Communities in the NWT

Meet Our Spectacular Conference Locations

Our six largest communities offer well-equipped conference facilities for groups of various sizes. From big events to intimate gatherings, the Northwest Territories is a one-of-a-kind destination in Canada's North with event planning expertise and plenty of Northern hospitality.

Fort Smith: Fort Smith is steeped in history, beauty and adventure and is home to around 2,500 residents. It has been the traditional territory of the Indigenous Peoples of the Salt River First Nation, Smith's Landing First Nation, and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation from time immemorial. It is the most southern community in the NWT located just north of the Alberta border on the Slave River. The area is famous for world-class white-water paddling, wildlife viewing, trail hiking and fishing. Opportunities are available to participate in Indigenous cultural activities. Fort Smith, aka Smith, is the gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park, home to the Wood Bison, the American White Pelican and the rare Whooping Crane. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and as the largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. If you happen to be in town during the month of August be sure to attend Paddlefest, the Dark Sky Festival or golf the par 36 Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club under the Midnight Sun.; Access: Year-round road access and daily flights are available from the capital of Yellowknife and Edmonton, Alberta. It is about a day's drive of about 740km from Yellowknife via the town of Hay River.; Facilities: Numerous venues with capacities from 50 to 400 including golf courses, museum, recreation centers and the unique Salt River First Nations conference center. There are a wide- range of catering options available that combine Indigenous and local menus.
Fort Simpson: The village of roughly 1,200 residents is set in the scenic southwest corner of the NWT on the junction of the mighty Mackenzie River (Canada's longest) and the Liard River. It's a place where Dene culture and nature meet. It is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada and, along the riverfront, historic sites reveal the legacy of gold-seekers and fur traders.; Fort Simpson, aka Simpson, is the gateway to the world-renowned Nahanni National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's also where you'll find flight-seeing tours to see the magnificent Virginia Falls (Náįlįcho) - twice the height of Niagara Falls, the magnificent canyons of the Nahanni River and the remote beauty of Little Doctor and Glacier Lake. Expertly guided raft and canoe tours on the Nahanni River begin in Fort Simpson. Embark an incredible journey through Canada's deepest river canyon, past hot springs, and unique geological features. Tour Heritage Park which overlooks the Flats, Drum Circle and Papal Grounds. Fort Simpson is home to the historic McPherson House and the original Fort of the Forks built by the Northwest Company in the early 1800s. The Visitor Centre also serves as a museum where you can work done by Northern artists as well as a journey through the history of this area.; Access: Year-round road access and daily flights are available from the capital of Yellowknife located 630km west of the town.; Facilities: Suitable for conferences of up to 100 people and ideal for pre and post conference tours to the Nahanni National Park. Home of the picturesque Seven Spruce 9-hole golf course on the Syne River which features a clubhouse.
Hay River: Located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake at the mouth of the Hay River, this town is just a few hours drive from the capital city of Yellowknife. Known as the "Hub of the North," it has been central to transportation in the NWT. Home to some 3,500 residents, it is the Hub of year-round outdoor activity.; In the summer visit the Fisherman's Wharf Market every Saturday or attend the annual Hay Days festival. Hay River also has beautiful beaches that stretch for miles and rival some of the best in southern Canada. There are spectacular waterfalls that are within a short drive from town including the Alexandra Falls, Louise Falls and Lady Evelyn Falls. It is a prime spot for fishing, kayaking, or taking a boat tour on the river. There is a beautiful 9-hole golf course where you can drive a ball under the Midnight Sun. Hay River has excellent cross-country skiing trails during the winter months along with snowshoeing and ice fishing. If you are interested in the history and culture of Hay River, both the Visitor Centre and the Hay River Heritage Museum have excellent exhibits.; Access: Daily flights from Yellowknife are offered and it is 480 km from the capital of Yellowknife on year-round roads. The surrounding communities of Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Enterprise, Fort Providence and Kakisa are all within easy travel distance.; Facilities: Suitable for meetings for up to 150 people at the recreation centre, the golf club and the Legion. Several options for dining and catering are available. Cultural exchanges are possible with the residents of the Katlodeeche Reserve.
