Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 13/98) - We need more information on information.

This is one of several ideas generated at last week's Yellowknife Economic Development Conference held at the Explorer Hotel.

The number one recommendation from the two-day conference, sponsored by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and the city of Yellowknife is for the city to host an information technology conference.

"Given its role as the capital of the new western territory, the city is well positioned to become an information centre for the North, if it can capitalize on the development of information technology," a report concluded.

Early in the conference, Nexus president Peter Allen said Yellowknife faces a decision. When it comes to economic development, the city must decide if it wants to be "bedroom community" serving mines or if it wants to become a "knowledge capital."

Delegates -- there were 60 registered with about 30 at the final session Tuesday -- agreed an IT conference would:

• Unite users of information and establish a network

• Assist businesses in getting information on competing

• Provide a focus for research and use of technology for education purposes

Suggested IT conference participants include the chamber, city, NorthwesTel, Internet service providers and Aurora College.

Business leaders are aiming to organize the conference within the year.

As well as the IT conference, delegates generated six other recommendations.

They include:

• That the Chamber of Commerce and the city of Yellowknife work together to create a database of information. Currently, there is no mechanism to pull this information together and market it.

• That the chamber work with Aurora College to develop an inventory of courses and training opportunities that could be made available to Northern students and employers.

• The chamber take an active role in the development of the new constitution for the western territory.

• The chamber and the city actively promote Yellowknife. The chamber and the city need to show leadership in working with other associations to promote the city. All major industries should be targeted, not just diamonds. Tourism should get more emphasis.

• The chamber's present policy concerns over things like public private partnerships and the business incentive policy to the GNWT.

• The chamber and city compile and make available cost of living data and provide analysis and background information on how costs are arrived at. The study should also address why costs are so high and make recommendations to lower them.