Yellowknife (June 11/03) - Representatives from capital cities across Canada left Yellowknife last week, but their ideas haven't been forgotten.

In town for the Canadian Capital Cities Organization conference, 27 delegates from across Canada joined Yellowknife representatives to share views on tourism, community growth and other ways to enhance Canada's capital cities.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said a presentation on enhancing the capital image by Mary LaVigne, president of Outcrop Communications Ltd., is boosting the momentum for Yellowknife to form partnerships with Northern capitals.

"There's a real opportunity here for Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Whitehorse to work together," said Van Tighem.

LaVigne pointed out that many visitors want the whole "exotic" Northern experience -- not just a trip to Yellowknife.

Partnerships with other Northern capitals could increase the flow of tourists to the North, which is something Van Tighem said he's excited about.

Opportunities for Canada's capital cities to collectively boost tourism were also discussed during the conference.

"From Yellowknife's perspective, we've always tried to champion the concept of a capital cities passport system," said Van Tighem.

The idea is to have tourists collect a stamp from each Canadian capital city on a capital cities passport, which would make them eligible for a major prize.

Van Tighem said the conference was a success, but several capital cities were not represented.

During his presentation on repositioning the capital image, Charlottetown Mayor George MacDonald expressed his frustrations with absent capital cities.

"Capital cities are different. We are, and I'm kind of disappointed that not all capital cities are here because it means they don't believe they are different," said MacDonald.

Van Tighem said he agreed with MacDonald, but felt the representatives had their reasons for missing the conference.