Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Congratulates the 2020 Gold Pan Award Winners
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The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s 63rd Annual Gold Pan Awards “Back to the Past, Into the Future,” held virtually, featured a mix of pre-recorded presentations and a live broadcast from Matanuska Brewing Company–Midtown by Upper One Studios. Chamber members and guests logged in to enjoy a virtual happy hour with The Spice & Tea Exchange, an awards ceremony, and a live concert stream with local band, I Like Robots.
“I want to thank our sponsors, staff and volunteers for making the first virtual Gold Pan Awards a success. This was a groundbreaking effort to recognize business and community excellence in a new fashion,” says Bruce Bustamante President and CEO of the Anchorage Chamber. “Whether a large or small business, or a volunteer, you all play an important role in contributing to our community and I want to congratulate all nominees and Gold Pan winners.”
The Gold Pan Awards recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of twelve finalists. Awards were given to organizations and businesses for their commitment to community service, as well as those who have shown business and entrepreneurial excellence.
Business Excellence
PIP Printing of Alaska
The Odom Corporation
TOTE Maritime – WINNER
Distinguished Community Service by a Large Business with over 30 Employees
Carlile Transportation
ConocoPhillips Alaska – WINNER
Nine Star Enterprises
Distinguished Community Service by a Small Business with fewer than 30 employees
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Alaska Skylar Travel – WINNER
BOSCO’S
Entrepreneurial Excellence
Alaska Escape Rooms
Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals – WINNER
Baxter Senior Living
In addition, the Anchorage Chamber relies heavily on volunteers, whether they serve on its Board of Directors, committees, Ambassador Council, or the Young Professionals Group. Ambassadors are an energetic group of people who work together to promote the Anchorage Chamber. Each year, the Anchorage Chamber recognizes an exceptional ambassador who is a model professional, committed to the Anchorage Chamber’s mission. Congratulations to the 2020 Ambassador of the Year, Tito Muñoz of Alaska 529.
Julie Anderson, Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development was also honored with a Gold Pan Award for her accomplishments and commitments to the Anchorage Chamber. Even after her term as chair, she continued to stay engaged by helping lead the effort to create an expansive focus to not only address diversity on the board but to create a sustainable program that would be pervasive throughout the culture of the Chamber itself, says Joy Merriner, Chairwoman of the Anchorage Chamber’s Board of Directors. “She advocated for funding, helped develop the structure, and advised the leaders on a work plan that would help the chamber better serve our business communities. The Anchorage Chamber Diversity Program serves as a model and is now recognized nationally as a best practice example of building equity and inclusion into the business community.”
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.