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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
January 2014  
Here at SWAMC we strive to put on one of the best conferences you will ever attend - year after year. Our benchmark is simple, make the content interesting and valuable to the specific needs of our members and friends of Southwest Alaska. We have observed and listened to what you said; this announcement will let you know what we came up with.

Special Note - We wanted to be sure everyone was aware of the near overlap with the Iditarod and Fur Rondy in Anchorage in the days preceding this year's conference. If you have never seen these events, they are unique, fun Alaska experiences. Remember though if you come for the dogs and carnival, stay for the Conference! Get your discounted hotel room at the Hotel Captain Cook early, they will fill up fast. Thanks for reading, keep in touch, and let us know how we re doing!

Register Now for SWAMC's 2014 Annual Conference and Membership Meeting: March 5th, 6th & 7th, at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage
 
We have provided flexible conference options to meet the diverse needs of our Conference Goers. Please follow this link to online:
Registration, Exhibit Booth, Sponsorship, and Agenda:
or check our our website to download forms and other information at:
www.swamc.org 
 
And please remember to email with any other questions: eobrien@swamc.org 
Wednesday, March 5th - Energy Day!
Over the past year SWAMC has partnered with the Alaska Energy Authority to conduct Regional Energy Planning to understanding our cost drivers, and to develop a strategy for achieving the lowest possible long-term energy costs. In this era of belt tightening and the corresponding prices increases for traditional energy, it is more important than ever to understand our options for new electricity supply, but also affordable options for heat, transportation and food; and especially how to contain those costs through energy efficiency and conservation. This is so important to our region we are dedicating the whole morning to telling you what we found, and listening to what we missed.

That afternoon we will take a closer look at understanding energy use and what we can do about it. We often hear buzzwords around smart energy systems, and even more connected smart cities - we are not there yet, but Denise Miners with Intelligent Energy Systems is investigating the early stages of smart systems - which is to say, better understanding of the how we use energy and where it goes. Similarly themed, TDX Power's new CEO, Kord Christianson will be taking a more broad look at the total energy system and provide insights into his early career where he saved the Navy $2 for every dollar spent on improving the energy system, and how he applies that knowledge to his rural utility. Larry Eisenberg, with Ovus 360 puts his money on total energy system thinking, as he will explain the Energy Services Company model of signing long-term contracts that drastically reduce current energy prices after following a detailed checklist for reducing wasted resources. Speaking of wasted resources, dealing with trash is costing Rural Alaska a fortune, but what if we could convert that waste stream into a value stream by collecting usable power from trash!? Andy Dickerson of Shearwater will explain how that is not only a possibility, they already are experimenting with systems in Southwest Alaska. Art Nash, with Cooperative Extensions will explain how creative use of energy capture and usage at the individual home level can yield big personal savings. Finally, Bill Walker, Candidate for Governor is back by popular demand to discuss Natural Gas as a potential bridge technology between today's expensive fuel and relatively cheap gas; and just maybe we will hear about a big gas project that has implications for all Alaskans.  
Thursday March 6th - Economic Development Day! 
Everyone will agree to the importance of an effective training system from the earliest days of schooling to sharpening skills of the current labor force. Human capital is largely considered our strongest asset. Implementing that system for the benefit of Alaskan's has drawn attention, especially as students and workers compete in a global environment. Training and human capacity is the theme of the day! Diane Hirshberg with the University's Institute of Social and Economic Research will be sharing her research on an education model for a competitive Alaska. Modern technologies offer both challenges and opportunities when meshed into the existing education system, but discussing these changes is the best way to prepare for change that is coming. Closely related to the education system of the future is the delivery by which that system reaches us; which will almost surely be through a high-speed internet connection. Ann Neville, Director of the National State Broadband Initiative, responsible for such programs as Connect Alaska, aims to understand what the Broadband picture in our country looks like. Anne will be discussing how the internet is becoming an essential piece of infrastructure for communities to prosper and take full advantage of rapidly expanding digital opportunity. After taking a close look at the tools necessary in a competitive world, we will settle into a fun event, sure to spike everyone's interest - Ignite! In this fast paced format we will hear 10, 5-minute presentations in an hour, with only the most exciting bits from a wide range of topics. Hang on for:
1) Arctic Hub-Spoke Shipping Model; 2) The Power of YOU; 3) Determining Value of Public Investment; 4) Micro Financing: Equity Crowdfunding for the Masses; 5) Chena Grow - Local Inputs; 6) Historical and Cultural Studies; 7) SW AK Transportation Infrastructure Priorities; 8) Modeling the Natural Environment; 9) Small Community Emergency Response Plan; 10) Fisheries Access & Graying Fleets.

