When Avannaata Kommunia and the Aalborg Congress & Culture Center (AKKC) open the doors to PolarExpo at Ilulissat Hall for three days next week (6-8 October), they will welcome 50 top-tier exhibitors and present a strong seminar programme focusing on maritime safety and ghost gear.
With more than 50 exhibitors from Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark participating in North Greenland’s major hunting and fishing trade fair in Ilulissat, the stage is set for a major event for all industry stakeholders. This time, the organisers are also presenting a strong seminar programme focusing on vital subjects for hunters and fishermen, and for everyone else in Greenland: maritime safety and ghost gear.
PolarExpo will be opened by Mayor of Avannaata Kommunia Lars Erik Gabrielsen, Minister for Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture and Self-Sufficiency Peter Borg and AKKC CEO Nicolaj Holm.
There is good reason to return to the stage later in the day with ghost gear on the agenda. Representatives of organisations such as Pinngortitaleriffik (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources), Ocean North, Avannaata Kommunia, IAPP, QAK, and KNAPK discuss the scope of the issue and examine potential solutions.
On days two and three, the focus shifts primarily to maritime safety. The programme includes a presentation by the Joint Arctic Command, which will outline factors that increase the chances of being found in time should an accident occur. Other scheduled participants include the Greenland Maritime Center, fisherman and hunter Axel Siegstad, O.S. Electronic, Furuno, and Illit Forsikringit Agentur.
QAK and KNAPK invite attendees to a dialogue meetin and the fair concludes with a session organised by these two fishing and hunting associations. Focusing on the Greenland halibut fishery, they will discuss Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQ), the 75% utilisation requirement, and Total Allowable Catch (TAC) – and all interested parties are welcome to attend.
PolarExpo serves as a hub for the industry. It has a deserved reputation as a meeting place where fishermen, hunters, suppliers, partners, and industry organisations gather to network and stay updated on technology, methods, and equipment – and, crucially, to chart a shared course for the future of fishing and hunting in the Arctic.
PolarExpo 2026 takes place 6- 7-8th October, 2026, at the Ilulissat Hall, organised by Aalborg Congress & Culture Center in collaboration with Avannaata Kommunia, KNAPK, and QAK.
On Tuesday, the trade fair is open from 10:00 to 19:00; on Wednesday, from 10:00 to 17:00; and on Thursday, from 10:00 to 15:00.
