BIC May 2016

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THE ART OF MARKETING PAGE 42 | CALGARY CHAMBER - 125TH ANNIVERSARY PAGE 53

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The

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6 MAY 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 26 | Number 5

CONTENTSCOVER FEATURE

36 The Big Sell Royce Chwin pitches Alberta By John Hardy

ON OUR COVER:ROYCE CHWIN, CEO OF TRAVEL ALBERTA

FIND US ONLINE! BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

@BUSINCALGARYBUSINESS IN CALGARY 84

REGULAR COLUMNS

11 My War on Machines By Richard Bronstein

12 Mr. Ceci Got it Right By Frank Atkins

14 Workers, Not Fat Cats, Pay the Price of Business Tax Hikes By Paige MacPherson

53 Leading Business

89 The Calgary Report Current developments for Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Tourism Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, and Innovate Calgary

94 Marketing Matters By David Parker

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STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

COMPANY PROFILES

65 Calaway Park Creating Smiles for 35 Seasons

73 TECTERRA Invests in Diversification and Growth

77 SML Entertainment A Leader in Home Entertainment

CONTENTSTHIS MONTH’S FEATURES

22 Technololgy’s Impact on Business Efficiency, communication and relationships By Colleen Wallace

27 The Logic of Property Taxes “The most burdensome municipal regulation for small businesses” By John Hardy

34 All Under One Roof Multi-family living remains popular in Calgary By Melanie Darbyshire

42 The Art of Marketing How some of Calgary’s industry leaders practice it By Melanie Darbyshire

47 Staycation Trends A boost for Calgary tourism By Colleen Wallace

84 Fore into 2016 What’s new on Calgary links By John Hardy

Volume 26 | Number 5

EXCLUSIVE AGENTS

Mark St. Pierre | 403.232.4319 [email protected]

Nicole Divina | 403.232.4389 [email protected]

© 2016, Avison Young Real Estate Alberta Inc. All rights reserved.

The information contained herein was obtained from sources which we deem reliable and, while thought to be correct, is not guaranteed by Avison Young.

Available

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Year Constructed

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47

EXCLUSIVE AGENTS

Mark St. Pierre | 403.232.4319 [email protected]

Nicole Divina | 403.232.4389 [email protected]

© 2016, Avison Young Real Estate Alberta Inc. All rights reserved.

The information contained herein was obtained from sources which we deem reliable and, while thought to be correct, is not guaranteed by Avison Young.

Available

Asset Class

Parking Ratio

Number of Parking Stalls

Floors

Year Constructed

Floorplate

Elevators

Key Tenants

Major Arterials & Access

18,500 sf to 100,000 sf +

A Class Office (LEED Gold)

2 underground stalls /1,000 sf

314 (clearance at 6’10”)

10

2009

Efficient 18,500 sf

3

IHS Energy Canada and ATB Financial

Macleod Trail SE, 17 Avenue SW

FEATURES:

- Close to Victoria Park/Stampede LRT Station

- Ease of access out to the South via Macleod Trail

- 24 hour manned security

- Signage rights available

- Excellent sight lines

- Reserved and Random/Public parking available

- Close to Talisman Centre

- Close to Stampede Conference facilities

- Class A Institutional Landlord

STAMPEDE STATION - 1331 Macleod Trail SE

FOR LEASE


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BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MAY 2016 11

I’m in favour of a complete ban on off-highway vehicle use in provincial parks and other designated environmentally sensitive areas.

But that’s never going to happen.

What can be done is to manage the use of four-wheelers, ATVs, mountain bikes and RVs.

This is what Alberta’s Department of Environment and Parks is now considering for the new Castle River provincial park and provincial wildland park. The minister, Shannon Phillips, is in consultation with conservation groups and various park users on how to fine-tune regulations for this spectacular and important area. The Castle area is sometimes called the Crown of the Continent because it’s where the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, British Columbia and Montana meet.

The Castle area is an important part of the Oldman River Basin. If you spill a cup of tea into the little West Castle River it will end up in Hudson Bay. Researchers say the Castle is one of the most biologically diverse areas of Alberta with over 200 rare or at-risk species. It is a key movement corridor for large mammals, such as grizzlies. With its numerous archeological and historical sites, the Castle area also has cultural significance for First Nations.

Previous provincial Conservative governments talked and generated mountains of paperwork, but did very little to enhance protection for this region. Credit the Notley government for moving quickly to apply provincial park and wildland park status to the South Castle.

Now the hard part begins – what do you do about the existing free-for-all that takes place in this area every summer when the off-highway vehicle hordes invade the Castle?

The environment department seems to be leaning towards permitting OHV use on existing trails and areas. It urges that no new trails or access be granted without a proper plan. And it re-emphasizes that motorized recreational vehicle use “shall not occur in beds and shores of permanent water bodies.”

Sounds reasonable but the devil is in the details. The province has never strictly enforced these provisions before, so how is that going to change going forward?

There are some reasonable OHV users. For example, there is the Quad Squad of Crowsnest Pass. They have raised money to build several well-engineered steel bridges to protect creeks from being silted by traffic.

But I remember last fall wandering along Lyons Creek Road south of Blairmore to see how the forest was being regenerated after the big fire in 2004. We stopped for a picnic lunch at a nice meadow near kilometre 38 and there was an ATV bridge crossing the creek.

Trouble is, the approach to the bridge was completely overgrown with grass, meaning nobody uses it. And right beside the bridge there is a huge erosion hole in the bank where the ATVers like to cross right through this beautiful little creek. (I have a photo if anybody wants.)

I know lots of other areas in the Castle, Crowsnest and Livingstone valleys that have similar damage.

My advice to Environment Minister Phillips: ban machines from the parks. I doubt this government will get re-elected to a second term so this is probably the only chance to do something that is right for the long term.

MY WAR ON MACHINES // RICHARD BRONSTEIN

My War on Machines

BY RICHARD BRONSTEIN


Frank Atkins is Research Chair of Finance & Capital Markets at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

MR. CECI GOT IT RIGHT // FRANK ATKINS

BY FRANK ATKINS

I have never been known as one to praise anything that a left-wing government does, especially when that government is NDP. This skepticism does not simply arise

from a philosophical view of how an economy works, but also from practical experience. Just look at what the Bob Rae government did to the Ontario economy, and what successive NDP administrations have done to the Manitoba economy and previous NDP governments did to the British Columbia economy. The one notable exception was the Roy Romanow administration in Saskatchewan, who faced the reality of a fiscal crisis, and actually ran a fiscally conservative regime.

My general skepticism notwithstanding, Alberta’s Finance Minister Joe Ceci deserves praise for making a sound economic decision. In early April, Mr. Ceci announced that the Alberta government would not support creation of a single securities regulator. Mr. Ceci stated via Twitter that, “Having a strong local regulator helps build our unique capital markets.” This was a courageous decision on the part of Mr. Ceci, given the well-known NDP belief that more government intervention in the economy is always beneficial.

Mr. Ceci’s decision appears to be a recognition that Alberta has an economy that is different from the economy in other parts of Canada. This is true, but it is not only Alberta which is unique. The economy of Canada is composed of a number of diverse regions, and this should be viewed as a strength. However, it is only a strength if each region is allowed to flourish and develop on its own path. In this situation,

diversity will lead to strong economic performance. One-size-fits-all policies such as a single securities regulator for all of Canada would simply serve to squash local creativity and innovation. This would inevitably lead to poor economic outcomes.

As with most political announcements, we may never know exactly how Mr. Ceci came to this decision. Certainly the intense anti-single securities regulator lobbying efforts of a group of Albertans lead by Russell Kalmacoff may have played a role. It is also possible that the Alberta NDP government is signalling that it is willing to abandon some idealistic NDP views in the name of political and economic reality. Certainly, Premier Notley appears to have been moving in this direction lately. Ms. Notley has somewhat backed away from her days in the opposition when she was an extremely vocal opponent of oil and pipelines. Ms. Notley appears to be finally recognizing that Alberta is a resource-exploiting economy, and nothing is going to change that very quickly. Ms. Notley has also been making noises in April about not opening up the spending taps in the next budget, which would be a complete reversal of traditional NDP economic thinking. These ideas are clearly not sitting well with the NDP base, who appear to still cling to their naive idealism in spite of the economic realities of Alberta.

Whatever the reasoning behind Mr. Ceci’s decision, be it political opportunism based on listening to Albertans, or an actual shift in the philosophical views of the current Alberta government, Mr. Ceci has made a sound economic decision, and I congratulate him.

Mr. Ceci Got it Right

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If you want to help workers, raising business taxes just doesn’t make sense. It’s one topic over which you will find a good amount of consensus among economists here in

Alberta. This topic is particularly critical in Calgary, which was recently found to be the most expensive city in Canada to do business. Business tax hikes stifle investment and growth, preventing new jobs from being created.

But oh, how tempting to believe that business taxes are the silver bullet to generate mountains of revenue without having any actual people pay one penny. Businesses aren’t people, right? And any people who would be affected can easily afford it, right?

Ultimately, people do pay the price for business tax hikes – but not who we might think.

University of Calgary economist Jack Mintz found that for every dollar of corporate tax levied, the Alberta economy loses $82. Raising the provincial corporate tax rate by one per cent reduces business investment by $6 billion and cuts 8,900 jobs.

Yet, business tax hikes can be a popular idea. A government poll commissioned prior to the last Alberta election showed that 69 per cent of Albertans favoured raising business taxes. Recall at the time, the government introduced the notion that some taxes had to be raised, ignoring the gigantic government spending elephant in the room. Following the election, Alberta’s NDP government raised business taxes by 20 per cent.

If the premise is that a tax must be raised, business taxes poll well because the general notion is that someone else is paying for it. It helps to think that the “someone else” in question is a wealthy CEO flicking cigar ashes onto the downtrodden from his penthouse office.

The caricature has allure, but profit is simply a reward for risk. Calgary’s job creators come in many forms – from Carhartt coveralls to suits to Converse sneakers. But the larger problem is that those who are impacted the most by business tax hikes are everyday workers.

Former Statistics Canada chief economic analyst Philip Cross pointed out that “most serious economists find that corporations don’t pay income taxes.… In fact, most studies show the brunt of corporate income taxes are paid through lower wages.”

That’s bad news for workers, but it also means less revenue from personal income taxes. Higher business taxes also “make Canada a less attractive location to invest,” as noted by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and “would increase Canada’s unemployment rate, thereby eroding job growth.”

Fraser Institute economist Charles Lammam points out that “corporate taxes are ultimately paid for by people either as workers through lower wages, consumers through higher prices or shareholders through lower returns on investments including RRSPs.” A study by the institute found that a one percentage point increase in Canada’s 2012 combined federal-provincial business tax rate would lead to a reduction of $254 to $390 in a worker’s annual wage.

Over the last 15 years, Canadian federal and provincial governments of all stripes recognized the harmful impacts of raising business taxes and worked instead to decrease them. Unfortunately, here in Alberta that tide has turned. To truly help workers, our government would be better off to look at the facts rather than dreaming up fat cats.

Workers, Not Fat Cats, Pay the Price of Business Tax Hikes

BY PAIGE MACPHERSON

Paige MacPherson is Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a non-profit, non-partisan citizens advocacy group dedicated to lower taxes, less waste and government accountability.

WORKERS, NOT FAT CATS, PAY THE PRICE OF BUSINESS TAX HIKES // GUEST COLUMNIST

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Join us in celebrating Calgary’s Leaders Awards. We will be honouring 20 individuals for their business acumen, contribution to community and to their industry. These are the people who are making Calgary a great city to live and work in.

Business in Calgary will celebrate the 2016 winners at our 9th Annual Awards Gala, and our July issue will feature the Leaders and their companies.

