Calgary to become the largest convention destination in western Canada

Calgary, a vibrant metropolis in Alberta, Canada, is renowned for its balance of modern necessities and Western history. A primary example of Calgary’s true balance lies in its investment in the international events industry. As exemplary hosts, Calgary offers a billion reasons to hold events in the city – to match its $1b investment. Here, the balance comes in full force as the city invests $500m in expanding the BMO Centre, located in Stampede Park – the home of the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo. With a completion date of June 2024, BMO Centre is set to become the largest convention centre in Western Canada. The Centre will offer organisers over 1m sqft, including over 500,000 sqft of exhibition, event, and meetings space, and over 100,000 sqft of pre-function and back-of-house space. The expansion has been generously funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Calgary, so the BMO Centre can welcome delegates from around the globe every day of the year with the full support of the local, and national, government. The expansion will also include 38 new meeting rooms and two ballrooms which will total 70,000 sqft. Delegates will be greeted by a dramatic grand entryway on arrival, with views of Alberta’s bright blue skies and Canada’s largest indoor fireplace watching over the festivities.

The BMO’s design is intended to improve the well-being and connections of its visitors: “The whole building is designed around fostering serendipitous connections,” said Greg Newton, general manager of BMO Centre, in March. For Newton, the central fireplace is pivotal to that belief: “The fireplace is really important to us because it’s a beacon… (post-pandemic) people were going to have this need to be together and connect again.” The fireplace’s design is also a love letter to the Calgary Stampede and the city’s history, reinforcing that the BMO Centre’s combination of high-tech event space and traditional Western inspiration brings balance to events held in its halls. In July, events held at the BMO Centre will also benefit from the arrival of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth – the 10-day Calgary Stampede held at the park. The Centre’s proximity will allow delegates to enjoy the western Rodeo, parade, and funfair experience on their doorstep. Delegates will also be close to a versatile venue and possible incentive, the Agrium Western Event Centre, which hosts agricultural showcases and competitions. A stone’s throw away is the Boyce Theatre, where delegates can unwind with a play or small concert. This buzzing park’s location in downtown Calgary is well connected, as it’s next to the Victoria Park Stadium C-Train station enabling access to the rest of the city. Events held in Calgary can also work in harmony at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC), an event space found in the heart of the city’s downtown area. The CTCC is connected to three, four-star hotels and boasts over 120,000 sqft of meeting space. Like the BMO Centre, the CTCC’s individual meeting rooms total in the thirties – 36 to be exact. It also benefits from five pre-function areas, and one hall to service any and all events the industry brings to Calgary. Delegates visiting the CTCC will find an inclusive and conscious venue which has been awarded a Rainbow Registered Business accreditation – the first accredited convention centre in Canada. Being Rainbow Registered is an important feat for applicants, as they must follow stringent standards that welcome the LGBTQ+ community. When the CTCC was accredited in 2022, Kurby Court, CTCC president and CEO, highlighted the importance of the award to the centre’s mission to make all delegates feel welcome: “This is only one step we are taking to ensure our employees, clients and those attending events at the centre feel safe and welcomed. We will continue to educate ourselves and have access to the necessary tools we need to create an inclusive environment for all.” CTCC’s inclusive environment also stretches to its employees. The living wage in Calgary is set to CAD $18.60 (USD $13.83), which includes the needs of a two-parent family with two young children. As CTCC considers paying a living wage a necessary part of their dedication to their employees’ wellbeing, the venue is proud to have been an Alberta Living Wage Network Living Wage Employer since 2022.

While in Calgary

Organisers set to take advantage of Calgary’s upcoming $500m expansion in events space will find a city brimming with activities to make their event memorable for delegates. The city is accessible to delegates from across the world via the Calgary International Airport (YYC): Canada’s fourth busiest airport with direct flights around the world. Just 20 minutes from downtown Calgary, delegates will find travelling to the BMO centre and CTCC a breeze. Calgary is famously walkable due to its tight-knit downtown and flat landscape, meaning that delegates won’t have to tackle unfamiliar public transport to get to and from your event. While your delegates are strolling around the city, they’ll find plenty to do. For the academic delegates, a visit to the Heritage Park Historical Village could be a good addition to an incentives itinerary – linking to the BMO Centre’s western theme. For a taste of the outdoors, delegates will enjoy partaking in the Canadian pastime of fly fishing without having to travel far outside the city. To soak in the summer weather in the warmer months, a floating or surfing down the Bow River or might do the trick. To end a conference day or event, delegates can wind down at one of the city’s over 40 microbreweries. For events taking place over a few days, day trips nearby Calgary could be a particular treat for international delegates before the long journey home. A brief drive from the city are numerous national parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Dinosaur Provincial Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site. At locations like these, delegates can experience the Alberta landscape, learn more about the lands’ history, and explore the culture of Alberta’s First Nations peoples. The world-famous Banff National Park and Canadian Rock Mountains are only an hour’s drive west of Calgary, making them a great option for a conference post-tour.

To find out more about events in Calgary see Visit Calgary’s website, email directly at info@meetingscalgary.com, or call +1 800 661 1678.