SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A vendor selling vacation properties in Honduras is one of 164 exhibitors at this year's Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Spring Trade Show which begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday at the Multiplex.

Thousands of people turned out for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Spring Trade Show in 2014 when this photo was taken. Organizers say this year's show features 164 exhibitors and should be even bigger and better than last year when about 8,000 people attended. - NNSL file photo

It will not be same old, same old, promised chamber executive director Deneen Everett, who said there will be new events and unique attractions.

"I have dozens of new exhibitors. For instance, this year I have an exhibitor from Honduras. He's actually based in Toronto but is selling vacation properties in Honduras," Everett said. "We have exhibitors from here at home, across much of Canada and around the continent."

The show also features a food court, boat showcase, children's entertainment, photo booth and prizes.

Everett said roughly 8,000 people attended last year's show and one of its most popular attractions is back.

"The Wood Buffalo National Park ... they bring in their Great Northern Discovery Dome. It's a planetarium. You can actually go inside and see the night sky - the constellations. It's a pretty cool thing that they have," Everett said. It takes up six booths and they have shows every few hours. It's very educational and they are of course promoting their park. "

Everett said that the chamber does not have to go out looking for exhibitors, they come to her.

"We have an exhibitor waiting list and we've been sold out since mid-April," she said.

Everett added it's not the biggest food court ever but it is diverse and includes everything from Indian food to fruit smoothies to mini-donuts, which she said have been a hit in the past. Everett said the show has become so popular with exhibitors because they realize how many people attend and how good an opportunity it is for them to promote and sell their products or services. She said going to the trade show has become a tradition in Yellowknife.

"It's a great way to spend Mother's Day. A lot of people take their moms out for brunch and then they swing by the trade show."

Everett said that about 75 per cent of the exhibitors are chamber members and that the event earns approximately $70,000 for the chamber.

Jennifer Wicks, who works for Arctic Energy Alliance, will be staffing her company's booth at the show as she has for several years now. Wicks said the trade show is a perfect opportunity for the public to learn all about what Arctic Energy Alliance does. She said staff will be on hand to answer questions about energy conservation.

"We'll be having our certified energy evaluators to provide information. They'll be able to tell you what efficiencies in terms of heating systems are best for your home," Wicks said. "We will also have the Volt electric vehicle there for people to find out more about how it works."

She said she thinks part of the reason the show is so well attended by exhibitors and guests is because of how well it promotes the North. She added that one of the best parts of her weekend comes when she gets a bit of a break from her booth and gets a chance to tour around just like other visitors.

"I enjoy meeting representatives from some of the smaller consulting firms that come. There is also a booth from Ontario and they bring household items and toys made from bamboo," Wicks said.

"There's really is a wide range of things to see." Doors are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. tomorrow and 10 until 4 on Sunday.

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