2014 2015 Board Of Director Elections
Daniel G. Jones Daniel G. Jones, P.E. LLC Civil Engineering, Project Management, Materials Testing for Sitka and Southeast Alaska (elected in 2012 for a 2 year term) Richard Riggs Silver Bay Seafoods Chief Executive Officer (elected in 2012 for a 2 year term)
2014 A Year In Review The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. - Abraham Lincoln
To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward. - Margaret Fairless Barber
OUR MISSION The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of business and community leaders who promote, support, and facilitate commerce and economic growth in the community.
The Board of Directors is the government and policy-making body of the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. It authorizes the program of work, approves the budget, controls its property, receives and acts on committee and staff recommendations and directs the general operations of the Sitka Chamber.
Mandy Odenheimer Chris McGraw Daniel G. Jones Suzan Hess John O Brien Rachel Roy Ptarmica McConnell Ashley Eisenbeisz Executive Committee Ptarmica McConnell, President Shee Atiká Incorporated Dan Jones, Vice President Daniel G. Jones, P.E., LLC Consulting Civil Engineer Richard Riggs, Treasurer Silver Bay Seafoods Mandy Odenheimer, Secretary Alaska Airlines Board of Directors Ashley Eisenbeisz, Russell s Suzan Hess, Baranof Island Brewing Company Chris McGraw, ASRC McGraw Constructors John O Brien, ALPS Federal Credit Union Rachel Roy, Sitka Tribe of Alaska *Richard Riggs not pictured
As the voice of business in Sitka, we advocate on behalf of you, our members. Our Legislative and Community Affairs Committee meets regularly to discuss local, state and federal issues that affect local commerce. We work to inform and educate our members. We communicate with our elected officials at the local, state and national level by meeting with them, writing letters, and visiting the capital during the legislative sessions.
Support Local Businesses By Encouraging Other Businesses, Government, And Residents To Shop Locally The Sitka chamber supports Sitka businesses by shopping local and encourages other businesses, government agencies, and residents to shop local as a way to create a thriving business community, which helps to increase employment, increase tax revenue to the city and borough of Sitka, and increase revenue to local businesses. Increase Tourism Based Visitor Traffic To Sitka Through Increased Promotion And Marketing The Sitka chamber supports increased promotion and marketing of Sitka as a way to increase tourism based visitor traffic, including cruise passengers and independent travelers, which would boost the local economy by positively impacting local businesses and increasing tax revenues to the city and borough of Sitka.
Increase Responsible Natural Resource Development In Sitka The Sitka chamber supports increased natural resource development as a way to increase the number of high paying jobs, increase tax revenue to the city and borough of Sitka, increase sales at local businesses, and provide for a healthier local economy. Support A Road From Sitka To The East Or Northeast Side Of Baranof Island The Sitka chamber supports the construction of an all-weather road to the east or northeast side of Baranof Island as a way to increase ferry service to/from Sitka, which could positively impact economic development projects due to increased transportation options; provide affordable transportation to residents, including student travelers; and greatly reduce the hazards maritime traffic faces in Peril Strait.
Support Electrical And Communication Infrastructure Improvements In Sitka The Sitka chamber supports improvements to electrical and communication infrastructure to meet and exceed demand for power and bandwidth as a way to retain current businesses and attract new business to Sitka. Support Affordable Housing Initiatives In Sitka The Sitka chamber supports affordable housing initiatives as a way to retain current residents and businesses and attract new residents and businesses to Sitka including increasing low cost housing options and increasing higher paying jobs through economic development.
Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future. - Steve Jobs
Membership Levels Member Categories Non-Profit, 36, 21% Corporate, 40, 24% Transportation Sports & Recreation Shopping & Specialty Retail Restaurants, Food & Beverages Individual, 16, 10% Small Business, 43, 26% Government, 4, 2% Medium Business, 28, 17% Lodging & Travel Government, Education & Individuals Finance & Insurance Family, Community & Civic Organizations Construction Equipment & Contractors Corporate Government Medium Business Small Business Individual Non-Profit Advertising & Media 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
New Members 2014 Growth Rate 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2 2 3 0 0 4 1 6 0 7 2 9 1 2 0 1 3 1 1 2 5 8 Current Membership 181 Members Membership Growth 39 New Members 69.64% Membership Decline 8 Members Dropped 14.29% 2013 2014 Cumulative Growth Rate 31 Members 55.36% Growth
The Sitka Chamber s President's Circle is an elite group of companies that provide additional resources to The Chamber, investing a minimum of $5,000 for their membership. Members of the President s Circle are an exclusive group of forward-thinking business owners and operators in Alaska who provide a financial foundation so the Chamber can focus on economic development and providing services to its members, as well as providing business resources and community promotion services.
$1000 Membership Level
$750 Membership Level
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Business After Hours Economic Summit Fourth of July Parade Gala Awards Dinner Moonlight Madness Pirate Pub Crawl Season s End Celebration Shop Local Campaign "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in." - Theodore Roosevelt Silver Saver Cards Sitka Golf Tournament Weekly Luncheons Welcome To Sitka Day
This is the Sitka Chamber s biggest event of the year and one that few members miss! Featuring the Cossack Cap and Business of the Year awards, delicious food by local chefs, and entertainment sure to delight!
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Baranof Island Brewing Company COSSACK CAP AWARD Samson Tug & Barge Cory Baggen NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD Homeport Eatery Award Nomination Forms for 2015 Awards Now Available! Business of The Year The Business of the year award was established to honor an outstanding business and to recognize its merit and contributions to the local Business community. Cossack Cap The Cossack Cap award was established to honor those who have distinguished themselves in unselfish and extraordinary public service to the citizens of Sitka. New Business of The Year The new Business of the year award was established to honor an outstanding new business in Sitka, and to recognize its merits and contributions to the local Business community.
The annual Seasons End Celebration is a time for the community of Sitka to gather and celebrate another successful visitor and fishing season. The celebration includes the infamous Running of the Boots, free food, live music, a beer garden and a giant sidewalk sale!
Each year, the Chamber organizes a golf tournament at Sea Mountain Golf with a chance to win a hole in one prize of $25,000!
Tongass Threads The premier networking event for business professionals in Sitka. Silver Basin Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau Alaskan Dream Cruises Sitka Summer Music Festival Residential Mortgage & Northrim Bank Hames Corporation The Back Door Orion Sporting Goods Bev s Flowers & Gifts
From The Perspective Of Local Industries Each year we host an Economic Summit to share with the community the current economic situation in Sitka from the perspective of our local industries.
The Sitka Chamber works diligently to promote local shopping and the Silver Saver Discount Card Program has been an enormous success for over years. With over 1000 cards printed and sold to local shoppers each year, the discount cards are a great way to promote your business and one more benefit of chamber membership. Not only do these cards increase awareness and traffic for participating businesses, but they also work to build shopping loyalty in Sitka.
Delta Western First National Bank Alaska Aurora Business Supplies Shelter Cove Publishing Baranof Realty Samson Tug & Barge ALPS Federal Credit Union Residential Mortgage Old Harbor Books Sitka Community Hospital Bev s Flowers & Gifts Russell s Let the Chamber keep the change! The Executive Lunch program helps us to keep our luncheon cost low while offering incentives for those who choose to pay more! Every month a business donates an item to be drawn at the end of them month and the Westmark makes delicious cookies!
Member Plus App For Sitka Chamber Members Just one more amazing benefit of membership now available for Android and iphone or ipad! The only app in the market space specifically for your chamber to directly interact with other members Receive push notifications from the Sitka Chamber Community Feed to foster social interaction and community support between members With this app, you can view and create events, hot deals, view and post job openings, view and post press releases and other chamber news, update your profile and so much more!
Holiday Light Contest Nomination forms are being accepted through this week. Judging will take place on December 22 nd! No Luncheon on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve. Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday December 18 th. Board meeting are open to current board members only. Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. - John Lennon 2015 Annual Awards Gala & Dinner Studio 54 will be on January 31 st. January Business After Hours will be hosted by Aurora Business Supplies on Thursday, January 22 nd.
2014 A Year In Review Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. - Dr. Seuss