Fairbanks, AK

week of august 26th, 2024

Thank you for attending the 2023 Alaska Defense Forum. To help make this event successful year after year, please submit your feedback via the link below.


See you in 2024!

2023 Feedback

If inquiring about the 2024 Alaska Defense Forum, please contact Lisa Slaba at lslaba@investfairbanks.com

hosted by:

MISSION

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The Alaska Defense Forum (ADF) addresses the key challenges facing military installations, military families and the communities they call home.


Over the course of two days, defense community leaders and ADF members will gather to hear from senior military officials, key members of our government and the nation’s top defense policy and budget experts, and have the opportunity to engage in conversations that will help define the future of our nation’s national security.

LOCATION

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Alaska's strategic military importance is undeniable. Its location between Asia and North America, as well as its proximity to Russia, make it a key player in global military strategy.


Additionally, the state is home to several key military installations which play a critical role in our nation’s national defense. Whether it’s defending against potential threats, projecting power abroad, or offering premier training grounds, Alaska’s military significance cannot be ignored.

USA State Map Silhouette Alaska
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Note: All installation pin locations are approximate and not to scale.

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Air Force

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Army

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SPACE Force

Coast Guard

Eielson

(North Pole, AK)


Elmendorf

(Anchorage, AK)


Eareckson

(Shemya Island, AK)

Ft. Richardson

(Anchorage, AK)


Ft. Wainwright

(Fairbanks, AK)


Ft. Greely

(Fairbanks, AK)

Clear

(Anderson, AK)

Kodiak

Valdez

Juneau

Dutch Harbor

Bering Sea

St. Paul

Kenai

Homer

Seward

Cordova

Sitka

Petersburg

Ketchikan

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2023 Agenda

2023 Agenda

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Tuesday

August 29


8:00am


Check-In Opens

8:30am - 9:45am


Meet & Greet Continental Breakfast by Alaska Innovation Alliance and Alaska Version 3

10:00am - 11:30am


Building Readiness: Social Empowerment

Through Military and Community Relations

Moderated by Dr. James Morton



Dr. Stacy Rasmus

Director, Center for Alaska Native Health Research, UAF

Ms. Sarah Riffer

Director, Alaska YMCA

Mr. Owen Guthrie

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, UAF

Mr. Edward Lunney

Higher Ground Education

Ms. Telisha Thomas

Higher Ground Education

Ms. Lisa Slaba

Project Manager, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation

Ms. Tammie Perrault

Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office, DoD, Military

Community and Family Policy

CSM Ruben Murillo

Command Sergeant Major. U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, Ft. Wainwright

11:30am - 1:00pm


Lunch (on your own)

1:00pm - 1:30pm


Welcome


Posting of Colors by Eielson AFB Honor Guard


National Anthem by Ms. Ezra Magno


Land Acknowledgement by Ms. Tanna Carter


Keynote Address by Mr. Ivan Bolden

1:30pm - 3:00pm


Arctic Security & Defense Horizons: The Role of Alaska in Supporting US Arctic Interests



Maj. Gen. (Ret) Randy "Church" Kee

Senior Advisor, Arctic Security Affairs, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies

Dr. Mike Sfraga

Chair, United States Arctic Research Commission, Chair and Founding Director,

Polar Institute, Wilson Center.

Richard Glenn

Former Vice-President, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Former US Arctic Research Commission Member


International & Intergovernmental Perspectives

Moderated by Ms. Hannah Smith



BGen. Daniel Rivière

Commander Joint Task Force (North), Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Armed Forces

Mr. Conrad Schubert

Intergovernmental Affairs Advisory, Joint Task Force North Canadian Armed Forces

Captain Kyle Raines

Director of Public Affairs, INDOPACOM

Mr. George Tolar

Interagency Coordination & Partnerships Director, Alaska Command

Mayor Bryce Ward

Fairbanks North Star Borough

3:00pm - 3:15pm


Networking Break

3:15pm - 5:00 pm


Alaska Service Member Quality of Life

Moderated by Mr. Tom Hough



Lt. Gen. David Nahom

Commander Alaskan Command, US Northern Command; Commander, Eleventh

Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; Commander, North American Aerospace Defense

