The Kivalliq Trade Show is set to return to Rankin Inlet this September, bringing together business leaders, Inuit organisations, government and industry to shape economic conversations about the Kivalliq region. Now in its 17th year, the event will run Sept. 21–23, bookended by the Kivalliq Entrepreneur Program workshop from Sept. 19–23.
‘Listen’ at the centre of discussions
This year’s theme — Naalagit, an Inuktitut word meaning “listen” — places emphasis on hearing the perspectives of Nunavummiut as national debates about Arctic development and sovereignty intensify.
“There’s a lot of talk about trade, tariffs and Arctic sovereignty. We want people to come and not just talk to people but listen. Listen to what Inuit, our leadership, our communities and our organizations have to say.”
— Robert Connelly, president of the Kivalliq Trade Show Society
The message reflects organisers’ priority that visiting companies, federal and territorial representatives, and southern stakeholders pause to centre Inuit voices in planning and investment conversations.
An established northern business forum
Launched in 2010 as an economic development initiative for the Kivalliq, the trade show has grown into one of the territory’s most significant business gatherings. The Kivalliq Trade Show Society now counts among its members the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Sakku Investments Corporation, Nunavut Development Corporation, the Government of Nunavut, Atuqtuarvik Corporation, Nunavut Arctic College, the Kivalliq Business Development Centre and other regional partners.
Organisers say the event has steadily increased in scale and is regularly at capacity.
Attendance and logistics
For 2026, planners are expecting more than 250 delegates and over 50 exhibitors. One ongoing logistical constraint is accommodation in Rankin Inlet, where hotel capacity routinely reaches its limit during the show.
- Trade show dates: Sept. 21–23
- Entrepreneur program: Sept. 19–23 (five-day business development workshop)
- Expected attendees: More than 250 delegates; over 50 exhibitors
| Item | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual edition | 17th |
| Trade show | Sept. 21–23 |
| Entrepreneur program | Sept. 19–23 |
What the show means locally
For many Nunavummiut, the Kivalliq Trade Show is more than a networking event: it is a venue where local entrepreneurs and community leaders can directly engage with potential partners and influence how projects are shaped on the ground. The emphasis on listening signals an attempt to rebalance conversations that too often have been dominated by outside interests focused primarily on resource potential.
Participants can expect a mixture of panel discussions, exhibitor booths and the hands-on entrepreneur sessions that aim to strengthen business skills and support local economic development.
Practical considerations for attendees
Organisers advise early planning because of accommodation shortages in Rankin Inlet during the event. Local service providers and host organisations have traditionally coordinated lodging and shuttle arrangements when possible, but visitors are encouraged to confirm travel and housing early.
The show’s host organisations represent a cross-section of regional economic actors, including Inuit organisations, territorial corporations and educational institutions. Their collaboration is intended to foster partnerships that respect Indigenous priorities while connecting communities with broader markets and investors.
As Arctic attention grows nationally and internationally, the Kivalliq Trade Show’s Naalagit theme is a reminder that sustainable development in the North depends on centring local knowledge, priorities and leadership in decisions that will affect Nunavummiut for generations.
Further details and registration information are typically posted by the Kivalliq Trade Show Society and partner organisations in the weeks leading up to the event.
