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Dear Chamber Members,
The end of the year, to many, signifies a time of opportunity for reflection. Stepping into the role of President of the Chamber Board, I can’t help but reflect on my choice to make Kodiak my home. I moved to Kodiak nine years ago with my then 4-year-old son for a life off the beaten path, in a close-knit community where we could enjoy life in a way that most people don’t get to experience these days. What drew me to Kodiak was, in part, its beauty, but most magnetic were the friendly, hearty, and industrious people that call Kodiak home. Since I arrived here, I’ve been amazed at this community’s ability to adapt, to persevere, and come together in times of need.
Looking back at 2024, inarguably, it was not easy, and Kodiak’s residents were put to the test: we lost beloved community members, we experienced significant hardships in the fishing industry, and cost of living continued to squeeze our slightly declining population.
But just as year-end brings reflection, the new year signifies hope and new beginnings. I am not naïve to the fact that the lasting effects of years past will undoubtedly be felt into the future. However, if history is any indication, then in some sense, the future is very clear: the people of Kodiak will endure. Our connection to the land and to one another will remain strong. Our commitment to our way of life and our livelihoods will persist. And as the Board President I am filled with excitement and optimism at the opportunities that we, as the Chamber of Commerce, have to make a difference for the good of our business community and Kodiak as a whole.
My wish for each of you is that you start 2025 with energy and purpose, with compassion and hope, and with the remembrance that the Chamber and the community of Kodiak are behind you, rooting for your success.
Yours Truly,
Sara Fraser
President
Kodiak Chamber of Commerce
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE | |
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Dear Chamber Members,
I hope this newsletter finds you doing well and excited for all that the holiday season brings. Tonight is another First Friday Art Walk from 5 to 7pm, the first showing of a Christmas Story and all throughout December there are many incredible holiday events, bazaars, and more to fully embrace the season. Last night we held our final Business After Hours of the year at Grand Slam Toys & Games. It was a nice event with Christmas music, great food and deals on shopping and a nice group of attendees.
As you scroll through our newsletter you’ll see flyers for many of the different holiday events and activities happening this month leading up to Christmas and beyond. You’ll also find photos from our Annual Meeting & Dinner, the City’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a full list of our 2025 Relocation Guide Photo Contest Winners and this month's featured article is on Kodiak Print Shop, formerly Kodiak Print Masters, now under new ownership by local residents Fred & Ella Katelnikov.
It was wonderful to see so many people come out to the City’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last Saturday. It was a perfect way to end a month focused on gratitude and kick off the Kodiak Holiday Season on Small Business Saturday. The Kodiak High School Band, Community Carolers and DJ Marc did a fantastic job of keeping our hearts filled with the spirit of Christmas with incredible music. Mayor Pat Branson gave a really nice speech, and Santa was there helping her do the countdown to lighting the tree. Attendees enjoyed cider, coffee and cookies from Near Island Coffee & Java Flats. Every year the Harbormaster Crew do a great job selecting a tree and lighting up the Harbormaster building and we are thrilled to help the City put together this long standing Kodiak Holiday Tradition.
For several years now the Chamber has sponsored Christmas in Kodiak with KVOK/HOT 101.1 and Alaska Airlines to add to the prize money and to encourage supporting and investing in our local economy. There are over 50 businesses participating in Christmas in Kodiak this year and over $6,000 in cash and other prizes! The Chamber is also stamping cards for anyone purchasing our Crab Fest posters, merch and our Winter Holiday Raffle Tickets so that when you make your purchases with us you have a chance to win Christmas in Kodiak too! Plus if you purchase a raffle ticket and support the Chamber you could win a some cash, nice vacation or be our big winner and take home $10,000!
Our 5th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest is open for voting now through 8pm on Sunday the 15th. This year’s business participants include Double Shovel Cider Kodiak, Eyecare Excellence, The Frame Shop, GCI, The Best Western Kodiak Inn & Chart Room Restaurant & Bar, Kodiak Island Housing Authority, Kodiak Island Brewing & Still, The Islander Bookshop and Midtown Auto Repair. You can vote through our website and social media pages or through this newsletter.
This month when you shop, eat, explore and gift local from your favorite "go to" businesses, restaurants and coffee shops, I encourage you to make time to check out some different ones too. As business owners and operators, we can get so busy that we may not make time to do all the things we want to for the holidays and to visit the places we have on our list to try out a new menu item or check out what’s new in those businesses we’ve been meaning to stop by and explore. Click here for more information from the Small Business Administration about supporting our local economies in this Season of Small Business.
As the year comes to an end in this season of giving, it is a perfect time to make a donation to the local non profit organization(s) you would like to support this year. Your donations are tax deductions, and they can help do so much good within our community. From the Salvation Army, the Brother Francis Shelter, Kodiak Women's Resource & Crisis Center, to our many service organizations, KMXT, Hospice, Threshold Services, our museums, the Kodiak Arts Council, and many other local non profits. You'll find many of them listed under our membership directory at kodiakchamber.org.
