Member News
Does your business have exciting news it wants to share with the rest of the Anchorage Chamber membership? To submit an announcement, log in to your Anchorage Chamber profile and complete a News Release. For assistance accessing your account, call (907) 272-2401.
Anchorage Chamber staff will review and approve all submissions.
Alaska Escape Rooms 3x Internationally Awarded- Wins 2025 Morty Award
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Escape Rooms (AER) has once again been recognized on the global stage, earning the prestigious 2025 Morty Award for Best Escape Room Design, marking its third international Morty win in three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025). Selected from nearly one million player experiences worldwide, the Morty Awards represent the highest honor in the escape room industry—recognizing only the most innovative, immersive, and player-loved experiences across the globe. With this latest
Mayor LaFrance celebrates expansion of Healthy Spaces cleanup crews
This spring, the Municipality of Anchorage is officially launching an additional 10-person Healthy Spaces crew—effectively doubling the number of boots on the ground dedicated to cleaning up parks, trails, and greenbelts year-round.Managed by Anchorage Parks and Recreation, the Healthy Spaces team cleans and revitalizes public spaces, removing litter, addressing illegal dumping, and remediating areas where illegal camping has occurred. The Healthy Spaces team removed more than 2.4 million pounds of trash
Mayor LaFrance celebrates expansion of Healthy Spaces cleanup crews
This spring, the Municipality of Anchorage is officially launching an additional 10-person Healthy Spaces crew—effectively doubling the number of boots on the ground dedicated to cleaning up parks, trails, and greenbelts year-round. Managed by Anchorage Parks and Recreation, the Healthy Spaces team cleans and revitalizes public spaces, removing litter, addressing illegal dumping, and remediating areas where illegal camping has occurred. The Healthy Spaces team removed more than 2.4 million pounds of
Skilled Trades Training Program
Build Your Skills. Boost Your Savings. Invest in Yourself. Trident Seafoods has created a unique 4-year program designed to launch your career in skilled trades through AVTEC, in Seward, AK, with automatic job placement. Get paid to be a student!YEARS 1–2Full tuition, required tools, meals, and housing paid at AVTEC in Seward, AKFull-time (40hrs/wk) paycheck during trainingOnsite mentorship with industry professionalsYear 1: Hands-on experience in electrical, refrigeration, welding, diesel, and
Mayor LaFrance announces 2026 grant opportunities for Anchorage arts and community initiatives
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance encourages community members and interested organizations to apply for her 2026 grant programs, which include the Mayor’s Arts Grants, the Beyond the Beige initiative, and the Mayor’s Community Grants. The application period for all programs opens March 2 and ends March 30.Beyond the BeigeFollowing its successful inaugural launch last year, Beyond the Beige—a joint initiative between the Municipality and the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA)—returns for 2026. This
U.S. Chamber Welcomes Supreme Court Decision on Tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement today on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): “The Supreme Court’s decision is welcome news for businesses and consumers. Over the past year, the Chamber has been working with small and midsize businesses around the country that have seen significant cost increases and supply chain
Rasmuson Foundation invites applications that address child care funding solutions
Anchorage, ALASKA – Rasmuson Foundation invites applications for one-time grant awards to develop community solutions around funding child care access. Applications for Tending the Future Fund (Child Care) grants open on February 23. The Foundation will award a total of $100,000 to Alaska communities for convenings on local solutions to increase sustainable funding for child care. The awards are part of the Foundation’s Tending the Future Fund for Child Care, launched in 2025 to address Alaska’s child
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Anchorage ATHENA Society Announces 2026 Honorees
The Anchorage ATHENA Society is pleased to announce the inductees into the Class of 2026. A group of 11 women and this year’s Leadership Award recipient will be honored at the annual Anchorage ATHENA Society luncheon Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Hotel Captain Cook. This year’s inductees are:Evelyn Abello, Philippine Honorary ConsulDana Fabe, Fabe Dispute Resolution, Founder/OwnerSusanne Fleek-Green, Mayor’s Office, Chief of StaffGretchen Fauske, Alaska Small Business Development Center, Special Programs
