SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The multiplex needed three volunteers just to direct traffic on Saturday, a good indicator the Spring Trade Show lived up to its billing as Yellowknife's greatest indoor show.

Tim Doyle, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, was working the admissions desk

and said more than 9,000 people attended the event over May 7 and 8.

This year was the biggest trade show to date, according to Doyle, with 174 businesses, including non-government organizations, having booths.

"This was the first year we have ever sold out of booths," he said. "We were all booked up a month and a half ago."

Last year there were approximately 100 booths and 7,000 visitors, and in 2009, 125 booths and the same amount of visitors.

This year the Chamber of Commerce focused on giving smaller entrepreneurs a stage for letting the public know about their products.

"We focused on promoting home-based businesses," said Doyle. "Small businesses take the most risk and where else are you going to get exposure like this in Yellowknife?"

Another new feature of the trade show this year was a full food court. Two of the new businesses at the food court were Denis Worthman's Bakin'it Cakes!, which provided desserts and an opportunity to order cakes for special occasions and weddings, and One of a Thai restaurant now open for business at the Yellowknife Curling Club, whose booth had a never-ending line-up.

One entrepreneur, Jenn Sharman, was not lucky enough to get a booth and instead handed out business cards to promote her new business, Natural Balance Massage and Wellness Therapy. Sharman, a Yellowknifer, was on her way home from studying traditional Peruvian healing techniques when she found out her college roommate would be relocating to Yellowknife with her spouse. She decided to follow them back home and start up a new venture offering relaxation massage, therapeutic massage, yoga and meditation out of the Peace Cafe on 49 Street.

Three generations of the Mantla family came out to the trade show. Maria Mantla, who brought her children, said there was much more stuff for kids to do this year. Her mother Betty Mantla said she loved the addition of the food court.

"This is the best trade show I have ever been to," she said. "It's like a big fair instead of a trade show."

Peter Staples, who attended the show with his mom Pamela Pick and dad Ron Staples, said he loved the stuffed "Ptarmys" at the Janet Pacey Design and Illustration booth.

But Chris Van Dyke spoke for the majority of the attendees with his assessment of the show.

"Entering all the free draws was the best," he said.

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