunities are posted at the end of this newsletter, I thought I'd give AHFC some prime real estate, because they post all their bids and proposals on their Buy Alaska page:  Alaska Housing Finance Corporation - Proposal Request 

·       Siding Upgrade At Ptarmigan Park Housing Complex

·       On-Line Mortgage Guide Services RFP #11-MTG-015

·       Indefinite Requirement Services for ARRA  

The Alaska State Fair is celebrating its 75 Year Anniversary in 2011 and the music line-up for concerts and events is some of the best in years.

Valley Radio KMBQ 99.7 the station that is sponsoring the Uncle Kracker concert has decided to kick things up a notch and get an early start on the festivities. Rather than simply giving tickets away to the event, the station is hosting a "Go Kracker Krazy for Uncle Kracker" food drive from Noon on August 5 to 3pm on August 8th. The station will broadcast simultaneously on both AM (700 KBYR) and FM LIVE for 75 hours from the Carrs/Safeway parking lot in Wasilla, to collect as much food and money as possible for the local Food Pantry. To top it all off, each hour for the 75 Hours, Q99.7 will give away 1 pair of tickets to see Uncle Kracker.

They're willing to share, so get involved as a sponsor by contacting Sarah at sgoff@mediaak.com, or by phone 907-373-0222

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SawFest is coming to to the Kenai Peninsula!

Fifth Annual Invitational Chainsaw Carving Competition, July 13-16

Hosted by The Town of Living Trees at 41672 Sterling Highway, across from the Harley Davidson shop just outside of Soldotna

For more information contact Sandy: chainsawcontest@alaska.net or 252-3119.

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11^th Annual Intertribal POWWOW

At the Carlson Center field in Fairbanks, July 8^th - 11th

The Event features Native American/Alaska Native craftwork and food vendors, with Special guest drum: Rocking Horse from Washington state

Admission $10, children and seniors free

Call 907-456-2245, or visit www.midnightsunpowwow.com for more information.

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Eagle River Bear Paw Festival - Operation Bear Paw!!

July 6-11

Sponsored by the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce

Visit http://www.bearpawfestival.org for event information and vendor entry forms.

This Week:

Saturday July 9th AppleTree Books & Gifts is hosting the All Alaska Authors

12212 Old Glenn Highway, Suite A in Eagle River across from Alaska USA

10 am to 3 pm.

Authors scheduled for book signings are;  Barbara Lavalle, Barb Mee, Anne Canterbury, Carol Roper and Mary Ann Poll. Also scheduled to be at the store that day are many of the local vendors that sell their handcrafted items at AppleTree. Call 622-7323 for more information.

Mark Your Calendars:

The Alaska Chapter of the AMA proudly presents its

Summer Lecture Series -

• Marketing Research July 14 Presented by Heather Handyside and Adam Hays, Hays Research Group

• Facebook, Marketing Online August 11 Presented by Ross Johnston, Fine Point

This in-depth lecture series takes place in the Carr Gottstein building Auditorium on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Parking is free. Open to the public, Free to AMA, AK Chapter members, and $10 for non-members. Bring a friend, your own lunch and we will see you there. Registration recommended at www.amaalaska.org

The Weeping Willow. an all-natural, organic, and eco-friendly store supporting your everyday needs in Hoitt's Plaza at 1616 Cushman St. Fairbanks, is having an event July 14th called Hoitt Plaza Festival.  Co-sponsor's include HomeGrown Market, Johnson's Family Farm, Alaska Center for Natural Medicine, Alaskan Earth Mamas, Alaska's Angels Farm, Curves, Julia's Solstice Cafe, and Sipping Streams Tea Company. Proceeds will go to Big-Brothers - Big-Sisters of Alaska. 

It will be a day to support local businesses, raise some money for BB-BS, and have fun in the process. This all-ages event will be from 11a-4p with plenty of local vendors, games, raffles, giveaways and food, as well as a live broadcast with KYSC 96.9FM Radio from 11:30 - 1:30.  Any questions, please contact Terry Hoffmaster, owner of  The Weeping Willow by phone at: (907)-750-8337, or via Email: terryhoffmaster@theweepingwillow.biz

Alaska Department of Labor Wage & Hour Seminar

July 19, Aug 16 - 9:00 AM -- 12:00 PM

3301 Eagle Street, Room 104, Anchorage

Free seminar from State of Alaska:

9:00 AM Wage & Hour

10:15 AM Child Labor

11:00 AM Title 36

For more information call (907) 269-4900.

See listing of this and other seminars on the AK SourceLink website calendar: http://www.aksourcelink.com/calendar

Alaska Dance Promotions is hosting the annual Alaska Salsa Festival at the Hotel Captain Cook this July 21 to 24, 2011.

It sounds like last year's event was a huge success, with over 300 people attending. Alaskans from Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenia and Anchorage joined with dance champions from Los Angelos, Washington and New York for four days of dance workshops, performances and competitions.  To get more information about the 2011 version, please visit: http://www.alaskadancepromotions.com/  

1st Annual Fishin' Chix Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo

Benefitting the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

The Fish Hut Charters and Lodging, Kenai, AK

July 17, 2011

King Salmon Series

The First Place winners will receive 60%; Second Place will receive 30% and Third Place will Receive 10% of the cash pot.  The start time will be 7:00 a.m. shotgun start with the weigh-in at NOON sharp! The cost is $75 per person with 5% of the gross proceeds going to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank and $21.25 towards tournament expenses.  There must be at least one Fishin' Chix Member on the boat to be allowed in the Tournament. Men may fish but are not eligible for any prizes.  There is a BBQ immediately following this event. Contact Jackie English - Independent Chapter Representative (907) 398-7877, akfishinchixs@hotmail.com, or Colleen Denbrock - Tournament Director (907) 262-4296 for more information and registration form.