After everyone takes a moment to soak in the mornings information, and make follow up contact with presenters, we are honored to announce that Senator Begich has agreed to provide an address on the inner workings of Washington DC, the seat of our country's political power. And because no discussion of Economic Development would be complete without discussing the multiplicative power of trade and internal dynamics of local economies, we will be joined by Marcus Hartley of Northern Economics. Since mercantilism gave way to our modern market economy the collective power of trade has been understood, but this simple message can have large implications about what drives productivity, and wealth generating ability in our local economies.

Our afternoon event mixes a strategic discussion with fun. A SWAMC theme this year has been to focus on our competitive strengths and weaknesses as we update our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. We start this process by hearing from our leaders of industry who focus on making the most of our competitive advantage every day. After hearing from our Job Creators, we will allow Membership an opportunity to input direction on our corporate policy. We will close out the afternoon with focus areas, as defined by our Business Council (18 SW industrial leaders) and Municipal members, which hold the greatest prospect for creating a more vibrant economy and high quality of life. And, as we love tradition, we invite you to the Quarter Deck for a casual evening of drinks and appetizers with our SWAMC friends.
Friday March 7th - Politics and Fish Day! 
As expected from our members, we have once again invited our regional legislators to provide an update from Juneau and insights into the State's political process. Have your questions available for Representatives Bryce Edgmon, & Alan Austerman, and Senators Gary Stevens & Lyman Hoffman! Before breaking for lunch we will host our Annual Business Meeting where we look forward to your input; please be ready to tell us what you think. Our lunch special will host Dr. Ed Farley and a discussion of the interconnectedness of our complex marine ecosystem: Managing for Overall Value - Ecosystem Based Management. Until recently scientists did not have the computing power to accurately aggregate the variables, but slowly we are learning much more about interconnected ecological systems and what the implications are for future fishery managers. Someday we may even be able to integrate social variables into the all inclusive economic and biological models. National Fisherman's Jessica Hathaway has traveled all the way from the East Coast to compare and contrast different, but often similar themes in fisheries: who gets fisheries rights, community and cultural connection to fisheries and economic considerations for a viable business model. Our next topic is another of national interest, but much closer to home - Quality Certified: Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries. The fisheries world has greatly benefited through the implementation of sustainable labeling, but as the industry has evolved so has the discussion. Tyson Fick with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute will discuss Alaska's case for developing its Responsible Fisheries Management system; and Mike DeCesare with Marine Stewardship Council will discuss the importance of a global standard. Our last panel of the day will host the two bodies that define the regulatory environment all Alaska fisheries operate in: John Jensen with the Alaska Board of Fish and Dan Hull with the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council will each give their perspectives on Managing for Maximum Sustained Benefit: Comparing Federal and Alaska Policies. Finally, we will close out our Conference with a special Banquet - a Governor's Debate on issues important to Southwest Alaskans!
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In This Issue...
2014 Conference: Mar. 5-7
Energy Day
Economic Development Day
Politics and Fish Day

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SWAMC Board of Directors
 
Louise Stutes, Pres.
Alice Ruby, Vice Pres. 
 Layton Lockett, Treas.
Dan Clarion 
Dan O'Hara
Glen Gardner
Joe Sullivan 
 Michelle Ravenmoon 
Paul Gronholdt
Shirley Marquardt 
Trevor Brown 

SWAMC Staff

Erik O'Brien 
Interim Director  

The SWAMC Region 
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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
As always...
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