Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 10/02) - When Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce executive director Dale Thomson says their annual spring trade show grows in popularity every year, he's not exaggerating.

This year the chamber sold all 115 booths in eight days.

Every booth was bought by a chamber member, according to Thomson.

The way it works is the chamber first offers the booths to members, and then non-members businesses can purchase any that are left.

Thomson says that as much as the chamber wants to include non-members in the show, space just doesn't allow it.

But that may change next year.

"The new arena will be bigger than the Yellowknife Community Arena, and we're hoping to be able to double the number of booths," says Thomson. "Demand from chamber members is going up at a quick rate."

The chamber marks its 20th spring trade show this weekend.

As part of the celebration, the chamber's new Web site is set to launch May 11.

Their Web address is www.ykchamber.com.

The weekend will include prize draws, and each booth creates their own special plans.

Months of preparation

The chamber begins work on the spring show in January, immediately after the fall/Christmas show wraps up. This year the show's team includes booth designers, a computer and electrical company, the board of directors, volunteers, two chamber staff members and St. Patrick high school's Students Against Drinking and Driving group, according to Thomson.

And then there are organizational and safety meetings with the city, bylaw, fire department, chamber members...the list goes on.

Last year the trade show also sold out, with 78 exhibitors setting up 113 booths.

About 8,000 to 10,000 people attended, said Thomson.

The trade show runs Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $2 at the door, and children under 12 get in free.