The 2024 Minerals North Conference in Kitimat, scheduled for May 8 to 10, has garnered significant interest with its trade show component already sold out and keynote speakers confirmed.
The event has registered 160 delegates to date and filled all 58 trade show booths, with a waiting list now in place. Additionally, sponsorship contributions are nearing $100,000, including Rio Tinto as the title sponsor.
Laurel D鈥橝ndrea, the executive director of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, has confirmed the keynote speakers for this year鈥檚 conference will be two veteran journalists鈥擵ancouver Sun legislative columnist, Vaughn Palmer, and Global BC chief political correspondent and legislature bureau chief, Keith Baldrey
鈥淚t will be like a coffee-table chat. We鈥檒l sit down and give them a couple of topics to discuss, followed by questions from the floor,鈥� D鈥橝ndrea said.
Organisers are still awaiting confirmation from other VIPs, including elected officials and others.
In the meantime, the conference is shaping up to deliver significant economic benefits to Kitimat. Some hotels have booked up their allotted space with others filling up fast. In anticipation of a full booking, the Oseveo and Horizon North work camps, ensuring accessibility for all attendees.
鈥淲e want to showcase Kitimat. We want to make sure we offer everything we can,鈥� said D鈥橝ndrea, adding that local businesses of all types have stepped up to accommodate the conference with low rates to ensure delegates don鈥檛 have to shuttle in from Terrace.
Although Kitimat is not typically a mining destination, the conference presents an opportunity to market the area鈥檚 diverse attractions. Delegates will have the chance to tour the Douglass Channel and visit the Rio Tinto BC Works and LNG Canada sites. A special highlight will be a new Haisla Art Exhibit at the Kitimat Museum.
鈥淲e鈥檙e unique because we鈥檙e not in the thick of the mining sector, but we鈥檙e grateful to have this opportunity to showcase the best of what Kitimat has to offer, and everyone has really come together to make this work,鈥� D鈥橝ndrea said. 鈥淗ow many of these delegates would get to tour a $40-billion project anywhere else?鈥�
