Grogono says person could kickstart the tourism industry
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 19/01) - The city needs to get organized if it wants its tourism industry to grow, says a former mayoral candidate.
Matthew Grogono says he's been pushing for the city to look into hiring a special events co-ordinator to create continuity and kickstart the fledgling tourism industry.
"The tourism industry is in a growth phase," said Grogono.
"We need meaningful organization. There's too much ad hoc activity."
Grogono said he's been pushing for a full-time events co-ordinator for years. But according to Grogono it's just a small part of the bigger picture.
He believes Yellowknife could eventually have a special events centre with people specifically employed to co-ordinate events. Grogono believes with a full time co-ordinator and a central committee events could run longer and increase the amount of traffic travelling through the city.
"We could start snow sculpting a week in advance of the Caribou Carnival and invite sculptors from all over the world," said Grogono. Mayor Gord Van Tighem has met with Grogono to discuss his ideas and supports the formation of a special events committee who could then hire a co-ordinator.
"Right now it's an idea," said Van Tighem, "I've talked to community services and they're waiting for direction."
According to Van Tighem the forming of a central committee is a good idea.
"We could form a non-profit group or a capital city committee to work towards an authority, a board that's responsible for events," said Van Tighem who also mentioned that the First Night debacle could have been avoided with such a board.
Maureen Pirker, one of the founders and current director of the Aurora Arts Society says more continuity is needed between events.
"At every new event we reinvent the wheel," she said.
Because it's currently at the idea stage, Van Tighem couldn't say if and when a committee would be formed but he was quick to say that any special events group would work in conjunction with existing groups.
The city currently hires a part-time events co-ordinator who consults local groups.
