New Keynote Speaker Confirmed for the 2014 Alaska Rural Energy Conference

Johnpaul Jones has been Confirmed as a Keynote Speaker for the 2014 Alaska Rural Energy Conference

This year’s Conference Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s Alaska Rural Energy Conference will host distinguished architect Johnpaul Jones as a keynote speaker.

Johnpaul Jones has had a 40-year career as an architect and is a founding partner of Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects.  Earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1967, his design philosophy emerged from his Cherokee-Choctaw ancestors, which connects him to the natural world, animal world, spirit world, and human world.

Mr. Jones’ designs have won widespread acclaim for their reverence for the earth, for paying deep respect to regional architectural traditions and native landscapes, and for heightening understanding of indigenous people and cultures of America.   Johnpaul has led the design of numerous cultural centers and museums with tribes spanning the North American continent, culminating in his 12-year engagement as overall lead design consultant for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Conference Registration

If you have not registered for this year’s Conference, visit www.akruralenergy.org/registration.html to take advantage of our early bird rates while they last!  To sponsor or become a vendor, please visit www.akruralenergy.org/sponsor.html to review this year’s levels and benefits of participation.

Conference Accommodations

The Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Conference Center is offering reduced rates for Alaska Rural Energy Conference attendees.  Call the Westmark directly at 1-800-544-0970 and give them the hotel code AREC092814 for discounted rates or book online at www.westmarkhotels.com.

All attendees using the conference code AREC092814 to book a room at the Westmark Fairbanks during the conference will be eligible for a drawing of one free room night at this property.  All Westmark Fairbanks rooms come with free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, and free parking.

Conference rates will expire August 28th, 2014, or when room block is filled. Book your room now and save!

Note: The Westmark’s South Tower has recently undergone renovations and attendees are encouraged to request these beautiful new rooms.

Please feel free to call Max Frey at (907) 474-1143 or email at mefrey@alaska.edu in regards to all questions and comments.

Photo: Johnpaul Jones.  Photo credit:  bainbridgeartshumanities.org.