Municipality of Anchorage and ACDA advance redevelopment of key downtown building
The Municipality of Anchorage and the Anchorage Community Development Authority are moving forward with an effort to redevelop the former Nordstrom property, a highly visible site in the heart of downtown.The building has long been a downtown landmark, reflecting an earlier era of retail-driven growth. Today, this vacant property represents a critical opportunity to reinvest in Anchorage’s urban core.On the agenda for introduction at Tuesday evening’s Anchorage Assembly meeting is a proposed transfer of the
Alaska Wealth Advisors Announces Strategic C-Suite Realignment to Drive Innovation and Operational Excellence
ANCHORAGE, AK – Alaska Wealth Advisors, a fiduciary wealth management firm, is pleased to announce a strategic evolution of its executive leadership team. Dave Valdez, CWS®, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®, formerly Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), and Amber Frizzell, AIF®, formerly Chief Marketing Officer, has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO). These appointments reflect the firm’s long-term sustainability and the continued elevation of the client experience.A Visionary
Municipality of Anchorage and ACDA Advance Redevelopment of Key Downtown Building
Anchorage, AK – February 17, 2026 - The Municipality of Anchorage and the Anchorage Community Development Authority are moving forward with an effort to redevelop the former Nordstrom property, a highly visible site in the heart of downtown. The building has long been a downtown landmark, reflecting an earlier era of retail-driven growth. Today, this vacant property represents a critical opportunity to reinvest in Anchorage’s urban core. On the agenda for introduction at Tuesday evening’s Anchorage
Koahnic Broadcast Corporation to Host 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction
Koahnic Broadcast Corporation to Host 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction 30th Annual Event Marks Milestone Year for Indigenous Arts and Media ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Koahnic Broadcast Corporation (KBC) announced that it will host the 30th Annual Alaska Native Art Auction on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, bringing together artists, community members, and supporters to celebrate three decades of Indigenous creativity and voices. For 30 years, the Alaska Native Art
$3 Million Coca-Cola Scholars Announced
$3 Million Coca-Cola Scholars Recipients have been announced, & 3 High School Seniors (1 local!) have been awarded: $3 Million Coca-Cola ScholarsWhat It Is$20,000 Scholarship for High School SeniorsAttend Scholars Banquet @ Atlanta, GA @ April 23, 2026Scholarship DetailsViewable Here $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholars:First NameLast NameHigh SchoolHS CityHS StateSophiaPilgrimKetchikan High SchoolKetchikanAKWayneBarnumAlaska Middle College SchoolAnchorageAKSienaFarrJuneau-Douglas High SchoolJuneauAK Thank you for
First National Bank Alaska contributes more than $1 million to Alaska organizations in 2025
Fourth-quarter contributions of $574,711 pushed the total given to Alaska communities by First National Bank Alaska and its employees to more than $1 million in 2025. Total contributions include charitable gifts, activity sponsorships and in-kind donations of time and talent during the past year. “Our great communities are at the heart of what makes Alaska such a wonderful place to live, work and play,” said Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer. “Investing in their success directly enhances quality
Building and Managing Your Marketing as a Small Business Owner
Small business owners often assume marketing is something handled by agencies, consultants, or platforms. In reality, small business marketing is most powerful when the owner takes strategic control—setting direction, defining the message, and building systems that generate consistent visibility and sales. You do not need a massive budget. You need clarity, structure, and discipline.Quick Wins You Can Start TodayDefine exactly who your ideal customer is before creating any content. Focus on one or two
Mayor LaFrance heads to Juneau to advocate for critical infrastructure and public safety priorities
Today, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance arrived in Juneau to advocate for the Municipality’s 2026 legislative priorities, including support for the Don Young Port of Alaska Modernization project and the Anchorage Police Department’s (APD) Real-Time Crime Center.During her visit, Mayor LaFrance is meeting with members of the Anchorage legislative delegation and key stakeholders to secure essential funding for these critical projects and other priorities. As Alaska’s largest urban community, the Municipality