Wednesday, June 29th | 6pm | Metropolitan Centre

To stay informed on details for our event, visit www.businessincalgary.com/leaders

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OFFTHE

When Canada’s business community looks to Calgary for expertise, it’s safe to say that a handful of specific industries come immediately to mind. And while several tech-based companies have made local headlines in the last few years, it is hard to call Calgary a hub for world-class software development.

Say this to the co-founders of Aimsio and they’ll take your challenge. And raise you almost $10 million.

The field-centric software solutions company just completed its Series A financing, securing an impressive $9.6 million through local investor Strait Capital. With that, they’re aiming to grow their current team from 20 to 40 by the end of 2016 while ramping up their sales and marketing efforts.

“We know there are brilliant minds here in Calgary, and in the current job market, we’re excited to give them a great opportunity to stay close to home,” says Afshin Esmaeili, co-founder and head of operations of Aimsio.

Aimsio’s current product offerings are geared at helping field-centric companies enhance their overall efficiency through cloud-based software. Current customers include everything from pipelines to drywall contractors, a majority of which have been in the energy sector. However, with a fully configurable software platform, Aimsio’s Software-as-a-Service offering can be customized to work for any business that generates revenue outside of the office or in remote locations.

“This investment means we can bring our world-class technology to the $18-billion global field services operations management industry, where over 85 per cent of companies are still using pen and paper to manage their operations,” says Hanif Joshaghani, co-founder and head of sales and business development.

And when they say world-class, they’re not exaggerating. The co-founding team is made up of PhDs in computer science and professionals who gave up world-class Silicon Valley and Wall Street opportunities to build Aimsio. While Alberta businesses are determined to find new ways to increase efficiencies and the economy is calling for fresh industries to take shape, their timing couldn’t have been better.

“Diversification is the word of the day in Alberta. The guys at Aimsio have positioned themselves to put Calgary on the map for tech in Canada. So far, they’ve built a superior product and an enviable workplace culture,” says Scott Pomeroy, Strait Capital. “We know their customers and so do they, so we’re looking forward to joining forces with them on strategy that will take them to the next level.”

An investment in the range of $10 million is a significant step in the right direction, both for Aimsio and for Alberta’s tech community.

Calgary-based Aimsio Secures Approximately $10 Million Towards Building Alberta’s Tech Industry

ABOVE: THE TEAM AT AIMSIO.

http://www.startyourlegacy.ca


OFFTHE

With a steady trickle of Calgary downturn jitters, particularly on the topic of commercial real estate, the innovations and successes of Arlington Street Investments (ASI) are refreshing examples of local business positivity.

There’s a familiar business cliché that decisions and performance happen from the top down. It’s certainly true with the dynamic spirit, approach and entrepreneurial vision of ASI president Frank Lonardelli.

He is a dynamic and revved entrepreneur who hardly ever references the past and focuses on maximizing opportunities. He prefers to call himself “a value investor with an optimistic view towards the long term.”

With a hunch, gut-feel and confidence that borders on passion, Lonardelli launched ASI in 2012, realizing that the private capital market was significantly devoid of solid, institutional-grade real estate investment options.

His vision and leadership continue to earn investor and commercial real estate respect as a high-achieving Calgary-based investment firm that specializes in growth and value creation through the entire development process, acquiring specific A locations with B, C or D class buildings that are situated directly in the path of growth and development in Calgary areas that are significantly under serviced.

Some current ASI Calgary success stories include the Windsor project (on Elbow Drive and 50th Avenue), the National Block (formerly known as the CamCrest Building on the high-traffic corner of 17th Avenue and 5th Street), and two high-profile acquisitions that will soon be announced.

There is no secret ASI formula. “Beyond creating projects that yield significantly higher returns than traditional real estate investment options, ASI’s projects are built with purpose to create legacy through innovative and thoughtful design,” explains Lonardelli. “We are not just a developer. We are entrepreneurs working with entrepreneurs committed to aligning the values of the communities in which they build in and their investor and tenant partners with their own.

“ASI looks for a return of capital, per project, typically within two to five years of the initial investment,” he explains. “Our goal is to complete full project build outs within one to three years, but we also take on longer projects that have the potential to achieve optimal, risk-adjusted returns, as long as they meet ASI’s investment criteria.”

Particularly now, and especially in the battered but resilient Calgary market, Lonardelli’s high energy, enthusiasm, drive and commercial real estate savvy are bucking the negative momentum and achieving solid success stories.

“Despite some jarring Calgary challenges – the bottoming of the flowing price of BOE, the bottoming of our gas market, the TSX trading at historical lows, Alberta’s new NDP government, a loss of almost 200,000 Alberta jobs, bankruptcies and defaults – ASI tripled its asset base in 2015, raised 300 per cent more capital than we did the year prior and that capital was raised in one-fifth of the time.

“We also increased the value of our in-place portfolio by over 150 per cent, without taking into account the dramatic increase to the future development value of our assets.

“It’s been a very good year!” Frank Lonardelli smiles.

Frank Lonardelli’s Passion“It’s been a very good year!”

ABOVE: THE WINDSOR PROJECT (ON ELBOW DRIVE AND 50TH AVENUE).

PHOTO CREDIT: ARLINGTON STREET INVESTMENTS.

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TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT ON BUSINESS // TECHNOLOGY

According to contemporary folklore, aside from mind-boggling efficiency and the exciting and limitless potential to make things easier and faster,

technology may also be dumbing down life and business.

It’s unanimous that technology continues to transform ways of doing all-things business, but even the majority who genuinely embrace and value technology occasionally pause and wonder about technology’s true impact: on business efficiency, productivity, people skills, communication and relationships.

“Information technology (IT) has become part of large company and SMB business plans,” says the plugged-in and personable Sharaz Khan, management information systems instructor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. “And it will be even more important going forward, particularly for competitive reasons.

“The strategic alignment with a technology vision is almost critical if businesses are to survive and thrive today. From brick-and-mortar stores to pure play (only online presence), the use of technology has become a necessity for any organization.

“Digital literacy has created a divide,” he cautions, “between those savvy enough to navigate technology, to those who are ignoring this trend, getting off the digital grid.

“One common downside with technology is a company throwing technology at inefficient processes,” Khan notes. “The general rule is to analyze the business process, seek out

alternatives, fix the process and if the process warrants, then add technology for efficiency gains.”

“Today, technology is playing a big role in creating competitive advantages within companies,” says Jory Lamb, the dynamic and innovative president of Calgary-based VistaVu Solutions, a leading IT firm focusing on companies in both the upstream and midstream areas of oil and gas, mining and utilities.

BY COLLEEN WALLACE

ABOVE: SHARAZ KHAN, MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS INSTRUCTOR AT

CALGARY’S HASKAYNE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

“THE GENERAL RULE IS TO ANALYZE

THE BUSINESS PROCESS, SEEK OUT

ALTERNATIVES, FIX THE PROCESS AND

IF THE PROCESS WARRANTS, THEN ADD

TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFICIENCY GAINS.”

~ SHARAZ KHAN

TECHNOLOGY’S

EFFICIENCY, COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

ON BUSINESSIMPACT


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TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT ON BUSINESS // TECHNOLOGY

“Many technology initiatives die on the vine as a direct result of poor planning, processes and people. Too often people want to over-engineer a solution instead of using what is already there or creating what is called a minimum viable product.

“If you want to be successful, I recommend to any company looking to drive inefficiencies out of their organization through technology, [to do] a proper search, land on a solution (through internal or external expertise), use a what’s-out-of-the-can in that system and don’t customize anything. Three to six months later, start modifying that system to suit the business’ needs,” he suggests.

One of the common business processes where technology could be more efficiently utilized is the myth that “at least it cuts back on paper.” Contrary to the popularity of the cliché, it seems technology has not reduced paper use.

Ironically, new trends and findings about the ongoing paper-glut inefficiency in the workplace comes from a recent survey done by Xerox Canada, the iconic document technology company that delivers managed print, digitization and transaction processing services for businesses.

The recent Xerox study – Digitization at Work – about digital tools and practices, found that: “There’s a huge anchor holding many Canadian firms back from being more competitive. Think of it more as a giant paperweight keeping them down and they continue being buried in an avalanche of paper. Even though it’s become vastly more efficient and effective to digitize work processes over the past few years, they’re still stuck in the past, printing off reams of documents,” highlights Al Varney, president and CEO of Xerox Canada.

“Unnecessary paper use wastes resources, undermines productivity, bogs down workflow and prevents businesses from realizing competitive advantages derived from becoming digital enterprises.”

The study shows that more than half (55 per cent) of the respondents admit their organizations’ processes are still largely or entirely paper-based, and about one-third (29 per cent) are still communicating with end customers via paper, rather than email or social channels.

“Most documents today originate on a computer, a tablet or a smartphone – digital devices that offer easy sharing and storage. So why do many offices feel the need to print them? Canadian executives reported they still print documents for hard-copy reference (69 per cent), signatures (65 per cent) and sharing (48 per cent).

TOP: JORY LAMB, PRESIDENT OF CALGARY-BASED VISTAVU SOLUTIONS.

PHOTO SOURCE: BOOKSTRUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY

MIDDLE: AL VARNEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF XEROX CANADA.

BOTTOM: RON MCKENZIE, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, SHAW BUSINESS.



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“Only a small fraction of companies – 10 per cent – are essentially paperless,” Varney points out. “This is despite the fact that 41 per cent agree moving to digital workflows cuts organizational costs, and 87 per cent have the skill sets available to make it happen.”

While most people in the workplace rave about the ways technology continues to bring warp-speed change to business (and social) communications, information sharing and relationships, some implicate technology for various aspects of the “dumbing down.”

“There are officially more mobile devices than people in the world. The world is home to 7.2 billion gadgets, and they’re multiplying five times faster than we are,” Khan emphasizes.

The Internet, and WiFi, helps companies communicate effectively with their customers and gives products and services global access. Companies use the Internet for virtual conferences between companies in different countries.

Technology’s ability to communicate is widely considered a positive but also comes with inherent concerns. But, for many businesses, WiFi is a vital tool.

“Consumer WiFi options provide simple Internet connectivity with little room for customization,” explains Ron McKenzie, senior vice-president, Shaw Business. “WiFi connectivity for businesses is best provided through managed WiFi product solutions. It allows businesses to manage overall network performance and guest experience and have increased reliability, advanced features that are made easy to use through a centralized dashboard and the ability to offer separate WiFi networks to separate employee and customer.

“Previously, managed WiFi with advanced features had only been available to those with enterprise-sized budgets. It is now available to even the smallest of businesses. Businesses of all sizes now have access to intelligent managed WiFi solutions.”

The findings of Shaw’s recent study, 7 Ways WiFi Can Boost Your Business, won’t be a shock to anyone, McKenzie says. “Customers expect fast, secure and free WiFi, regardless where they are.

“While WiFi is a benefit for customers who want to shop, stream and browse from a business, it can also be used as a powerful tool for the business to better reach out to and understand their customers. As a marketing tool, a business’ managed WiFi network can deliver customized messages or value-added benefits to its customers.

“The data collected when customers are on a company’s WiFi network is incredibly valuable, especially for SMBs,” he emphasizes.

With all its positives and few negatives, “A company’s investment into technology (or innovation) is the lifeblood of that company’s future revenues. Unless companies continuously invest into new and innovative products and services, they will eventually be displaced by the company who does,” adds Calgary’s Jory Lamb.

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THE LOGIC OF PROPERTY TAXES // PROPERTY TAXES

The iconic quote is truer than ever: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Although Canada implemented national income taxes about 100 years ago, to help pay for the First World War, Canadian property taxes are localized ways for cities to pay for needs like fire and police protection, roads, public transportation, waste removal, recreation facilities and many other city services.

“Our municipal tax system is inherited from the United Kingdom. Canadian municipalities, which are creatures of the provinces, fund themselves through the taxation of property within their municipal boundaries,” explains Brooks Barnett, manager, government relations and policy with the Real Property Association of Canada (REALpac), Canada’s most influential and informative voice in the real property investment industry.

