With the Northern Lights 2012 Business and Cultural showcase a mere two weeks away, the third biannual event continues to gain momentum, with keynote speakers like David Suzuki, and the three Premiers of Canada’s eastern Arctic and North region confirmed to attend.
Taking place from February 1-4 at the new Ottawa Convention Centre, the Northern Lights event was created and designed to increase awareness of Canada’s eastern Arctic and North region, promote business and northern arts and culture, and provide a platform for organizations in the North and South to collectively partner on exciting economic ventures. The event only continues to grow in size with a larger multi-sector trade show, additional visual and performing artists, and nearly three times more conference sessions than in previous years.
The Northern Lights 2012 management committee decided to extend the length of the event to a four-day showcase in order to accommodate the demand for conference topics and speakers, as well as see through its vision in terms of the caliber of speakers they were hoping to attract to the event.
Conference topics
Conference topics include northern sovereignty, mining, Arctic ocean technology, communications infrastructure, energy solutions, tourism, oil and gas, transportation and infrastructure. On Friday, February 3, ambassadors of circumpolar regions including Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, Sweden as well as the United States will attend the Northern Ambassador’s Forum, a panel aiming to provide ambassadors with the opportunity to discuss economic activity and infrastructure development in their respective regions.
The event continues to appeal to the hundreds of participants that travel from across Canada and abroad, and Ottawa area residents and visitors are also planning to absorb the four incredible days of music and entertainment, keynote breakfasts and luncheons, unique multi-sector trade show booths, interesting workshops, and dynamic conference sessions.
Northern Lights 2012 is unique
Northern Lights 2012 is unique not only because it is the first premiere event of Canada’s Eastern Arctic and North region, but because it incorporates a northern arts and culture element that is significant to the region, particularly in Nunavut where the arts and crafts industry provide over 1,000 jobs and contributes to a total of $33.4 million annually to the regional economy.
The arts and culture industry of the region is so rich in talent that many of the performers and unique products made are world-renowned. From carvings and paintings to throat singing and drumming, each year northern visual and performing artists from Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and Nunatsiavut continue to proudly showcase their heritage and demonstrate the talent for which the North is known. Artists will have an opportunity to display, promote, and sell their work at the Arts and Culture Pavilion located outside of the trade show floor.
Keynote speakers
Other high-profile keynote speakers of the event include David Suzuki and the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, who will be delivering the keynote luncheon address on Friday, Feb. 3. Premier Eva Aariak of Nunavut and Premier Jean Charest of Quebec are also luncheon keynotes.
Special performers of the event will include Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, a variety of performances at the Arts and Culture Pavilion, as well as Susan Aglukark and Sheshatshiu native Dave Hart at the Gala Dinner and Closing Ceremonies.
Tickets
Tickets to the trade show, Arts and Culture Pavilion and the David Suzuki keynote luncheon are available to the public. For more information or to register for Canada’s premiere event of the eastern Arctic and North, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit the event website at www.northernlightsottawa.com.
