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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - More than 7,000 Yellowknifers flocked to the trade show at the Multiplex over the weekend to enter draws, make purchases, get free swag and learn about local businesses and industries.

The number of people who came may actually be closer to 8,000, according to Ellie Sasseville, executive director of the chamber of commerce, which held the event, but as of Monday morning, she didn't know the final tally.

From left, Monika Laube, Leanne Tait and Lidia Menendez sell chocolate treats at The Chocolatier's booth at the trade show last weekend, which more than 7,000 Yellowknifers attended. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

The number of exhibits was as high as last year.

"The show was actually full this year with the exception of one row that we took out in the community corner - and we did that just because it was too crowded in the past. It makes better flow of traffic," said Sasseville, estimating the number of booths to be more than 125.

Tyrone Walsh, staffing the Staples booth, visited the show last year and said this year's was even more successful.

"I think there's more people going through it this year," said Walsh. "It's not just your business people. It's everybody," he said.

Gord Dent was there with rock samples and information booklets, operating the booth for Avalon Rare Metals Inc.

"I think this is the first time that we've ever had a booth at the show, but it was very important for us to come up and engage with the community," said Dent. "It's been a success because it was an opportunity for people who have been following the (rare earth mining) project to come by and get a face-to-face update."

Leanne Tait with the Chocolatier said the show gave her opportunity to reach out to a new crowd.

"We're seeing a lot of people that we don't otherwise see at the store, because we're down in the lower level of the Yk Centre. We get to see a lot of people. We get to show them what's new if they haven't been down (to the store) for a while. It's a nice environment. We get to chat with people," said Tait.

Visitors to the show thought it was a success as well, as they shopped around and saw demonstrations and exhibits such as Jeff Pink's "Shammy!" demonstration, a booth for the "Butt Out" anti-smoking campaign that had Dance Dance Revolution set up and an arena full of campers and RVs for people to walk through.

Vanessa Gillis, who was checking out the show on Sunday, said "I haven't come here in a few years, but it's nice now that it's in the big arena. There's more space and more to see."

As well as commercial booths, there were exhibits set up to advertise not-for-profit organizations and recruitment booths. Well-known columnist Walt Humphries was at the booth for the NWT Mining Heritage Society.

"We find it's very good exposure. Lots of people are steadily coming through," said Humphries. "The booth always helps because so many people come through the trade show. This and the Geoscience Forum are two big public events every year, so we can get out and meet the public and show them what we're up to."

Const. Roxanne Dreilich, recruiting officer for the RCMP in Yellowknife, was at the RCMP booth. "We've had really good interest here," Dreilich said.

"It's kind of a concentrated place for people to come - and I've had some really good conversations with people about recruiting and I've handed out some application packages, so it was beneficial for us," she said.