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
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
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.
Note: All installation pin locations are approximate and not to scale.
Air Force
Army
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
2023 Agenda
2023 Agenda
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 | ||
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
Traveling to Fairbanks, Alaska? An airfare discount code via Alaska Airlines has been arranged.
Please use discount code ‘ECME695’
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.
Avis Alaska has discount code for 20% off car rentals running during the Alaska Defense Forum.
Please use discount code ‘SHAREAK’
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
Reception
(1 Available)
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)
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
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)
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
