NNSL (May 01/98) - Dozens of diamond industry representatives will be in Yellowknife this weekend for a one-day conference.

The Sunday conference, Secondary Diamond Industries In Yellowknife, is the first of its kind for the city.

Officials with he Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and the City of Yellowknife, which organized the gathering, are expecting hundreds of Yellowknifers to attend.

As well as offering Yellowknifers the chance to build partnerships with industry, the conference will be an opportunity for the city to promote the North to southern businesses.

"The exciting thing about this conference is the fact that (industry) people are showing interest," chamber president Garth Malakoe said.

"They are showing an interest in setting up here and are willing to show their knowledge of the industry."

The conference gets under way at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Explorer Hotel with opening addresses from Malakoe and Mayor Dave Lovell.

Guest speakers are scheduled to cover rough diamond marketing, diamond cutting, jewelry manufacturing, technology and training.