Inuvik (Jun 19/06) - Industry, government and aboriginal groups need to come together to move the Mackenzie Gas Project forward in a timely manner.

That was the underlying message at the sixth annual Inuvik Petroleum Show at the Midnight Sun Recreational Centre.

A record-setting 800 delegates swarmed to the town last Wednesday and Thursday for the event, despite the Global Petroleum Show being held in Calgary at the same time.

"We need to get together and move this thing forward," said Fred Carmichael, president of Gwich'in Tribal Council and chairman of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.

Carmichael spoke about the need for producers and explorers of the Mackenzie Gas Project to overcome their rift over regulatory procedures for the gathering system in the Delta area.

"More than ever, we need to push this pipeline over the hump," he said.

"We're very nearly there. There's a real desire and it's clearly evident by the number of people coming to the Petroleum Show."

Inuvik has invested heavily in preparing for the potential boom of the pipeline, said Premier Joe Handley. That investment has come by way of construction work during the last six to seven years ranging from hotels to hospitals to housing.

"People have invested to the point where they are saying we have to have some assurances there will be a return," said Handley.

One business that has made a commitment to the North and is anticipating the pipeline is Akita Drilling.

"We're ready now," said John Pahl, vice-president of marketing in the North with Akita.

Pahl said the Calgary-based company has a strong employee-base in the North. The company has an office in Inuvik and employs 25 workers from the Beaufort-Delta region.

"We're proud to be working in the area. Everyone is just waiting for the pipeline to go through," said Pahl.

Akita, which occupied one of the 116 booths set up at the show, attended the event because it presents a way to strengthen relationships with Northern firms and residents, he added.

The Petroleum Show doesn't just benefit delegates and exhibitors, the biggest winners are local businesses, said Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson.

"It has a huge impact on the community," he said.

"All the hotels are booked up and businesses around town are busy."

The direct affect on the community's economy is between $2 million to $3 million, said Clarkson.

"It helps to put Inuvik on the map," he added.