Opening communication
Trade show plays important role in economic growth
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
KIVALLIQ
The sixth annual Kivalliq Trade Show was given a collective thumbs-up from the business community in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Page Burt of Nanuq Lodge and Walter Morey of Kissarvik Co-op share a laugh on the floor of the 2015 Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo
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The show brought hundreds of people into Rankin and gave business, government and organizational personalities 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.
"It takes you from an average week to an over-the-top week, that's for sure."
From 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. We had more than 80 per cent of our rooms booked for the event and that's a big boost to our bottom line.
"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."
