Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Dec 08/99) - A series of successful workshops highlighted Nunavut Tourism's recent AGM in Rankin Inlet.

Workshops were held on tourism marketing, big game hunting, client expectations and cruise ships.

Keewatin regional tourism development officer Dyan Gray said a number of industry leaders in their field were on hand to conduct the workshops.

"We had about 10 people participate in each workshop, which is pretty good considering we only had about 40 or 50 people attend the entire conference," said Gray.

"We had Wes Werbowy here, who created and has taught a lot of the big game guiding courses across the North.

"His course was a big hit, especially among the people who came from the community Hunter and Trapper organizations.

"They're working on developing the big game sport and its history. That was a big help to them."

A special evening session for industry people from across the Kivalliq Region was held after the AGM to exchange ideas.

Gray said just about everybody working for Nunavut Tourism was hired during the past six months.

The evening session gave them a chance to get to know each other and hear what was happening with the industry in other Kivalliq communities.

"The evening session went very well and, I believe, really helped those who attended get a better feel of where we are as an industry and how far we still have to go.

"For me, that was the greatest part of the meeting," said Gray.

Boyd Warner, Bathurst Inlet Lodge, was given a Lifetime Achievement award during the AGM.

Kugluktuk received a Community Development award, and Arctic Skies Outpost Camps and the Kitikmeot's Elu Inlet Lodge received New Operator awards.