Legislature(2009 - 2010)BUTROVICH 205
03/25/2009 12:00 PM Senate WORLD TRADE, TECH, INNOVATIONS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Making the 2010 Olympics a Regional Success | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE, TECHNOLOGY AND
INNOVATION
March 25, 2009
12:25 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lesil McGuire, Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Hollis French
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Fred Dyson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Overview by Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER): Making
the 2010 Olympics a Regional Success
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
IAN BURKHEIMER, Program Manager
2010 Tourism Initiative - Pavilion Opportunities Presenter
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER)
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered presentation on 2010 Tourism
Initiative.
ACTION NARRATIVE
12:25:02 PM
CHAIR LESIL MCGUIRE called the Senate Special Committee on World
Trade, Technology and Innovation meeting to order at 12:25 p.m.
Present at the call to order were Senators Hoffman, French, and
McGuire. Senators Stevens, Wielechowski, and Hoffman arrived
during the course of the meeting.
^Overview: Making the 2010 Olympics a Regional Success
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the business before the committee is to
hear a presentation on making the 2010 Olympics a regional
success.
12:26:22 PM
IAN BURKHEIMER, Program Manager, 2010 Tourism Initiative,
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), delivered a
PowerPoint presentation highlighting the opportunity PNWER has
put together, particularly with the provincial government of
Saskatchewan and the state of Oregon, to have a location at the
2010 Olympics to showcase tourism and innovation opportunities
and to share information about the diversity and sustainability
of the Pacific Northwest region.
He noted that the 2010 Olympics will happen in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada in less than a year and will be watched
by about three billion people. About 250,000 visitors and 55,000
athletes will come to the games from outside the B.C.
marketplace. PNWER realizes that the 18,000 media that will
attend will provide an opportunity for sharing stories about
Alaska and other partners within the Pacific Northwest region.
Interest is high with ticket preorders amounting to
$345,000,000.
MR. BURKHEIMER displayed a number of slides showing the Olympic
grounds and related that through partnerships, particularly with
Saskatchewan, PNWER has been able to secure the best location at
the games to do outreach with visitors and the media. He
estimated that about 1.5 million visitors will pass by the PNWER
site during the course of the games. He noted that displays of
imagery as well as marks and brands of public entities, such as
the State of Alaska, are not restricted like they are for
private entities.
12:31:10 PM
SENATOR DYSON joined the committee.
CHAIR MCGUIRE noted that Alaska has budgeted $250,000 for this
and asked what this will get for the state.
MR. BURKHEIMER referenced a proposal with in-depth information
that had been distributed to members. He continued with the
presentation and explained the opportunity to do business-to-
business outreach within the pavilion and to have an Alaska day
to showcase the state. He suggested that might be a day to bring
down governors, political and business leaders and to embrace
state athletes that are taking part in the games.
SENATOR FRENCH commented that most members would be happy to
visit and accommodate an Alaska day if something can be done
about the ticket situation.
SENATOR MCGUIRE noted that a number of Alaska day proposals have
been reviewed in the last several years and the idea of a
regional pavilion came together through Mr. Burkheimer's
leadership. This concept is affordable. She asked if there is a
staging area to bring in some Native dancing.
12:36:05 PM
MR. BURKHEIMER said absolutely; depending on the number of
partners they will have both a dome and a sphere to provide a
performance and hospitality area.
CHAIR MCGUIRE said this may be an opportunity for the
Legislature to take a leadership role in highlighting the
different regions of the state.
MR. BURKHEIMER said this Olympics has two important components
that are very different from Olympics in the past. Aboriginals
and First Nations are for the first time full partners in the
Olympics and one of goals is to highlight aboriginal culture.
PNWER believes that Alaska has a unique opportunity and value to
the region to help showcase this area. The second component is
sustainability. For the first time the three pillars of the
games are sports, culture and sustainability.
MR. BURKHEIMER said they want to talk about not only tourism but
also about opportunities for investors, innovation, resources,
ideas, and solutions. The message might not get to all three
billion people, but it could reach several hundred million, he
said. He confirmed that each individual investment is $250,000,
but the location is prime.
12:41:33 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI joined the committee.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked the deadline for making the decision to
participate and spend the $250,000.
MR. BURKHEIMER replied PNWER has to exercise its land option in
April. Currently the option is for 20,000 square feet, but they
will likely go with a smaller implementation due to the current
market. Responding to a question he said the Olympics start on
February 12, 2010 and run for 17 days. The Paralympics start on
March 12, 2010 and run for 10 days. PNWER will start operations
on February 1.
CHAIR MCGUIRE said the committee will meet before the end of
session to discuss the coming year, but one idea she has had is
to take a delegation to the Olympics. If Alaska does partner in
the dome, they would attend during the Alaska day. She added
that it's in a line item from her office right now.
SENATOR FRENCH asked Mr. Burkheimer what communication or level
of interest he is getting from the governor's office and the
administration.
MR. BURKHEIMER replied he has met with Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED) personnel including
Mike Black, Joe Austerman, Odin Brudie, Shelly James, and Caryl
McConkie and they mentioned that they are interested with
helping with contacts within the governor's office. He offered
to meet via phone and email with whomever the committee might
suggest.
CHAIR MCGUIRE suggested the Legislature might want to take a
leadership role in this regard and continue to welcome
participation from the governor's office.
12:46:54 PM
There being nothing further to come before the Senate Special
committee on World Trade, Technology and Innovation, Chair
McGuire adjourned the meeting at 12:46 pm.
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