Sidebars series: On props

I hauled a 3’x3’ styrofoam version of this map to various speaking engagements for four years when I was working for Alaska’s lieutenant governor, because it was his favorite.

He often spoke to audiences both local and global about Alaska’s role in the Arctic, and the United States’ role as an Arctic nation. In many audiences, we often found that, best case, folks were unaware how incredibly vast Alaska is, or worst case, they saw it as an island off the coast of California. (You’ve seen those maps…)

But this map put everything in perspective. It not only gave visualization to all the points we were trying to make: The Anchorage International Airport is no more than nine hours from 90% of the industrialized world! The opening of the Northwest Passage is a huge opportunity for Alaska LNG to access Asian markets! The U.S. gets a coveted seat on the Arctic Council, along with our seven Arctic neighbors, because of Alaska!

It was also a total “Aha!” for those who only saw Alaska and the Arctic as an isolated snowcap. Politicians and diplomats realized that there is a whole community for engagement in the Arctic; businessmen realized how many opportunities for commerce and foreign direct investment; military officers across all services realized what strategic value the state has because of its location.

I almost certainly complained about carting this map around downtown Anchorage in my 2” heels or maneuvering it awkwardly in and out of the state SUV (average SUV door is 3.5’ — just big enough, though!). But it was worth its weight (or volume) in audience engagement every time.

Speeches are usually enhanced by a good prop. Find one that works.