SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Delegates heard a positive view for the future from the territory's top politician as industry representatives from across the NWT met in Yellowknife last week for the NWT Chamber of Commerce business conference and annual general meeting.
Kelly Hayden, NPREIT vice-president, commercial property, left, accepted the Business Person of the Year award from NWT Chamber of Commerce president Kathy Gray at the Explorer Hotel last Wednesday night. - Thandiwe Vela/NNSL photo
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Nearly 100 delegates representing chambers in Fort Simpson, Hay River, Fort Smith, Norman Wells, Inuvik and the capital city registered for the 40th annual event at Explorer Hotel.
The two-day meeting April 3 and 4 included Business Excellence Awards, the election of a new slate of chamber directors, and a state-of-the-NWT address by Premier Bob McLeod.
"There was a great opening address by the premier yesterday. A very positive economic outlook and that was followed by Peter Vician, who is deputy minister of ITI (Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment) and he always does his economic outlook -- a statistical and kind of forward-looking presentation -- and that's always very, very helpful in terms of getting perspective," said delegate Janet-Marie Fizer, who is president of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce and part-owner of Hay River-based outdoor recreation business Monster Recreational Products Ltd.
"Sometimes in the smaller communities you get so wrapped up in what you're doing you don't get that broader perspective. So I think for the chambers in the smaller communities to come in here to get access to information that you wouldn't normally have, is always valuable," she said.
Fizer said she will be bringing information gathered at the conference back to her chamber for its strategic meeting this week.
"Some of the things we're thinking are priorities for us I'm hearing here they're priorities in other areas of the North, so that just helps our chambers work together."
The economic benefits of devolution, mining, oil and gas plays, and tourism were among panel discussions at the conference.
Northwestel executive Mark Walker made a presentation on the telecommunication company's $233-million modernization plan and roll-out of cellular service in NWT communities with partner Falcon Communications.
"This particular event is a very important event," Walker said. "It brings together government, it brings together aboriginal groups, it brings together businesses. It's where we get a chance to talk about what's going on in the economy, what are the initiatives, what are the innovations, how we make decisions based on all of those things."
Past president Hughie Graham introduced past vice-president of the chamber, Kathy Gray of Up Here Publishing, as the new NWT chamber president at the president's dinner on April 3.
Gray presented Kelly Hayden, NPREIT vice-president of commercial property, with the Business Person of the Year award, describing Hayden as a "timeless advocate of the chamber of commerce.
"His staff across the North describe him as a thoughtful employer who is committed to their job satisfaction and their success," Gray said.
NPREIT donates a portion of office rent to the Yellowknife chamber, the construction association, and the NWT chamber.
The Business of the Year award went to KBL Environmental Ltd., an environmental management company which has grown to 40 employees from just two when it was started in 2009.
"That alone is a testament to the quality of their work and their leadership team," Gray said.
The conference was adjourned April 4 after a meeting of the new board.
