Community cooperation in the cold: the 1994 winter cities conference could open new doors for Alaska's economic future.

• Author: Berger, Michael

Life in the northern hemisphere can be tough. Long winter nights and frigid temperatures create day-to-day difficulties exclusive to cities above the 42nd parallel.

In 1982, the first Northern Intercity Conference (NICC) was held in Sapporo, Japan, to bring together leaders from designated "winter cities" of the world to "share their experiences and ideas on dealing with some common northern urban problems," according to conference organizer Winter Cities Inc. Participants from nine cities in six different countries discussed topics ranging from snow removal to health, architecture and landscaping for improving all facets of winter city living and area management.

At the fourth NICC in 1990 at Tromso, Norway, Anchorage made its conference debut and bid successfully to host the sixth biennial meeting March 5-11, 1994. The Anchorage location marks the first time the conference has been held in the United States and will include nearly 50 cities from 14 countries, the largest international conference ever held in Alaska. Minneapolis, Minn., is the only other U.S. NICC member city, but Marquette, Mich., and Buffalo, N.Y., have inquired about conference membership.

Dick Stallone, president of Anchorage Winter Cities Inc., says the NICC has been an important source of information for both the private and public sectors, opening new trade avenues and upgrading the quality of life in northern cities. "This conference will give Anchorage international exposure," says Stallone. "People are excited to come here. Delegates are excited to see how the largest city in Alaska copes with seven months of the winter season. They want to see things here and have set up special tours to experience the famous 'Alaska mystique.'"

To accommodate the large number of participants and exhibitors, the conference will take place at both the Egan Center and Sullivan Arena.

Winter Cities' programs focus on four major segments:

* The Winter Cities Forum, a series of seminars that explores the achievements and challenges of life in the world's northernmost cities;

* The Showcase, a trade show of practical, innovative and futuristic technology and procedures that businesses, governments and organizations are using to improve people's lives in winter climates;

* A Mayors conference where local government executives share common problems and solutions;

* Separate forum sessions on Business in Winter, Communications and Transportation in Winter, Living in Winter and Health in...