YELLOWKNIFE - The Annual Spring Trade Show will lose a major exhibitor next year.

Force One, which typically makes up the boat show portion of the popular event, has decided to pull out of the show.

"We're not going to be going back next year," said owner Doug Witty.

Doug Witty, owner of Force One, said his business will not return as an exhibitor to the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce's Annual Spring Trade Show, citing high costs and declining attendance as factors. - Guy Quenneville/NNSL photo

"It hasn't been working as well is it should have for us and we've decided to try something different next year. We've got to do something that's more financially responsible for us."

The high cost of setting up a display at the show, where Witty usually transports 20 to 25 boats, isn't feasible anymore, he added.

"We're just not getting the sales out of that show that we used to," he said.

Force One, which has made up the boat show for a number of years and most recently completed a three-year agreement with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, not only pays for its space at the show but produces a flyer specially aimed at the show's attendees. The business also pays employees overtime to staff the booth.

"We've got lots of overtime costs," said Witty.

Declining attendance at the show over the years was one factor affecting sales at his booth, he added. Attendance at this year's show numbered more than 8,000. Five years ago, attendance was reported to be 10,000.

"This year was ... slow. Last year was very tough on us, a real disaster, really. It didn't work for us at all, from a sales standpoint," he said.

"We're not seeing an increase in sales at the show, but our expenses are going up, and we have to do something to control that."

Next year, according to Witty, Force One will hold a similar exhibition, around the same time as the spring trade show, inside a large tent on the Force One lot on Old Airport Road.

The change will be more convenient, sparing Witty's crew the inconvenience of transporting 20-some boats to the Multiplex, which Witty said does not provide large enough loading doors. The store will also be able to show off more inventory, added Witty.

Jim Eirikson, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the trade show, said he wasn't surprised at Witty's decision

"We got a lot of feedback on (the cost of setting up) from a lot of people with displays," said Eirikson.

"This year was a bit more of a struggle than it's normally been, convincing people to purchase a booth and be able to man it."

While the loss of Force Once is regrettable, it will also create an opportunity for someone else to potentially take Force One's place, added Eirikson

"(Witty's) not the only one who sells boats in town," he said.