Iqaluit (May 16/05) - From the High Arctic to Labrador and Winnipeg, business people, hamlet officials and government representatives gathered in Iqaluit for the 14th annual Nunavut trade show and conference organized by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, May 10-12.

First-time Nunavut Trade Show participant Billy Akavak took the opportunity to show off his new business, Akavak Images, with his photographs prominently displayed alongside art and tourism packages at the Kimmirut booth.

Kevin Tikivik from Iqaluit was excited to showcase his new business, Toonik Eco-Tours, a seasonal business catering to the adventurous outdoorsperson with hiking, nature walks, day trips, camping and mountain biking packages.

"As a kid I was always out on the land in my family's outpost camp. I've always found peace on the land," said Tikivik, 23. "I wanted to start a business, and I wanted to gear it towards tourism."

From Ootoq's and Metiq's Outfitting in Resolute Bay to Polynya Adventure and Co-ordination Ltd. in Iqaluit, there were 97 booths showcasing more than 100 businesses and communities set up inside the Arctic Winter Games Arena.

There were about 30 business people from Labrador in attendance this year from the Innu Nation's Innu Business Development Centre in Goose Bay, Innu Development Limited Partnership in Sheshatshiu, and the chamber of commerce in Cartwright.

Mary Qanatsiaq and Martha Gibbons from Hall Beach sold beaded jewelry and seal skin slippers, and gave out free postcards, all while displaying an eye-catching computerized slide show of their community.

"I like the networking going on," said economic development minister David Simailak, who visited most of the booths on Wednesday morning. "There are people here from Quebec, Ontario, Labrador. This is good for Nunavut, not just Iqaluit."

Air Nunavut emergency services had one of the best booth displays showing many of their emergency supplies, even a life-like dummy receiving CPR.

Mike Ruta and Walter Passarella with Metroland newspapers from Durham Region in Ontario came up just to check out the Nunavut Trade Show. They described Iqaluit as an "amazing place."