Above calendar photo of daisies by Nicole Will and above featured photo of sea lions by Kris Luckenbach submitted for our 2026 Relocation Guide Photo Contest.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Chamber Members,

Spring has finally arrived and what a relief. We're excited about our 47th ComFish Alaska Trade Show & Forums next week, followed by Community Clean Up Day and Crab Fest in May! Tonight we’ll be selling our new 2026 Crab Fest merchandise and raffle tickets at the Women’s Show tonight and tomorrow at the Kodiak Marketplace.

On Monday the 13^th our Small Business Collaboration Group will meet at 2pm at the Chamber Conference Room to discuss issues relating to City Sales Tax collection and remittance. Needed changes are on the horizon at the City and we want to help contribute and make a positive difference. You’re invited to share your ideas on how it affects you, our residents, industries, small businesses and nonprofits alike. If you’d like to join us email Alexa at chamber@kodiakchamber.org and let her know or call the office if you have any questions.  

Next week ComFish Alaska kicks off with Fish Taco Night at Kodiak Island Brewing & Still on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30. Our trade show is back to Thursday through Saturday with Forums starting at 9am at the Harbor Room and we’ll be wrapping up ComFish with the Fishermen’s Showcase at Fishermen’s Hall. We have a full schedule of events that you can find at comfishak.com and on our social media pages.

Mark your calendars for Community Clean Up Day on May 2^nd from 9am-1pm. Registration is open for groups through our website and Matson will be giving away $2,500 in gift cards again this year.

Crab Fest 2026 will be May 21^st-May 25^th, we are excited to have almost 70 businesses signed up this year so far and we are bringing back 509 Jumpers with more slides, bounce houses and obstacle courses this year. You’ll also find quite a few new food vendors at Crab Fest. We can’t wait for Crab Fest, as well as much needed warmer, sunnier and greener days/weather!!!

We absolutely love the Hoodies, T-shirts and ALL of our merchandise for Crab Fest 2026 and we hope you do too. Our “You, Me, & the Sea” themed logo on all of our merch was design by Artist Valory Canfield. Our prints for this year’s poster by Artist Bruce Nelson are expected to arrive today so if it all works out, we’ll have them at the women’s show tonight. If not, they’ll be on sale at ComFish next week. Scroll down for an image of this year’s poster.

Be sure to click all the way through this message and scroll down. You’ll find numerous links and information on many Chamber programs and offerings as well as an abundance of information on what’s happening with many of our local businesses and nonprofit organizations this month.

Here’s to a warm, sunny, and abundant spring for us all!!

Warm Regards,

Ellen Simeonoff, Executive Director

April 16-18, 2026|Kodiak Marketplace|Kodiak, AK

ComFish Alaska is Alaska’s premier commercial Fisheries Expo and is the largest and longest-running in Alaska. Over three days, ComFish Alaska brings together every aspect of commercial fishing, from equipment, technology, and gear exhibitors to government agencies and nonprofits. Forums on relevant topics are organized annually to share ideas and fishing information with the public and the fishing industry. Where Alaska’s fishing industry comes together.

We look forward to seeing you at ComFish next week!

www.comfishak.com

Kodiak Crab Festival 2026

“You, Me, & the Sea”

MAY 21-25, 2026

kodiakcrabfest.com

You could be our next $10,000 Grand Prize Winner!!

Raffle Tickets TO WIN OVER $18,000 IN PRIZES ARE ON SALE NOW!!

You could win from $750 to $10,000! Tickets are just $25 each or purchase 5 or more tickets for $20 each! Tickets are on sale now to Alaska Residents 18 years or older. Permit #73 and must be in Alaska when you purchase your ticket(s). For questions contact Alexx at the Chamber office at 907-486-5557 or email office@kodiakchamber.org.



Share your cause, connect with new supporters, and expand your reach during the festival. Booth spaces start at only $300 for members for all five days.

2026 CrabFest LOGO

The 2026 Kodiak Crab Festival Logo was designed by Artist Valory Canfield

2026 CrabFest Painting by Local Artist Bruce Nelson

The 2026 prints will be in stock in April or early May.

Fully guided, First-Class trip to Greece!

November 2 - 10, 2026

9 DAYS/7 Nights

The Total Price is just $4,399

INCL. Airfare from Anchorage, First Class Hotels, Meals, & Many Day Tours!

To make your reservation contact:

Alexa San Juan at the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce

E-mail: chamber@kodiakchamber.org 

Telephone: (907) 486-5557

Did You Know Your Chamber Membership Includes Free Business Training?

We know what matters to Kodiak’s business owners. Your time is limited, and you want support that actually helps.

