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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Multiplex was abuzz all weekend as thousands of people showed up for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce 30th annual Spring Trade Show.

Shannon Hogan looks at some scarves during the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce 30th annual Spring Trade Show this past weekend at the Multiplex. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Exhibitor booths were sold out for the second year in a row, with the city's businesses and organizations meeting face to face with clients and potential clients in the two-day frenzy.

"People came out in droves, the place was packed," said ArtsEnergy founder Morag Macpherson at the show on Sunday afternoon.

"It's completely exciting, it's exciting to see what the various businesses have to offer here in Yellowknife, and the fact that it feels like everybody in the city has been through the trade show at some point this weekend.

"I think that's marvellous because that shows community spirit and vibrancy, and that's what it's all about."

As of Sunday afternoon, the chamber had not tallied the final number of attendants this year, but Larry Jacquard, president of the chamber, said attendance might have surpassed last year's show, which saw more than 10,000 for the first time in the trade show's history.

"It's (the trade show's) 30th anniversary and the 65th anniversary for the chamber so it's a good way to celebrate," he said. "I talked to quite a few exhibitors and they are very satisfied with the turnout."

Colleen Tsikira, owner of DME Driving School, returned to exhibit at the trade show this year after launching the business at the trade show last year.

Hundreds of ballots were filled out to win free driving lessons from the company at the show.

"These are all potential clients," Tsikira said.

More than 170 booths were set up across the Multiplex, and the majority of businesses were represented by owners or senior management - an increasing trend at the trade show, according to Jacquard, who estimated of the local businesses, between 80 and 90 per cent had the actual owners attend the show this year.

"When you're a business owner, you want to be present at this thing because when you say 10,000 people come, that's half the city," Jacquard said. "This is your big chance in the spring to touch base with half the city."

Chamber executive director Tim Doyle said the 2012 Spring Trade Show went smoothly, with "no major hiccups," and the chamber will be trying to figure out ways to make more booths available next year.

"I think we've outdone ourselves this year," Doyle said. "We set the bar pretty high for next year."

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