Meet Alaska 2026 conference highlights state’s resource potential, political stakes

By THE ALASKA STORY

March 18, 2026 – Anchorage will play host on Thursday to one of the state’s premier resource-development gatherings, as industry leaders, policymakers, and political candidates converge for the annual Meet Alaska 2026 conference at the Hotel Captain Cook.

The one-day conference and tradeshow, set for Thursday, March 19, is organized around a central theme: “Powered by Possibility.” It will focus heavily on Alaska’s competitive advantages in oil, gas, mining, and emerging sectors such as data infrastructure.

From early morning through late afternoon, the agenda is packed with discussions on the future of the North Slope, critical minerals development, energy infrastructure, and global LNG markets, all sectors seen as key to Alaska’s economic future.

The conference opens with a keynote session on “Alaska’s Next Chapter: Energy, Minerals and Momentum,” featuring analysts from Wood Mackenzie, followed by panels exploring redevelopment and new investment opportunities on the North Slope.

Executives from major operators, including ConocoPhillips Alaska, Santos Limited, and Hilcorp Alaska, are slated to discuss ongoing and future projects, signaling continued interest in Alaska’s oil patch even amid global market volatility.

Later sessions turn toward long-term strategy, including oil tax policy, infrastructure development, and the role of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and port investments in sustaining throughput for decades to come.

Mining and critical minerals, increasingly important amid global supply chain concerns, will also take center stage, with speakers from Donlin Gold, Contango Ore, and Graphite One outlining opportunities for Alaska to supply materials essential to modern technologies.

Alaska’s liquefied natural gas ambitions will be a recurring theme throughout the day, culminating in a luncheon keynote from Alaska LNG Commercial Director Matt Kissinger. Panels will examine how global demand trends could position Alaska as a major exporter to Asian markets.

Another forward-looking session will explore whether Alaska’s cold climate and available land could make it attractive for energy-intensive data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, which is an emerging opportunity that intersects with the state’s energy and transmission capabilities.

One of the most anticipated events is a mid-day gubernatorial forum featuring a crowded field of candidates vying to shape Alaska’s next chapter.

Participants include former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, former state Sen. Tom Begich, former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum, retired doctor Matt Heilala, former Attorney General Treg Taylor, former Sen. Click Bishop, business leader Bernadette Wilson, and former Sen. Shelley Hughes. As with other forums, the Alliance has limited the the participants to the ones who seem most credible to advance in coming months; there are 17 candidates so far running for governor this year.

The forum will include a “lightning round” of yes-or-no questions and is expected to touch on fiscal policy, resource development, and the state’s economic direction.

Access to the forum is restricted to conference attendees, with no standalone tickets available and the gubernatorial panel is not likely to be live-streamed. Registration for the full event runs around $350.

Beyond the gubernatorial race, the conference will also feature political analysis ahead of the 2026 general election, including a presentation by national pollster Bill McInturff.

Remarks from US Sen. Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich are also scheduled.

Throughout the day, a recurring theme is expected to emerge: Alaska’s future hinges not only on its vast natural resources, but on policy decisions, investment climate, and infrastructure development needed to bring those resources to market.