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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The city's female entrepreneurs and their clientele gathered for the Women's Trade Show this past weekend, in about half the numbers that showed up last year.

Amy Stipdonk, left, and Morgan Schaller, right promote their work as independent stylists with the Stella & Dot exhibit featured at the second annual Women's Trade Fair on Nov. 5 and 6. The event was held at the Yellowknife Inn and brought 28 exhibits and demonstrations from various creative businesses in the area. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

About 100 attendants came by for shopping, fashion, dancing, and mingling each day during the two-day event which started Saturday, compared to about 200 attendants each day last year.

Hosted by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the event -- which is in its second year – saw a decline in attendance due to competing events this year, chamber executive director Tim Doyle said.

"There was a slight decline in attendance year over year," Doyle said. "We attribute most of that to the fact that there was so many good events going on at the same time," he added, listing a home-based business show and crafts show also going on over the weekend. "We have to be wary that we were targeting only about 50 per cent of the population -- there's always a risk when you do that."

Overall, Doyle called the event a success, providing women entrepreneurs a venue to show off their wares.

Among the 28 exhibitors at this years show was Tricia Forde, an independent owner of direct sales health company Body By Vi, who saw "lots of good interest" at the show.

"We're trying to get people healthy again," Forde said. "The business is all about getting balance back in the diet."

At her Stella & Dot booth, Amy Stipdonk shared her strategies for selling her handmade sterling silver, gold-plated, and gemstone jewelry.

"I find it is easier to sell things that you believe and promote," Stipdonk told Yellowknifer, wearing her own Stella & Dot jewelry.

Only a handful of men attended the event, which gave business women a chance to meet other business women and create partnerships.

Doyle said a point the chamber wanted to get out this year was that children are also welcome at the event.

"People sometimes thought that they could not bring their kids to this event," Doyle said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. We want this to be offered to families."

The event also included a chocolate buffet, and a dance hall which hosted Zumba and ballroom dancing classes.

The seats were full for the fashion show, which included Harley Davidson women's wear and winter wear for women.

Because of the timing of the event, which crosses the Halloween retail market into the Christmas holidays, the chamber is considering rolling the women's event into a season-focused event next year, Doyle said. The chamber has also been considering a men's show, but is still looking for an ideal venue.

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