Rankin Inlet’s second trade show a success: mayor

“We’re experiencing a boom here in Rankin,” said mayor Pujjuut Kusugak, shown here speaking to delegates at this past week’s Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet. (PHOTO BY DOUG MCLARTY)

The second-ever Kivalliq Trade Show wrapped up in Rankin Inlet Nov. 10, after attracting 180 registered delegates and 53 exhibitors to the four-day event.

For the host community’s mayor, the event’s biggest benefit was the chance to network with other leaders and businesspeople in the region.

“We’re experiencing a boom here in Rankin,” said mayor Pujjuut Kusugak. “As that continues, services will be in high demand. We’re looking forward to see how we can work with these companies to relieve that.

“We need to take preventative measures to make sure our community is looked after.”

The trade show was also a place for business and community leaders to discuss the challenges facing development in the region, such as the need for better marine infrastructure.

The regional trade show was the brainchild of Rankin Inlet’s former community economic development officer, Damian MacInnis.

MacInnis quickly found support to build on an event like the annual Nunavut trade show focussed in and on the seven communities that make up the Kivalliq region.

The first Kivalliq trade show was held in 2011 with money from the GN’s department of economic development and transport and Kivalliq Partners in Development group.

“We wanted to see how the first show went and what the demand was,” Kusugak said. “It was extremely successful. Now we hope this can become an annual event.”

It’s likely it will. This year’s show sold out the roughly 50 exhibitor booth spaces set up at the Maani Uluyuk High School gymnasium.

About 200 delegates attended the show and participated in the day-long conference Nov. 9.

In attendance were representatives of the aviation and mining industries, regional leaders and youth, and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, who gave a keynote speech at the event’s Nov. 9 banquet.

“There were definitely some new faces this year,” Kusugak said. “There seemed to be more of a buzz this year because people know what to expect.”

The trade show also featured an entertainment event for everyone in the community Nov. 8, which featured regional talent such as local gymnasts and display of work by young fashion designers.