Registration for the 2015 National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference (NABOC) is now underway, with the event scheduled to run April 28 to April 30.
The 2015 NABOC will bring hundreds to Prince Rupert at the end of April, with the upcoming conference having the potential to bring in more delegates than 2014.
Speakers will be making their presentations at the Lester Centre of the Arts at the 2015-event, which has provided an increase in available seating for delegates.
NABOC organizer Geoff Greenwell of the 2G Group said there will be room for 500 people, a slight increase from 2014’s capacity of 420.
“We expect to see a lot more international delegates,” Greenwell said.
“It’s become a very popular event.”
The three-day networking event showcases successful private sector and Aboriginal business ventures, allowing First Nations communities and businesses to meet with private sector organizations.
The 2G Group is expecting there will be 100 Aboriginal businesses and communities from around the region represented at the conference, in addition to 250 private sector corporations.
Greenwell said 2G Group is carefully monitoring activity in the region to decide who will speak in April.
“We’ve flushed out the topics that will be in the agenda and we’ll populate the topics with speakers in January,” he said.
Things will start off differently at the 2015 NABOC, with the first day of the conference being exclusive to First Nations delegates.
“That day there will be a session on impact benefit agreements. We’ll be bringing in some of Canada’s top legal experts who work in that field to lead some discussion amongst the First Nations groups,” he said, adding the following two days will be open to all.
The North Coast Job Fair will once again be included in the conference, and Greenwell is confident the number of exhibitors will be at capacity.
So far, this year’s major NABOC sponsors are Opus Stewart Weir, SMIT Marine and Northern Savings Credit Union, with organizers continuing to call out for additional sponsors to help run the event.
Registration is currently underway for delegates, sponsors and exhibitors. Those interested are encouraged to sign up on the 2G Group’s website, 2ggroup.ca.
