Program
Tuesday
November 4
Day 1
Pre-Conference Workshop
Optional – Members only - Must register to attend – Limited number of participantsAqsarniit Hotel, Ballroom C
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Workshop - Flourishing in Tourism: Building Your Capacity to Flourish in the Future
This highly interactive and fun workshop delivered by Bannikin invites participants to envision what flourishing looks like for their business and for Nunavut’s tourism sector. It focuses on setting inspiring visions and identifying future-ready business strategies using the Flourishing Business Canvas. Attendees will gain practical skills in integrated strategic planning, business model design, and storytelling, while exploring how to align their organizations with 21st-century goals.
This workshop benefits from conversation and co-work between individuals from the same business. While not a requirement, it is recommended that businesses interested in participating register two people.
*Please note: A lunch is included and will be served at noon
Annual Conference & AGMBlack Heart Café
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Warm up to Nunavut’s Travel Industry - Welcome Reception
Welcome to the opening night of Travel Nunavut’s Annual Conference & AGM! We're excited to bring together friends, colleagues, and partners from near and far to celebrate Nunavut’s travel industry. Tonight is an opportunity to unwind, connect, and set the stage for the days ahead. Enjoy the food and the conversations!
*Please note: The wine bar will be cash only ($5/glass)
Wednesday
November 5
Day 2
Annual Conference & AGMAqsarniit Hotel, Ballroom A
8:00 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
Drum Dance & Throat Singing
Cultural Performers Alassua Hanson and Annie Qimirqpik
9:15 AM
Welcome from Nunavut Dignitary & Travel Nunavut Representative
Alex Stubbing - President and Chief Executive Officer, Travel Nunavut
Mayor Soloman Awa – City of Iqaluit
9:30 AM
State of Nunavut’s Travel Industry
Ed Romanowski – President, Nunastar Properties Frobisher Inn – Travel Nunavut Chair/Accommodation Sector Representative
9:45 AM
Federal Ministerial Greetings
Honorable Rebecca Alty - Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
* Virtual presentation
10:00 AM
Health Break
10:15 AM
Panel – Future of the Expedition Cruise Industry
Jason Edmunds - Director, Expedition Leader, Adventure Canada
Benjamin Bradley - Operations and Permitting Specialist, Quark Expeditions
Alassua Hanson – Oxen’s Community Ambassador Program
David Ningeongan - Founder, Kivalliq Expediting and Tours – Travel Nunavut Hunting or Fishing Sector Representative
Melissa Nacke – Head of Operations, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators
*Virtual panelist
Moderator – Steve Sullivan - Director of Hospitality, QC Group of Companies – Travel Nunavut Vice-Chair/Travel Trade Sector Representative
11:00 AM
Canadian North – Business updates
Cindy Twerdin - Associate Vice President, Government & Community Relations, Nunavut, Canadian North
Joelle Roy - Senior Manager Sales and Community Relations, Canadian North
11:20 AM
Connecting the North – Elevating Nunavut Travel
Tara Elder-Young – Vice-President Business Development, Calm Air – Travel Nunavut Transportation Sector Representative
11:40 AM
Current Events in Northern Aviation and the Need for Improved Infrastructure
Bernard Gervais – Executive Director, Northern Air Transport Association (NATA)
*Virtual presentation
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:20 PM
Inuit-led Marine Monitoring
Daniel Taukie – Inuit Marine Monitoring Program Coordinator, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
1:40 PM
Key Priorities of the Nunavut Economic Development Association
Amaan Merchant, Executive Director, Nunavut Economic Development Association
2:00 PM
CanNor and the 2026-2027 Call for Expression of Interest
Marie Claire Van Wagner, Economic Development Officer, CanNor
2:20 PM
Workshop from the Nunavut Parks and Special Places ‘Learn to’ Program. Learn to Light a Qulliq.
Nunavut Parks and Special Places Heritage Appreciation Team
*Open to all Conference attendees
3:00 PM
Health Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Travel Nunavut Annual General Meeting
Celebration Dinner & AwardsAqsarniit Hotel, Ballroom C
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Poised for Growth – Nunavut’s Travel Industry: Dinner & Awards
Tonight, we come together to celebrate the passion and dedication that make Nunavut’s travel industry truly special. The evening begins at 6:30 PM with guest arrivals, followed by a delicious dinner and an evening of recognition and inspiration. Highlights of the night include a Nunavut Film showcase, hosted by Lena Ellsworth at 7:00 PM and the Travel Nunavut Awards presentation at 7:30PM, hosted by Alex Stubbing and Sheila Flaherty, honoring outstanding contributions within our industry.
Thursday
November 6
Day 3
Annual Conference & AGMAqsarniit Hotel, Ballroom A
8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
Greetings from ITAC
Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
*Virtual presentation
9:05 AM
Conference Recap and Travel Nunavut’s Economic Impact Study Overview
Alex Stubbing - President and Chief Executive Officer, Travel Nunavut
Ed Romanowski – President, Nunastar Properties Frobisher Inn – Travel Nunavut Chair/Accommodation Sector Representative
9:30 AM
An Overview of Nunavut’s Visitor Exit Survey and Cruise Exit Survey
Aaron Watson - Manager, Visitor Experience, Government of Nunavut
Ferra-Lynn McCaffery - Research Analyst with the Centre for Special Business Projects, Tourism Statistics Program - Tourism North, Statistics Canada
10:00 AM
Health Break
10:30 AM
Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port Update
Michael McNair - President & CEO, Arctic Economic Development Corporation
10:55 AM
Nunavut’s Clean Energy Transition
Heather Shilton – Executive Director, Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation