University of Alaska Anchorage's Institute of Social and Economic Research and Northern Economics Inc. had recently completed a study sponsored by Shell Exploration and Production which said offshore development off Alaska's coasts could create an annual average of 35,000 new jobs in Alaska and $72 billion in total new payroll over a 50-year period. The report also stated the growth in jobs resulting from outer continental shelf development could also lead to a 5 percent increase in statewide population.  

Patrick Burden has built Northern Economics into Alaska's leading economic consulting firm since founding the company as sole proprietor in 1982. He has conducted more than 250 varied projects for private and public sector clients ranging from small tasks for local entities to large, multidisciplinary projects of international significance. Pat Burden's major areas of expertise are resource and transportation economics, and infrastructure and economic development.

Dr. Scott Goldsmith has been a public policy researcher at the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) of the University of Alaska Anchorage since 1975 and became Institute Director in 2001. His primary research interests include regional economic analysis, Alaska fiscal analysis, and energy and natural resources.

Peter Slaiby joined Shell Alaska as its general manager in May of 2008. He manages Shell's exploration and production activities in Alaska, including its continued efforts to develop relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. In 1984, Pete moved to the Shell subsidiary, Pecten International, where his assignments in various development and production operation roles took him to Houston, Syria, Brazil, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom.

This program was co-sponsored by Carlile Transportation Systems and NANA Development Corporation