Kodiak

Meet with Adventure!

Why hold your annual meeting or convention in a humdrum town or crowded city when you can come to Kodiak Island?  Abundant in wildlife and rich in natural resources, group members can focus on and accomplish their goals while being inspired by the natural beauty of this pristine island.

Jaw-dropping scenery, world-class sport fishing, fresh Alaskan seafood and a variety of once-in-a-lifetime activities await your attendees.  Whether you host your convention on the shores of the Buskin River or overlooking St. Paul's Harbor, you can rest assured that your group will be happy and productive....and forever grateful to their host!

Facilities

Kodiak is perfect for the small conference or convention.  Facilities are currently available for 150-300 people.  A new convention center is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009 and will accommodate approximately 350 people.   Reception and break out facilities are located on properties but are also found in unique spots across the island.

Meeting and Banquet  Properties

Best Western Kodiak Inn Harbor Room. Located downtown with beautiful views of St. Paul's Harbor, the Harbor Room at the Best Western Kodiak Inn has a capacity of 105 people and is 1488 square feet. This meeting room is available with hard wire or wireless internet access, conference phone, digital or standard overhead projector, and other media equipment for meetings. For receptions, the Harbor Room has a bar to serve mixed drinks, beer and wine, and a dance floor for the later night dancing.

Full service catering is available for any event through the hotels Chart Room Restaurant. Standard menus are available for continental or buffet breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon breaks, lunch, dinner and appetizers.

Set against a backdrop of spectacular channel and ocean views, both the Fisheries Industrial Technology Center and the Kodiak Fisheries Research Center are popular locations for hosting meetings and/or receptions and have served as elegant venues for receptions and gatherings of up to 150 people.

The Comfort Inn Kodiak is situated on the scenic Buskin River adjacent to the airport approximately five miles from downtown Kodiak.  A banquet room seats 100 people and offers four break-out rooms and audio visual equipment.  A full service restaurant offers dining and catering.

Meeting Facilities

The Fisheries Industrial Technology Center is a lovely contemporary facility with an attractive meeting room that holds up to 100 people.  The reception area just outside of the meeting room has la spectacular view overlooking the water.

The Fisheries Research Center also overlooks the channel with beautiful conference room accommodating up to 20 persons.   The reception area has also been used for receptions and events.  The space is open and airy with high ceilings.  The center's interpretive center showcases a marine wildlife exhibit, aquarium and "touch tank," and brings an element of surprise to any meeting or event held there.

Kodiak College is also a perfect site for break out meetings and is nearby a walking path for quiet reflection.   If performance is part of your event, the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium seats up to 700 people.

Banquet Facilities

The U.S. Coast Guard's Golden Anchor is an attractive facility for dining and dancing.  Large windows and woodwork give an elegant air to the building.  The room can accommodate up to 200 people.

The Elks Club. Downtown on the harbor, this facility has an on-site kitchen and offers a large meeting room with seating capacity of 225 people.  An adjoining lounge area provides additional seating.

Get Creative!

Consider holding a small break out meeting or executive session aboard one of the many charter boats available in Kodiak.   Committees might enjoy a dinner cruise while they accomplish important tasks.   Executives needing focus and concentration may want to choose one of Kodiak's fly in (or boat in) wilderness lodges where you will be unbothered by ringing phones or emails for several days.

Post or Pre-Convention Activities. Your attendees will thank you for choosing Kodiak Island for your convention, meeting or conference.  After the work is done, adventurers will find limitless opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, golfing, photography excursions, beachcombing, birding or kayaking.  Kodiak Island is rich in Russian heritage and World War II history.  Museums offer glimpses into the past.  A vibrant arts community sponsors concerts, performances and exhibits.

Convention Arrangements. The Kodiak Island Convention & Visitors Bureau is available to assist you in the planning and organization of your conference.

Caterers. Several caterers are available to serve up the best of Alaskan fresh seafood.  Mill Bay Coffee and Pastries and Gwyn's Cookery are always crowd pleasers.

Transportation to Kodiak. Two commercial air carriers, Alaska Airlines and Era Aviation serve Kodiak. Frequent flights throughout the day offer your members great flexibility in planning their travel arrangements.  Both carriers offer group and convention rates.  The Kodiak Island Convention & Visitors Bureau would be pleased to assist you in negotiating special rates for your conference.  Kodiak is also accessible via the Alaska Marine Highway System from Homer and Whittier, Alaska.

Ground transportation. Several rental car agencies are available on the island.  Most hotels and many bed and breakfasts offer shuttles to and from the airport or ferry.  Taxis are numerous on Kodiak Island, but your group may want to consider reserving a bus or van to transport attendees from the airport or to and from off-site break out meetings.