Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 28, 2008

CAMBRIDGE BAY - Timing is everything. Just ask Vicki Aitaok.

A resident of Cambridge Bay for 14 years, Aitaok is planning a significant expansion to Arctic Closet, her two-year-old arts and crafts store, and it couldn't come at a better time.

The manager of Cambridge Bay's Arctic Closet, Vicki Aitaok, left, shows some of her wares to one of her regular customers, Jean Kaniak. The shop will be undergoing some major renovations soon, and Aitoak is using the upcoming Kitikmeot Trade Show as an opportunity to seek out the right contractor for the job. - NNSL file photo

On Feb. 5 and 6, the Kitikmeot Trade Show will roll into town. About 1,200 people are expected to attend the event, which is the biggest networking assembly of Kitikmeot businesses and Inuit organizations to hit Cambridge Bay every year.

Aitaok wants to construct a new two-storey building beside the current shop, a small iglu-shaped building measuring 400 square feet. The new building will add 2,000 square feet to her store.

"My husband and I see the trade show as an opportunity to communicate that," said Aitaok. "We're going to look for a contractor, see what's out there. The networking is very important."

The trade show has helped Aitaok before. Two years ago, a mere two months after she opened her store, she attended the trade show for the first time.

"For us, it was the way that we introduced our business to the whole community," she said.

Aitaok also moonlights as manager of the Arctic Coast Visitors Centre, where she sees first-hand the positive effect the trade show has on Cambridge Bay.

"The out-of-town visitors come to the centre and they get to learn about Cambridge Bay," Aitaok said. "The trade show is likely the largest event that goes on here. Certainly the hotels are always full."

Pam Stykel ought to know. She manages the Arctic Island Lodge, featuring 26 rooms capable of accommodating 34 guests.

"We usually have to use our overflow motel, which is our old motel, about four to five blocks away from the lodge," said Stykel.

The constant flow of guests attending the trade show keeps Stykel so busy she never has time to attend the show herself.

"I'm pretty much stuck here," she said.

Brenda Mercer, the co-ordinator of this year's show, expects 200 delegates and a record 42 exhibitors to take part. For the first time, representatives from five hamlet offices in the Kitikmeot region - Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven - will each have their own booths. The trade show will also feature new entertainment this year.

"The big deal this year is we're bringing in Artcirq, a circus performance group from Iglulik," said Mercer.