JEDC News, December 2018

Thank you, Margaret, for 19 Years at JEDC

For over thirty years, the Juneau Economic Development Council has embraced its mission to foster a healthy and sustainable economic climate in Juneau and throughout Southeast Alaska. For most of those years, we have had Margaret O'Neal as an important member of our team. We acknowledge and appreciate that the foundation of our success is built upon employees like Margaret and her commitment to JEDC and growing Juneau's economy. People like Margaret are, and always will be, our greatest asset. Margaret managed our regional revolving loan fund and provided thousands of hour of technical assistance to numerous small businesses in our region, not to mention her oversight of the administration and assistance on several important initiatives. Her abilities and contributions are an important part of the success of the JEDC.

As she retires at the end of December, we want to thank her for 19 years of service!

Early Registration is OPEN for the 2019 Innovation Summit

Early-Early Bird registration is open for the 2019 Innovation Summit! This year we are connecting and inspiring a community of Alaska's brightest leaders (that means YOU) to help us 'Design Alaska's Future'. Register before the end of the year and save $75.

This year's theme is 'Designing Alaska's Future'. We will hear from Asta Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir from the Iceland Tourism Cluster (use Google translate for more pages on their cluster website) and Joel Gershenfeld, co-author of Designing Reality, as well as from 30 other presenters that will present on this topic and beyond.

What to expect:

A two-day conference with over 40 dynamic speakers.
Innovation Shorts -- compelling 10-minute presentations with stimulating ideas from colleagues and professionals that are making a difference.
Discussions with industry professionals that delve into key industries driving growth in our region.
Deep dive workshops.
Attention on the opportunities emerging from the fast-growing tourism industry.
Innovation Tours that take you behind the scenes of Juneau businesses and spaces.
Celebration of entrepreneurship with the entrepreneur Pitch Contest and a panel of experts.
Opportunity to make new partnerships.
Engagement with industry clusters from our region and beyond!
Innovation Lounge where you can network with other business and civic leaders from around Alaska.
Artistic performances.
Food and snacks.
Much more!

Angel Investing in Juneau

JEDC, with partners in Anchorage and Fairbanks, is helping to coordinate the Alaska Angel Conference this spring. The Alaska Angel Conference is a several month effort that gives investors a chance to learn about and participate in angel investing through real-time investment opportunities presented by Alaskan startups.

The conference will help foster the development of angel investors in a statewide startup ecosystem. The program aims to gather 20-40 investors, 50% new angels and 50% experienced, along with Alaskan companies looking for capital.

Investors and companies engage via twelve weekly meetings in pitches, reviews, sorting and due diligence, which then culminates in a group angel investment into one or more of the companies. Investors contribute equally into a pool of resources that are invested into a deserving company.

For more information please visit www.AKAngelConference.com and read this Juneau Empire article. If you or someone you know is interested in angel investing in Juneau OR have a company seeking investment, please email JEDC Executive Director Brian Holst .

Call for Innovation Short Presentations

We are seeking up to 30 presenters to showcase their original ideas through a 10-minute "Innovation Short" presentation at the 2019 Innovation Summit on either February 20th or 21st, 2019. The "Innovation Shorts" offer summit attendees a glimpse into a host of topics that all surround the theme of "Designing Alaska's Future". Each short runs ten minutes, allowing each attendee an experience just long enough time to whet their intellectual curiosity. Presenters gain experience speaking publicly on their chosen topic and area of expertise, while growing their network and creating buzz.

We invite you to submit an application for a presentation that addresses The Future. Each category will be The Future of ..... etc. Please submit presentations for the following topics:

The Future of:

Society
Learning
Government
Tourism and Recreation
Ocean Economy
Entrepreneurship

The deadline for a completed application is January 18, 2019. Download an application HERE.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Please send applications to Dana.

Economic Indicator: Juneau's 2019 Cruise Passenger Volume Projected to be 16 percent above 2018

The cruise volume for 2018 is officially in at 1.15 million passengers. The estimate for 2019 is 1.34 million, a jump of 16 percent for next summer. This growth will come from both an increase in the number of ships visiting Juneau and the substitution of larger ships for smaller ones by the cruise lines. In 2018, there were 27 ships with capacity for over 500 passengers; in 2019 there will be 34 ships. In 2018 the largest ship to visit Juneau, the Norwegian Bliss with a maximum of 4,700 passengers, replaced a smaller ship. In 2019 the Ovation of the Seas, carrying over 5,000 passengers, will also replace a smaller ship.

While 2020 is expected to see more volume than 2019, the large jump in 2019 is not expected to be repeated. There will continue to be an increase in port calls, but Juneau's berthing capacity is reaching its limits. Beyond 2020 a plateau will be reached. Growth will depend on how many ships want to anchor in the harbor and if enough enticing Southeast itineraries can be put together in conjunction with other communities, who are also reaching berthing capacity limits.

Participate in the DestinationNext Survey to Help Tourism Industry in Juneau

JEDC partner, Travel Juneau, is conducting a comprehensive survey to better understand Juneau's destination strengths and opportunities for future tourism growth. The diagnostic tool they are using is called DestinationNEXT. Over 290 destinations worldwide have undertaken this assessment. Please participate in the 25-minute survey, which will help Travel Juneau determine if there are any gaps, key issues and opportunities for potential products, amenities, education, programming, and experiences that would benefit the tourism industry in Juneau, and thus the community's economic well-being. The assessment is a 360-degree survey of stakeholders in tourism, business, education, and government, all of whom are impacted by Juneau's ability to inspire and attract visitors to the community. Travel Juneau will present a "report card" of the health and benchmarks of Juneau as a destination.

Please complete the survey by February 8, 2019. All responses will remain anonymous. You can access the survey HERE.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is a partnership between the business community, educators and volunteers - all working together to inspire young people to dream big and reach their potential. JA's hands-on, experiential programs teach the key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to young people all over the world.

The Juneau Junior Achievement Committee is currently led by JEDC and Capital Office, however, other Juneau organizations and businesses are encouraged to get involved. JEDC provides staff support to coordinate teacher and volunteer recruitment, volunteer orientation sessions, works with statewide Junior Achievement coordinator to identify and order program kits, carries out follow-up workshops, and general promotion of the program, among other tasks. To learn more about the JEDC Junior Achievement program, please email Robyn Mesdag.

Industrial Co-Working Space Survey

We are helping collect information on the need for industrial co-working space and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Please take a couple minutes to fill out this survey if you're interested in an industrial co-working space.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZYR2FCN

Become a JEDC Investor

We invite you to invest in Juneau by becoming a JEDC Investor. Show your support of the work we do to forward Juneau and Southeast's economy.

By supporting JEDC you are supporting the long-term economic success of Alaska's capital city, and creating a business climate that in turn supports your business or organization.

To learn more about our investor program, please visit www.JEDC.org/investors or send an email to Dana Herndon.