Inuvik: Located 200 km north of the Arctic circle and 100 km from the Arctic Ocean, Inuvik is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. The town of 3,200 is on the traditional land of the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and Métis people. Inuvik is the gateway to year-round outdoor adventure located on the Mackenzie Delta - Canada's largest freshwater delta. It offers year-round access via ice roads or ferries to the communities and islands along the Arctic coast. Canoeing, fishing, hiking, and cycling on the Boot Lake Trail are favourites in the summer under the 24-hour sun. Winter offers a variety of experiences under the Noon Moon (six weeks of complete darkness.) Snowmobiling is one of the favourite winter activities with 10,000 kilometres of Delta channels to explore, along with snowshoeing, winter camping, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.; The Dempster Highway is an unforgettable driving experience that crosses the Arctic Circle and is steeped in history and magical vistas. Stop by and visit Our Lady of Victory Church, often called the Igloo Church. Drive the first all-weather road to the Arctic Coast and travel to Tuktoyuktuk, aka Tuk, to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean. Along the way you will see unusual landforms called Pingos (ice-cored hills) that stand over 50m high and are some of the oldest and largest in the world.; Access: Inuvik is a fly-in community but can be accessed by road from the Yukon via the 736 km long Dempster Highway. It is a 2.5-hour flight with daily departures from the capital of Yellowknife.; Facilities: Inuvik offers a wide range of services and can host conferences for up to 500 people. The Midnight Sun Complex - the main conference facility - is centrally located in town. It is also home to the pool, arena and recreation facilities. There are three modern hotels with meeting rooms all within walking distance of the conference facility. Car rentals and taxis are available.
Norman Wells: This is a historic oil town established in 1920 with a population of about 800. It is nestled between the Mackenzie and Franklin Mountains on the shore of the Mackenzie River. It has incredible views with many outdoor adventure opportunities. It also has access to world- class paddling, trophy hunting and fishing outfitters, hiking in the Franklin Mountains and flight-seeing tours in the Mackenzie Mountains. It is the gateway to the historic Canol Trail, offers fossil hunting, a 6-hole golf course and two fascinating museums.; Access: A fly-in community serviced by Northern Airlines, Norman Wells is 682 km northwest of the capital city of Yellowknife, with access by road in the winter.; Facilities: Suitable for groups of less than 100. The town has modern hotels with high-speed internet with board and banquet rooms.
Yellowknife: This is the capital city of the Northwest Territories where urban meets wilderness. On the traditional land of the Dene, Yellowknife became a town in 1934 when gold was found in the area. 'The Knife' is a modern and vibrant city with all the amenities, but is only minutes away from the vast beauty of the remote outdoors. The population of about 20,000 would agree that it is a "Diamond in the Rough".; In fact, the NWT is the Diamond Capital of North America and Yellowknife is the gateway to the diamond mines. Located on the north shore of Great Slave Lake (deepest in North America and tenth largest in the world), the city is a hub of activity on the water in both summer and winter. The surrounding lakes and rivers just a short drive from town make the options to connect with nature endless. Within the city are walking and biking trails and many of the local attractions can be accessed on foot from just about anywhere in town. Golf 18 holes under the Midnight Sun or spend an afternoon relaxing on the shores of one the many pristine lakes.; On the must-see list are the Legislative Assembly, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Pilots Monument, and Historic Old Town. Of course, a trip to Yellowknife would not be complete without seeing the Northern Lights from mid-August to April. Yellowknife is considered the Aurora Capital of the World. For the culinary buff in the group, Yellowknife has a diverse list of unique dining experiences to choose from including its own microbrewery.; Access: Yellowknife offers easy access with major airlines from Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. It offers year-round road access and is the gateway to many of the communities in the NWT.; Facilities: The city has the ability to host conferences for 600 plus. It offers many modern hotels with conference facilities and a great selection of restaurants. There are also a wide variety of pre and post conference packages available year-round.