Trade show draws traffic
Businesses operators relish opportunity to connect
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Monday, October 12, 2015
RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
For companies like Arctic Expediting, the sixth annual Kivalliq Trade Show was an opportunity to connect with a region that makes up 95 per cent of their business.
Ester Issaluk displays some of the items promoted at the Nunavut Development Corp. booth at the 2015 Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet which ran from Sept. 28 to 30. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
"It was definitely important for us to attend," said Jay Michno, one of the logistics and expediting company's owners. "It's important for us to get there and connect with our customers."
Both owners of the Winnipeg-based transportation company, Michno and Dale Uskoski, attended and exhibited their business at the event this year, which brought hundreds of people into Rankin Inlet.
Business, government and organizational officials had the chance to network, put faces to names and look for opportunities to expand their business operations.
And the annual event also brought an influx of cash into the community.
Kissarvik Co-op general manager Walter Morey said the trade show provided a nice boost to Arctic Co-operatives' two hotel operations in Rankin, the Siniktarvik Hotel and Inns North.
He said the 2015 edition also appeared to have a few more presenter booths than in years past.
"The Kivalliq Trade Show has grown to the point where it's pretty cramped at the community hall," said Morey. "It would be nice to have another venue but I think there may be some security issues associated with that.
"Having that many people come into the community makes your week in the hotel business, and I'm sure it does the same for everyone in the town's hospitality industry.
Mid-July to mid-November is, traditionally, the busiest time for the hotel industry in Rankin.
Morey said that's due to a combination of workers coming into town for the construction season, and other people associated with the projects coming and going.
He said an event like the Kivalliq Trade Show can book upwards of 80 per cent of the 140 to 145 available hotel rooms in Rankin Inlet.
"Our restaurants, of course, also see a considerable spike in business during the show but we don't see nearly as much of an impact in our actual store as the hospitality industry does in general," he said. "But it's the interaction of the people involved that makes the event really worthwhile. A lot of stakeholders get to interact during those three days, and it's a great chance for people to put faces with names and to develop contacts for after the fact.
"We had Angus MacKinnon of Winnipeg here from our Business Development Department - who helps us source product and keep track of what's on the go with various tenders - and he touched base with a number of people he would only deal with over the phone and made numerous contacts while here."
Nunavut Development Corp. (NDC) president Darrin Nichol said the 2015 trade show was very well-organized.
He said everything from the various events, to the food and closing gala was great during the three-day event.
"The delegates always seemed busy during the show," said Nichol. "It's a big territory, and this event allows people to get together conveniently in one location to advance economic opportunities, initiatives and investments.
"Communication is absolutely critical in the Arctic, where the geography is so vast.
"If nothing else, it gives Kivalliq community and business leaders a chance to congregate in a central place for a few days to hear what the corporations, government departments and various organizations are up to in regards to their strategic objectives going forward."
Nichol said there can be no denying the business brought into Rankin during the trade show is very important; from booked hotel rooms, to busy restaurants and increased taxi fares.
He said the local NDC outlet, Ivalu, saw a definite spike in business during the event.
"Even with our Kivalliq artists, the art market held at the show opens up a new venue and exposes their work to a new group of people.
"When people come to Rankin Inlet, or the Kivalliq, they're looking to purchase something that's made here to take back home with them," he said. "So, there's economic opportunity created for those who are on that side of it.
"Rankin is fortunate to host this every year, and it was a classy move to direct proceeds from the event's auction to, I believe, Coral Harbour and Arviat to ensure the benefits from the show are spread across the region."
Nanuq Lodge owner John Hickes said he was impressed by what he saw at the trade show.
He said the promotional material and literature passed out at the show is an important way for companies and agencies to make people aware of the services they provide.
"Even swag given out during the event creates a regional presence for the participants," said Hickes. "As a local hotel owner, events like this are very important to me and everyone else involved with the industry in the community.
"With the community growing the way it is, and the Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement being signed between the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Agnico Eagle, the Kivalliq Trade Show should only grow in importance."
Michno said a promotional code from Calm Air meant flights for him and Uskoski from Winnipeg cost about $1,900 round-trip.
But he said there's no question the trip from Winnipeg was worth the financial investment.
"We're looking forward to going back next year."
- with files from Karen Ho
