Fort Smith (May 15/06) - The first-ever Fort Smith Trade Show appears to have been a hit with both participants and the public.

"This is one of the better things that has happened to Fort Smith in a long time," said Francois Paulette, a prominent member of Smith's Landing First Nation.

Brad Mapes, left, co-owner of Hay River's Wesclean Northern Sales Ltd., shows Terry and Dianna Korol some samples of carpeting during the Fort Smith Trade Show on May 6. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Paulette, who said the show allowed networking for businesses, was impressed by just about everything at the event, including the overall atmosphere in the Fort Smith Centennial Arena.

Ib Kristensen, a long-time member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, said he was thrilled by the show, which was held May 6.

"I think this is fantastic and it's long overdue," he said.

Kristensen said he was particularly pleased to see out-of-town companies participate.

The former president of the chamber in the early 1970s is not sure why the community never had a trade show before.

It may be because Hay River has a trade show, and some people felt one was enough in the South Slave, he said. "I don't know for sure. It really puzzles me."

Janna Jaque, the tourism co-ordinator with the Town of Fort Smith, said the show was a great promotion for the community, especially to people from Yellowknife and Hay River.

"I think it's a great opportunity to showcase businesses and tourism opportunities around town," Jaque said.

Blaine Walterhouse, the owner of Lou's Small Engines, said he heard a lot of positive feedback from people walking around the trade show.

"It's good for the business community to get behind Fort Smith," Walterhouse said.

Organizer Wes Steed, the general manager of Thebacha Business Development Services, said more than 600 people visited the trade show, adding he was very pleased with that turnout.

Steed said most of the comments he received were how good the arena looked. "Many figured it would look like a farmer's market."

The show featured 34 exhibitors, including a half-dozen out-of-town organizations and businesses, such as the Mackenzie Gas Project and Trans-Canada Pipelines.

Other participants included Aurora College, Diavik, Reliance Airways, Kingland Ford and Northwestern Air Lease.

The trade show was a chance to show people, both residents and visitors, that there is lots happening in Fort Smith, Steed said.

As for the impact of such a show, he noted growth and development require momentum. "I hope to look back 10 years from now and say this might have been the start of some momentum."

Steed would like to see the trade show become an annual event. It was jointly presented by Thebacha Business Development Services, the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.