Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Oct 08/01) - Cambridge Bay's Kitikmeot Trade Show was successful despite air delays that kept southerners away.

"We did have a few at the last minute," said event co-ordinator Brenda Mercer.

Economic development representatives from Yellowknife and Edmonton were in Cambridge Bay for the fair.

"It was completely full so it worked well," said Mercer. "We had 25 booths and over 60 people registered."

The trade fair was free to the public but exhibitor booths cost $250 each. Although the fair took in more than $10,000, the event didn't break even. The financial shortfall was made up through sponsorships. The Department of Sustainable Development was the major sponsor as well as Kitnuna Corporation, the Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian North.

"The seminars went very well. They were very interesting and fairy well attended," said Mercer.

Keynote speaker Charlie Lyall talked at the Luke Novolgak Community Hall about mining in the Kitikmeot. Other seminars were about working in the North and enhancing Northern workplaces.

"From the outlying Kitikmeot community we had Linda Tucktoo, a videographer, from Taloyoak," said Mercer.

Tucktoo had a video camera set up so that people could see themselves as they walked by her booth.

Kitikmeot foods was promoting a new product: canned arctic char.

"They had tons of freebies. Muskox jerky and char jerky that they had cut up. Their display was kind of neat because they had a big char on ice," said Mercer.

There were lots of other promoters with give-aways and draw prizes.

During the show there was a mini-golf game set up in the lobby. At three balls for a dollar, $500 was raised.

"During the evening socials a lot of money was raised because, of course, different people were making bets," she said.

Mercer is sure more southerners would have attended if air travel had not been complicated by the World Trade Center tragedy.

"It was a very positive show and the feeling was it was the event of the year. Next year will be bigger and better," said Mercer.