Command Region, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Joint Base

Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Col. (P) Thomas Burke

Deputy Commander - Support, 11th Airborne Division, US Army

Rear Admiral Megan Dean

Commander, 17th Coast Guard District

Col. Michael Griesbaum

Commander, 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard


Climate Security and Alaska

Moderated by Mr. Keith Klaehn



Mr. Jeremy Mathis, Ph.D.

V.P. of Climate and Energy, Red Duke Strategies

Mr. John Conger

President, Conger Strategies and Solutions

6:00pm - 9:00pm


Reception Hosted by Doyon Utilities + Doyon Limited


Bar Hosted by Usibelli Coal Mine


Great American Defense Community Award Presentation


Wednesday

August 30


7:00 AM - 8:30 AM


Breakfast Hosted by ESI Alaska


Morning Networking

8:30am - 10:00am


Keynote: OLDCC Town Hall by Mr. Pat O'Brien


Creating Installation Resilience

Moderated by Ms. Claire Reynolds



Mr. David Leinberger

Army Partnerships Program Manager HQDA, ODCS G-9

Mr. Louis Littleton

Director, Western Regional Office, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation

Mr. Keith Klaehn

Association of Defense Communities

Col. Rick Hern

Air Force Community Partnership


Keynote: Federal, State, and Community Partnerships in Alaska by Mr. Karim Farishta

10:00am - 10:15am


Networking Break

10:15am - 11:45am


Innovation Through Partnerships + Upcoming Opportunities

Moderated by Ky Holland



Captain John Sadler

JBER Arctic Spark

TSgt Dustin Baker

EAFB Iceman Spark

Mr. Peter Webley

Center ICE, UAF

Ms. Grace Coles

CITC



New Elevation Data from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency by Mr. Evan Newman



PAFA: Alaska's Alternate Runway by Mr. Dennis Michel

11:45am - 12:00pm


Networking Break

12:00pm - 1:00pm


Lunch Hosted By RESPEC


DSLO & AKLeg: Impactful Legislation Supporting Installations & Service Members in Alaska

Moderated by Ms. Tammie Perrault



Senator Scott Kawasaki

Alaska State Legislature

Representative Laddie Shaw

Alaska State Legislature

Representative Will Stapp

Alaska State Legislature

Representative Stanley Wright

Alaska State Legislature

1:00pm - 1:15pm


Networking Break

1:15pm - 3:00pm


Education & Employment: Building Strong Foundations Through Partnerships

Moderated by Ms. Erin Morotti



Col. Antonio Alvarado

354th Mission Support Group

Mr. Edward Lunney

Higher Ground Education

Ms. Telisha Thomas

Higher Ground Education

Ms. Georgia Sandgren

FNSB School District


Housing Financing Options: Old Money, New Money

Moderated by Mr. George Tolar



Mr. Mark O'Connel

First National Bank

Ms. Kelly Boyer

Rose Community Capital


The Department of Defense and Native People of Alaska: Implementing Our Trust Responsibility

Moderated by Dr. James Morton



Ms. Amanda Andraschko

Native Affairs Liaison (NAL), Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command

Ms. Elizabeth Cook

Cultural Resource Manager & Native Liaison, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska

Ms. Joy Boston

673d ABW Community Partnerships & Alaska Native Liaison, Joint Base

Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) Installation

3:00pm - 3:15pm


Networking Break

3:15pm - 4:45pm


Shared Resource Management Challenges

Moderated by Mr. Jeff Durham



Mr. Matt Sprau

US Army Garrison Alaska

Mr. Kevin Meany

Alaska Division of Forestry

Ms. Shannon Erhart

Tanana Chiefs Conference

Mr. Jim Simon

Tanana Chiefs Conference

Mr. Bob Henszey

US Fish & Wildlife Service


Partnership Opportunities Addressing Shared Challenges

Moderated by Mr. Jeff Durham



Mr. Robert Rule

OSD REPI

Mr. Dan Chapin

Compatible Lands Foundation

Ms. Jackie Kragel

USDA NRCS

Mr. Michael Daigneault

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Mr. Michael Shephard

US Forestry Service

4:45pm - 5:00pm


Closing

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F-35 Fighter Jet flying over the clouds
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Additional

Events

Additional

Events

University & Research Tours

Monday August 28

9:00am - 3:00pm

Participants who register for this opportunity will tour UAF research centers to learn more about the rapidly changing dynamics of the Arctic and the impact those changes are having on climate, security, and the geopolitical landscape.


Seating is limited, sign up today!

Mission Tours

Thursday August 31

8:00am - 5:00pm

Mission tours of Eielson Air Force Base and US Army Alaska Fort Wainwright are being offered as part of the 2023 Alaska Defense Forum. Transportation is being provided. Lunch will be on your own at the Yukon Club.


This tour is currently sold out.

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

Flights, HOTEL + transportation INFORMATION

Domestic Airline Trip

Traveling to Fairbanks, Alaska? An airfare discount code via Alaska Airlines has been arranged.


Please use discount code ‘ECME695’

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There are many wonderful AirBnB's in Fairbanks available during your stay.


Please use the link below for a prefilled search during the Alaska Defense Forum.

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Avis Alaska has discount code for 20% off car rentals running during the Alaska Defense Forum.


Please use discount code ‘SHAREAK’

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A courtesy room block has been reserved at the Westmark Hotel and Conference Center.

A courtesy room block has been reserved at the Golden North Inn.

A courtesy room block has been reserved at the

Bear Lodge.

EXPLORE FAIRBANKS

While you're in

fairbanks

While you’re in the Golden Heart City, take advantage of all that Alaska offers in the summer. Visit the Explore Fairbanks website to learn more about activities and attractions.

SPONSORSHIP opportunities

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Reception

(1 Available)

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SOLD OUT

$7,500

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • Main sponsor of the Alaska Defense Forum Welcome Reception
  • Opportunity to address attendees for up to 5 minutes during the reception
  • Five (5) complimentary registrations to the event

Gold

(2 Available)

$5,000

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • Opportunity address attendees for up to 5 minutes during the forum welcome
  • Three (3) complimentary registrations to the event

Breakfast, Luncheon or Bar

(1 Available for Each,

3 Total)

Red Grunge Stamp

SOLD OUT

$5,000

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • Exclusive sponsor of the breakfast, luncheon, or hosted bar at reception
  • Opportunity to address attendees for up to 5 minutes during the breakfast, lunch, or reception
  • Three (3) complimentary registrations to the event
Red Grunge Stamp

SOLD OUT

$4,000

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • Company logo on event lanyards and name badges given to every attendee
  • Two (2) complimentary registrations to the event

Lanyard

(1 Available)

Silver

(3 Available)

Red Grunge Stamp

SOLD OUT

$3,000

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • Opportunity to participate in a forum session
  • Two (2) complimentary registrations to the event

Bronze

$1,500

  • Acknowledgement of partnership during the event’s opening plenary session
  • One (1) complimentary registration to the event

Community Partner

$350 or $500

  • Nonprofit organizations that plan to register large groups are encouraged to become a community partner. Community Partnership includes:
    • Two (2) complimentary registrations for $350
    • Five (5) complimentary registrations for $500

All sponsorships receive prominent signage throughout the event in addition to their organization logo and description on event website.

For any questions, please contact Lisa at lslaba@investfairbanks.com

2023 SPONSORs:

Our Community.

Our Economy.

Our Responsibility.

Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation

330 Wendell Ave., Suite E

Fairbanks, AK 99701

907-452-2185

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