<a href="https://akew.org/events/">Events for April 11, 2026</a> › Pitch Competitions & Showcases
Browse events during Alaska Entrepreneurship Week. Filter by date, category, or location.
Get Clients on Instagram – How to Build a Community That Buys
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Are you posting on Instagram but not seeing results? If your content isn’t bringing in the right people or any people at all, it may be time to rethink your strategy. Building a true community, not just chasing likes and followers, is the key to turning Instagram engagement into paying clients.
In this webinar, Instagram expert Sue B. Zimmerman will show you how to build and grow an engaged Instagram community. You’ll discover how to use comments, posts, and DMs to connect authentically with your ideal clients, earn their trust, and turn conversations into sales.
Armed with real examples, practical prompts, and a handy checklist, you’ll leave ready to turn Instagram into a tool that drives real business growth.
Learning Objectives:
- Find and attract your ideal client with intentional hashtags, optimized bios, and engaging content
- Use comments, stories, and shares to build real community without feeling fake or forced
- Apply Sue’s proven 3-part DM flow to turn casual chats into paying clients
- Model real examples of posts and conversations that converted followers into buyers
- Avoid common Instagram mistakes and stay on track with a consistency checklist
REQUIRES REGISTRATION HERE
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Sue B. Zimmerman
Business Coach, Sue B. Zimmerman Enterprises
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Sue B. Zimmerman is a lifelong Entrepreneur with experience that led to privately coaching hundreds of business owners to find their own traction and success through online marketing and education….
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Come join us at Startup Weekend – Tourism, a 54 hour business plan competition where you will have the opportunity to meet like minded individuals, dream big ideas, prototype businesses, and pitch to Alaska biggest tourism investors.
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The Alaska Tourism market is a $5.6 billion market and we are inviting you to carve a slice for yourself.
All you have to bring is your enthusiasm and Alaskan Can-Do attitude. If you already run a tourism business, this is an opportunity to test new ideas in a safe and rapid environment. All ages and skill levels are welcome. No prior business or tourism experience necessary. You will be given the tools and the methodology to create Alaska’s next biggest tour company.
This event is hosted at the Pioneer School House (1915!) on September 5th 5:30 PM to September 7th, with the final pitch event at 5:30 at the Williwaw Social at 609 F street. Participant tickets are $75 (student, military, and other discounts are available) and include meals and the pitch event for participants.
A separate ticket is available for attending only the final pitch event on Sunday evening. The experience is invaluable and spectators are welcome to sign up for the pitch event, where we are also launching the 2025 Entrepreneurship Week and the 2025 Alaska Angel Conference.
This event is organized in partnership with:
- Visit Anchorage
- Alaska Travel Industry Association
- Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
- Anchorage Community Development Authority
- AKV3
- Commonwealth North
- REFocus
“Well worth being stuck inside on a sunny weekend! Met some awesome people to work with and come up with some pretty sweet ideas! The initial experience did eventually inspire and motivate me to get outside of my own comfort zone and create my own business.” Dan Newman, founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisals
Since 2012, the start of Alaskan Startups
Techstars Startup Weekends have been held at least once a year in Anchorage since 2012. It has kick-started many entrepreneurs in our community. We believe that the demand and opportunities for tourism are so great that it is time to focus on a promising sector to grow the Alaska economy. We welcome you to explore, create, and create in this space.
Connect with other creators
Startup Weekend – Alaska Tourism is a great place to connect with passionate people driven to build something new. There is no better place to meet new friends, colleagues, mentors, cofounders, and investors.
Start something great
Knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference. Startup Weekend – Alaska Tourism provides participants many opportunities to engage and connect with like-minded individuals — and truly start something amazing.
Learn from the best
Learn what it really takes to innovate, disrupt, and start a company from people who’ve been there. Startup Weekend features deep experiential learning guided by experienced tourism entrepreneurs & experts.
Improve your knowledge
Sometimes you really need more skills and knowledge to go to the next level. Startup Weekend also delves into specific topics or skill sets. Just what you need to progress quickly.
TICKETS HERE
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Students will pitch their product idea to a panel of judges who will award teams 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.
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Link to the event will be posted soon
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Students will learn about the importance of obtaining market feedback about new product and service ideas. Students will examine various survey question types and determine whether questions yield useful product feedback.
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Link to the event will be posted soon
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The Small Business Development Center is partnering with AWS [Amazon Web Services] and PREDICTif Solutions to offer professional services valued at up to $25,000 to help you bring your AI idea to life.
Up to 10 selected businesses will pitch their AI ideas virtually during this event to AWS and industry experts.
- Application
Deadline: September 22, 2025
Form
- Gain expert guidance
- Statewide exposure
- Take your AI idea from concept to action
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An event connecting entrepreneurs.
1MC fosters community, learning, and support for startups.
Join us to share ideas and grow together.
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Allan Carraway
Business Coach Focal Point
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When I started my first business, I was so excited by the prospect of the future that I overlooked my inexperience. I figured I would learn all the skills I needed along the way. Unfortunately, I realized that experience really is the best teacher. Over 20 years later… [more]
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