Anchorage, Alaska – Representative Craig Johnson welcomed almost 1500 colleagues, staff and their families to Anchorage for the Council of State Governments and CSG-West Annual Conference.
“We have seen the anticipation and excitement from our peers across America, and we’re ready to show off our state,” Johnson, R-Anchorage, and the CSG-West Chair, said. “This is the highest attended event in recent memory and we’ve got a stacked line-up on timely government and policy issues. We’re uniquely situated as a state for Arctic issues, transportation, military and the environment. It’s a significant event. Key decision makers from around the nation will be here, on our soil. After coming here, meeting with us, seeing our beautiful state – and recognizing its tremendous potential for America, Alaska will benefit, now and for many years to come.”
Visit Anchorage recognized the host committee’s work on securing and planning the conference with its Meeting Champion of the Year at its annual industry awards banquet, the Seymour Awards. “It’s been wonderful to work with the local organizing committee to bring this meeting to Anchorage, and we are excited to welcome the Council of State Governments. The group brings together government leaders from across the nation, and with them an estimated $2.3 million in estimated economic impact to our city,” said Julie Saupe Visit Anchorage President & CEO.
Meetings and seminars will cover timely policy topics like the emerging Arctic, college and career readiness, federalism, working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and more of interest to state-level policymakers. In addition, high profile speakers like Susan O’Malley, David Gergen and Nicholas Burns will be the featured speakers at lunches from Sunday to Wednesday. Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan will also deliver remarks to attendees.
A full agenda is available at https://www.csg.org/2014annualconference/Agenda.aspx.
“We have proven by hosting the State Legislative Leaders Foundation Annual Conference two summers ago, and the National Conference of State Legislatures that we can more than manage a large number of attendees,” Alaska Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said. “I look forward to working with Craig and our peers over the course of the conference to ensure they leave Alaska with positive impressions and a will to return again with their families.”
Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.
More than half of the Alaska Legislature’s members are signed up to attend, with many chairing or sitting on CSG/CSG-West committees. Johnson and staff have worked with the Legislative Affairs Agency to provide live streaming video of selected meetings at the Dena’ina Center on https://alaskalegislature.tv, and will record meetings for streaming held at the Marriott.
“We’ve been able to build strong relationships through networking and attending CSG in the past, and it’s paid off with this premiere event that’s going to benefit Alaska’s economy. I’m thrilled,” Johnson said.
