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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The middle of August might be the most opportune time to fall ill and the least opportune time to book a hotel room.

About 700 doctors are expected to descend on Yellowknife for the Canadian Medical Association's 145th annual meeting and general council, from Aug. 12 to 15.

Naresh Panchalingam, assistant general manager of the Explorer Hotel, said there are already several dates in August that are entirely booked, though he said the hotel would never rent out all its rooms to one group.

"At a certain point we don't take more reservations because we need to save (room) for our regulars," he said. "We don't do it for anyone. We can't afford to do that."

The hotel currently has a block of 64 rooms set aside for those attending the medical association's gathering, some of whom are staying as many six nights, said Panchalingam. Visiting delegates are booked in for 316 room nights.

Though the conference takes place from Aug. 12 to 15, Panchalingam said the hotel is nearly booked up from Aug. 9 to 16. Anyone wishing to book a stay in mid-August should do so as soon as possible, he said, and the same likely goes for all hotels in the city.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the City of Yellowknife, Northern Frontier Visitors Centre and Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce all contributed to bringing the conference to the city.

"The conference industry within the tourism portfolio is one of the larger drivers or creators of revenue for hotels, restaurants, airlines, fishing guides, people that take you on little tours around town, people that sell diamonds, people that sell knickknacks," said Van Tighem.

The mayor said conventions translate into spending, not only during the time of the convention but for days in advance and after the fact, as well as promoting further tourism.

Though the CMA conference is large, it is far from record-breaking for the city. The 2005 Assembly of First Nations Conference drew between 2,000 and 3,000 people to Yellowknife.

For the 700 or so doctors, the Yellowknife visit won't be all work and no play. In addition to attending general and education sessions, they (and any accompanying family) have the option of attending social events, such as a "Fun Night" featuring throat singers at the Multiplex. The association's website has also outlined a number of optional tours via the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre.

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