The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Business Connection Breakfast is planned for 7 a.m. Jan. 9 at the WestCoast International Inn, 3333 W. International Airport Road. Jan Fredericks, state director of the University of Alaska Small Business Development Center, will discuss "Getting Off to the Right Start" for small businesses. The presentation includes business plans, marketing, business development, growth and financing. The cost is $12 for members and $14 for others. For reservations or more information, call 907-272-2401.

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is holding its general membership luncheon at noon Jan. 9 at the Westmark Fairbanks. Jake Poole, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Valley campus, is the scheduled speaker. The luncheon cost is $11.25. For more information, call 907-452-1105.

The Greater Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is holding its weekly meeting at noon Jan. 9 at the Riverside House, 44611 Sterling Highway. A presentation by the Kenai Peninsula Public Lands Users Group will be featured. The chamber is planning its annual awards banquet for Jan. 14 at the Central Peninsula Sports Center. Community members will be honored for their civic and business contributions. For more information, call 907-262-9814.

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce is holding its luncheon program at noon Jan. 9 at the Mat-Su Resort, 1850 Bogard Road. Fawn Newby of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry will present an update on the museum. Program fees are $3 for members and $5 for others. For more information, call 907-376-1299.

WOMEN$fund, a program of YWCA of Anchorage, is offering a free orientation at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the YWCA, 245 W. Fifth Ave. The orientation, a two-hour overview of the requirements, benefits and goals of WOMEN$fund classes and programs, is a prerequisite for all program classes. For additional details, call 907-274-1524.

Anchorage Economic Development Corp.'s annual "State of the Anchorage Economy" forecast luncheon is scheduled from noon-1:15 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center Explorers Hall. Jeff Pokorny, AEDC research director, will provide an economic outlook for 2001. Individual tickets cost $30. For more information, contact Lew Pumphrey at 907-258-3700.

World Trade Center Alaska is holding its luncheon forum at noon Jan. 10 at the National Bank of Alaska, C Street and Northern Lights Boulevard. Consul General Yoshinori Tsujimoto of Japan will reflect on his tenure in Alaska and speak about Alaska's future relationship with Japan. The cost is $12 for members and $15 for others. For reservations, call 907-278-7233.

The Catholic Social Services' Immigration and Refugee program is holding a workshop for immigrants seeking to file for legal residency status from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 10 in the St. Patrick Church parish hall, 2111 Muldoon Road. For information packets and additional details, call 907-276-5590.

The Resource Development Council for Alaska Inc. is presenting a program at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage, 3301 C St. Jamie Kenworthy, executive director of the Alaska Science Technology Foundation, will present "Survey of Alaska Business Leaders: Constructing a Road Map for Growth." Breakfast for members cost $10.50 and for others is $12.50. Reservations are required. For more information, call 907-276-0700.

The University of Alaska Small Business Development Center in Anchorage is sponsoring a seminar on starting a business from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the SBDC, 430 W. Seventh Ave., Suite 110. A seminar on developing a business plan is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the same location. Each seminar costs $30. For additional information, call 907-274-7232.

The Billikin Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals is meeting Jan. 11 beginning with a social time at 5:30 p.m. at the Regal Alaskan Hotel. Dinner, a fitness presentation and a business program follow. For reservations, contact Carol Fuller at 907-345-5411.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is holding a public meeting to review suggested safety improvements in the midtown corridor from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 11 in the conference room at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library. For more information, contact Judy Dougherty at 907-269-0566.

The Alaska World Affairs Council is presenting a program at noon Jan. 12 in the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. Gen. Norton Schwartz, commander of the Alaskan Command, Alaskan NORAD Region and 11th Air Force, is the scheduled speaker. Program lunch fees are $17 for members and $20 for others. For more information, call 907-276-8038.