Thank you to each of you for all that you do for our community and for your support of the Chamber all year long. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Warm Regards,
Ellen Simeonoff, Executive Director, Kodiak Chamber of Commerce
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"A Chamber Hollywood Night" Photos | |
Here are a few photos from a Chamber Hollywood Night. Look for more to be posted on social media soon. | |
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony | |
Thank you to the Kodiak High School Band, Jill Rohrer & the Community Carolers, DJ Marc of Island Style Entertainment, Grand Slam Toys & Games and Santa, Near Island Coffee, Java Flats, Mayor Pat Branson, the awesome City Harbormaster's Crew and you for making this a wonderful community event! | |
2024 Annual Holiday Decorating Contest | |
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8 of our Chamber businesses signed up for our 5th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest! You have until December 15th at 8pm to vote for this year's best decorated business! We encourage you to check out this year's festive outdoors and storefront displays that spread holiday cheer throughout our community.
Here's to all of our Kodiak businesses decked out this year, sharing the wonder and joy of the season for all who pass by and stop inside to shop or for services.
GCI, Best Western Kodiak Inn & the Chart Room Restaurant & Lounge, Eyecare Excellence, The Frame Shop, The Islander Bookshop, Kodiak Island Brewing & Still, Midtown Autorepair, and Kodiak Island Housing Authority.
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2025 Relocation Guide
Reserve Your Advertising Space Now
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📢 Chamber Members! Don’t miss out on the chance to promote your business—buy an ad in the upcoming Relocation Guide today! This is a great opportunity to showcase your services to new residents and visitors. Secure your spot and make sure your business stands out in Kodiak’s go-to resource! Contact us to reserve your space! 🏡✨ | | | |
List Your Event on the Chamber Calendar | |
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📆Stay in the know with our Chamber Calendar! Use it to see what’s happening around Kodiak and ensure your event doesn’t overlap with others. It’s a great way to plan ahead and boost community engagement. Check it out today and add your events to keep everyone in the loop!
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Kodiak Crab Fest Poster Contest Deadline December 13th at 4pm
2025 Logo contest winner to be announced after December 10th
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2024 Winter Holiday Raffle | |
This is your chance to win big this season!
You could win $10,000! Purchase a Winter Holiday Raffle ticket and enter to win two unrestricted round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines PLUS $2,000! 🎟️
There are also four other fantastic prizes up for grabs.
Get your tickets now and make this holiday season unforgettable! ✈️💸
| Mark Your Calendars for ComFish 2025 | ComFish 2025 is coming soon! More details coming soon! | |
2025 Relocation Guide Photo Contest Winners
Join us in congratulating our 2025 Relocation Guide Winners!
Cover Photo- Caleb Oswell
1st Place-- Christina Voight
2nd Place--Roy Halpern
3rd Place--Denise Link
Category Winners
Alutiiq Culture--Caleb Oswell
Commerce & Business--Emily Ryznar
Chamber Events--Camille Hintz
Coast Guard--Denise Link
Fishing--Ellen Carty
Outdoor Adventures--Emily Ryznar
Scenery--Caleb Oswell
Transportation--Caleb Oswell
Wildlife--Denise Link
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December's First Friday Art Walk | |
Photos with Santa at Grand Slam Toys & Games
Saturday, December 7th from 1:30 to 5:30pm
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White Sands Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser at the Elks
Sunday, December 8th at 5pm!
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Bethlehem Experience
Kodiak Baptist Mission This Weekend
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Kodiak Arts Council Presents
A Christmas Story this weekend!
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The Kodiak Arts Council is hosting their annual dessert auction on Saturday, December 7th during A Christmas Story! Don't miss this opportunity to take home a delicious holiday treat!
Plus Arts Council Member organization, Alpha Singers, will be performing Christmas Carols during intermissions of A Christmas Story as an extra treat. Don't miss it!
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Photos with Father Christmas December 7th
Kodiak Public Library
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Alutiiq Museum Holiday Bazaar December 7th | | |
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Join at the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
- Saturday, December 7th
- 10:00 am -4:00 pm
- KNWR Visitor Center
facebook page
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This month at Double Shovel Cider Kodiak
Click on the image for all of their events this month
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How To Help A Friend
KWRCC Workshop December 11th
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Kodiak Maritime Museum's
Harbor Lights Festival Sunday, December 14th
Boat Parade at 6pm, Kodiak Marketplace Reception from 5pm to 9pm
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Jingle & Jive December 14th at 6:30
Next Step Dance Kodiak
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Small Business Collaboration Group | |
Next Meeting Monday, January 13th, 2025 @ 11:30 am | | |
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The Chamber's Small Business Collaboration Group's next meeting is set for Monday, January 13th, at 11:30 am with lunch provided in the Chamber conference room. Look for an upcoming email invitation. Email ellen@kodiakchamber.org if you'd like to attend in person or via zoom.
