Above: Photo of Aurora at Lake Gertrude taken by Christina Voigt and the photo of the Harbor taken by Ellen Carty, both from our 2025 Relocation Guide Photo Contest.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Chamber Members,

The general theme and focus of the month of November tends to be “Gratitude” and it seems like the perfect focus as we head into the holiday & winter seasons especially after the recent government shutdown finally came to an end. A shift in focus to all that we are grateful for along with everything that is right and good makes all the difference at work and at home. Remind yourself to practice gratitude, especially in the face of challenges and adversity. It truly makes a meaningful difference. 

Last Saturday we held our Annual Recognition Awards Dinner at the Afognak Center. Each year we are thrilled to be able to present much deserved recognition to some of our local businesses. It was an exciting night with amazing company, great food, fabulous musicians, prizes, our most successful Silent Auction in years if not ever and the opportunity to give much deserved recognition to several outstanding businesses and a dedicated local Volunteer. Thank you to all of our sponsors for helping us to put on this event. Quyanaasinaq, thank you very much, Afognak Native Corporation, Associated Island Brokers, Samson Tug & Barge, Midtown Auto Repair Services, SPAN Alaska, Highmark Marine Fabrication, Cost Savers and Carlile Transportation.

Each year we receive multiple nominees in all categories, and the decisions can be pretty tough to make. Typically, there is only one award winner in each category, except for this year. This year we gave the Business of the Year Award to two different businesses. Both businesses were equally deserving of the recognition in different capacities and because of that, both Kodiak Furniture and Bearfoot Bakery won the 2025 Business of the Year. This is the second year that we’ve awarded an “Excellence in Customer Service Award”, which went to a very deserving Kodiak Hana team. This year’s Cornerstone Award was given to KANA for the Kodiak Marketplace, also incredibly deserving of that specific award for all that the Marketplace has done and will continue to do for our business community and our community overall. Scroll down to see the full list of this year’s award winners and for a look at some of our photos from the dinner below. Watch for more to come on our facebook page this weekend!

Next week Ericka & I will be at Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. The Chamber is sharing a booth with the Port of Kodiak. If you’re there be sure to stop by and say hello. Planning for ComFish and the Forums got underway this month. Next year ComFish will be Thursday, April 16^th through Saturday the 18^th at the Kodiak Marketplace and the Harbor Room for the Forums. More to come on the Forums and Vendor Registration in the coming weeks.

Below you’ll find some information on a few of our upcoming events and member services, on the 2026 Relocation Guide and HOME SHOW which we're so excited about. Inside this newsletter you’ll also find the Chamber’s Goals outlined from our recent Strategic Planning Session in September. Behind the scenes we are working on our Annual Holiday Decorating Contest, the Relocation Guide, and event planning for ComFish, Crab Fest and the Kodiak Home Show at the end of February.

Remember that as a Member of the Chamber you now have access to free classes and workshops with the Alaska Small Business Development Center, contact our team if you need more information on how to take advantage of that service so we can help you get started.

Upcoming events this month: Tomorrow we are hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Kodiak Consignment on Mill Bay Road at 2pm. It’s the perfect time to stop by, owner, Alana has invited DJ Marc, providing cupcakes from MeLaine’s Crazy Cakes, has event only specials and more. Be on the lookout for our Annual Holiday Decorating Contest to start at the beginning of December.

On November 29th, Small Business Saturday, we’re helping the City host its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 4:30pm in front of the Harbor Masters Office. The Kodiak High School Band, Community Carolers, & Next Step Dance Kodiak will perform. DJ Marc of Island Style Entertainment will help assist us with this fun annual holiday event. We will be serving Harborside coffee, hot chocolate, and cider along with Java Flats cookies to the public and we’re looking forward to a special visit from Santa! I hope you’ll join us for this great community event.

With tremendous gratitude to my hard working and talented staff, our Board of Directors for their dedication, and to all of our members for your time, your continued support of the Chamber, our programs, this extraordinary community, sponsorships, and for your membership - thank you all so very much!

Happy Thanksgiving and warm regards,

Ellen Simeonoff, Executive Director

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE YOUR BUSINESS TO NEWCOMERS IN A WAY THAT INSPIRES THEM TO CHOOSE YOU!

Deadline to reserve your space: December 19, 2025

Final content and details due: January 15, 2026

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE YOUR BUSINESS TO NEWCOMERS IN A WAY THAT INSPIRES THEM TO CHOOSE YOU!

Be sure that your basic free listing is accurate, please enter your details using the link below. If you don’t, we’ll use the information we have on file, and it might not reflect your current information:

Order and/or Update Your Ad Here If you need help or have questions, feel free to call me at 907-486-5557 or 619-581-1076.

For inspiration, check out last year’s guide to see how your business could stand out:

2025 Kodiak Relocation Guide

Here's how it works:

1. Visit Alaska SBDC Workshops Page
2. Choose a workshop and click “Sign Up”
3. At checkout, enter the discount code: SBDC4FREE
4. Click “Save” — your total will become $0.00

You can use this code as often as you'd like for any workshop through July 31, 2026!

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!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 Annual Awards Recognition Dinner CLUE-D IN: A Chamber Mystery!

Have photos from the annual dinner?

Please share them with us! Just email them to chamber@kodiakchamber.org — we’d love to see your moments from the evening.

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners:

Member of the Year: MATSON

This award is presented to a Chamber Member who, through their actions, efforts, and energy, has shown an unfailing commitment to bettering the Kodiak community and promoting the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and its programs.

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Paulson of Island Trails Network

Each year this award is given to a Chamber member or an individual to recognize their dedication and tireless efforts as a volunteer giving back to improve the quality of life in our community, and in this instance, through those efforts in supporting the Chamber’s Mission as well.

Service Organization of the Year: Special Finds

Presented to an organization in recognition of their dedication to the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and Kodiak community through their consistent programs and initiatives to make Kodiak a better place to live and work.

Cornerstone: Kodiak Marketplace KANA

The Cornerstone award is presented to a Chamber Member that through their history of service has truly established themselves as a cornerstone of the community.

Excellence in Customer Service: Kodiak Hana

Presented to an individual or Business as a whole who demonstrates Excellence in Customer Service. Setting a positive standard for our community.

Business of the Year: Kodiak Furniture & Bearfoot Bakery

The business of the year award recognizes a Chamber member who, in the process of conducting their business, promotes the goals and objectives of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce.

President's Award: Next Step Dance Kodiak

The President's Award is given each year to a Chamber Member or Individual who gives back to the community while promoting economic growth & development of business.



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

HAVING AN EVENT?

List Your Event on the Chamber Calendar

Monthly Chamber Board Meeting in November

• Tuesday, November 25th
• 11:30 am
• Kodiak Chamber Conference Room

Active Member Job Postings

Kodiak Fishmeal: Assistant Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Kodiak Arts Council: Programs Coordinator

KeyBank: Lead Teller

Kodiak Island Housing Authority: Facilities Carpenter

Kodiak Island Housing Authority: Warehouse Assistant

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR NEW & RENEWING PIKE SPONSOR:

• Kodiak Island Housing Authority



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

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... 

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!!