by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 08/97) - Staff at the Explorer Hotel are getting a head start on the recruiting business for the Christmas party season.

"It's outdoor marketing, we're trying to get in the face of our customers and get them thinking about Christmas parties," says Roger Romard.

"The idea is we come in, play Christmas music on a ghetto blaster cranking out the Christmas tunes and we're just approaching the offices, with fresh cookies that we bake at the hotel and information about our Christmas party programs -- that way they'll remember the idiots in the green van and Santa hats who came in October. Most people have been receptive," Romard explains.

Bookings for staff Christmas parties start as early as September.

"We've had lots of people book already and anything after Nov. 15 -- you're getting into last minute," Romard says.

There's one large banquet hall at the Explorer -- the Katimavik room, which can accommodate 350 revellers. "Larger companies block the whole room, or for smaller companies, we block off tables so there can be a number of companies in there."

There's also rooms for smaller private parties.

"We also promote the Factors' Dining room, which we have a menu for. And the Explorer offers outside catering to parties elsewhere."

"The Christmas season is of major importance to our revenue because in January and February when it's minus 40 and people want to stay inside, the revenues are fewer and farther between."

The Yellowknife Inn also offers banquet rooms for Christmas parties.

Barbara Bird, catering manager of the Yellowknife Inn started a Christmas in July promo, "because I get really disappointed when I turn people away," she says.

Bird says bookings are going quickly for the party rooms, with seating for 64, 80 and 100 people.

A lot of people schedule their Christmas parties as early as Nov. 28, she says. "Bookings are filling up fast and every day," Bird says. "The weekend of the 13th (Dec.) there's one banquet room left. And something most people don't realize -- we rent out L'atitudes on Saturdays for private parties."

Dave Hurley, manager of the Elks Club, says the club's main hall which seats 240 already has a couple of bookings. Hurley also takes bookings for the Yellowknife ski club. It can accommodate about 110 with standing room or it seats about 90.