World Trade Center Alaska

Celebrating 25 years of Service to the Alaskan Business Community

2012 is a very special year for us: it's our 25th anniversary! For two and a half decades, we have had the privilege of serving our members and community partners with information and services to help them grow through international trade and commerce. We are proud of our past and confident of our future. To learn more about how our work is making a positive impact on Alaskan businesses, click on the link below to hear directly from some of those we have worked with recently:

Click here to read WTCAK Members testimonials

WTCAK Most Recent Event

This annual event was conducted in the state's three largest cities, beginning in Fairbanks on 17 January, in Anchorage on 18 January, and in Juneau on 19 January. 2012 is the 9th year that we have conducted the luncheon and it has become one of the most anticipated business events in Alaska.

2012 World Trade Center Alaska Statewide Economic Forecast Luncheon

Click on the presentation title below to download it.
The Statewide Economic Review and 2012 Forecast. Presented by Jonathan King, Principal and Senior Economist from Northern Economics.

International Economic Update. Presented by Aryam Vázquez, Global Emerging Markets Economist for Wells Fargo Country Risk Management Group.

Also here you can download the article "Global Emerging Markets - 2012 Annual Outlook" by Aryam Vázquez.

How Exports Benefit Alaska's Economy. Presented by Greg Wolf, Executive Director of World Trade Center Alaska.

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WTCAK Recent Events

7th Annual Alaska-China Business Conference

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - Sheraton Anchorage Hotel

Please click here to download the Conference Presentations

5th Annual Trade is Transportation Seminar

Thursday, October 6, 2011 - Hilton Anchorage Hotel

Please click here to download the Seminar Presentations

24th Annual Export Alaska Celebration Luncheon

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - Egan Convention Center

Conducted by the Export Council of Alaska and World Trade Center Alaska, this annual gathering is the major international trade event of the year.

Commissioner of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Susan Bell, presents the Governor's North Star Award, in the category of Trade-Export of Services, to PolyEarth Construction International. Accepting the award are company executives Samuel Pelant (center) and Paul Johnson (right). PolyEarth Construction is a member of WTCAK.
Photo courtesy: Governor’s Office of International Trade

Susan Bell, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, announced the winners of Governor's North Star Awards for International Excellence.

Also, the Council awarded scholarships to student achievers pursuing a career in the international arena.
The keynote speaker was Mr. James F. Albaugh, Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company and President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

James Albaugh (left), President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, pictured above with Greg Wolf, Executive Director of WTCAK and a Consultant to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Albaugh was the key note speaker at the event.
Photo courtesy: Dave Harbour, www.northerngaspipelines.com

Topic: "Boeing and American Aerospace - Keeping our Lead"

Mr. Albaugh is responsible for the company's Commercial Airplanes programs and services, is a member of the Boeing Executive Council, and serves as Boeing's senior executive in the Pacific Northwest. He was named to this position in September 2009.

WTCAK Special Report

Earlier this year, World Trade Center Alaska (WTCAK) commissioned Northern Economics, a leading Anchorage-based economic consulting firm, to research the impact of international trade on Alaska's economy. The study, recently completed, reveals the various ways in which exports to overseas markets contribute to jobs, revenues, and other aspects of the Alaskan economy. You can download the Executive Summary that provides some highlights of the report findings or the entire report. To download the Executive Summary, please click on the cover image below.

Report Highlights include:

In 2009, Alaska's exports to overseas markets totaled $3.3 billion.

In 2009, Alaska ranked sixth in the nation by value of exports on a per capita basis.

Exports represented 7.4 percent of the state's economy in 2008.

Although exports suffered nationwide in the recent recession, Alaska's exports value dropped by only 8.8 percent from 2008-2009, beating the national average by 10 percent.

Exports supported nearly 15,000 direct and 9,800 indirect and induced jobs in Alaska in 2008.

Alaska's exports sector generated more than $5.5 billion in total economic output.

Each year more than half of Alaskan seafood production is sent overseas.

Of Alaska's average coal production of 1.5 million tons per year, approximately 40 percent was shipped to overseas customers.

To download the full report, please click on the cover image above

WTCAK Past Events

Dear WTCAK Members and Friends of the Center:

Our sincere thanks to all of you who helped make our special luncheon on 17 August, featuring U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a big success. A large audience of business, government, and civic leaders gathered to hear her address on "Defending Alaska's Resource Economy Against Government Overreach." It was an insightful address on the challenges Alaska faces in the nation's capitol in seeking to develop the state's vast natural resources and, in doing so, increase our exports. Click on the image on the right to read more:

On April 19 - 20, World Trade Center Alaska (WTCAK) staff attended the 2010 Asia/Pacific Business Outlook Conference (APBO) in Los Angeles, CA. This annual conference is designed to serve as a tool for communication between private sector companies and the U.S. Commercial Service. U.S. Department of Commerce representatives from 15 Asia/Pacific countries, as well as other government and business leaders, gave presentations and conducted one-on-one meetings at the conference. WTCAK is invited to participate in the APBO Conference each year and, by attending, is able to keep relationships with U.S. Commercial Service officers abroad current. Click on the image on the left to read more:

Asian trade essential for Alaska's economy By Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell | Juneau Empire

For much of statehood, Alaska products have been exported to Asia. Japan has historically been the strongest Asian trade partner and our ties remain strong today.

In 2008, we exported over $1 billion in Alaskan products to Japan. The Republic of Korea and Taiwan have become lucrative partners with $703 million of goods exported to Korea in 2007. In recent years, the Peoples Republic of China dramatically increased imports of Alaska products. Exports to China have risen from $154 million in 2003 to $733 million in 2008. China is now Alaska's number two partner in trade. Click on the image on the right to read more:

World Trade Center Alaska

2010 Statewide Economic Forecast Luncheon

Wednesday, 13 January 2010
2010 Statewide Economic Forecast Presented by Pat Burden, President of Northern Economics. Burden will report on the state's major industries, their contribution to Alaska's economy, and how they will perform in 2010.

An International Economic Update. Presented by Gary Schlossberg, Vice President & Senior Economist of Wells Fargo Bank. The economist will discuss economic trends in markets most important to Alaska's export industries.

How Exports Benefit Alaska's Economy. Presented by Greg Wolf, Executive Director of World Trade Center Alaska. Wolf will report on Alaska's major export markets, export commodities and services, and the impact of exports on Alaska's economic well-being.

Click on the images above to read more:

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