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NUNAVUT
Some were selling seal skins, purses and mittens while others were giving away promotional material or simply providing information at the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference, an event its organizers say was a success.

Ike Haulli, left, chair of the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Arctic Bay Mayor Frank May in Iqaluit on Sept. 26. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

More booths and more delegates – about 375 compared to approximately 300 last year – were part of the success of the 21st edition of the trade show, said Chris West, executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"I think there were lots of major deals but none that I can disclose," he said. "Everybody I've talked to from any of the booths were very positive about the whole show and said it was a great networking opportunity."

Despite more booths, there was less community representation at this year's event compared to last year. This year, Kimmirut, Rankin Inlet, Resolute and Arctic Bay had booths. Last year, Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Resolute and Taloyoak.

Some of the exhibitors this year included Arctic Bay and Resolute, fewer communities than last year, which also saw Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, Gjoa Haven and others come. West said it might be a funding issue or scheduling conflict. The Economic Developers Association of Canada is having its conference in Iqaluit from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

This year is Clare Kines' third at the trade show. The Arctic Bay economic development officer said he attends to raise the profile of the community. Arctic Bay also brings arts and crafts, he said.

"Keep Arctic Bay in people's minds, to make contacts with funders and potential clients and potential people who want to do business in Arctic Bay. A little bit of an economic boost for the artists," said Kines. "Sometimes what comes out of this is there is a program we aren't aware of we will find out about in one of the sessions. We can try and look for funding out of that or a project that will fit that sort of funding."

Kimmirut started coming to the trade show last year to promote the community, said Qapik Ikkidluak, the hamlet's economic development officer. He added this year, people seem more interested in the art they brought from the community.

Hall Beach did not have a booth but the hamlet's economic development officer Shelly Brake still made an appearance.

"I think trade shows are good for our community," she said. "You get to meet a lot of different companies and network with a lot of different people. I think the conferences are good as well. You get to promote your own community."

Fish, seal skins and related products were also on display and promoted, notably at the Baffin Fisheries Coalition and Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.

Ben Kovic said the coalition has attended the trade show for the past eight years to get recognition, let people know they exist and to network.

"Trying to show people there is Inuit-owned business in fishery, you know not just construction or creative art. To show we are 100 per cent owned and we fish for turbot and shrimp," he said. "It's very healthy (the fishing industry) especially in Nunavut."

Closer to the trade show entrance, Rannva Simonsen was busy showing customers seal skins and other products she is helping NACA sell. Simonsen, who also designs sealskin clothing, said the trade show is also a good networking opportunity.

"In the beginning, it was mostly local people and some Northerners mostly that traveled through, and then it became a little more tourists and then I started to sell to other shops in Nunavut," she said. "And now, there is interest in the southern part of Canada also."

This year the trade show held a youth conference, where 50 students from Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit participated in morning presentations from businesses, organizations and companies, explained West. He said they visited the trade show in the afternoon. The youth conference had to be scaled back from the original concept of inviting students from the whole Baffin Island due to a lack of accommodation, explained West.

"It's an opportunity for the youths to be focused on the continued education and to get them thinking about their careers and the future and some of these companies where they could fit into," he said.

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