Alaska businesses compete for shopping network spots

June 14, 2016

Alaska entrepreneurs can compete for an opportunity to sell their products on a Home Shopping Network television show.

The deadline to apply is July 11. Kathryn Dodge, the economic development specialist for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, said business panels in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau will review applications and invite businesses to make five-minute presentations July 27-29 in those communities. Businesses will receive feedback and advice from the panel on how to improve their products.

Many businesses will be invited to a private screening session with representatives from the Home Shopping Network’s “American Dreams” show in late August or early September in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. The multichannel Home Shopping Network reaches 96 million households, according to the network.

Dodge said, “It’s a way for Alaska businesses to have access to a much bigger market if they want it.”

Businesses that apply must be able to fill an order for 500 to 2,500 units and to travel to Clearwater, Florida, for training and rehearsal one day prior to recording.

Dodge said nearly 30 businesses have already signed up for the opportunity, including ones that sell birch products, T-shirts, fantasy coloring books, beard and mustache products, jewelry, glacier silt soap, sea salt, recycled bullet clips and more.

Applicants may apply at http://bit.ly/AmericanDreamsAlaska. Presentations will be made July 27 in Fairbanks, July 28 in Anchorage and July 29 in Juneau. Alaska sponsors for the competition include the Cooperative Extension Service, the Anchorage Economic Development Corp., Haa Aani LLC in Juneau and Alaska SCORE, an organization that promotes small-business success. For more information about the opportunity, see www.alaska.SCORE.org or email Dodge at kdodge@alaska.edu.