laska International Business Center (akIBC) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary—but, in actuality, the organization has been in continuous operation for more than three decades. Founded in 1987 as World Trade Center Alaska, this private-sector entity has steadily evolved to meet the needs of businesses in Alaska. It rebranded to World Trade Center Anchorage in 2014 and adopted its current name in 2023.

The latest name change was intended to better reflect the center’s diverse scope of work within and beyond Alaska. “In addition to import and export work, one of our key functions is helping Alaskans discover new markets, customers, and business opportunities,” says President and CEO Greg Wolf.

The mission of akIBC—often referred to simply as the IBC—is to connect sellers in Alaska with overseas buyers. The primary focus of IBC’s activities is on Asia, which is home to Alaska’s top three export markets: China, Japan, and Korea. Canada and Australia are also significant markets, with these five countries accounting for at least 70 percent of Alaska’s exports.

With 118 members statewide, IBC offers an array of services designed to help businesses enter and succeed in global markets. It hosts weekly public luncheons and major events like its 18th Annual Alaska-China Business Conference. IBC also organizes trade missions, giving members the invaluable experience of visiting foreign countries, meeting officials, and gaining on-theground insights. In addition, it provides support for inbound missions from other countries, including recent delegations from China, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.

Most IBC members fall in three categories: businesses that are considering exporting; those already exporting and seeking new markets; and entities providing technical and professional services to exporters, such as customs brokers, forwarders, and business-law attorneys. IBC members have access to one-on-one consulting, research, and help with navigating the complexities of international trade, from competition and pricing to import laws. Furthermore, IBC’s sister company—Alaska Global Export Management (akGEM)—can act as an external export department for businesses by either selling their products on commission or purchasing their products outright. “We can serve as a one-stop shop for doing their international work,” Wolf says. “There’s no one else in Alaska that does this.”

Recently, IBC introduced two new membership features: a Taipan Club that hosts exclusive events for top-level members and an all-access pass to its events (excluding trade missions) for a onetime fee. The center also has established its first satellite office in Hong Kong, covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. In late 2025, IBC plans to open a second satellite location in Singapore to serve India, Vietnam, and Thailand. “These offices are to serve our members when they are traveling to these countries,” Wolf explains. “Through our work, we are taking Alaska’s message to the world in terms of what products and services we can offer on a global basis.”

Whether through its satellite offices or Anchorage headquarters, IBC is your passport to a world of international opportunity.