Hosting Minerals North allowed Kitimat to draw attention for a new audience to its global scale industrial development and marine transportation potential. Likewise, hosting exposed a community that generally does not see itself as a mining community to one of the region’s most dynamic economic sectors. Not intimidated by being a first time Minerals North host and facing formidable logistical challenges as large-scale construction was underway in Kitimat--putting pressure on accommodation, food & beverage and transportation services--Kitimat delivered a very well attended, informative conference and trade show.
Minerals North 2024 was produced via a cooperative effort led by the advisory Kitimat Economic Development Association (KEDA). The other key local organizations were the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce (managing logistics, financial management, speaker liaison, registration and trade show) and the District of Kitimat (facilities and communications). One outcome of the success of Minerals North 2024 was committing surplus funds from hosting the event to future cooperative economic development projects in the community.
Minerals North does not succeed without sponsorship. Kitimat acquired in excess of $100,000 in sponsors, with Rio Tinto purchasing the prime Gold sponsorship. Rio Tinto operates the only aluminum smelter in Western Canada, in Kitimat. The sponsorship list can be found alongside the conference agenda below.
For many participants this was a first visit to Kitimat. Those on the preconference tours could choose between a tour of the Rio Tinto aluminum smelter and the LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export facility in its final phases of construction or an on water visit to the port facilities and other features of the head of the Douglas Channel. Many would comment they were impressed with the scale and sophistication of these port and industrial facilities—an impression added to with newly constructed accommodations and quality municipal services.
The 1.5 day conference and trade show were held at the District of Kitimat’s Riverlodge Recreation Centre. Over 60 exhibits formed the sold out trade show. Not including trade show exhibitors, conference delegate registration was around 280 people. An economic impact study commissioned by the District showed conference revenues and expenditures totalled $363,000, with total economic impact of $880,000.
The final conference agenda is shown below. Keynote speaker was renowned Victoria journalist Vaugn Palmer, whose observations on provincial politics were timely in a provincial election year.
Keeping with the traditions of Minerals North, the Kitimat organizing committee engaged many local businesses and nonprofits to deliver the event. And due to a positive financial outcome from hosting Minerals North, 3 local nonprofit groups which were integral to the success of Minerals North 2024 were rewarded with $5000 grants each: Kitimat 50+ Society, Royal Canadian Legion (Kitimat) and Luso Canadian Association.
