A packed Monday morning flight arriving from Ottawa and an arena floor lined with exhibit booths were early signs that the Nunavut Trade Show is set to begin and lure hundreds of people to Iqaluit.

The four-day event, organized by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, will feature exhibits by business, government and charity organizations, speeches from political and business leaders, as well as networking events.

Registration began Monday, but conferences, speeches and exhibits will begin on Tuesday and continue until Thursday’s gala dinner at the Aqsarniit hotel and conference centre.

Speakers include Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok on Tuesday, Qikiqtaaluk Corp. CEO Harry Flaherty and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk on Wednesday, and Minister of Economic Development David Akeeagok on Thursday.

“We’re looking forward to a busy week,” said Chris West, executive director of the chamber of commerce, adding the week will also be “crazy” and “fun.”

Chris West, executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, expects this week’s Nunavut Trade Show to be “busy” and “fun.” (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

The trade show’s events are set to take place at the Arctic Winter Games Arena as well as at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre.

At the arena, there are 103 booths set up.

The trade show also includes presentation of the Nunavut Business Achievement Awards as well as a closing gala and charity auction.

On Thursday, the event will be open to the public to visit the booths and meet representatives from the various organizations and businesses as well as artists who will be occupying the booths.

“It should be a good week and I think a good week for the community and a good week for economic development in the territory,” West said.

A full schedule of Nunavut Trade Show events can be found here.

Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News