“The theory is that the municipalities exist primarily to provide services to property, such as roads, sewers, water mains, lighting and public transit. So taxing property based on its value is a good rough proxy for the amount of services consumed by that property.”

“Municipalities were never given authority to levy taxes but they

have the power to set taxes for the services they provide,” says Hussein Warsame, associate professor of accounting at the Haskayne School of Business. “But it’s vital that there must be clarity, fairness, predictability, transparency. Also efficiency.”

The rationale for property taxes is consistent. It’s municipal priorities and budgets, municipal assessments and the formula for calculating local property taxes that is often contentious.

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LogicTHE

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businesses showing only a one to four per cent hike. It’s a dramatic change from last year, when the assessed value of residential properties spiked a whopping 10 per cent.

Karpa points out that the median assessed value of a Calgary home is now $480,000, up slightly from $475,000 in 2015. For condominiums, the median assessed value is $280,000, down from $290,000 last year.

Council has already approved a 3.5 per cent hike in 2016 property taxes. According to assessment numbers, the total value of the 2016 Calgary Property Assessment Roll is $309 billion, up $1 billion from 2015.

Aside from disputing – and the option of appealing – the final dollar value of property taxes, debates and the arguable issues are usually about municipal priorities and … how to pay for it.

“Each year, during budget deliberations, council determines the amount of money required to pay for all city services,” says McCaffrey. “The known revenue from grants, licences, permits and such is subtracted. The remaining dollar value is what must be raised via property taxes. This total property tax value is divided by the total value of all property in the municipality, and multiplied by 1,000, to determine the tax rate in the city that year.”

The mill rate (the tax rate) is the controversial but common reference cited in most property tax discussions. It represents the number of dollars a resident must pay in tax for every $1,000 of property owned.

“Of course the most contentious issue when it comes to municipal taxes is ‘how much?’” echoes Warsame. He tracks other major Canadian municipalities and adds that averaged Calgary property taxes are in line. “Last year, the Vancouver average was $2,300, Montreal $2,700, Calgary $2,800, Edmonton $2,950 and Toronto $3,950. A bit surprising, perhaps, but Saskatoon had the highest mill rate and subsequently a property tax average of $4,440.”

When the property tax topic does come up for discussion, the usual focus is

THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES

ABOVE: HUSSEIN WARSAME, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING AT THE HASKAYNE

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

In Calgary – from the councils of Ralph Klein in the ’80s, Al Duerr in the ’90s, Dave Bronconnier at the turn of the new century and the current Mayor Naheed Nenshi – the annual setting of Calgary property taxes has often triggered business and public discussion, debate, sometimes rancour, disputes and appeals.

Although the bottom line dollar amount is usually the point, calculating final totals is a complex but fairly standard formula. “There is a correlation between assessed value and property taxes,” details Calgary city assessor Nelson Karpa. “Property assessment is the market value of a property. It is used to calculate the property’s share of property tax. The link between assessment and taxes is the tax rate. The property tax is calculated by applying the determined tax rate to the assessed value (assessment x tax rate = individual share of tax).

“It’s important to understand that the assessment system is simply a distribution system. Once the required total revenue is determined, the assessment system fairly distributes the total amount across all property owners, based on the market value of each property as a portion of the total assessment base,” he points out.

According to Peter McCaffrey, research fellow at the Manning Foundation, renowned as the pre-eminent facilitator of policy research in Canada, “The frequency and accuracy of assessments is often an issue. While some municipalities, like Calgary, assess the value of properties annually, some only reassess every two to four years. Significant changes to property values can occur in this time, meaning people may pay tax on an assessed value much lower or higher than the true value of their property.

“And there is an inherent conflict of interest in allowing the organization that receives the taxes to also calculate value of a property that will determine how much tax is required to be paid. While cities may attempt to be as fair minded as possible, there is an incentive for them to inflate property values in order to increase their tax receipts.”

The numbers and percentages tell the story. Calgary’s economy woes have impacted local assessments, with the value of residential homes and

THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES

ABOVE LEFT: NELSON KARPA, CALGARY CITY ASSESSOR.

ABOVE RIGHT: PETER MCCAFFREY, RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE MANNING FOUNDATION.



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businesses showing only a one to four per cent hike. It’s a dramatic change from last year, when the assessed value of residential properties spiked a whopping 10 per cent.

Karpa points out that the median assessed value of a Calgary home is now $480,000, up slightly from $475,000 in 2015. For condominiums, the median assessed value is $280,000, down from $290,000 last year.

Council has already approved a 3.5 per cent hike in 2016 property taxes. According to assessment numbers, the total value of the 2016 Calgary Property Assessment Roll is $309 billion, up $1 billion from 2015.

Aside from disputing – and the option of appealing – the final dollar value of property taxes, debates and the arguable issues are usually about municipal priorities and … how to pay for it.

“Each year, during budget deliberations, council determines the amount of money required to pay for all city services,” says McCaffrey. “The known revenue from grants, licences, permits and such is subtracted. The remaining dollar value is what must be raised via property taxes. This total property tax value is divided by the total value of all property in the municipality, and multiplied by 1,000, to determine the tax rate in the city that year.”

The mill rate (the tax rate) is the controversial but common reference cited in most property tax discussions. It represents the number of dollars a resident must pay in tax for every $1,000 of property owned.

“Of course the most contentious issue when it comes to municipal taxes is ‘how much?’” echoes Warsame. He tracks other major Canadian municipalities and adds that averaged Calgary property taxes are in line. “Last year, the Vancouver average was $2,300, Montreal $2,700, Calgary $2,800, Edmonton $2,950 and Toronto $3,950. A bit surprising, perhaps, but Saskatoon had the highest mill rate and subsequently a property tax average of $4,440.”

When the property tax topic does come up for discussion, the usual focus is

THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES

ABOVE: HUSSEIN WARSAME, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING AT THE HASKAYNE

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

In Calgary – from the councils of Ralph Klein in the ’80s, Al Duerr in the ’90s, Dave Bronconnier at the turn of the new century and the current Mayor Naheed Nenshi – the annual setting of Calgary property taxes has often triggered business and public discussion, debate, sometimes rancour, disputes and appeals.

Although the bottom line dollar amount is usually the point, calculating final totals is a complex but fairly standard formula. “There is a correlation between assessed value and property taxes,” details Calgary city assessor Nelson Karpa. “Property assessment is the market value of a property. It is used to calculate the property’s share of property tax. The link between assessment and taxes is the tax rate. The property tax is calculated by applying the determined tax rate to the assessed value (assessment x tax rate = individual share of tax).

“It’s important to understand that the assessment system is simply a distribution system. Once the required total revenue is determined, the assessment system fairly distributes the total amount across all property owners, based on the market value of each property as a portion of the total assessment base,” he points out.

According to Peter McCaffrey, research fellow at the Manning Foundation, renowned as the pre-eminent facilitator of policy research in Canada, “The frequency and accuracy of assessments is often an issue. While some municipalities, like Calgary, assess the value of properties annually, some only reassess every two to four years. Significant changes to property values can occur in this time, meaning people may pay tax on an assessed value much lower or higher than the true value of their property.

“And there is an inherent conflict of interest in allowing the organization that receives the taxes to also calculate value of a property that will determine how much tax is required to be paid. While cities may attempt to be as fair minded as possible, there is an incentive for them to inflate property values in order to increase their tax receipts.”

The numbers and percentages tell the story. Calgary’s economy woes have impacted local assessments, with the value of residential homes and


ABOVE LEFT: NELSON KARPA, CALGARY CITY ASSESSOR.

ABOVE RIGHT: PETER MCCAFFREY, RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE MANNING FOUNDATION.



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residential property taxes. But there are festering business issues with Calgary’s property tax approach.

“There are variances across the country on how municipal taxes are levied,” according to Amber Ruddy, director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB.) “Education property tax, mill rates, additional business taxes, business improvement area fees, etc. range dramatically across jurisdictions.

“Out of the major municipalities in Alberta, Calgary has the highest property tax gap between residents and businesses, rendering it unfair to entrepreneurs.” The biggest issue for small businesses in Calgary is they pay over three times more than residents on the same assessed property value. Despite this, many services such as garbage collection have to be paid for out of pocket.

// PROPERTY TAXES THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES

ABOVE (TOP): AMBER RUDDY, DIRECTOR, PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS, CFIB-ALBERTA.

ABOVE (BOTTOM): BROOKS BARNETT, MANAGER, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

AND POLICY WITH REALPAC.


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“The total tax burden affects small businesses’ bottom line and ultimately future business growth,” she emphasizes with urgency. “Property tax has been identified as the most burdensome municipal regulation for small businesses. The current property tax system is insensitive to business profit and in tough economic times like the ones we are currently experiencing. Property taxes could well be the difference between a profitable year and an unprofitable one.”

When CFIB asked businesses in Calgary if they would consider moving to another municipality due to the level of property taxes, 36 per cent said ‘yes.’ Although not all businesses are able to pick up and relocate, Ruddy and CFIB-Alberta explain that it reinforces the need for Calgary to make its property tax system fairer for small business and to welcome business expansion and growth.

“There are many ways to reduce the ‘tax gap,’” she suggests. “Council can start by restraining municipal operating spending. Cost savings can be found by limiting the scope of government to core services, aligning public sector wages, salaries and benefits to their private sector equivalents, and contracting out services.”

“The formula for residential property taxes is generally consistent throughout most municipalities,” Barnett points out. “But we argue against applying much higher mill rates to commercial properties who consume arguably fewer municipal services. The burden of heavy property taxes on commercial property classes and the high rate of property taxes on multi-family properties in many cities, are frequent arguments. A more contentious issue is whether the municipal tax base is even sufficient to fund all municipal operations.”

As the actual numbers of Calgary’s 2016 property tax year get finalized, the Manning Foundation’s McCaffrey has a caution. “Calgary has for a long time had the lowest municipal tax rates of Canada’s major cities. While still true, our comparative advantage has greatly reduced in recent years as taxes have consistently grown well above inflation every year.

“In addition, thanks at least partially due to restrictive land use policies and a housing shortage, property prices in Calgary have skyrocketed in the last decade. Given the amount of tax paid is a multiple of the tax rate, and the property price, even if taxes had remained flat, the average Calgarian would have seen large tax increases. In order to maintain our fast disappearing tax advantage, we must work hard to hold or even cut spending and tax rates, while loosening our zoning restrictions in order to stabilize house prices.”

There remains a basic irony and contradiction to the effects of property taxes. “While other factors like quality of life certainly play a factor in a community’s reputation, the cost of living – of which property taxes (and business taxes) play a part – also have a significant impact,” he says. “Sometimes in the same speech, politicians claim both that their own city’s taxes are not driving people away from the city, while complaining about the rapid growth of surrounding communities, where homeowners pay lower taxes.”

// PROPERTY TAXES THE LOGIC // PROPERTY TAXES


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ALL UNDER ONE ROOF // REAL ESTATE

As a city that sits in the middle of the prairie, Calgary has always had a lot of room to grow. The trajectory has been mostly outward rather than upward, as

new communities have taken root on the seemingly endless landscape. While single-family homes have tended to dominate, multi-family residential is an increasingly popular type of home ownership.

“I think it’s a natural factor in the growth of a city,” says Charron Ungar, president of Avi Urban, the multi-family division of Homes by Avi. “As a city grows, traffic gets a little bit denser, product gets a little bit more expensive and there’s more opportunities for diverse living situations.”

He says that over the past 10 years or so, there has been a steady decline in the availability of single-family lots in Calgary. “That, in combination with changing land-use policy at the City of Calgary, has enabled more multi-family product to come online, in both the town home, wood frame (low-rise apartment) and high-rise apartment types.”

Terra Davidson, partner and sales and marketing manager at Avalon Master Builder, says that in addition to increasing density, consumer choice is driving the surge. “We have a group of consumers now who value their free time,” Davidson explains. “People are choosing multi-family very much because they love the maintenance-free lifestyle.”

Multi-family developments can be found all over the city, including in the suburbs and inner city. Purchasers are typically first-time buyers, singles and couples of a broad demographic and socio-economic spectrum. They vary in age, from the mid-20s to empty nesters.

Like everything else in Calgary, the multi-family residential sector has been affected by the downturn. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), to the end of February 2016, there were 8,495 multi-family units under construction, including 6,467 apartment-style condominiums. This was down approximately 20 per cent from the same period last year.

Completions were up by 43 per cent, but, more notably, the number of completed and unabsorbed units was way up – by 608 per cent year-over-year to 496.

“The elevated pace of multi-family construction that was observed in the last two years is not expected to continue into 2016,” advises Richard Cho, principal, market analysis (Calgary) with CMHC. “Economic conditions have shifted impacting consumer sentiments, employment growth and income levels.”

Increasing supply – in newly constructed inventories and the resale market – will affect the pace of multi-family

All Under One Roof Multi-family living remains popular in Calgary

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

ABOVE: DUKE AT MISSION BY AVI URBAN.

PHOTO SOURCE: AVI URBAN.


ALL UNDER ONE ROOF // REAL ESTATE

construction this year, which is forecast to decline to 6,000 units in 2016, down from 8,895 units in 2015. “We are not expecting to see a strong rebound in activity in 2017,” Cho predicts. “Multi-family starts next year are anticipated to reach 6,100 units.”

Not as strong as in the past, but not dead either – and it’s that continuing pulse developers have their eyes on. “Calgary’s a very special place in that even in the darkest times there’s still a market,” Ungar says. “There are still people who have changing needs and have the means to effect that change.”

In any market, but particularly a down one, developers offer amenities and customized options to attract from the smaller pool of buyers.

At Avi Urban, for example, a mix-and-match program allows homeowners to personalize interior and exterior finishings such as floor, hardware and exterior door colour. “We try to limit repetition as much as we possibly can, and make every unit distinct,” says Ungar.

As Calgary continues to grow and evolve, through good times and otherwise, housing options – of various forms – will also adapt with the times. Multi-family residential, for its part, has a solid place in the market, and, though growth may not be as sharp as it has been in the past, growth there still is. The trajectory continues to be both out and up.

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PHOTO SOURCE: AVALON MASTER BUILDER

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THE BIG SELL // COVER


It’s one of the best-kept secrets of the Alberta economy. An $8-billion business, targeted to be a $10.3-billion business by 2020, with 35 million customers a year that (directly and indirectly) involves 19,000 businesses and employs 114,000 people.

While it’s not what motivates and drives Royce Chwin, CEO of Travel Alberta – it is important!

His primary responsibility is the global marketing of Alberta in 11 worldwide markets.

“Alberta is such a fabulous and exciting place with so much to offer that spreading the word is an opportunity and a genuine pleasure,” says the branding and marketing whiz, whose day job – and professional passion – is beating the drums and pitching Alberta from Berlin, Beijing, London and Tokyo to Vancouver, Toronto, Vegas, Dallas and Oshkosh.

No doubt about it. Tourism in Alberta is a serious business – as is the branding and marketing of Alberta as a world-class tourist destination.

While there is marketing industry consensus that, in many ways, Chwin and his Travel Alberta team have a dream assignment, his secret weapons are innovation, creativity, sharp and focused consumer savvy and a globally recognized and respected product that just happens to be an iconic brand.

Of course it’s beyond, way beyond, the Stampede, the Rockies and Banff.

“There has been tremendous growth and changes in tourism in the past 20 years or so. Countries, regions and specific areas have come to recognize the economic as well as psychological benefits. Tourism generates significant revenue and taxes and on a more personal level, boosting an area’s perception and reputation and hometown pride have always been important aspects.


The

Big SellBY JOHN HARDY | PHOTOS BY EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

Royce Chwin pitches Alberta

ROYCE CHWIN, CEO OF

TRAVEL ALBERTA


ABOVE: ROYCE BRAINSTORMS WITH THE TEAM IN TRAVEL ALBERTA’S OFFICE

LOCATED IN INGLEWOOD.

“We are selling the unique and complete experience, as well as the destination,” he adds with the intensity of a big-league quarterback calling signals.

He refers to the new industry concept and buzzword of experiential tourism, the diversifying tourism strategy of constantly updating, refreshing and creating new tourist products and experiences that local, regional, national and international travellers are coveting.

“For example, of course it’s invaluable that we have the Rockies, but we use it as a seed-and-lead approach. It’s a powerful and world-famous door opener. The new logic of the tourism strategy relies on: ‘what do I do for the other 12 days of my two-week vacation?’ We must be ready to match people’s interests with multi-day trips and spreading out to other parts of the province.”

The Stampede, the festivals, Calgary’s diverse head office and business hub and the business travellers it attracts, being a gateway to the Rockies, the Flames and the Stampeders, vibrant restaurants and award-winning cuisines, rafting down the Bow, the Calgary Zoo, special events, the newly expanded airport and so much more, reinforce Calgary as a solid and internationally recognized tourist draw.

Chwin emphasizes that, while established hot spots like Calgary, Edmonton, Canmore and Banff are major tourist destinations and prominent in Travel Alberta’s pitch across the country and around the world, the agency is actively expanding its focus to include new, lesser-known, sometimes off-the-beaten-path areas beyond the province’s familiar tourism jewels.

He enthusiastically recites from a long and growing menu of Alberta’s tourism options. “Of course, places like Calgary and Banff are legendary, but Alberta has a wealth of viable tourist choices in all directions from Calgary and Edmonton. The Badlands and Drumheller are a hot tourist draw and bring people to the other side of the province. The Waterton Lakes area, south of Calgary, is getting very popular. The Fort McMurray northern lights experience has really caught on. And Grande Prairie is not only becoming a destination but an anchor for tourism to the north.

His list goes on.

“There’s a terrific opportunity for many Alberta communities to embrace tourism as a way to drive business and grow the local economy. But the infrastructure has to be ready for the visitors. The region and the individual community must be ready and recognize that tourism is a valuable asset and it


MNP

Photo courtesy of Beaver Drilling Ltd

Since January 2015 market analysts have predicted plummeting crude oil prices would be hitting bottom soon. For a variety of reasons, they were wrong. More recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) of Paris – one of the world’s most respected researchers on global oil markets – weighed in on the crude price scenario, issuing its monthly report in March which carried a headline reading, “Light at The End of The Tunnel?”

The main report indicates several factors which currently support higher prices, including a possible output cut or cap when major producers meet this spring; material supply disruptions in Nigeria and Iraq; steadily declining non-OPEC production; no change in the forecast demand rise of 1.2 million barrels per day (mmb/d) in 2016 and a softening of the U.S. dollar. IEA wrote, “…there are signs that prices might have bottomed out.”

What made the IEA report noteworthy was that it dealt with market fundamentals, not futures markets. While the IEA claims demand growth is strong, the supply side is under pressure. For example, real physical supply disruptions will help to solve the current 1 mmb/d to 2 mmb/d production oversupply problem, should it continue. In the past month, Iraq has lost 600,000 b/d and Nigeria over 250,000 b/d of oil output due to physical damage to oil delivery infrastructure that may take some time to repair.

What does this mean for Canada’s battered oilfield services sector? Not much for the very short term, meaning the next few months. The winter drilling season is what it is, with its main characteristic being it is over, with the fewest wells to be drilled in the first quarter of this year than in decades.

But exploration and production companies can take a few quarters or even a year off from drilling before inflicting permanent damage on themselves. More producers are guiding their investors toward lower production in 2016 if nothing changes. Nevertheless, reality has hit home with numbers no one could even imagine two years ago.

Compared to historical levels of activity, there is nothing going on because there is no money to pay for it. Total revenue from production this year is currently estimated to be $71 billion lower than in 2014, the all-time high water mark for the value of Canadian hydrocarbon production. Cash flow will be down nearly 76%, or $55 billion, from 2014, over three-quarters of the revenue reduction. That is because, despite valiant efforts to cut costs, there is a point at which operating costs can no longer be reduced.

But things are changing. If the crude oil price recovery continues, operators with available cash will fire up rigs as quickly as they can. But unfortunately, that will not be at the same pace at which they have proven they can and will lay them down. The revenue deficit is real and will be the challenge of a generation. Finding a solution to that deficit is not a matter of if but how, however, this industry has reinvented itself before and in 2016 it will start doing it again.

MNP has a dedicated team of Oilfield Services finance and management specialists in every area, from assurance to consulting to tax, to help you and your business succeed regardless of market conditions. With offices and OFS leaders right across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, we work where you work.

To find out more about how MNP’s Oilfield Services team can help contact Jason Kingshott, CPA, CA, Regional Oilfield Services Leader at 403.537.7615 or [email protected]

ARE WE THERE YET? Tagging the bottom for crude oil prices.

http://www.mnp.ca


generates revenue for the community and local businesses,” says the branding and marketing executive.

“Entrepreneurs are demonstrating what tourism can mean for the economy and for their business. There are many specific examples of Alberta entrepreneurs who are parlaying tourism into successful businesses, like David Farran, the founder and president of the Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley. It is Alberta’s first independent craft distillery and tourism is helping transform his startup into an exciting Alberta business success story.

While there is a segment of tourists attracted by Alberta’s renowned wilderness options, Chwin explains Travel Alberta’s experiential tourism strategy of a contemporary urban feel with limitless natural and open spaces. It was the premise and the formula for Travel Alberta’s potent and award-winning 2011 “(remember to breathe)” promotion campaign.

The superb, three-minute tourism video became a resounding Internet sensation, touting all tourist things Alberta: from snow-capped mountains, white hats and bucking broncos to shimmering lakes, dog teams, wild

horses, the action on 17th Avenue, fishing from a canoe, skiing, smiling people, waterfalls, gorges and canyons, and the Calgary skyline.

“The campaign was aimed to revitalize the appeal of Alberta,” he says. “When it came out, we would have been happy to get 20,000 views on YouTube. And we were flabbergasted and thrilled. It had over 5.2 million views! And Travel Alberta has been working hard to increase our destination awareness ever since.

“One of our priorities is to market Alberta’s diverse supply of tourism experiences. Not only magnets like the Rockies, Stampede and Banff but lesser-known and new destinations, whether they are in national and provincial parks, on Crown land near water and mountains – or not.”

Aside from the excitement – and pride – about earning a positive local, provincial and international Alberta reputation for being a hot tourist destination, Royce Chwin promotes Alberta every chance he gets, and here at home he walks the walk and preaches about considering Alberta tourism as a serious business.


ABOVE: SHOT ON LOCATION IN ALBERTA, THE (REMEMBER TO BREATHE) VIDEO

WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE BEST TOURISM VIDEO IN THE WORLD, WINNING THE

DIAMOND AWARD AT INTERNATIONAL TOURISM BOURSE (ITB) BERLIN IN 2012. IT

HAS HAD MORE THAN 2,000,000 VIEWS ON YOUTUBE.

PHOTO SOURCE: TRAVEL ALBERTA


“From the customer (the traveller’s) perspective, it’s about value for their dollar and what they choose to do with their hard-earned and limited vacation time. A consistently big tourism factor is competition. There are so many choices and places for the visitor to go.”

Whether it’s corporate or pleasure, the fiercely competitive tourism industry usually deals in factors and variables like room nights and room availability, per-day spending, regional, domestic and international markets, rack rates, group rates, incentive options and more.

Being contemporary and competitive is a key aspect of the Tourism Alberta strategy. A priority is reinforcing the appeal of Alberta at home and throughout Canada, because almost 90 per cent of leisure tourists come from other areas of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

The U.S. is consistently a valuable, big market and Travel Alberta also aggressively pitches Alberta, in what the industry calls “high-potential markets” that include the U.K., Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Netherlands, India and Mexico.

For various reasons, despite the lingering economic broadside and shaky consumer confidence, Alberta tourism is strong. Particularly in Travel Alberta’s biggest market – local and regional visitors from Alberta, B.C. and other provinces – cautious consumers and low gas prices at the pump have actually triggered a spike in the staycation trend boosting regional, drive-to vacations.

“Although Canadians are more preoccupied than Americans with dollar fluctuations,” he notes, “the U.S. economy has turned around, gas prices are low and, combined with their $1.40USD, it makes Alberta even more of a tourist bargain for American travellers.”

Chwin explains that, while especially European tourists are attracted by the wilderness and the natural Remember to Breathe aspects of Alberta tourism, direct air access has always been a vital component for the business of international tourism. “The three times a week, direct air connections that start next month between Beijing and

Calgary – which was five years in the making – will be an enormous boost for Chinese tourism to Alberta.”

There’s a popular business cliché that, by fluke or determination, some people are a perfect fit for the job. The 46-year-old, Calgary-based CEO validates the cliché. He is a high-energy, creative and enthusiastic branding and marketing professional, unconditionally positive, upbeat but adamant about Alberta being cutting edge in the competitive, state-of-the art business of contemporary tourism.

Although there is still a market for the traditional tourism staples like glitzy brochures and posters, the Internet and social messaging is the undisputed, crucial factor for branding, marketing and effectively growing Alberta tourism.

“Online presence and messaging is not an option,” he emphasizes. “It is critical to get our message throughout Alberta, Canada and around the world. Technology and sites like Expedia, TripAdvisor and others continue to redefine the entire tourism industry.”

He mentions millennials, a key target demographic of contemporary marketing of almost everything. “They are defining tourism on their own terms. Travel is a priority and they are so amazingly skilled online. It’s normal and routine to book travel or an excursion on their smartphone.

“We have made a dedicated and focused investment in technology because our website and our various social media properties are so important for our exposure and our success. Looking back to only five years ago, Remember to Breathe was just a beginning.”

Despite technology being such a vital aspect of his day job, Chwin – married to Gisele Danis, vice president of marketing and communications at Brookfield Residential, a confessed weakness for wine and steak-frites, being a not-too-bad hockey goalie and a Led Zeppelin-wannabe, basement rock god – is conscious about the sometimes elusive work-life balance, and admits to “holding on for dear life to just stay plugged-in but not hooked.

“When your head is down all the time, you miss so much of the life around you.”


CHWIN EXPLAINS … [THE TOURISM STRATEGY] WAS THE PREMISE AND

THE FORMULA FOR TRAVEL ALBERTA’S POTENT AND AWARD-WINNING

2011 “(REMEMBER TO BREATHE)” PROMOTION CAMPAIGN.


THE ART OF MARKETING // MARKETING

Czech author Milan Kundera perhaps put it best: “Business has only two functions – marketing and innovation.” His comments have never been more apropos than they are

today, including in Calgary, where all businesses, in all industries, must excel in both disciplines to survive.

The marketing play — from simple and local to complex and international — must be deliberate and well executed, and, increasingly, measurable for success. From determining which tool(s) to employ, to building a national brand, to marketing a small-business or self, the considerations abound.

Choosing Which Tools to Use: The Marketing Agency PerspectiveAt ZGM Collaborative Marketing, understanding the client’s customer is the first step towards choosing the right tools. “It really isn’t about the client, it’s about the customer,” explains Dan King, executive creative director/president and partner. “It always starts with: Why would the customer care? What are their motivators?”

To figure this out, evidence is gathered. “We dive deep into who that audience is,” explains Rob Fairhead, director of client services and partner. “We get a solid understanding of who these people are, going much beyond just demographics.” Factors such as motivation for purchase, use of a product or service and the engagement level with a client are investigated.

“It’s also understanding our client’s competitive set,” adds Mario Amantea, general manager and partner. “The more we understand about the actual environment the better we can develop plans for our clients.”

Once a clear picture of both the customer and the competitive environment is obtained, the choice of marketing tool(s) is a function of that customer’s path to purchase. At the awareness stage, for example, he or she learns about the client’s product or service. “[At that stage] we would typically use a lot more mass media tools,” explains Peter Bishop, creative director and partner. “A lot of paid advertising; a lot of public relations. We’re introducing it into their conscience and letting it become part of their consideration set.”

As the customer moves down the path to purchase, more customized media is employed. “We start to engage them in a one-to-one relationship where we’re talking more about whatever the product is and how it’s relevant to them and their lifestyle,” Bishop explains.

Both traditional and digital tools can be used, though some digital component is typically involved. “There aren’t too many campaigns that don’t have a digital aspect to them, whether that’s a social media support, a microsite or a landing page,” says King. “But the bulk of the effort, budget and planning varies all the time.”

Digital content development, he notes, has become another important tool. “Whether it’s articles, blog posts, social media,

MarketingThe Art of

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

How some of Calgary’s industry leaders practice it

information graphics or video content that isn’t necessarily focused on our client’s business, but their category. Content that consumers want to engage with.”

Also increasingly important is the ability to measure the success of the tools employed. “It’s imperative that it’s measurable, and we’re able to track our results and report back to clients,” explains Fairhead.

Building a National Brand: The Professional Services Firm PerspectiveThere are some marketing efforts which, beyond the focus on the tools and the customer, have an overarching goal. For Randy Mowat, senior vice president of marketing at MNP LLP — a national business, tax and accounting firm — building a national brand has been his goal (and job) since day one.

“When I joined the firm in [1997] marketing was very new; we started with a very empty cupboard,” Mowat reminisces. “There was no brand, no materials, no marketing culture at all.”

Out of the head office in Brandon, Manitoba, Mowat, and his team of one, had to prove their worth to the lot of accountants and tax professionals at MNP. “We applied solid marketing theory and a planned approach,” he says. “How we could build a brand and develop key messages and really differentiate ourselves from the competition.”



TOP LEFT: ZGM’S PARTNERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PETER BISHOP, MARIO AMANTEA, DAN KING AND ROB FAIRHEAD.

ABOVE RIGHT: RANDY MOWAT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AT MNP LLP.


One of the very first things he did was create a logo. From there, he built other materials and strategies. “We were getting some really good wins in building our brand,” he explains. “That’s what turned the tide around to acceptance [which] today has turned into a true marketing culture within our firm.”

Mowat uses all of the tools in the marketing toolbox, including traditional and digital means. “We’ll do advertising, both print and electronic, from TV commercials to radio to outdoor print; all those channels we utilize.”

MNP also sponsors various events and professional sports teams. Last year’s Toronto Blue Jays season was a fortuitous foray in this regard. On April 15, 2015, Blue Jays’ outfielder Kevin Pillar made the catch of the year – right in front of MNP’s sign. “That thing has had millions of views and just keeps on giving,” beams Mowat. “It got us tremendous exposure.”

One of the challenges with building a national brand is being able to resonate with local markets. “We very much take a market-centric approach,” explains Mowat. “We come at it with understanding the actual marketplaces we’re in, or the business unit we’re marketing.”

For example, the visuals for collateral materials will be completely different for an agricultural client in B.C.’s Fraser Valley than for an agricultural client in the Prairies. For the former, the visual would be dairy or fruit and vegetable crops, while in the latter it would be cattle or grain. “It’s both agriculture MNP but very different strategies in look and feel,” Mowat says.

At the same time, maintaining a cohesive, national brand is imperative. “Sometimes it’s hard,” admits Mowat. “We’re very conscious that our consistency – our look and feel – is in place. I call that the ‘brand container.’ It must be a solid container that can house and take on many unique, different messages and visuals, but maintain that consistent look and feel in all of it.”

As the fifth largest accounting firm in Canada, Mowat’s approach has been successful. His in-house marketing team has grown to 50 people, and with 59 offices coast-to-coast, MNP is, by all accounts, a well-known national brand.

T-CAAN Conference Coming to Calgary!The Trans-Canada Advertising Agency Network (T-CAAN) was created in 1963 by a collective of marketing communications agencies from across Canada. Over the past 50 years, the network has expanded both its membership as well as its body of knowledge. Now the organization represents 30 marketing communications agencies and $500 million in annual business in 23 major Canadian markets.

Present in every significant market across Canada, T-CAAN offers truly national reach, while working to integrate creative regional insights that foster interactions with customers. T-CAAN has also developed strong working relationships with other agencies in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean.

United by a shared passion for the profession and by a commitment to building a network of original and inspired agencies that are as innovative and as diverse as the country, T-CAAN aims to deliver results for clients from everywhere in Canada. Every T-CAAN partner is available to all member agencies and can provide support and assistance in exchanging local and specific geographic knowledge, creative ideas, research data or financial information. Through the free flow of information and resources, each member becomes stronger and better able to help clients build their businesses.

Every year T-CAAN hosts a conference for its members at a different location in the network and this year ZGM Collaborative Marketing and Calgary are the hosts. A T-CAAN member for over 20 years, ZGM has created the theme for this year’s event as “Rise-Up.” The focus of the conference will be to challenge agency owners and principals in providing leading-edge strategy and creative thinking to ensure they are evolving to meet the needs of clients in an ever-changing world.


ABOVE: MNP MARKETING MATERIALS.

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0668A-16 CORP Business in Calgary Fraud - Greg Draper Ad v2.indd 1 07/04/2016 8:44:20 AM

http://www.mnp.ca


Marketing Small Business or Self: The Individual’s Perspective Marketing a small business or oneself is, to Jamie Clarke — Canadian adventurer, author, filmmaker, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker — all about storytelling.

“Not storytelling in the fictional sense,” Clarke explains. “Story to convey meaning. Stories are really powerful if you’re trying to get a message across because stories evoke emotion. And it’s really only through emotion that anything is remembered.”

As owner of Out There Adventure Centre, an outdoor apparel store on Stephen Avenue, as well as liveoutthere.com, an online outdoor apparel store, Clarke says that the small business’ story must be authentic. “It has to be real; it has to resonate with the teller. The audience needs to trust the teller.”

When marketing oneself, for example, to sponsors as Clarke did in preparation for his four Mount Everest expeditions, climbing the Seven Summits and crossing the Empty Quarter of Arabia, it’s about the dream or idea, rather than your personal brand. It’s also about relationships. “You almost do more marketing after the fact in that you take care of your sponsors,” Clarke says. “So that you have a reputation in the community of doing what you say and saying what you do.”

Above all else, the marketing plan must be simple and elegant. “A plan that is simple allows people who are unacquainted with the subject matter to be able to absorb and get it,” Clarke explains. “Elegant means it’s well thought out to address the challenges that grow out of your business plan.”

Clarke has used traditional marketing methods, such as storefront windows, as well as digital methods including websites and search engine optimization. He uses email to communicate with customers. “Not just about products but perhaps care for a piece of product that they bought or peripheral products that they might need,” he says. “We’re always trying to add value.”

While Clarke insists that only the business owner or individual can create the story, marketing agencies are useful in both testing and telling it. “Those outside ideas and people, who have an understanding of the industry and the concepts of marketing, can be so helpful to come in and beat up your ideas and attack them from every angle,” he says. “Ultimately, you’ll come out with a better idea.”

An agency can also provide helpful resources such as a copy editor, a writer, someone with a good photographic eye and a branding expert.

At the end of the day, marketing, Clarke enthuses, is where a lot of the joy happens in business. “It transcends business and turns it into something greater. And business is great already. But marketing helps take business from what is to what it ought to be, and that transformation is greatness.”

ABOVE: JAMIE CLARKE SPEAKING AT THE MAGENTO 2015 IMAGINE

CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.



STAYCATION TRENDS // TOURISM

While Calgary pride, Alberta pride and Canada pride are nice warm and fuzzies, more practical factors are boosting the new trend of staycations.

Despite a proven Calgary weakness for Europe, Arizona, Hawaii and cruising, the ongoing low loonie and cheap gas prices at the pump continue to impact Canadian staycations.

