A new report detailing the economic and social impact of the first-ever Minerals North Conference in Kitimat reveals a community-wide boost, with $882,642 in estimated spending and glowing reviews from attendees. The event, held from May 8 to May 10, brought 278 delegates to the town, marking the largest conference Kitimat has hosted in years.
The report, prepared by Big River Analytics, highlighted spending on travel, accommodation, and food as the main drivers of the economic impact. Conference revenue and expenses totalled $363,492, while delegates contributed $200,000 in travel, $144,760 for accommodations, and $60,000 on meals.
Attendees gave the conference high praise, with satisfaction ratings averaging over 4 out of 5 stars across all categories. Working with organizers was rated highest at 4.6 stars, while transportation, entertainment, and venue quality all averaged 4.3 stars.
Most delegates came from British Columbia, with 60 per cent arriving by personal vehicle and 42 per cent by plane. Hotels accounted for $124,064 of accommodation revenue, with smaller amounts spent on Airbnb, motels, and workforce camps.
In addition to attending sessions, delegates engaged in activities such as industry tours, museum visits, and outdoor exploration, adding another $60,440 in economic benefits. Fishing alone contributed $38,492, making it the most popular and high-impact extracurricular activity.
With the success of this inaugural event, Kitimat is poised to attract future conferences, bolstered by its ability to deliver both significant economic gains and memorable experiences.
