Inuvik (Feb 16/04) - Tourism, conventions and the annual petroleum show are big money makers for a town like Inuvik.

And nobody knows that better than Colleen Mitchell, the town's convention and tourism manager and the Inuvik Petroleum Show co-ordinator.

Colleen Mitchell is the organized mind behind Inuvik's annual Petroleum Show. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

She's the one who organizes everything from the entertainment to the banquet at the show, while also promoting Inuvik as a tourism destination.

In the past year, she and her colleagues have answered 600 tourism inquiries about Inuvik -- an average of four a day. They also create the local tourism guide and a monthly town newsletter.

"Tourism inquiries have sky-rocketed since last year," she said.

The tourism marketing is "fun," but the real draw for Mitchell was the Petroleum Show.

"I enjoy the challenge of planning and organizing something that big," she said. "You're kept hopping. It's a lot of work, but it doesn't feel like a lot of work because I enjoy my job."

Mitchell has been in the position for a year. Before that, she spent two years as the economic development officer for Western Arctic Business in Inuvik.

The Petroleum Show brings in about $2 million into the local economy, making it a big responsibility to co-ordinate.

But Mitchell is up to the challenge.

"There's a tonne to do so you're never bored in this department," she said.

This year, she and her tourism colleagues not only have a Petroleum Show to put together, they also have a music festival, Inuvik's share of the Dempster Highway's 25th anniversary celebrations and the Western Premier's Conference to help organize.

"This year, we're going to be crazy," she said.

"I try not to think about it too much. When I think about (the work that needs to be done), I get overwhelmed! I've gained better time management skills from this job."

This year's Petroleum show is June 16-17.