PM's visit tops at trade show
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, February 15, 2016
OTTAWA
A visit by a prime minister to the Northern Lights Trade Show was something event organizers had been hoping for since it started. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made that dream reality in 2016.
"We've been asking for the prime minister since 2008, every two years," said Ike Haulli, president of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the show along with the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce.
"That was one of our biggest highlights"
The Northern Lights Trade Show promotes the North to the south and puts the spotlight on Northern businesses and talents in front of southern eyes and investment dollars.
This year, the show had about 1,200 delegates with 150 booths and walk-in traffic in the range of 2,000 people.
Only the number of booths dipped some compared to 2014's show, which Haulli attributed partly to weakness in the Canadian dollar and a poor economy.
The FlySarvaq announcement of less expensive flights between Iqaluit and the south stole much of the show for Iqaluit residents, while the $600,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize granted to the Qaggiavut Society had the Northern arts community cheering.
"I think it was very successful," said Haulli. "We heard a lot of good feedback ... I would say it was probably one of our best shows yet."
