Anchorage Daily News

Parker Drilling Co. has opened a regional office and training center at 1420 E. Tudor Road. The oil service company, based in Houston, Texas, said its training center is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including globally networked audiovisual tools, 3D simulation, drilling and well control models of some of the industry's newest rig designs, and a staff of instructors with extensive industry experience. Parker said it opened the office to support several new long-term projects in Alaska, including its building of a rig for BP's new Liberty oil field off the North Slope as well as two other rigs for BP.

Assistant professor named meeting champion

Betty Buchan, assistant professor of public health at the University of Alaska Anchorage, was named the 2009 Meeting Champion of the Year by the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. Buchan is a member of the International Epidemiological Association. She worked with the ACVB to book the World Congress of Epidemiology meeting in Anchorage for October 2014. The bureau said the convention should bring to town 2,500 to 3,500 people from more than 50 nations, with a local economic impact of about $2.3 million.

Alaska Summit honored as a top business

DiversityBusiness.com, a business-to-business Internet site, recently named Alaska Summit Enterprise Inc. one of the top businesses in the United States. Alaska Summit also was selected as No. 1 for 2008 out of the top 500 emerging small businesses. Started five years ago, Alaska Summit offers professional management services on behalf of federal, state, and local governmental agencies, private sector organizations, and federally recognized tribes and Native-owned businesses throughout Alaska, the Lower 48 and the Pacific Basin.

VCA Animal Hospital is reaccredited

VCA East Anchorage Animal Hospital of Anchorage has been reaccredited after an evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association, the association said. The evaluation included a quality assessment review of the hospital's facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management, the association said.

Torrid prepares to open store in Fairbanks

Torrid is expanding its retail presence with a store at Fairbanks' Bentley Mall opening late this month. Torrid sells young women's fashion in sizes 12 and up. The national chain already has a store in Anchorage's Dimond Center mall. The chain is owned by Hot Topic Inc. The company has three Alaska stores under the Hot Topic name that feature music and pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, music and gifts.

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