AEDC Annual Outlook Luncheon

Featuring author and radio host Kurt Andersen

Wednesday July 27th

Noon-1:30 p.m.

Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center

Get Your Tickets Here

The Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Alaska State Planning Conference! You are welcome to join the APA at the Westmark in Fairbanks, November 7-8 for this historic event! The conference planning committee is currently seeking session proposals. Additional information about the conference will be posted on the Chapter website and Facebook page.

SBDC Workshops for Entrepreneurs:

• Anchorage:  Ultimate Business Plan 
• Bethel:   
• Juneau: -
• Fairbanks: -
• Ketchikan: - 
•  Kenai Peninsula: Starting a Business - FREE Soldotna 
• Wasilla:   How to Write an Effective Business Plan  
• Register QuickBooks Pro 2010 **ONLINE CLASS**  
• RURAL - Starting A Business Workshop Session 

Bid Opportunities

Sub-Contractor Opportunities

State of Alaska

http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic

State of Alaska-DOT

·   FMATS SIGN REPLACEMENT - STAGE II

·   FMATS AREA SURFACE UPGRADES FFY2011

·   EAGLE RIVER LOOP RD RESURFACING: GLENN HWY TO EAGLE RIVER RD

·   ANC QTF RUNWAY DE-ICER TANK

·   FMATS ADA CURB CORNER UPGRADES - STAGE I
http://dot.alaska.gov/procurement/index.shtml

• South-Central -

Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, 3 CONS - Elmendorf

Boiler Repair

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF

Department of the Interior, National Park Service

The National Park Service(NPS) requires, on a fixed-price with economic price adjustment basis, up to 1,000 gallons of 100LL Av fuel , distributed on as needed basis to Kennecott National Historic Landmark, McCarthy

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOI/NPS/

Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, 3 CONS - Elmendorf

Macbooks

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/PAF

Anchorage School District

CLARK MIDDLE SCHOOL BLEACHERS

http://www.asdk12.org/depts/purchasing/bid_list_purch.asp

Department of Veterans Affairs

Anesthesiologist Services for the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) located in Anchorage

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/SeVANC/

Alaska - Railroad

·   PURCHASE OF NEW SNOWBLOWER

·   Demolition of Buildings, Former OK Lumber Buildings, Fairbanks

http://www.akrr.com/arrc1.html

Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, 3 CONS - Elmendorf

Carpet Removal/Installation

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF

Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, 3 CONS - Elmendorf

Conference Room Audio Visual Equipment

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/ 

• Mat-Su Valley -

• Northern - Arctic -

Department of the Interior, National Business Center

The office intends to issue a solicitation for appraisal services in and around Kotzebue

https://www.fbo.gov/notices

• Southwest -  

Department of the Interior, National Park Service

Glacier National Park - Snow Equipment Repail Parts - Kodiak

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOI

Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard

Upgrade Mechanical Rooms, Married Officers Quarters L, M, P, Q & R, USCG Base Kodiak

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS

• Kenai Peninsula -

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

Pre Cast Concrete Boat Ramp Repair and Airport Asphalt Sealing

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOI

Kenai Peninsula Borough

Nikiski Fire Station #1 Fire Alarm System Design & Installation

http://purchasing.borough.kenai.ak.us

• Southeast -

Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Acquisition Locations

Biomass Heating Fuel Wood Pellets Request for US Coast Guard Units in Sitka, Ketchikan & Kodiak

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DLA

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Situk River Watchable Wildlife Area Improvements

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Forest Highway 43 Road Improvements

https://www.fbo.gov /spg/USDA

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Indian River Road Storage on Chichagof Island

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Provide woody biomass for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center boiler for a base year and up to four option years.

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Auke Recreation Road Culverts Rehabilitation

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS/

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-10 Tongass National Forest

Situk River Watchable Wildlife Area Improvements

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS

Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG), Civil Engineering Unit - Juneau (CEUJ), has a requirement for the purchase of one (1), custom-made, industrial fabric, Marine way curtain, as a 100% small business set-aside. Delivery and installation shall be made to the U.S. Coast Guard USCG BSU Ketchikan

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS

• Interior -

Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ECC, RCO Fort Wainwright

Plans to Issue a Solicitation for Post-Wide Custodial Services at Fort Wainwright

https://www.fbo.gov/

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Upper Air Observations - Fairbanks

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/

Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Delta Clearwater Remediation II

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA

Department of the Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, 354 CONS - Eielson

Gravel Pit Excavation

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF

"Keeping the Change" in Alaska's Economy

BUY ALASKA's goal is to encourage Alaska's to shift their spending by 10%, effectively keeping over $700 million in Alaska every year.

When you purchase good and services from businesses with Alaska locations, you are doing your part to create more jobs.  And more people employed in Alaska means more property taxes for schools and roads, more charitable donations, more support for your youth teams and more customers for your business!  

Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/BuyAlaskaKeepTheChange for more phone call and business!