'Ready, Set, Grow!' was this year's theme for the Kitikmeot Trade Show in Cambridge Bay from February 5-8.

Approximately 212 participants from Nunavut, the NWT and various provinces came together to network and give presentations and updates on their projects and workplaces within the Kitikmeot region.

There were some new organizations making their debut at the trade show, such as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

This year's Willie Laserich Corporate Citizen Award went to Sandi and Carson Gillis and Dana Langille of Qillaq Innovations, who offer a range of services, including accommodations, automotive services, catering and take-out, construction, heating fuel and snow removal. Sandi spoke of some of the hardships they go through, but helping residents is her passion, like providing a late night call-out if someone runs out of home heating fuel.

There was an auction held to fundraise for all five Kitikmeot communities' minor hockey associations, and primarily in Cambridge Bay for Elders and youth programs and for non-profit organizations. The total amount raised was $130,000.

Our entertainer was Juno Award recipient William Prince of Manitoba, who performed live music after arriving with delays due to a four-day storm. Due to adverse weather conditions and blizzards, many coming for the trade show were stranded in Yellowknife. Finally, airplanes were able to land in Cambridge Bay. The last one to arrive was Prince, who was stranded in Yellowknife.

Mikey McBryan, from Buffalo Airways, was in town with one of the airline's planes, so Buffalo Airways went and picked up Prince, who was already settled for the night in his hotel in Yellowknife and then got a text/phone call that they are flying him to Cambridge Bay. He made it in for the trade show on Friday and a community concert was held on Saturday.

Prince said he felt at home here as he is from Fisher Bay, Man., with a population of close to 1,000 people, along with Elders.

Qillaq Lodge was the primary caterer while the banquet was catered by Cambridge Bay's famous Chef Andy Poisson and his culinary arts students at Nunavut Arctic College. A job well done by all, keeping the trade show participants fed with delicious food.

Quana so much to the dedicated Jim MacEachern, who ensured the trade show was a success. He worked through the four-day blizzard, even when there were no planes landing, no delegates arriving. The show still went on. As always, MacEachern remained kind and positive throughout the difficulties posed by the storm.

We hope everyone went home safely and got out safely. See you next year. Quana for coming to visit Cambridge Bay.