There is a gradual but steady shift of Calgarians (and other Canadians) staying home and staycationing in traditional and new out-of-the-way Alberta destinations and other Canadian tourism hot spots.

This year, especially in the Calgary area, staycation tourism may get a potent and double-barrelled boost.

“When the Canadian dollar had parity, Albertans had the highest rate of travel and leaving the country,” says Greg Hermus, associate director for the Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Tourism Research Institute. “Staycations surged during the 2008-09 recession, and really hasn’t cooled off much.”

According to the Conference Board’s latest Travel Markets Outlook, overnight travel within Canada increased nearly three per cent in 2015 and is expected to grow by two to three per cent this year. In 2016, domestic business and pleasure travel are expected to grow by 2.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively.

All factors considered, the growing trend of Canadians ‘staying home’ is a 2016 positive. The report projects that Calgary, and other consistently popular Canadian tourist draws, will experience a tourism boost, in large part due to staycationing Canadians.

“Staycations became a buzzword about 12 years ago and it continues a popular trend,” says Nikola Berube, director of sales with the Alberta Motor Association (AMA). “Our stats show that the Alberta popularity of staycations is different from most other parts of the country.

“The feedback from other CAA clubs across Canada reflects an increase in sales leaving their provinces, while Alberta appears to be a bit of a bubble for travel sales with Albertans staying closer to home.”

As some Calgary-based travel experts point out, staycations may also be redefining attitudes about vacations and time away from work.

“Staycations can be more cost effective than long-haul travel, particularly with the exchange rate the way it is and when you’re travelling with family,” says Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary, the destination marketing organization representing Calgary’s tourism industry and its more than 570 partners.

“In the Calgary area, at-home, close-to-home and regional staycation options are also catching on. We think 2016 will prove to be an important year for staycations and regional

TrendsStaycation

BY COLLEEN WALLACE

A boost for Calgary tourism

ABOVE LEFT: GREG HERMUS, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR THE CONFERENCE BOARD OF CANADA’S CANADIAN TOURISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

ABOVE MIDDLE: NIKOLA BERUBE, DIRECTOR OF SALES WITH THE ALBERTA MOTOR ASSOCIATION (AMA). ABOVE RIGHT: CINDY ADY, CEO OF TOURISM CALGARY.

TOP: RAFTING ON THE BOW RIVER. PHOTO CREDIT - TOURISM CALGARY


travel in Calgary. Typically, about 75 per cent of Calgary tourism visits come from regional travellers. We are an important regional centre for tourism and, as we like to say, a base camp for all kinds of visitor adventure,” she smiles.

“In fact, Tourism Calgary will be soon launch a new strategy to engage both visitors and locals, in-market. We want to educate our regional and local audiences about all of the great experiences there are to be had, right here in our city,” adds Ady. “Around Calgary, there are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than anywhere else in the world. There are also countless things to do within the city.”

She is gung-ho about the many features which continue to make Calgary a hot tourism draw. She itemizes well-known Calgary tourist attractions like Stampede, Heritage Park, summery days floating down the Bow River, the Calgary Zoo, diverse and world-class restaurants, hundreds of kilometres of parks and pathways, interesting business revitalization zones (BRZs) and neighbourhoods as well as the new and highly anticipated National Music Centre in the East Village.

“Our attractions have done a great job at staying fresh and relevant. And this year, we are celebrating the Year of Music, and Calgary will host over 150 music-related festivals and events, in addition to some really significant anniversaries and celebrations for Calgary’s cultural and music organizations.”

“The three most popular staycation destinations for Calgary are Banff, Jasper and Canmore,” Berube points out. “Edmonton and Calgary are also in AMA Travel’s top 10 destinations in Canada and we also see a trend in Albertans spending more on hotels in Alberta this year compared to last year, as well as more frequent short visits within Alberta compared to last year.”

Last July, according to provincial stats, visits to Alberta’s historic sites and museums rose by 13 per cent.

Hermus says that cost and convenience of travel and time available for travel are always key tourism factors.

“The low loonie is definitely tending to keep people at home. Stats show a high percentage will stay in Canada. With the exception of P.E.I.,” he says, “about 70 to 80 per cent tend to stay in their home province. Staycationing is very good news for services like restaurants, hotels, car rentals, events and facilities.

“Retired people have more flexible time for vacations. For working people, it’s no longer using up two- to three-week or longer blocks of vacation time. Random days or maybe

one week or 10 days at a time could be the new normal.

“When it comes to staycationing and other tourists, Calgary’s challenge,” Hermus cautions, “is how to keep the visitor in Calgary longer? Not to just fly into the airport, rent a car and go off to Banff?”

Jai Mukerji is vice president of Anderson Vacations, Calgary’s award-winning travel agency, which has developed customized vacation products and particularly popular Canada and Alaska programs for the past 20 years.

“We have always specialized in Canadian programs and destinations. In 2015, the trend of staying in Canada went up by about 10 per cent. The Alberta and B.C. Rocky Mountain circuit. Canmore. Banff. Whistler. Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer is sold out completely for 2016 and various parts of 2017!”

Travel professionals are unanimous that the brutal U.S. exchange rate has just about choked off vacationing in American destinations. Berube points to a drastic decline in Canadian vacations to traditionally hot American destinations like Las Vegas, San Diego, Disneyland, Florida and New York.

She adds that although Albertans opting for international travel has been down compared to the last five years, Europe is still popular, mostly because the Canadian dollar has stayed strong against the euro.

Mukerji adds that Canadians have shied away from cruise vacations, primarily because cruise fares are usually calculated in U.S. dollars.

Most businesses have their quirks. So does the tourism industry.

While the sagging loonie and cheap gas impact Canadians staying close to home, they also make American vacations to Calgary an irresistible bargain.

“The weaker Canadian dollar has helped make Canadian travel destinations more price competitive for both Canadians and those travellers from abroad, particularly Americans,” Hermus explains. “And lower gas prices are reducing the costs of road trips. The strengthening U.S. economy and the 1.40 USD are expected to spark a 3.3 per cent growth in overnight travel, this year.”

So the rarely considered (or talked about) positives about the economic downturn are boosting the value and popularity of staycations and regional tourists vacationing in the Calgary area.

STAYCATION TRENDS // TOURISM

ABOVE: JAI MUKERJI, VICE PRESIDENT OF ANDERSON VACATIONS.

1-800-RESERVE (737-3783)

http://www.globalpetroleumshow.com


Tourism BCBritish Columbia is the kingdom of abundance,

where glaciated mountains stand over an unruly

Pacific. Rainforests wrap cities. Nature shapes

culture. The wild breathing life back into the

wild within. Visit the Tourism BC website to

find BC trip ideas, travel tips and deals to help

you explore BC this year.

hellobc.com

Tourism AlbertaAlberta’s grandeur and beauty are obvious

from the moment of arrival. Rolling foothills,

intimidating mountains and parehistoric

hoodoos are a few of Alberta’s more distinct

natural landmarks.

discoveralberta.com

Tourism SaskatchewanWelcome to Saskatchewan. Come experience

vibrant cities, uncrowded parks, world-

class freshwater fishing, abundant wildlife,

canoeing, hiking, golf and horseback riding.

tourismsaskatchewan.com

Tourism OntarioHome to Canada’s capital city and the dynamic

metropolis of Toronto. With shorelines on four

of the five great lakes and the southern tip of

the province dipping into the same latitudinal

plain as northern California, Ontario, with 15

regions, offers unique discoveries and delights.

ontariotravel.net

Tourism QuebecKnown as “la belle province” (the beautiful

province) to its locals, Quebec is Canada’s largest

province and home to more than 8.2 million people.

Quebec is also famous for its vast forests, rolling

hills and countless waterways. In fact, Quebec has

approximately one million lakes and waterways,

giving it more fresh water than any other province.

quebecregion.com

Tourism Nova ScotiaLocated in Eastern Canada and almost

completely surrounded by ocean, the province

of Nova Scotia is a place where the pace falls

in sync with the rhythm of the sea, as the

clean salt air breathes life into an afternoon.

Become immersed in culture that ranges from

traditional to avant-garde, from bagpipes to

world-class golf.

novascotia.com

Tourism ManitobaWalking tours, museums and historic sites

reveal the stories of Manitoba’s rich past. From

fossils of an ancient sea to a revitalized 1920s

warehouse district that’s the envy of historians

around North America, Manitobans have a lot

of history – going as far back as half-a-billion

years in some cases.

travelmanitoba.com

Tourism Newfoundland and LabradorA vast land, with a relatively small population,

Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the

friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Here, you can

immerse yourself in wilderness solitude one day

and embrace a unique and vibrant culture the

next. This is a land rich with history and natural

wonders: stunning coastlines, breaching whales,

majestic icebergs, vibrant cities and quaint,

historical outports. There are always fascinating

places to see and countless things to do.

newfoundlandlabrador.com

Tourism Prince Edward IslandWhether it’s a day at the beach, an evening at

the theatre or the best seafood one has ever

tasted, memories made on Prince Edward Island

last longer. It’s an Island filled with fun and

unique adventures. No matter what experience

a person is searching for, it’s easy to find when

you add a little island.

tourismpei.com

Tourism NunavutIt is big, ancient, beautiful and new. Welcome

to the youngest territory of Canada, settled

over 4,000 years ago, recognized as distinctly

Canadian in 1999. Nunavummiut are deeply

pleased to invite visitors into their lovely

home, into one of the largest unspoiled

natural paradises on the planet. People from

everywhere are cordially invited to enjoy the

arctic wildlife and the Inuit way of life, to

explore the top of the world and be dazzled by

the vivid dancing hues of the aurora borealis.

nunavuttourism.com

Tourism Northwest TerritoriesA place from the pages of history. A place that

still lives free and wild. Big and big-hearted. Full

of adventure and discovery. And more accessible

than many think. The Northwest Territories is

the last corner of North America to be tamed

– home to the biggest and deepest lakes, the

highest waterfalls, the fabled Northwest Passage,

the forbidding Barren Lands, and so much more.

spectacularnwt.com

TOURISM DIRECTORY // TOURISM

Tourism Directory

Leading BusinessMAY 2016

IN THIS ISSUE...• A message from Adam Legge

• Policy Bites: Prosperity on the prairie: A brief look at 125 years of possibility

• 125 Years - A historical timeline

• Upcoming Events

• Chamber Member Spotlights


Yes, we face incredible, sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges. But we will best them. Because we always have. And this is really the story of Calgary.

A message from Adam Legge

As I reflect on the Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s 125th anniversary, I continue to be brought back to an idea: that business is a force for good.

Since 1891, business people have been coming together through their Chamber of Commerce to make Calgary a better place to live, work and grow a business. The results have been remarkable.

I am impressed and humbled by the work of those who came before me, much of which is detailed in the pages that follow here. This Chamber of Commerce, and the businesses leaders like yourselves who have empowered it, have played key roles in the most pivotal issues in the history of our city.

Establishing Calgary as a rail hub. Bringing air commerce. Advocating for the effective development of our natural resources. Developing post-secondary education. Addressing homelessness, improving parks, promoting philanthropy. Standing up to oppose bad ideas as frequently as championing good ones.

This is the work that built Calgary.

The first year that the federal government did a census of Calgary was also the Chamber’s first year, 1891. The

population was 3,876. At that time Alberta was one of, if not the absolute, poorest province in Canada.

Since then Calgary’s population has grown by over 31,000 per cent to more than 1.2 million and Alberta has become one of the most entrepreneurial, innovative and prosperous jurisdictions on planet Earth – even in a down oil market.

It wasn’t the weather that brought these people and prosperity. It was opportunity. It was business.

And this is no surprise. As I have talked to my counterparts in other parts of the world, I am constantly reminded that where business succeeds, peace and prosperity often follow.

