Women in business theme headlines Kivalliq Trade Show this year

Women in business will be the theme as the Kivalliq Trade Show is set to open in Rankin Inlet.

The three day event opens Monday and runs until Sept. 27, aiming to promote businesses and entrepreneurship, arts and music, and communities in the Kivalliq region.

“It is nice to take the time this year to acknowledge the immense contribution that women provide not only in business, but in industry, community governance and political leadership in this region,” said trade show president Robert Connelly in an interview.

He said he expects this year’s event to be particularly busy as registration is at an all-time high.

“And they would be even higher if we had more accommodation capacity in the community,” he said.

As of last Wednesday, more than 220 delegates were registered, plus 50 exhibitors including 15 to 20 artists, performers and entrepreneurs, Connelly said.

Leading up to the trade show, Saturday and Sunday were devoted to the Kivalliq entrepreneur program, which focuses on developing business skills and will continue through the week even as other trade show events are held.

There is a trade show set-up on Sept. 25, as well a meet-and-greet reception.

The final two days are the most packed, with the event opening to delegates and the public, panel sessions, a keynote speech and community entertainment.

This year’s show will feature a wide array of organizations and individuals, Connelly said. Delegates range from entrepreneurs, individual businesses and artists to members of various levels of government.

Following the theme of women in business, all three of the panels will be moderated by women and focus on issues related to women in business.

The scheduled topics are: current leaders of women in business in the Kivalliq, emerging Kivalliq women in business, and women in the arts.

“I think there’s a broad diversity of presenters, panelists, speakers and special guests that are going to make this a really good event,” Connelly said.

The keynote speaker will be Nikki Komaksiutiksak. She is the executive director of the Winnipeg-based non-profit Tunngasugit, which offers programming and services for Inuit in Winnipeg.

This year, Komaksiutiksak was named one of Pauktuutit’s women of the year.

Outside of the trade show, the Kivalliq entrepreneurship program returns for another year.

After initially launching for youth in 2010, the trade show recognized there was a need to have a program for everybody in the region focused on starting or growing a business, Connelly said.

The program includes ways to develop a business plan, information on marketing, and a look at aspects such as licencing and taxation. There will be 14 participants this year from six communities and the program began on Saturday.

The trade show’s theme of women in business is also represented in the show’s organizing committee, as Connelly said most members are women.

“This year in particular, this is a celebration of their contribution,” he said.