Gold Pan Awards Category Criteria COMMUNITY SERVICE - Large Business (more than 50 employees) and Small Business (less than 50 employees)
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE The nominee (businesses only) must have provided
Nominees (businesses only) must be active
economic vitality of Anchorage, and have a proven
participants in the community who demonstrate
record of adaptability and sustainability. The nominee
outstanding community service, creativity, and
must have been in operation for at least five years by
excellence and have significantly improved the city
July 2023.
excellent goods or services, contributed to the
of Anchorage by achieving success in its business through growth and quality performance.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE The nominee (business or individual) must have
NON-PROFIT ABOVE & BEYOND
started, organized, and managed a successful business,
Nominees (organizations only) must aim to significantly
exemplifying creative vision, talent, and innovative
improve the city of Anchorage outside of their daily
thinking that creates business opportunities. Self-
operations by helping the business community
nominations are accepted.
succeed through growth and quality performance. The organization must have work that exemplifies its mission and has evolved to meet the needs of its members or the community.
WHAT DOES THE SELECTION PROCESS LOOK LIKE? This event aims to highlight local businesses of excellence, and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce strives to keep the integrity of this process by implementing a selection committee every year. The committee reviews all nominations and votes on the finalists and winners in each category. Committee members include chamber staff, and representatives from the Board of Directors, diversity committee, Ambassadors, and Young ProfeWssionals Group leadership. For more info on the process, visit anchoragechamber.org/gold-pan-awards.
Community Service - Small WINNER!
Wilderness Adventures for Kids Everywhere, Inc. (W.A.K.E., Inc.) is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing mentoring and outdoor experience programs for youth in grades K-12 from low-income and marginalized communities, particularly youth in grades 5 - 8. W.A.K.E., Inc. was created to foster a commitment to youth that will promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, resiliency, and self-awareness while developing outdoor sportsman skills. The founders, Sean Jordan and Deanne Woodard, saw a need to provide youth with more access to mentors and outdoor sportsmanship activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. The amazing team of directors and volunteers are committed to helping their youth. They take their convictions and turn them into action. They share their knowledge, skills, passions, and love with youth in an effort to build them up and ensure they know that they can do anything. (WATCH VIDEO)
Alaska Escape Rooms, Inc is a small family business owned and operated by Graeme Deishl, lifelong Alaskan and single father of his two daughters. The motivation behind the custom and an imaginative escape room was to bring a new branch of indoor entertainment to Alaska. Graeme loved to create interactive storytelling adventures for his daughters. His passion for stories and puzzles combined with his entrepreneurial spirit led to the opening of Alaska Escape Rooms, inc in 2017. As one of the first of its kind to open in Alaska, it rapidly became a success. Alaska Escape Room accumulated many awards such as the St. Elias Award for best team building company, micro business of the year award, and by 2019 was nationally recognized as one of the top 100 escape rooms in the country by customer review. (WATCH VIDEO)
Anchorage School Business Partnerships (SBP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission engaging community to inspire youth toward a vibrant future. SBP provides connections, tools and resources for meaningful partnerships between schools and local business organizations. Participating businesses range from large for-profit corporations, state entities, to one-person operations. Each partnership is designed to serve both student needs and the business mission. (WATCH VIDEO)
Community Service - Large WINNER!
The Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA) is Alaska’s Premier
Youth Leadership Academy developing the leaders of tomorrow. AMYA partners with youth ages 16-18 to develop self-confidence, discipline, leadership skills, and life coping skills to assist youth with their academic and future success. The AMYA program provides education, job skills, life skills and volunteering (Service to the Community), among many other important life development training. Tuition for students is free, which allows families that may otherwise be unable to make a choice for their child’s education an option. During the Covid pandemic, the AMYA program was one of very few that remained open and restructured their methodologies to provide their program curriculum through the use of technology. This restructure happened with less than 24 hour notice through the teamwork, diligence and partnership of AMYA staff, students and their families, and community support. (WATCH VIDEO) Fred Meyer stores offer one-stop shopping at 11 multi-department stores in Alaska. More than 3,200 Fred Meyer associates help customers fill their food, apparel, and general merchandise needs in Alaska. Stores range in size from 65,000 to 200,000 square feet and carry more than 250,000 products under one roof. Additionally, Fred Meyer contributes $5 million to communities across the Northwest each year through grants from the Fred Meyer Foundation as well as product donations, cash donations and sponsorships. Fred Meyer also donates 6 million pounds of food to local food banks each year via the Food Rescue Program. (WATCH VIDEO) Since its founding, OPA has grown from a small Anchorage based orthopedic practice to the largest private orthopedic group in Alaska. In the Spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all athletic events, leaving OPA’s athletic trainers without work. Instead of laying off its full-time athletic trainers, OPA opted to find ways for them to support the community, and the trainers rose to the challenge. For several months, OPA’s athletic trainers served in various capacities, including COVID testing specialists to allow patients easier access to surgical procedures, and as screeners to ensure the safety of all employees and patients entering OPA clinics. Despite the ongoing economic pressures created by the lingering pandemic, OPA athletic trainers have continued to provide their professional services to schools and community organizations completely free of charge. Today, OPA provides rich employment opportunities to more than 350 Alaskans. (WATCH VIDEO)
Non-Profit Above & Beyond WINNER!