So while it’s been a tough couple of years in Calgary since oil began its price slide, I want to remind us all that this is Calgary. Anything is possible.

Yes, we face incredible, sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges. But we will best them. Because we always have. And this is really the story of Calgary.

For who would have thought it possible that sand laden with bitumen could ever be turned into a commodity? Who would have thought it possible to drill sideways underground? Who


would have thought that clamato, spice and vodka would be a popular beverage?

All of these things have been made possible by Albertans. Because we believed that anything was possible. Creativity. Ingenuity. Hard work. In this tough landscape where the Rockies meet the Prairies, we have created ideas, technologies, processes and products that are known and used around the world.

Today, the only certainty is change. And while we may dislike change, we will dislike irrelevance even more. And so, as the world shifts around us, it is time to embrace the notion that anything is possible: with technology, agriculture, oil and gas, the sun, the wind, biotech, artificial intelligence, robotics. You name it.

So as we mark our 125th anniversary, I think this city may never have needed its Chamber more than it does now. And I’m asking you, the business leaders of Calgary – the entrepreneurs,

the visionaries, the disruptors and the decision-makers – join me in making anything possible, and let’s craft the next 125 years of our city together.

Onward,

Adam LeggePresident and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce

And so, as the world shifts around us, it is time to embrace the notion that anything is possible:

with technology, agriculture, oil and gas, the sun, the wind, biotech, artificial intelligence, robotics. You name it.

Congratulations to the Calgary Chamber on 125 years of supporting local businesses!

On June 23, 2016 the Calgary Chamber is hosting a major event called Onward to help Calgarians think differently about their city and their businesses. Peter Diamandis will be the keynote speaker. Please join me there.


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Prosperity on the prairie: A brief look at 125 years of possibility

Because moving is a big enough job already!

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2332–23 Street NE, CalgaryTF: 1•877•756•83493660–50 Avenue SE, CalgaryTF: 1•877•753•8765



For a 125 years, the Calgary Chamber has worked to create a stronger, more dynamic and prosperous business community. Over the years, our efforts have helped improve economic competitiveness by advancing the social and political agenda to make this city a

better place to live and work for all us. And from its inception, policy work has been at the heart of what the Calgary Chamber does. Throughout our city’s history, the advocacy work developed through our various policy committees have played a substantial role in shaping, and building Calgary into the great city it is today.

At the confluence of two rivers

In 1891, (before Calgary was officially declared a city), a group of 46 business leaders, including a gun maker, a horse trader and the local “boot and shoe man,” came together to develop this community, and form the Calgary Board of Trade, now known as the Calgary Chamber. Our mandate was: “advance commercial, industrial and civic interests and promote integrity and good faith in business.” We believed that together we could accomplish more than apart, and that this place, we now call Calgary was a place worth working for. With this in mind, we released our first policy piece in 1892 called: The advantages of Alberta: Statement by the Calgary Board of Trade.

2016 Board ofDirectorsExecutive

Chair: Denis Painchaud, Director of International Government Relations, Nexen, a CNOOK Limited Company

Past Chair: Rob Hawley, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Vice Chair: David Allen, Founder & President, Situated Co.

CEO: Adam Legge, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber

Directors

Bill Brunton, Communications Executive and Counsel

Carlos Alvarez, Audit Partner, KPMG

Lorenzo DeCicco, Vice-President, TELUS Business Solutions

Wellington Holbrook, Executive Vice-President, ATB Financial

Phil Roberts, President, Vintri Technologies

Linda Shea, Senior Vice-President, AltaLink

Mike Williams, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, Encana

James Boettcher, Chief Idea Officer, Fiasco Gelato

Brent Cooper, Partner, McLeod Law LLP

Desirée Bombenon, President & CEO, SureCall Contact Centres Ltd.

Management

Adam Legge – President and CEO

Michael Andriescu – Director of Finance and Administration

Kim Koss – Vice President, Business Development and Sponsorship

Scott Crockatt – Director of Marketing and Communications

Rebecca Wood – Director of Member Services

Justin Smith – Director of Policy, Research and Government Relations

Leading Business magazine is a co-publication of the Calgary Chamber and Business in Calgary

Calgary Chamber 600, 237 8th Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2G 5C3

Phone: (403) 750-0400 Fax: (403) 266-3413

calgarychamber.com


Policy Bites:

First Calgary Board of Trade members and city officials. Photo source: Glenbow Archives.





2332–23 Street NE, CalgaryTF: 1•877•756•83493660–50 Avenue SE, CalgaryTF: 1•877•753•876556 MAY 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Knowing that access to new markets was essential for economic growth, our first task was to advocate to get new rail lines into the city, and put pressure on Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to recognize Calgary as a divisional headquarters. A year later, our little frontier town officially became a city, and because of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, Calgary was awarded divisional head quarter status by CPR. This was the beginning of multidirectional rail service to and from the city for goods, services and people – Calgary was on its way up.

By rail, road and air

Since those early days, by road, rail and air, we’ve helped open Calgary up for growth, diversification and innovation through our advocacy work. In 1914 we were the first organization to start campaigning for a sophisticated air terminal and more hangar space, as well as a new railway station to serve all rail transport companies in the city. That new railway station would open Calgary to new markets for years to come.

During those early years of the 50s, our persistent lobbying played a part in getting the Trans-Canada Highway rerouted through Calgary, bringing another mainline of commerce and transportation to the city. At the same time the Chamber’s Aviation Committee, partnered with the city’s Aviation Commission, who were pushing for international air traffic status for Calgary. We got it, and our first international air terminal was born. Years later, in 1992, our Aviation Committee would produce the Calgary Airport Authority, the airport’s current governing body responsible for making Calgary the international gateway it is today.

Sowing the seeds for Calgary’s future

Many of Calgary’s community organizations that have grown to be pillars of our community were born out of the Calgary Chamber.

Organizations that we know today, like Tourism Calgary which grew out of the Chamber’s Tourist, Roads and Convention Committee. The Chamber also played a substantial role in helping to found great Calgary organizations such as the Calgary Foundation in 1955, the Parks Foundation Calgary in 1985 and the Homeless Foundation in 1998.

Investing in the workforce of the future, the Chamber’s Education Committee played an instrumental part in installing a branch of the University of Alberta in Calgary during 1947. It was a small start for post-secondary offerings in the city, but that fledgling campus grew by leaps and bounds until it became the University of Calgary in 1966.

To help Calgary compete in the burgeoning technology sector, in 1981 the Chamber joined forces with the City of Calgary and the University of Calgary to establish the Calgary Research and Development Authority (CRDA). These days, you’d know them as Innovate Calgary.

In July 1983, we partnered with the City of Calgary to jointly found Calgary Economic Development with a mandate to attract new industry, and build relationships that would ensure a broader economic future for Calgary.

Heading into the horizon

The most recent organization we founded was in 2003, our HR Committee founded TalentPool, an independent non-profit that connects companies with underrepresented pools of talent like youth, mature workers, immigrants, Aboriginal people and people with disabilities.

In 2015 the Calgary Chamber was recognized as one of the best chambers in the world at the World Chambers Congress – a global meeting with delegates from 120 countries. The Calgary Chamber won the Best Unconventional Project for our work on post-flood recovery and business continuity.

No matter the time in history, we have always been committed to remaining relevant and addressing the direct needs of business. Over the last year, Calgary’s landscape, both economic and political have changed dramatically. A collapse in energy prices, tighter budgets, thousands of layoffs, uncertainty in real estate prices, the introduction of a new provincial government and new Prime Minister continue to create uncertainty for Calgary’s business community.

As we continue to feel the effects of the economic downturn, the Calgary Chamber is focused on helping businesses navigate the ins and outs of government policies, and finding ways to stimulate growth for Calgary’s businesses, to ensure we remain a competitive jurisdiction, and the best place in Canada to grow a business.

Policy Bites

Calgary ChamberBusiness in Calgary full page ad

March 24, 2016Prepared by [email protected]

THIS IS CALGARY. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Naomi and Amanda believed that Calgary was the perfect place to start a business based on healthy living. They were right. In less than two years they have built a thriving manufacturing, wholesale and retail company with plans for major expansion. And the Chamber has been with them all the way. If you plan to grow a business, you’re in the right city. Come to the Chamber and we’ll prove it to you.

NAOMI LE BIHAN & AMANDA HEHR Cru Juice founders and Chamber members

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Calgary ChamberBusiness in Calgary full page ad

March 24, 2016Prepared by [email protected]

THIS IS CALGARY. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Naomi and Amanda believed that Calgary was the perfect place to start a business based on healthy living. They were right. In less than two years they have built a thriving manufacturing, wholesale and retail company with plans for major expansion. And the Chamber has been with them all the way. If you plan to grow a business, you’re in the right city. Come to the Chamber and we’ll prove it to you.

NAOMI LE BIHAN & AMANDA HEHR Cru Juice founders and Chamber members

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Upcoming Events

For details and to purchase tickets for any of the Calgary Chamber’s events, please visit CalgaryChamber.com.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016Leaders Classic Presented by TELUSHeritage Pointe Golf Course – 1 Heritage Point Drive, De Winton, AlbertaThe Calgary Chamber Leaders Classic presented by TELUS is more than just a golf tournament. It is an occasion that brings our city’s top executives, influential community leaders and politicians together in a fun and relaxed setting to build business relationships, and contribute to the work that makes our city a better place.Unrivaled in its fantastic food, prizes and superior golf, the Leaders Classic is about getting out of the confinements of an office, having some fun and making connections on and off the golf course.This annual golf tournament helps support the Chamber’s community-building work, where proceeds go directly towards the Chamber’s ongoing policy initiatives that help create the economic environment necessary for businesses to thrive and grow – more important than ever during these challenging economic times.

Policy Bites

Recent policy work:Alberta Growth Incentive – Early stage capital investment for small business

Inaccessibility to capital throughout a business’ life cycle, but especially to early-stage capital investment is a major impediment to the growth and sustainability of Alberta’s small businesses. Currently, many small businesses lack the resources and administrative capacity to raise capital, and rely heavily on equity investments made by angel investors, venture capital firms, friends and family.

The Calgary Chamber has been in discussions with the provincial government for months and will continue to advocate for the implementation of the Alberta Growth Incentive, a small business investor tax credit. This robust and effective policy will jumpstart small business investment in the province, through the creation of a small business investor tax credit. Alberta is fortunate to have a strong pool of capital and a large ecosystem of innovative businesses, and a tax credit is a hands-off approach which puts the onus on investors to make the final decision on risk and efficiency, but incentivizes them to keep their money within Alberta and put it toward high-growth businesses.

The Citizens Commission on Municipal Infrastructure – solving our city’s infrastructure issues through Calgary’s first citizen led commission

Calgary’s infrastructure is failing to meet the needs of our rapidly growing city. We also don’t have a financing model that allows us to fund important infrastructure projects like parks, roads, pathways, libraries and even water treatment facilities in a sustainable way. To help solve this problem, we partnered with the City of Calgary and many of our prominent member businesses this past year to develop the Citizen’s Commission on Municipal Infrastructure. This innovative, citizen-led process empowered 36 randomly selected residents who examined and developed a recommendation report for government on what Calgary’s top infrastructure priorities are, and how we should pay for them.

The Calgary Chamber is working with the Municipal Affairs Minister to advance these recommendations to be incorporated into the changes currently being made to the Municipal Government Act.


May 2, 1891: 46 local business leaders – including a doctor, a gun maker, a horse trader, a jeweler, and the local “boot and shoe man” – come together to create the Calgary Board of Trade.

1898: Calgary gets recognized as a divisional headquarters by CPR, our first win on behalf of the business community that meant multi-directional rail service to and from the city for goods, services and people.

1929: The stock market crashed and we were on the verge of the depression. W.H. Ross, our President at the time, said “What we need now is faith, not fear; hard work and sound thinking; and with these and close attention to business we shall soon move forward again.” His words ring as true today as they did then.

