Confabs

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is holding its general membership luncheon at noon Jan. 22 at the Westmark Fairbanks. Kevin Meyers, president and chief executive of Phillips Alaska Inc., 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. 22 at the Riverside House, 44611 Sterling Highway. Mark Powell, chairman of the Cook Inlet Sockeye Branding Project, will offer a presentation. For more information, call 907-262-9814.

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce is holding its weekly luncheon program at noon Jan. 22 at the Mat-Su Resort, 1850 Bogard Road. George Larson, president and chief executive of Valley Hospital, will present a Valley Hospital update. An optional lunch is available. Program fees are $3 for members and $5 for others. For more information, call 907-376-1299.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Small Business Development Center is offering a free seminar on financial management for small businesses from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 22 at the SBDC office, 201 N. Lucille St., Suite 2-A, Wasilla. Topics include understanding financial documents and strategies for improving the bottom line. A seminar entitled "Marketing Guru" is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 24 at the same location. Jerri Rubin, marketing professor at the University of Alaska, will present insights on how small businesses can get noticed and increase sales by conventional and unconventional techniques. The cost is $20. Registration is required for either seminar. For more information or registration, call 907-373-7232.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Small Business Development Center is presenting a workshop entitled, "Payroll Taxes," from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 22. The fee is $25. For more information, location and registration, call 907-456-7232.

The Denali Commission is holding its quarterly meeting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Centennial Hall Convention Center, 101 Egan Drive in Juneau. The agenda is available on the Denali Commission's Web site at (www.denali.gov). There will be an opportunity for public comment. For additional details, call 907-271-1414.

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce is scheduling its luncheon forum at noon Jan. 23 at the North Slope Restaurant, 11501 Old Glenn Highway. Ira Perman, president of the Alaska Humanities Forum, will offer a presentation on "Alaska Humanities Forum; Alaska 20/20 - Dreams to Plans." The cost is $12.50 for members and $14 for others. For reservations, call 907-694-4702.

The Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce is holding its weekly meeting at noon Jan. 23 at the Palmer Moose Lodge, 1136 S. Cobb St. Al Parrish, vice president of government and community affairs for Holland America Line Westours, will discuss the topic, "Northwest Cruise Lines." The cost is $9. For additional information, call 907-745-2880.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce is holding its weekly meeting at noon Jan. 23 at Paradisos Restaurant in downtown Kenai. The luncheon cost is $10.50. For more information, call 907-283-7989.

The Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center in Soldotna is planning a seminar from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Kenai Visitors Center. The session will address tourism and Internet marketing. The cost is $15. For more information, call 907-262-7497.

The North Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is holding its weekly meeting at noon Jan. 24 at the North Kenai Baptist Church, Kenai Spur Highway, Mile 25, Kenai. The cost is $10. For more information, call 907-283-4388.

The Alaska Support Industry Alliance is presenting its 19th Annual Oil & Gas Meet Alaska 2002 Conference beginning at 8 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage, 3301 C St. A reception will close the conference. The event's theme is "Alaska's Role in a National Energy Policy." Confirmed speakers are Mark Pease, vice president of international and Alaska operations for Anadarko Petroleum Corp.; D.R. Duncan, vice president government relations for Phillips Petroleum Co.; Jeff Wacker, vice president and chief technical officer for EDS; and Steve Marshall, president of BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. Invited speakers include Gov. Tony Knowles; Spencer Abraham, secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; Ralph Goodale, minister of Natural Resources, Canada; Gwyn Morgan, president and board chairman for Alberta Energy Co. Ltd. and Alaska's U.S. Congressional Delegation. For reservations or more information, call 907-563-2226.

The Anchorage Small Business Development Center and University of Alaska Anchorage Workforce Development are sponsoring a seminar entitled, "QuickBooks Pro - Beginning" from 1-4:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the UAA Diplomacy Building, 4500 Diplomacy Drive. The course covers the methods QuickBooks uses for billing, invoicing, banking and other applications. The seminar costs $50. Registration is required. For more information, call 907-274-7232.

The Alaska World Affairs Council is presenting a program at noon Jan. 25 in the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. Zhang Erping, official world spokesman for the Falun Gong spiritual movement, is the scheduled speaker. Program lunch fees are $17 for members and $20 for others. For more information, call 907-276-8038.

The University of Alaska Anchorage is hosting an informational meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 25 about its master's degree program in clinical psychology at the College of Arts and Sciences, Room 264. A similar session is scheduled from 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the same location. Faculty members will discuss studies in research, public service, addictive behaviors and clinical psychology. For more information, call 907-786-1726.

The Anchorage Small Business Development Center is sponsoring a seminar on developing a business plan from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the SBDC office, 430 W. Seventh Ave. The basic steps in producing a good business plan are covered including researching business ideas, analyzing profitability, understanding the necessary financial statements and considering loan requirements. The seminar costs $35. Registration is required. For more information, call 907-274-7232.

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is holding its third annual Chamber Night at the Aces event Jan. 26. The Anchorage Aces play the Tacoma Sabercats. Chamber members will be recognized in the program, on the reader board and via the public address system. For more information, contact Simone Sanders at 907-272-2401.

Apply within

The University of Alaska Anchorage American Russian Center is hosting a small business management training program for Russian Far East businesspeople Jan. 25-Feb. 22. Center officials are seeking companies interested in meeting with group members or providing opportunities for them to observe American business practices. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, will include lectures from UAA School of Business faculty. For details, call Joselyn Biloon at 907-786-4300.

State officials are accepting nominations for First Lady Susan Knowles' Volunteer Awards. Judges will evaluate nominees for length of service benefiting the community or state; extraordinary personal commitment; participation in innovative volunteer project or their significant efforts for the community or state. The deadline is March 25. For a nomination form, visit (www.gov.state.ak) or call 907-269-7450.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation will lead volunteer training sessions Jan. 28 in Anchorage and Jan. 29 in Fairbanks. Sessions will run from 6-9:30 p.m. The foundation helps grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Reservations are due Jan. 25. For locations and registration, call 800-304-9474.