Hospice of Anchorage (HOA) has served the greater Anchorage community
for more than 43 years and was the first hospice to serve Alaska. Their mission is to help individuals and families prepare for and live well with serious, lifelimiting illness, dying and grief. They consider it a privilege to be able to truly know the people they care for, learning what is important, and honoring the path each person chooses to take at the end of their lives. The Hospice of Anchorage team is proud to support and guide clients and their families in a way that honors and engages the richness of their lives. Their efforts are focused on a spirit of service as they work to help people understand the unknowns of this chapter of life. (WATCH VIDEO) The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is located in Portage Valley surrounded by the breathtaking Chugach Mountain Range and Turnagain Arm Inlet. Located at Mile 79 of the Seward Hwy, AWCC is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in orphaned and injured animals year-round and provides them a forever home. The sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for resident animals to feel at home displaying their natural wild behavior as education ambassadors for their species. It is common for visitors to see brown bears swimming, moose strutting, wood bison roaming, muskox playing, wolves posing, porcupines climbing, and more! Guests experience Alaska’s wildlife via AWCC’s scenic 1.5-mile loop, accessible by foot, by bike, or by car, while learning about our resident wildlife via interpretive signs at each animal habitat. AWCC offers a peaceful and scenic setting for the ultimate Alaska experience where guests will be surrounded by stunning mountains, Alpine Glaciers, the Turnagain Arm Inlet, and Alaska’s beautiful wildlife. (WATCH VIDEO) VOA Alaska provides behavioral health and well-being services to empower Alaska’s youth, young adults, and families. Their strength-based and person-centered services promote wellness in all areas of a person’s life through mental health therapy, substance use counseling, family therapy and kinship care, supportive housing, and residential treatment. They are in schools, in the community, and supporting Alaskans statewide via telehealth. As a non-profit, these services are offered at low- or no-cost, and no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. VOA Alaska’s mission is to empower Alaskans and uplift the human spirit through recovery services, housing, and promoting healthy communities. They are driven by their values of courage, connection, hope, innovation, joy, and responsibility. (WATCH VIDEO)
Entrepreneurial Excellence WINNER!
The story of the Alaska Chip Company begins with an idea that
hatched on a beach in Hawaii in 2002. While sharing a bag of chips, Ralph and Darcy Carney came up with the idea to make an all-natural potato chip in Alaska, using Alaska grown potatoes. Upon returning to Alaska, the Carneys built a potato chip testing lab in their garage and at the same time began working on a business plan. While perfecting how to make the best chip, they were busy making contacts with local potato farmers, grocery stores, marketing companies, and suppliers to develop a supply chain for their products. In 2003, the Carneys began work on a factory at 144 E Potter Dr. in Anchorage Alaska. Soon after, the Alaska Chip Company officially began production. The products were distributed to grocery stores, gift shops and convenience stores throughout the state and quickly became a big hit. In 2008, the company expanded their product line to include popcorn made with all-natural ingredients in four flavors. After almost 20 years, the Alaska Chip Company continues to grow and is always looking for new products and new markets, both inside and outside of Alaska. (WATCH VIDEO) Established in 2021 by brothers Dan and Chris Morris, Alaskan Sights and Bites stands as a testament to both Anchorage’s vibrant culinary scene and Alaska’s rich history. As the premier food tour operator in Anchorage, they uniquely blend the city’s historical landmarks with its diverse food offerings, offering a flavorful journey through the heart of Alaska’s urban hub and its surrounding areas. Their mission is to provide fun, insightful, and inclusive experiences, sharing the fascinating history, culture, and cuisine of our home, Alaska with an emphasis on Anchorage and the surrounding area. As committed storytellers, their tours go beyond the typical sightseeing experience, offering our guests a chance to delve into the rich stories that make Anchorage and Alaska unique. (WATCH VIDEO) Snowy Berry Cafe is locally-owned cafe and confections shop that is dedicated to creating and offering new exciting products for Alaskans. With a discerning eye, they thoughtfully curated a selection of treats that go beyond our in-house creations, importing products from artisans all over the world who share our commitment to quality and charm. The cafe is nestled in the heart of Anchorage, and their mission is to create an inviting space that honors tradition and celebrates diversity, where individuals can come together to savor artisanal delights, engage in meaningful conversations, and forge lasting connections. (WATCH VIDEO)
Business Excellence WINNER!
