About the Port Communities of Alaska
Our Vision
The vision of the PCOA is to serve as a not-for-profit professional organization for officials and employees of Alaska’s cruise port cities and boroughs to exchange ideas and discuss common port issues.
Our Mission
The mission is to support collaboration among local governments with responsibilities impacted by cruise ship activities, ensuring regional strategy alignment.
About Us
Port Communities of Alaska (PCOA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting Alaska’s cruise port cities and boroughs. We bring together local government officials and port managers from across the state to exchange ideas, share best practices, and work collectively on the issues that matter most to our communities.
Our mission is to strengthen collaboration among municipalities impacted by cruise ship activities. By fostering partnerships and aligning regional strategies, we ensure that Alaska’s port communities are positioned to thrive while maintaining the unique character and values of each community.
PCOA members represent communities large and small, from Southeast Alaska to Southcentral and beyond.
Together, we address opportunities and challenges around port development, visitor management, economic growth, and sustainability. This includes efforts to:
- Develop scalable models for cooperation that meet the needs of ports of all sizes.
- Understand the balance between tourism growth and community impact, supporting economic vitality while protecting local quality of life.
- Strengthen regional collaboration and share data to inform decisions and amplify our collective voice.
- Identify applicable sustainable practices, including advancing green corridor initiatives and environmental stewardship.
- Support economic development and infrastructure investment that benefit both residents and visitors.
Through regular meetings, shared research, and partnerships with industry and government, PCOA provides a unified platform for Alaska’s port communities. We are committed to effective collaboration, active membership engagement, and the long-term resilience of our operations and communities.
Above all, we work to ensure that Alaska’s port communities remain welcoming, resilient, and well-prepared to manage the opportunities of cruise tourism—today and into the future.