The Group's mission is to support an environment of success for small business through collaboration, communication, and education.
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Monthly Chamber Board Meeting in January | |
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- Wednesday, Janurary15th or 22nd
- 11:30 am
- Kodiak Chamber Conference Room
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Non Profit Network Meeting in January | | |
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Come Attend!
- 2nd Wednesday January 8th
- 1:00 pm
- Kodiak Public Library
facebook page
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This group is open to Kodiak nonprofit executive directors, program managers, and staff members. Kodiak Nonprofit Network has been meeting regularly for over 30 years.
We support each other, we collaborate, we ask for help or ideas. Please share program updates, local issues, funding opportunities, questions, and anything else that pertains to nonprofit life.
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Corporate Transparency Act Update
12/4/24 Update: A federal court has halted the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements. This will remain in effect until the conclusion of legal proceedings. As of this update, businesses are not required to comply with the reporting requirements. Learn more
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Featured Business -- Kodiak Print Shop
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A New Chapter With Local Roots
Kodiak Print Shop, formerly known as Print Masters, has undergone an exciting transformation under its new owners, Fred and Ella Katelnikov. Born and raised in Kodiak, the Katelnikovs bring a passion for communication and a strong commitment to the community to this family-owned, locally operated business. Ella, a Speech-Language Pathologist, and Fred, a teacher specializing in de-escalation and communication, share a unified goal: to help people express themselves through high-quality printed materials.
The decision to take over and rebrand the business stemmed from a shared vision of creating a family enterprise that teaches their children the values of business ownership and craftsmanship. “Rebranding as Kodiak Print Shop is our way of starting fresh, making the business truly ours,” Fred explained.
Supporting Kodiak, One Project at a Time....click below to read the full article.
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Kodiak Island Borough School District | |
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Strong Solutions: Caregiver NOW OPEN
BridgeView Dental: Dental Hygienist & Dental Assistant NOW OPEN
Northrim: Teller or Universal Banker NOW OPEN
BrightBox Farms: Farm Tech NOW OPEN
Kodiak Chamber of Commerce: Financial & Organizational Assistant
Click Here for open positions on the Chamber Website.
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POST YOUR JOB ON THE CHAMBER WEBSITE
Email us your job listing and we can share them on our online Job Board, post them on our social media, and include them in our monthly e-newsletter. You can also easily upload your job listings through the Member Portal yourself. We can provide you with data on how many views your job postings receive.
Contact the Chamber office for more details! 907-486-5557 or email chamber@kodiakchamber.org.
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Contact Ericka to share what's happening at your business through Chamber News & Views!
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 us, via email, stop by the office, or call (907) 486-5557 to schedule an interview by calling the Chamber office.
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Access Your Membership Portal!
We want our members to get the most out of our online directory and resources by updating their membership listing with the most current contact information for the Kodiak Chamber's website! Login to your member portal or call (907) 486-5557 or email chamber@kodiakchamber.org to get your online portal set up today!
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Alaska Small Business Development Center | Visit https://aksbdc.org/ for more On Demand Workshops and More! | |
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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
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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.
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THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS
- Kodiak Veterinary Clinic
- Specialty Lubricants LLC dba Schaeffer Manufacturing Inc.
- Kozak and Associates
- Kodiak Auto Detailing
- NET Systems Inc.
- Next Step Dance Kodiak
- Daniel's Fine Jewelry
- Great Alaskan Flooring Co.
- Real Broker Alaska
- F/V Resilient/ Resilient Fisheries
- Radar Alaska Inc.
- RTS Auto
- Wildflower Kodiak
- Kodiak Marine Supply
- Wells Fargo
- Hospice & Palliative Care of Kodiak
- Kodiak Lions Club
Welcome New Member: Red Raven Creations
If we missed you , we sincerely apologize. Please let us know.
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New & Renewing Pike Sponsors | |
If you're interested in becoming a PIKE Sponsor let us know. | |
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Reach out to Ellen at
907-486-5557 or email: ellen@kodiakchamber.org.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PIKE SPONSORS | |
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...
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Chamber Board of Directors | |
President Sara Fraser
Past President Mary Beth Loewen
Vice President Robert Greene
Secretary/Treasurer: Open
Board Members
Lindsay Knight, Emily Stewart, Nichole Rohde, Hailey Ivanoff, Tyler Wallace, Nicholas Mangini, Nichole Miles & Rebecca Skinner
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
Brock Simmons
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Play Pull Tabs @ Henry's!! | |
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CHAMBER STAFF
Administrative Assistant: Linda Hartle
Community Relations Director: Ericka Thompson
Executive Director: Ellen Simeonoff
CONTACT US
Phone: (907) 486 5557
www.KodiakChamber.org
chamber@KodiakChamber.org
crd@kodiakchamber.org
ellen@kodiakchamber.org
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