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Conference & Meetings World (CMW) speaks with David Woodward, Executive Director of Conferences and Conventions at Tourism Calgary, focusing on the dynamic landscape of events and their integral role in shaping Calgary’s economic prosperity and cultural vitality. We explore topics ranging from economic sectors that benefit from events, to sustainability measures and global competitiveness, as we uncover Calgary’s journey as a premier destination for business events and its strategic vision for the future.
Why are events critical to Calgary’s economic vitality? How do they contribute to the overall growth and development of the city?
The slowdown in the post-pandemic business travel recovery underscores the importance of meetings and conferences to the city, which is now a major driver of Calgary’s visitor economy. In 2023 alone, Tourism Calgary hosted more than 100 conferences and generated approximately $95 million in economic activity. The destination recognized this opportunity early on and developed a strategic focus on the industry, as evidenced by significant investment in events infrastructure – we are currently projected to become Western Canada’s largest convention destination by 2024. This is more than just a milestone for travelers to Calgary; it’s a testament to our city’s commitment to being a premier destination for business and leisure.
Can you highlight the key economic sectors in Calgary that benefit the most from hosting events and what makes Calgary an attractive destination for these key economic sectors?
Calgary has become a major center of excellence and a hotbed of thought leadership in areas such as life sciences, agribusiness, aerospace and energy. It is a city rich in opportunity, attracting global investment due to affordability, diversity and other factors, and is one of the ten most liveable cities in the world.
We are home to more than 120 life sciences companies and leading research institutions such as the University of Calgary. In fact, when the Calgary Cancer Center opens in 2024, it will become the largest cancer care and research facility in Canada and the second largest in North America.
We are already No. 3 nationwideRD The busiest airport and home to one of Canada’s major airlines, cementing our position as an aviation hub. The city’s global reputation for expertise in geospatial data collection and analysis has even taken notice by companies like de Havilland, which recently announced Calgary as the home of a major manufacturing facility.
Alberta plays a key role in Canada’s agricultural exports, and research on agricultural innovation at the University of Calgary has established the city as a leader in agribusiness. Of course, Calgary has always been known as a leader in the energy sector. Alberta is Canada’s largest oil and natural gas producer, but the province also has some of Canada’s best wind, solar, biomass and geothermal resources.
The BMO Center expansion is a major development in Calgary. How will this expansion enhance the city’s ability to host events? What impact is expected to have on the local economy and tourism?
With the expansion of the BMO Center, Calgary now offers more than one million square feet of meeting space, making us Western Canada’s largest and most versatile meeting destination. The increase in capacity is a huge opportunity for Calgary because we now have the ability to compete for new business that we couldn’t accommodate before, but it’s also a benefit for planners who now have offices outside of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. There is another strong Canadian option.
Looking ahead to 2024, what major events or milestones will be happening in Calgary? How will these events enhance the city’s reputation as a premier destination for parties of all kinds?
Tourism Calgary celebrated a record-breaking year in 2023, and we’re on target to break that record in 2024. The level of investment and activity in the city is testament to our hosting capabilities and reputation as a destination where people want to host events. arrive.
Obviously, the most anticipated milestone in 2024 will definitely be the launch of the BMO Center expansion in June, as well as the start of construction of its on-site hotel and the continued development of the surrounding cultural and entertainment district. But it’s also shaping up to be an amazing hosting year. In February alone, Calgary hosted six major sporting events, including the Scottish Hearts Championship (one of the largest curling events in Canada), the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games (welcoming 1,300 athletes from across the country), and Nitrocross ( A major international rally) located at GMC Stadium, across from the BMO Center. We are also preparing to host three citywide meetings in September, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Meeting, which is expected to have 2,000 attendees.
In terms of sustainability, what procedures and measures does Calgary have in place to ensure that events held in the city are environmentally responsible?
In line with the City of Calgary’s foundational commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Calgary is committed to promoting sustainable development practices and creating social benefits for our communities in the visitor and tourism economy. Our event and venue partners have achieved multiple organizational certifications, including ISO 14001, Green Key and Rainbow certification, demonstrating sustainable and inclusive management. In 2024, Tourism Calgary will release a new 10-year destination strategy, solidifying our commitment to promoting Calgary’s environmental, social and economic practices, including the new RED (Reduce, Enrich, Divert) Events Program , supports events that seek ways to reduce the environmental impact of their activities, enrich the Calgary community and divert waste from their activities.
How does Calgary stand out as a top destination for business events compared to other cities in Canada (and the United States)? What unique services does the city offer to attract corporate gatherings and conferences?
Calgary has a truly unique charm – it blends urban energy with warm Western hospitality. It is a safe, clean city with a compact, walkable downtown convention district and excellent venues and infrastructure. Beyond that, hosting an event in Calgary is relatively cheap compared to other Canadian destinations – Alberta is the only province in Canada without a provincial sales tax, which can save planners a lot of money.
What really makes Calgary special is its people – we were just named the friendliest city in the world! Let’s not forget, it’s right next to some of the most stunning natural landscapes you can find, namely Banff National Park.
When it comes to business events, what infrastructure (besides the BMO Center) and support does Calgary offer event organizers, and how does the city ensure a seamless and successful experience for both hosts and attendees?
From arrival to departure, the entire destination is dedicated to providing unparalleled hospitality to your event—a deep-rooted pride among Calgarians.Calgary International Airport is the thirdRD Canada’s busiest airport. A quick 20-minute drive into the city center puts you in a compact and secure conference district with great shopping, dining, attractions and off-site venues, just steps from our two conference centers and city center hotel remote.Our Calgary TELUS Convention Center celebrates 50th anniversaryth Anniversary in 2024, directly connected to more than 1,100 hotel rooms! With our C-Train lines, you can easily visit the city center, which is a fare-free zone. Tourism Calgary also offers a world-class events and customer service team that can help make your experience as easy as possible.
Given the global landscape, how can Calgary position itself as a competitive and attractive destination for international business events, and what strategies are in place to attract meetings and conferences to the city in 2024 and beyond?
Tourism Calgary offers competitive opportunity funding in addition to exceptional event services to ensure planners and delegates have an incredible experience in the marketplace. We also have a robust Champions program connecting international conferences with local thought leaders.
The city has a strong air network, including more than 90 direct flights, and is a national hub for WestJet, providing easy access to global destinations such as London, Tokyo, Barcelona, Dublin, Paris and more. Of course, Calgary’s proximity to iconic destinations like Banff National Park also adds to its appeal.
The city is also undergoing major upgrades to its downtown core and cultural infrastructure. Just steps from our downtown hotel, the Glenbow Museum and Arts Commons (Western Canada’s largest performing arts center) is undergoing major upgrades to expand the cultural landscape and add new, walkable off-site hospitality spaces . These developments, along with Calgary’s vibrant restaurants, bars and attractions, bring an exceptional visitor experience to our business events landscape.
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