INUVIK - Now in its 11th year, the Inuvik Petroleum Show has undergone a branding exercise to help identify its perks to the oil and gas industry.

Mayor Denny Rodgers, left, co-ordinator Larry Peckford and Darlene Burden, tourism events co-ordinator, have plans for the Inuvik Petroleum Show well underway. They expect more than 400 participants at this year's event in June. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL photo

Themed "Your pipeline for doing business in the North," the 2011 show is expected to draw more than 400 participants from June 13 to 15.

With interest in the North increasing due to climate change, sovereignty and development, the Town of Inuvik plans to take advantage of the attention and use the show as an economic development initiative for the community.

"We're not in it to make money. We're in it for the community," said Mayor Denny Rodgers. "We do one show a year and we do it really well and we do it to showcase the community."

Rodgers has brought in former Inuvik economic development officer Larry Peckford to act as co-ordinator. Peckford said the show is in good shape for being one month away. Corporate sponsorships and trade show booths have been mostly sold with nearly all delegates planning to attend.

Despite the distance from oil and gas head offices, many companies make the trip North. This year the show will offer four guest speakers during the conference: editor Andrew Coyne of Maclean's magazine will speak about keeping the North on a southern agenda; former prime minister Joe Clark as the keynote speaker; Bill Gwozd of Ziff Energy will provide an industry and market overview; and Gaetan Caron, chair of the National Energy Board, will update the participants on the Arctic Review of Arctic Drilling and other issues affecting the Mackenzie Gas Project.

Pre-conference

Also new this year will be an optional pre-conference at the new Aurora Research Institute with speaker Dr. Michael Byers, professor and Canada Research chair. He'll speak about the law and politics of the Beaufort Sea boundary dispute between Canada and the United States. Researchers associated with the institute will also have a chance to display their work about the region.

"We bring companies for what we do," Rodgers said. "We have the conference, trade show and entertainment all under one roof. Nowhere else can offer that."

Indeed it's that factor and lengthy breaks that draws people north of the Arctic Circle for a trade show and conference, according to the co-ordinator. Delegates have opportunities to network with each other during the half-hour coffee breaks and hour-and-a-half-long lunches, which keeps them coming back.

"People returning have said don't change the pace of the show," Peckford said. "They get to see and meet people that in Calgary, they wouldn't get to meet."

While all this sounds beneficial for the companies travelling to Inuvik, organizers have made an effort to ensure residents enjoy the show, too. They will offer tickets for members of the community to enjoy the comedic stylings of Derek Edwards and Dave Hemstad, as well as a pancake breakfast.

As well, Rodgers said, the show was initiated in response to the potential of the Mackenzie Gas Project and as a municipality he wants to ensure the community continues to have a role to play.

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