The Northern Ontario Mining Expo culminates in 112 exhibitors at the Toronto Convention

Ask how many years the Northern Ontario Mining Expo has been setting up shop at the world's largest mining trade show and it becomes a matter of internal debate among organizers.

Officially, the website will be exhibiting at the PDAC (Explorers and Developers Association of Canada) Mining Convention March 3-6 at the Metro Convention Center in Toronto for the ninth year.

But that depends on who you ask, laughed James Franks, economic development officer for the City of Temiskaming Shores. He has been involved in the event in one form or another for 12 years.

Participation in the PDAC Convention in Northern Ontario began in 2010 with humble beginnings. James and city representatives from Elk Lake showcased the region's mining history at a small booth in the Ontario Pavilion.

In its second year, organizers brought in several local companies for a hospitality meet-and-greet in the boardroom of a small hotel near the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

These shindigs were so successful that in 2014, Steam Whistle Brewing expanded to a one-day takeoff — the first expo — that drew more than 1,000 convention delegates across the street from the convention center to spread among 47 exhibitors.

For some, the virtual and somewhat forgettable exhibition in the pandemic year of 2021 is irrelevant. Boots on the ground are essential in this convention hall.

Managed by the City of Temiskaming Shores and supported by FedNor, the expo is the largest regional pavilion at PDAC, “by far,” Franks said. Around 25,000 delegates from the world's mining industry will attend the huge event surrounding the exhibition.

This year's Northern Ontario Pavilion will feature 112 exhibitors from Northern Ontario's mining and service sectors and occupy more than 13,000 square feet of convention space.

What cannot be disputed is the result.

In the event's history, the numbers show has helped create more than 900 jobs across Northern Ontario and generated more than $100 million in sales since the program's inception in 2015.

In its formative years, Franks said their main goal was to encourage mining producers to showcase their products and expertise to the world.

But the definition of a mining service company has expanded over time to include mining technology companies and post-secondary trainers who supply the industry. Today, suppliers include modular home builders used for office and workforce accommodation, and even a Sudbury wildflower grower used in mine reclamation practices to show how diverse and multifaceted the mining industry has become.

The exhibition is an evolving event.

There will always be exhibitor turnover each year, which organizers want, Franks said. Some companies end up leaving the pavilion to rent a larger space at PDAC, or decide the event isn't right for them.

“It's good to see new faces coming through the pavilion every year. It was by design, but we see the same people come every year.”

In recent years, organizers have devoted space to hands-on, interactive displays, promoting the industry's cool factor—anything that gets convention delegates walking.

This year's speaker series features a full lineup of speakers on equipment financing, local business, drilling, health and safety, digital technology and international market opportunities.

Booking and organizing an event is not cheap.

For this year's event, FedNor is contributing $781,500 to set up the pavilion, along with $56,000 for registered attendees for individual booth space.

Approximately $400,000 of these funds will be used to reserve the convention space, and $250,000 will be allocated to the actual construction of the pavilion.

The purpose of the exhibition was to provide affordable display space and exposure for small mining-related companies and organizations that would otherwise be too expensive to exhibit on their own.

Each individual booth is set up with company signage, power and internet connections where the delegate comes to connect with their laptop, business cards and brochures.

Regardless of the size of the company, everyone is on the same stage and on the same base. You can't tell the difference between a multi-million dollar company and a “mom and pop working at a kitchen table'' by the size of the stall, Franks said.

While some things have changed, the ever-popular Northern Ontario night is still available. Ticket holders attending the Steam Whistle Brewing Network Gala will enjoy a drink and taste of the region's culinary delights.

One new wrinkle this year is that MineConnect, a regional service and supply association, will operate a PDAC bus to Toronto with the help of Tisdale Bus Lines. Departing from Sudbury on Saturday, March 2, it will travel to North Bay to pick up delegates and turn Highway 11 into Toronto, returning on Wednesday, March 6, enough time for participants to network during the trip.