LifeMed Alaska provides 24/7 critical care air ambulance services throughout
Alaska with full scope transports for adult, pediatric, neonate and high-risk obstetric patients using and advanced fleet of Learjets, turboprops and helicopters. To ensure continuity of care to each patient, they offer on demand ground ambulance services from our Anchorage and Fairbanks Base. LifeMed Alaska is headquartered in Anchorage with base operations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Soldotna, Bethel, Palmer, Juneau, Dutch Harbor and Kodiak, LifeMed Alaska’s Mission is to provide hope and healing for their patients through exceptional and compassionate medical transportation. (WATCH VIDEO) PIP is a marketing, signs and print services provider that specializes in the creation and execution of growth-oriented solutions for small- to mediumsized businesses. Through a worldwide network of independently owned and operated franchises and affiliates, PIP offers robust digital and offset printing, variable printing, interior and exterior signage, direct mail and fulfillment services, finishing and binding, promotional products, graphic design, tradeshow and event marketing, and websites, including online ordering portals. Advanced solutions include integrated marketing campaigns, labels, packaging, video assistance, social media and mobile marketing. For more than 50 years, PIP has led the industry by offering innovative solutions that help our customers communicate better. (WATCH VIDEO) The mission of Steamdot Coffee Roasters is to source, roast, and present the finest artisan-roasted coffee. Steamdot conducted and passed the first-ever challenge study for its canned cold brew, working with a food science lab to validate food safety. The new canning program created several new jobs and are Alaska’s only permitted and FDA-approved cold brew coffee. SteamDot has been a community partner with the park department for 10+ years, and is a committed community partner, providing more than $25k annually in goods, services, time, and resources. (WATCH VIDEO)
Thank you, Photo Emporium
Congratulations! VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Logan Burt Ambassador, Young Professionals Group Chair (WATCH VIDEO)
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD Bruce Bustamante Former President/CEO, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Tier II Executive Level Members: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Alaska Regional Hospital Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Anchorage School District CIRI FedEx Express First National Bank Alaska Furniture Enterprises of Alaska
Executive Level Investors $5K+: Alaska 529 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Regional Hospital Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Anchorage School District AT&T Balanced CPAs, LLC Channel 2 & CBS 5 (formerly KTUU) Chevron CIRI Credit Union 1 ENSTAR Natural Gas Company First National Bank Alaska Fred Meyer, Anchorage Furniture Enterprises of Alaska Holland America Group Hotel Captain Cook, The Moda Health TOTE Maritime Alaska Visit Anchorage
Thank You, VIP BAG SPONSOR
Tier I Chamber Level Members: Alaska Airlines, Inc. Matson Orthopedic Physicians Alaska Atwood Foundation
Chamber Level Investors $10K+: Alaska Airlines, Inc. Atwood Foundation Chugach Alaska Corporation ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. GCI Global Credit Union Matson Navigation Co. of Alaska Northrim Bank Nuvision Credit Union Orthopedic Physicians Alaska Providence Alaska Medical Center Rasmuson Foundation Safeway, Inc. Santos Limited - Oil Search (Alaska) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Thank You, VENDORS!
The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization with nearly 800 members representing roughly 40,000 employees. Membership in the Anchorage Chamber signals your commitment to your personal success, the success of your business and/or organization and to the quality of life in Anchorage. Help “advance a successful business climate” with the Anchorage Chamber through Advocacy, Education, and Connectivity. The Anchorage Chamber recognizes all 2023 Gold Pan finalists and all of you who work to make Anchorage a better place to live, work and do business.
THANK YOU, 2023 GOLD PAN PLANNING COMMITTEE Charissa Habeger - Chair Ashley Ebnet Cameron Morrison Karen Lane
2023 GOLD PAN AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEE Ashley Ebnet Cameron Morrison Charissa Habeger Dan Newman Dianne Bluner Ed Hendrickson Gary Scott
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER STAFF Kathleen McArdle President/CEO
Tosha Swan Chief Operations Officer
Erica Schneider Events Manager
Donese Fifield Membership & Events Sales Assistant
Katie Mallard Lisa Booth Nancy Johnson Sean Jordan Sheron Patrick Skye Nevada
CONNECT WITH US! #GOLDPAN2023 We want to see you celebrating! Share photos of you and your guests, send kudos to the nominees and winners, and share your Route 66 attire via social media. Be sure to tag @anchoragechamber and use the hashtag #GoldPan2023.
THANK YOU, SPONSORS RECEPTION SPONSORS:
24 KARAT GOLD SPONSORS:
18 KARAT GOLD SPONSORS:
14 KARAT GOLD SPONSORS:
OFFICIAL TOAST SPONSOR:
12 KARAT GOLD SPONSORS: Alaska Chip Company LLC Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Anchorage School Business Partnerships
PIP Printing Providence Alaska Medical Center
Alaskan Sights & Bites
ConocoPhillips Alaska
Shiloh Community Housing
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency, Inc.
First National Bank Alaska
SteamDot Coffee Roasters
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Global Credit Union
The Bridge Co.
Hospice of Anchorage
The Odom Corporation
Anchorage Convention Centers
Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Visit Anchorage
Anchorage Daily News
Nuvision Credit Union
Wilderness Adventures for Kids
- Ray Clark
Orthopedic Physicians Alaska
Everywhere, Inc.