Organizers are hailing this years Annual Spring Trade Show a success, despite warm weather and the shut-down of Fort Providence ferry services.

Attendance figures were pegged at 7,000 over the two day event, which was held May 11th and 12th at the Yellowknife Arena. While some businesses were unable to display all of their goods at the show due to the ferry shut-down, many benefited from the additional exposure the show provided.

Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dale Thomson was "pleased" with the outcome of the event.

In all, the 20th annual Trade Show featured 117 Yellowknife and Northern businesses, an increase of 10 new booths, and gained 20 new members for the Chamber of Commerce. Among the many regular businesses presented, about 7 were home-based businesses and strutted their goods and services over the weekend.

Entrepreneurs like Wayne Sampson, who owns Waylin Woodworks, feel the annual event provides a great opportunity to showcase his services and products.

"This is my 10th year at the show," he said, adding, "In the past, Ive offered finished woodworking products and found the trade show helped me make sales."

Thomson says next years show could be even bigger, with the completion of the new twin-pad arena this fall, which would allow more Northern businesses to be featured.