Building Solutions
& Creating Opportunity
A Summit on the Economic Impact of Early Care & Learning
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Marriott Anchorage Downtown
820 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Tickets On Sale Now!
General Admission: $75
(in-person and virtual)
Early Educator Admission: $50
(for early childhood educators and program administrators currently working in a licensed child care program)
Options for either in-person or virtual attendance.
In-person registration includes attendance at the full-day event, continental breakfast, and lunch.
Virtual registration includes attendance at the full-day meeting via Zoom.
Join us for thread’s 6th Summit on the Economic Impact of Early Care & Learning: Building Solutions & Creating Opportunity. Hear from local and national leaders, get the latest updates on the Governor’s Child Care Task Force recommendations, and discover innovative solutions from communities across Alaska. Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, or community advocate, this summit is your opportunity to help build a stronger, more resilient child care system in Alaska.
Child care continues to challenge Alaska’s workers and business. Families, communities, and businesses struggle when parents lack access to reliable, affordable child care. A robust child care system is crucial for nurturing Alaska’s workforce, alleviating family burdens, supporting worker retention, and strengthening the quality of life and economy across Alaska.
Summit Agenda
Opening Session: How Are the Children? How Are the Educators?
Setting the Stage for Opportunity
Hear the latest data on how children and early educators are doing and why their well-being is the foundation for building lasting solutions.
Session 2: Meeting Alaska’s Child Care Challenge
Child Care Works for Families, Businesses & Alaska’s Future
Explore the ongoing child care crisis in Alaska through data and powerful video storytelling. Hear what thread is doing to lead change.
Session 3: State Leadership in Action
What Alaska’s Leaders Are Doing to Address Child Care Challenges
Get updates on the Governor’s Child Care Task Force recommendations, recent legislation, and how state-level actions are creating opportunity for child care.
Session 4: Child Care Beyond Alaska
National Trends & Transformative Ideas from Across the U.S.
Learn about efforts advancing child care, including inspiring policies and innovations from across the country.
Session 5: Child Care Is Economic Infrastructure
Pathways to Building a Stronger Child Care System
Hear how leading economists, labor experts, and policy analysts are identifying persistent barriers in child care and the strategies we can use to overcome them to better meet the needs of today’s families and businesses.
Session 6: Solutions That Shine – Part 1
Creative Community Approaches to Child Care
Discover bright spots and local solutions across Alaska and beyond that are growing and strengthening child care.
Session 7: Solutions That Shine – Part 2
Creative Sector Approaches to Child Care
Hear how targeted action in business, policy, and early childhood workforce sectors is building child care solutions and driving real change.
Closing: Be the Change for Alaska’s Children
Turning Insight into Action
Stay involved, build solutions, and be part of creating opportunities for child care in Alaska!
Getting to the Summit
Accommodations
Marriott Anchorage Downtown has offered a special rate of $229 per night before tax for guests attending thread’s Summit. Mention thread’s Summit when contacting the hotel, and book early to secure your discounted rate.
Parking
Below are a few of the parking options found near the Marriott Anchorage Downtown.
Marriott Valet Parking
Registered guests of thread’s event may use the Marriott’s valet parking at a discounted rate of $20. Mention thread’s Summit when arriving at the Marriott. For overnight valet parking the rate is $30, billed to your guest room.
Metered Street Parking
Parking meters must be paid weekdays from 9 am – 6 pm.
Rates:
2-hour meter $2.25 per hour
10-hour meter $1.75 per hour
Payment Accepted: Coin, Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayByPhone & ParkMobile
EasyPark Garage at 6th and H St.
Rate: $2.00 Per Hour
Payment Accepted: Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay
Dimond Parking Lot at 7th & K St.
Rates:
(0-2 hours) $4.00
(2-4 hours) $7.00
(4-6 hours) $10.00
(6-10 hours) $12.00
Dimond Parking at the Dena’ina Center on 8th between F & G St.
Rates:
(0-2 hours) $6
(2-4 hours) $12
(4-6 hours) $15
(6-10 hours) $20
Dimond Parking at Platinum Jaxx at 6th & K St.
Rates:
(0-2 hours) $5
(2-6 hours) $10
(6-12 hours) $15
Dimond Parking at Voyager Hotel at 5th & K St.
Rates:
(0-2 hours) $8
(2-4 hours) $12
(4-6 hours) $16
(6-10 hours) $20
Dimond Parking at Augustine Energy Center at 6th & G Street
Rates:
(0-2 hours) $5
(2-4 hours) $10
(4-6 hours) $15
(6-10 hours) $20
Summit Sponsors
Visionary
Child Care Resource and Referral Grant
Physical Activity and Nutrition Unit
Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Birth-5, grant number 90TP0012
Champion
Builder
Helper
Become a Sponsor
You’re invited to partner with thread! As a sponsor, you’ll support this event and thread’s work to ensure affordable, high-quality child care for Alaska’s children and families. Promote your company, make new connections, and help build solutions and create opportunity for child care. Sponsor today!
