Fall Conference

Alaska’s workforce challenges won’t be solved by one employer, one school, or one organization. It will take all of us.

Join the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce for the 2026 Fall Conference, “Building Bridges: Education to Workforce,” bringing together business leaders, educators, workforce professionals, and community partners to move beyond talking about workforce challenges and start identifying solutions.

This action-focused morning will explore how we can better connect education, career pathways, and the real-world needs of Alaska employers. Attendees will hear from Alaska Department of Education Commissioner Deena Bishop, participate in collaborative Building Bridges table discussions, and learn directly from leaders working across education, workforce development, and industry. The program will also tackle practical employer issues, including employing a young workforce, aligning classroom-to-career pathways, and hiring in Alaska.

But this conference isn’t designed for you to simply sit and listen.

We’re asking you to bring your experience, your challenges, and your ideas to the table. During facilitated discussions, attendees will identify workforce and education issues that matter most to them, work together to develop solutions, and share those ideas with the room.

Come ready to build the bridge.

Whether you’re an employer struggling to find and retain talent, an educator preparing students for their next step, a workforce professional connecting people with opportunity, or a community leader invested in the Mat-Su’s economic future—your voice belongs in this conversation.

The workforce we need tomorrow depends on the connections we build today.

Register for Building Bridges: Education to Workforce and take your seat at the table.