Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 20/02) - There's more to business than money which is why the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce wants to prove it it's an organization with heart.

"We're not just here to make a profit," said chamber executive director Dale Thomson.

The business group hosted its Christmas trade show last weekend at the Explorer Hotel. Part of the festivities included the donation of a special holiday Christmas tree made of canned goods, bags of cereal and other donations for the Yellowknife food bank. "The new board wants to be more community oriented - not just here to do business," said Thomson.

The Chamber voted in a new group of board members last month. The Christmas trade show is its first project.

Forty-three booths lined the glittering, sold-out event. The price of admission was $1 and a food bank donation. Booths cost merchants $300.

It was the third year for the Christmas trade show. It's not as profitable as the chamber's spring show but the event is gaining popularity.

"This show is not a revenue draw for the chamber. It is more of a promotional event for Chamber of Commerce members," said Thomson. He said the symposium gives merchants and chamber members a chance to network with the public and each other.

Improve customer service

The chamber's new mandate includes helping YK business people establish customer trust.

"We are going to be focusing on a new customer service campaign," said Thomson. He said the chamber isn't looking to get into competition with the Better Business Bureau but wants to provide customers with an opportunity to deal with problems. "Yellowknife will have an avenue to address concerns."

The city has been plagued with customer service problems since it has been in the midst of a territory-wide labour shortage. The NWT has the highest rate of employment in the country.

"There's a point at which a retailer can only pay so much wages before it's not worth being in business any more," said Thomson.