For the third time in 15 years, Prince George will play host to the Minerals North mining conference.
The news was disclosed on Thursday night during this year's edition of Minerals North being held in Mackenzie. The organizing society makes it known two years in advance which community is in line to host, to allow for planning by all stakeholders. The 2016 event will be held jointly in Smithers and nearby Telkwa.
The last time Prince George hosted Minerals North was in 2010 and the time before that was 2002. According to conference organizers' data, the 2010 event was attended by more than 450 people, featured 30 presenters, the trade show had 200 exhibitors using 100 booths, and the spinoff fiscal impact at that time was more than $575,000 injected into the local economy.
"We are looking forward to working with our partners to ensure this event is a valuable resource for local and regional businesses and are excited about the positive economic impact it will have locally," said Heather Oland, CEO at Initiatives Prince George. "Prince George is a fantastic location for this conference because as the service and supply centre for the region, Prince George provides about 20 per cent of northern BC's employment in the mining sector, with a similar percentage for the number of businesses involved in mining."
Initiatives Prince George - the economic development arm of Prince George's municipal government - worked in tandem with Tourism Prince George to win the bid for 2017 host, with the help and support of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation in which Prince George is located.
"We have been actively working with stakeholders on a community wide approach to meetings and conventions and are proud to have been named the official host city for the 2017 Minerals North Conference," says Erica Hummel, CEO at Tourism Prince George. "Prince George has what it takes to host major meetings and conventions: modern and well-equipped facilities; urban sophistication that includes a variety of accommodations, restaurants, attractions and shopping options; a proud hosting history; and a proven track record of hosting major events. We are looking forward to showing delegates our thriving, diverse, and modern community as well as our northern hospitality."
On hand in Mackenzie for the announcement was Mayor Lyn Hall who left Prince George that afternoon with fingers crossed knowing that the city's bid was strong.
"This event will provide an opportunity for residents and businesses in the region to learn more about opportunities the mining and exploration sector presents for northern BC," said Hall. "Local and regional businesses will use the conference to establish new contacts and working relationships. The event will also provide a venue for mineral industry participants to learn about the community and issues and concerns that are important to residents of the region."
It is scheduled to be held at the Prince George Civic Centre from April 25-27, 2017.
Billing itself as a "respectful and informed discussion about the benefits and impacts of
responsible mineral exploration and development," the conference is a place for the northern region to generate the dialogue about one of the most pivotal parts of the economy. For more information about Minerals North, visit mineralsnorth.ca.