As a Chamber member, you get access to Alaska SBDC business courses at no cost. You can get practical help when you need it, quickly and on your own schedule.

These easy to follow, on demand courses are built to help you:

• Tighten up your marketing without hiring outside help
• Find new opportunities to grow your business
• Build a stronger online presence
• Feel more confident using social media

Claim Your FREE Chamber Member Access

Enter member-exclusive code SBDC4FREE at checkout

Explore Free On Demand Workshops Now →

Whether you prefer on demand learning, live webinars, or in person trainings, your membership unlocks it all. Check below for upcoming live webinars and in person trainings.

Thank you for being a valued member of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce. This benefit is exclusively available to current Chamber members, and we’re proud to offer you access to resources that support your success.



We hope you take full advantage of this exciting opportunity!

SAVE THE DATE!

February 26th & 27th

2027

*Event days and times are subject to modification

Scroll down through the newsletter for a listing of our upcoming Business After Hours.

Monthly Chamber Board Meeting in March

• Wednesday, April 22nd
• 11:30 am
• Kodiak Chamber Conference Room

Commercial Space Available in Kodiak

Multiple commercial spaces are now available in a prime location near Noodles, with flexible options for businesses of varying sizes.

• 2500 sq ft retail or office space, formerly Emerald Gamehouse, available now

• 4800 sq ft space, currently C’amai Center (KANA physical therapy), available July 31

• 4000 sq ft warehouse space in rear building, available now

Great opportunity for retail, office, or service-based businesses.

For more information or to schedule a viewing, contact Eric at 717-307-5761.

HAVING AN EVENT?

List Your Event on the Chamber Calendar

Chamber News & Views

Let's talk about what's new at your business!

Chamber News & Views is a weekly, two-minute, pre-recorded radio segment that airs on KVOK & HOT 101.1

Each segment spotlights one of our local Chamber Members and is recorded at the KVOK studio.

What is Discussed?

Maybe you have a sale coming up, or a new menu, or want to let the community

know about a new feature, event or changes at your business. We will help guide your message, but anything business-related is fair game!

Who Can Take Advantage?

Any Chamber Member is able to take advantage of this unique promotional opportunity. Anyone from the organization can be interviewed. You choose the direction and goal you'd like to accomplish, and we will work with you to achieve it! This is a completely FREE service we provide for our Chamber Members.

How Do I Get Started?

Contact Alexa to schedule an interview with Jen, via  email, stop by the office, or

call (907) 486-5557 to schedule an interview by calling the Chamber office. Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Contact our office to set up an appointment to share what's happening at your business through Chamber News & Views!

Membership Portal

Alaska Small Business Development Center

Visit https://aksbdc.org/ for more On Demand Workshops and More!

Workshops &

On-Demand Classes

• Combating Fraud & Identity Theft
• Creating a Compelling Commercialization Plan
• Avoiding Security Disasters for Small Businesses
• SBA Loans & What the Lender Requires
• Digital Marketing Trends
• Beginner's Guide Sell Your Products on Etsy
• Credit It is that important
• ADA Law What Businesses Should Know
• Financial Health of Your Business
• Anatomy of Modern Websites
• Bookkeeping Basics
• Creating Financial Projections for your Business Plan
• Developing a Marketing/Sales Strategy
• How to get a Business License in Alaska

Health Care for Chamber Members

As a Chamber Member, you and your employees have access to excellent health care insurance. Participation is available through Associated Industries, whose mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare products to Alaska employers at affordable prices. 

Please email us for more information.

Not a member? Join the Chamber

Interested in becoming a member?

The Chamber Membership gives your organization the tools and support it needs to succeed. With access to business resources, educational materials, advocacy, networking opportunities, and much more... 

If you're interested in becoming a PIKE Sponsor let us know.

Reach out to Ellen at 907-486-5557

or email: ellen@kodiakchamber.org or

Ericka via email at erickathompson@kodiakchamber.org

Chamber Board of Directors

President Sara Fraser

Past President Mary Beth Loewen

Vice President Robert Greene

Secretary/Treasurer Rebecca Skinner

Board Members              

Lindsay Knight, Emily Stewart,

Wesley Snyder, Sarah Vega,

Nicholas Mangini, Nichole Miles,

& Laura Mullican



City of Kodiak Representative

Josie Bahnke

Kodiak Island Borough Representative Aimee Williams

USCG Base Representative

Capt. Jeremy Hall

USCG Air Station Representative Capt. Timothy Williams

KEA Representative Dan Menth

Discover Kodiak Representative

Sabrina Hicks

Play Pull Tabs @ Henry's!!