by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 14/97) - The 15th Annual Spring Trade Show had a different flavor this year. There was lots of participation from out-of-towners and an injection of new booths.

The outside, too, was brimming with a hot tub, the fire department and Crime Stoppers.

A contingent from Grande Prairie, Alta., the Convention and Mayfield Inns of Edmonton and the Leduc Economic Development Authority all had booths at the show.

As well, local businesses filled the community arena to overflowing. The two-day event was well-attended.

The Grande Prairie delegation also appeared last week at a Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce luncheon. They were in Yellowknife to lobby for flights from Yellowknife to their community of 30,000.

They promoted their community's services to Yellowknifers, touting their 150-bed acute care hospital, regional college, hotels, addiction services and retail services. About a dozen people came up from Grande Prairie.

And they invited Yellowknifers to participate in their trade show next year.

Local business people had representation from many sectors of the economy, including technology, investment, food, healthy lifestyle services, woodworking and wine-making.