Alaska marketing conference

T HE second Western Building I Material Association Alaska Marketing Conference and Seminar was held recently at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage. More than 100 persons registered for the event which included displays of building products by 28 firms. Although most exhibiting firms are headquartered in the lower "48," it was interesting to note that a few were Alaska firms producing or distributing only in Alaska at the present but with plans to extend into other states. The Conference Commit- tee sent about 160 invitations to architects, engineers, designers and specifiers: and Alaska dealers invited their contractors and builder customers to view the exhibits.

The Conference Program opened with several "Quick Pitch Selling Talks" by exhibitors and a presentation on "Advertising & Promotion for Lumber Dealers" by Charles Lauber, v.p., advertising & promotion, Palmer G. Lewis Co., Auburn, Wa.

At the champagne lunch, the conference's featured speaker, Frank H.

Murkowski, president and director, Alaska National Bank of the North, presented an optimistic but realistic view of Alaska's future.

When the pipe line work is compieted, the layoff of many workers and the impact of this completion undoubtedly will have a great effect on Alaska's economy generally: however, Murkowski foresees a diversified economy developing in Alaska which will establish a strong base for healthy growth.

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TAKE A L00K at the future: these 33 students are iust part of a group of 57 students that recently completed the Western Building Material Assn.'s 6th annual Building Materials Marketing Course, conducted by Ross Kincaid (far right in photo) director of WBMA's Learning Resource Center.