Chugach Electric pursues hydroelectric projects
Goal is to reduce reliance on natural gas, pursue clean energy supply As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the dependency on natural gas and achieve board-directed decarbonization goals, Chugach Electric Association, Inc. is moving forward on the investigation of potential hydroelectric sites around Southcentral Alaska. Chugach has filed preliminary permit applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and water right applications with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
First National Bank Alaska announces unaudited results for fourth quarter 2025
ANCHORAGE, AK – First National Bank Alaska’s (OTCQX:FBAK) net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $20.1 million, or $6.33 per share. This compares to a net income of $20.0 million, or $6.29 per share, for the same period in 2024. “Fourth quarter results capped another year of exceptional financial performance,” said First National Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer. “Total assets exceeded five billion dollars, driven by record annual loan growth that strengthened our earning asset mix. Fourth
First National ranked as the second-top bank in the nation by Forbes
ANCHORAGE – Forbes named First National Bank Alaska as the second-ranked bank in the United States on its 17th annual America’s Best Banks list. First National is the only bank in Alaska to make the list. The global media company ranks the 100 strongest banks by 11 metrics, including growth, credit quality, profitability, efficiency ratio and stock performance. “This recognition is a tribute to the team of 633 Alaskans across the state who don’t show up every day to be simply average,” said Board Chair
Anchorage Assembly approves Mayor LaFrance’s ordinance to enhance safety in public spaces
In an 11-1 vote on Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly approved a measure to improve safety in public spaces, proposed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and cosponsored by Assembly Members Zac Johnson and Kameron Perez-Verdia. AO 2026-10 updates Anchorage Municipal Code with new legal tools that will enable law enforcement to address certain behaviors that are unsafe or inappropriate in public areas, including public intoxication and public indecency. The approved ordinance closes legal gaps that previously limited
Pacific Northern Academy: Pearl Jubilee
We invite you to join us at the Pacific Northern Academy Pearl Jubilee, celebrating 30 years and supporting the future! On March 27, 2026, PNA is hosting our PNA Jubilee at the Alaska Native Heritage Center! The evening will include champagne and oyster bar, fabulous passed hors d’oeuvres, a silent and live auction, games, raffles, and dancing into the evening! Bid on trips to Hawaii, Juneau, fabulous local experiences, and more! Win a weekend at a beautiful home in Girdwood! All while supporting private,
Urban Snow Modeling to Advance Resilience for Today and Tomorrow (USMARTT)
Project USMARTT: Business Surveys Mission Statement University of Alaska researchers want to understand how previous years of heavy snow affected your business.Background In Anchorage, Alaska, the urban area has faced the top three snowiest years in the last decade. Specifically, from 2022 to 2024, heavy snow loads caused 24 buildings to collpase, resulting in one fatality.Survey Goals Objectives of the research project’s business surveys include: Assessing risk perceptions.Understanding actions taken
A Business Owner’s Guide to Securing Digital Intellectual Property
Launching and growing a business today means more than securing customers and building brand recognition — it also means safeguarding your intellectual property (IP). In a world where digital assets can be copied, shared, or misused within seconds, protecting your IP is not optional; it’s essential. This guide explores practical strategies you can implement to keep your ideas, content, designs, and innovations secure while still running a thriving business. Understanding Intellectual Property in the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Awards the Anchorage Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation
ANCHORAGE, AK — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce a 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective procedures, and positive community impact. Of the 7,500 chambers in the United States, 187 of these are Accredited. These elite chambers represent the top 3% of all chambers in the United States. “Chambers of commerce nationwide play a vital role in their communities every day,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition
