THUNDER BAY — Fort William Gardens was bustling inside and out last Wednesday as the two-day Central Canada Resource Expo, or CEN-CAN, got underway.
“This is our fourth year running,” said Glenn Dredhart, president of CEN-CAN organizer Canadian Trade-Ex. The event ran Sept. 10-11 at Fort William Gardens.
The expo has grown from 200 exhibitors in the first year to more than 300 this year, he said.
“We’ve expanded our outdoor space, our footprint outside, and it looks like next year we'll have to do it again,” he added.
CEN-CAN’s website says the “dynamic two-day expo fosters industry networking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. With live equipment demonstrations, insightful presentations, a job fair and over 300 exhibits, CEN-CAN Expo is a must-attend event for anyone involved in resource development across the region.”
Among the dignitaries at the expo was Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, for me personally, to connect with the suppliers, industry leaders and community leaders,” Holland said.
“But more importantly, it's important for them to all connect with each other and really talk about the opportunities that exist in the natural resource sector, in particular for Northwestern Ontario.
“So it's a great conference and I always look forward to it every year.”
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff said there’s a “palpable” enthusiasm in the air and CEN-CAN “has really taken off.”
Leatha Burke was staffing the Zimmer Air exhibit.
“We have a base right outside of the airport,” she told Newswatch, “so this mining community has a special place in our hearts because we are a local company and we work with them every day.”
Jithin George came to the expo as a job seeker.
“I'm actually looking for the opportunities here for the job seekers,” he said, adding he sees “good opportunities” for himself and friends.
A job board listing companies that are hiring was posted in front of the expo’s registration area. Dozens of companies are accepting resumes at the expo.
CEN-CAN highlights include a jackleg drilling competition, an Indigenous forum, and Projects in the Pipeline, an overview of leading and emerging minerals projects.