1931: In partnership with our counterparts across Canada, we urged the federal government to setup unemployment insurance.

1939: During WWII, we helped support local businesses tap into a previously untapped talent pool with the recruitment of women. Even then we recognized the importance of diversity for stimulating growth in turbulent times.

July 1, 1946: Thanks to our work in partnership with the Mayor and Calgary City Council, Calgary’s airport became a stop on the mainline of Trans-Canada Airlines. The first steps were taken to opening Calgary up as an international airline hub.

1947: Investing in the workforce of the future, our Education Committee played an instrumental role in installing a branch of the University of Alberta in Calgary. That fledgling campus grew by leaps and bounds until it became the University of Calgary in 1966.

1947: Operated by our Tourist, Roads and Convention Committee, we

opened the Tourist Information Bureau, the seedling that would grow to one day become Tourism Calgary.

January 13, 1950: We officially change our name from Calgary Board of Trade to Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

1955: Chamber supports the creation of the Calgary Foundation.

1966: We helped preserve Calgary’s park-like Bow River environment by strongly opposing plans to reroute railway tracks along the river’s shores. Today, that area has grown to become the East Village.

1978: The Chamber purchased the Oddfellows Temple (106 6th Avenue SW), the first instance in our operating history where we owned our own space.

1981: To help Calgary compete in the technology sector, we joined forces with the City of Calgary and the University of Calgary to establish the Calgary Research and Development Authority (CRDA). These days, you’d know them as Innovate Calgary.

July 1983: Heralding a new era of cooperation between local government and the business community, we partnered with the City of Calgary to jointly found Calgary Economic Development with the mandate to attract new industry and build relationships that would ensure a broader economic future for Calgary.

1985: Chamber supports the creation of the Parks Foundation Calgary.

1990: In partnership with the Federal Business Development Bank (BDC), we co-sponsored the first “Small Business Owner of the Year” award. For us, this is where the seeds of the Small Business Week Calgary we all know and love were first planted.

July 1, 1992: The Calgary Airport Authority, born from our Aviation Committee, assumed responsibilities for the operation and expansion of the city’s airport from Transport Canada, and YYC as you know it entered the cityscape.

1998: The Chamber helps to found the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

2003: The Chamber’s HR Committee founds TalentPool.

2012: We sold the Oddfellows Temple where we’d held court for 34 years, packed 100 years of history into boxes, and moved into a modern space on the 6th floor of the Burns Building with the intent to become the Chamber of the future.

2013: Working in partnership with the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), we helped businesses navigate the flood crisis and get back on their feet in the months after.

2015: The Calgary Chamber is recognized on the international stage as one of the best chambers in the world. We won Best Unconventional Project for our work on post-flood recovery and business continuity at the World Chambers Competition.

2016: As Alberta faces the most challenging economic period in a generation, the Calgary Chamber secures the creation of a small business Investor Tax Credit, one of the most important wins for the business community in years.

125 Years | A historical timeline

The Lougheed Building, where the Chamber secured their first official office in 1917. Photo source: Glenbow Archives.


Upcoming EventsFor details and to purchase tickets for any of the Calgary Chamber’s events, please visit CalgaryChamber.com.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016REV - Calgary’s entrepreneurial growth conferenceBig 4, Stampede Grounds | 1410 Olympic Way SEAre you ready to buck the trend and grow your business? Join the Calgary Chamber for Rev, Calgary’s only conference dedicated to growing your entrepreneurial business. Hear from some of the world’s top business minds for inspirational ideas, like the founder of TrendHunter.com, Jeremy Gutsche. A New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning innovation expert, Jeremy is also one of the most requested keynote speakers on the planet.Looking for fresh ideas, hands-on tools and powerful insights on strategies that work? Increase your knowledge base through learning workshops focused on a variety of topics like online marketing, strategic planning and business growth. From successful tools to increase your online presence, to tips on how to enter new markets and diversify your client base, to innovative banking solutions to help grow your business, Rev’s power-packed line up of industry-led workshops will give you the tools you need to thrive through these tough economic times.Rev is also your opportunity to build important connections with influential business leaders, and you may even meet your next new great client. With no other conference of its kind in the city, its sure to be some of the most valuable time you spend on your business this year. Best of all it’s an amazing value. A full day conference and member tickets are only $99. Get ready to rev up your business! To register, visit REVYYC.com

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Chamber Member Spotlights The Calgary Chamber is proud to represent many Calgary businesses large and small; this month we are highlighting some of our industry leading members.

Delta Airlines

What started as a humble, little aerial crop-dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters in 1924 has now grown into one of the world’s largest global airlines, helping more than 160 million travellers get to the places they want to go to each year. Today, Delta has 70,000 employees, is headquartered in Atlanta and flies to more than 350 destinations on six continents. Through their Force for Global Good initiative, Delta is dedicated to helping make the communities where they work and live a better place.

For more information, visit Delta.com.

Altus Group Limited

Altus Group is a leading provider of independent advisory services, software and data solutions to the global commercial real estate industry. With decades of experience behind them, the team at Altus Group offers a broad range of expertise including cost consulting, project management, tax practices and valuation. In recent years, best-in-class companies have joined Altus Group to gain knowledgeable insight on their real estate investments.

For more information, visit AltusGroup.com.



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Chamber Member Spotlights

Calgary Downtown Association 15

Calgary Arts Development Authority Ltd. 10

Ag for Life Inc. 5

Digital Management Systems 5

Pembina Pipeline Corporation 5

Robertson College 5

Ronmor Developers Inc. 5

ThanksThe Chamber thanks the following long-standing member companies celebrating anniversaries this month for their years of support to the Calgary Chamber, and their commitment to the growth and development of Calgary.

Member name Years as a member

Dow Chemical Canada ULC

Dow combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. Dow is driving innovations that extract value from the intersection of chemical, physical and biological sciences to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions.

For more information, visit Dow.com.

Ag for Life Inc.

This month, Ag for Life celebrates five years of membership with the Calgary Chamber. Ag for Life is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture and its fundamental connection to life. Bringing together some of Alberta’s strongest corporations from various sectors including agri-services, energy, financial and not-for-profit along with farmers, ranchers and community leaders. Ag for Life is dedicated to delivering educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the importance agriculture has on lives.

For more information, visit agricultureforlife.ca.

Devon Canada

Devon Canada Corporation is an experienced and responsible player in cold-flow heavy-oil production and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations in northeastern Alberta. Growth in the Jackfish complex has resulted in over 105,000 barrels per day of best-in-class production. The company’s dedication to continuous innovation and improvement has led to industry-leading wildlife monitoring programs and water-management practices in addition to strong working relationships with communities.

For more information, visit DevonEnergy.com.


Calaway Park | 35 Years | 1

Calaway Park: Creating Smiles for 35 Seasons!

Written by Rennay Craats | Photos courtesy of Calaway Park

65


Nothing brings out the kid in people quite like an amusement park – and nothing delivers on bringing fun, food and family thrills to kids and kids-at-

heart quite like Calaway Park. Since opening on June 26, 1982, Calaway Park has given Calgarians a great escape from the everyday while giving visitors from miles around a destination attraction well worth the trip.

Located only 10 kilometres west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway, Calaway Park provides a convenient stop for tourists heading to the mountains and for out-of-towners popping in for the day while being a short drive for Calgary

guests. In the 35 seasons it has been operating, Calaway Park (which gets its name by combining Calgary Away) has grown and evolved with the times.

“The park itself is 160 acres of land and we operate on close to 100 acres, so we have lots of opportunity for growth in the future,” says Bob Williams, general manager of Calaway Park.

It began with only 14 rides and attractions and today guests can enjoy 32 rides, 24 food locations, 23 carnival games and five attractions. The rides range from thrill rides not for the faint of heart like Chaos and Mind Blaster to family-friendly


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rides like Ocean Motion and Bumper Boats Splash Challenge down to kiddie rides like Super Trucks and The Eggs. The family and kiddie rides cater to younger guests but parents can participate in the experience with their children.

And that is important to the management. Since the beginning, it has focused on family fun, aiming to create

a positive experience for all ages, together. Everything the park does, from the rides and attractions to the courteous staff and the special events, is geared to ensuring guests who come through the gates leave smiling.

This priority is engrained in the corporate culture and is a priority for all staff from the GM down to the seasonal employees.

“We aren’t just an amusement park. Our distinctive excellence is we are a unique family combining skills and entrepreneurial spirit to integrate entertainment, food and atmosphere, delivering personal service and fun for many,” says Williams.

This unique Calaway Park family is passionate about serving guests and creating smiles. Many of the permanent staff have been with the company for decades and are an important part of the park’s growth and success. For many seasonal employees, Calaway Park is their first real job and the team takes the responsibility of training and teaching

Congratulations to Calaway Park for providing family fun to Calgaryians for 35 years!

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these young people what it means to take employment seriously. The result is a seasonal staff of approximately 800 employees dedicated to ensuring parents and kids have an amazing time at the park, whether that involves keeping the park clean or keeping guests safe on rides or providing entertainment in shows.

“It’s the passionate individuals who make us what we are. There’s a real connection for us here,” says Williams.

And that connection has given the owner the confidence to support the team in trying new things in order to keep the facility relevant.

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In 2002, Calaway Park expanded by about two acres to accommodate five new rides. And last year, the park invested in one of its most popular rides, Timber Falls, creating a completely new ride. Now it has a continuous loading platform, which will slash wait times, and water flow is higher and quicker than before, promising a faster ride. This sawmill-themed ride has three high-velocity drops, a zigzag section and water cannons that guarantee a big splash for guests.

“It’s high energy and high excitement,” says Williams.

The exciting rides are only part of the experience. There are quality shows throughout the park courtesy of street entertainers as well as the in-house entertainment troop “Calaway Live.” Starting in July, 15- to 22-year-old singers and dancers perform two original stage shows twice daily. And families can also get out of the heat and check out “Robinson Crusoe” at the new Cinemagic 3D in the Showtime Theatre.

To keep up their energy, guests have a huge selection of fun food from which to choose. There are restaurants serving burgers, hotdogs, chicken fingers and pizza, while kiosks offering traditional carnival treats – including frozen lemonade, cotton candy, funnel cakes and mini donuts – are worth a break in the fun to sample.

Calaway Park is always introducing new special events to keep the park fresh. With

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s C a l a w a y P a r k o n y o u r 3 5 t h A n n i v e r s a r y !A p p l u s R T D i s p r o u d t o b e y o u r n o n d e s t r u c t i v e t e s t i n g a n d i n s p e c t i o n s e r v i c e p r o v i d e r.

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We’ve never lost the excitement.Thanks for 29 years as part of the family!

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EGB Manufacturing Ltd. would like to thank Calaway Park for the many years of partnership and congratulations on your 35th Anniversary!

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only a 100-day operating season, it has to generate a year’s worth of revenues between opening on May long weekend and closing mid-October. This year the park is celebrating its 35th season by throwing itself a birthday bash June 25 and 26, and everyone is invited. It is also hosting Calaway Comicfest for Kids over July long weekend. All young superheroes are encouraged to dress up and enjoy this new special event. For more dress-up fun, the park hosts Halloweekends throughout the fall.

There is always something going on at Calaway Park, and visitors can even book one of the 104 RV campsites next to the park so they don’t miss a second of it.

With the park’s dedication to service and customer satisfaction, it’s no wonder that the facility is regularly recognized for its accomplishments with awards from Calgary’s Child, IAAPA and Travel Alberta. It has been applauded for its value as a tourist attraction, excellence in service and for promoting tourism throughout Calgary and Alberta. The park is active in the community as well, supporting many charities and organizations through ticket donations and events like Light Up a Child’s Life and the

National Service Dog Easter Egg Hunt. A special charity that Calaway Park supports and that is close to their hearts is Easter Seals, Camp Horizon.

“We have a responsibility to constantly improve our product and bring value to the guest,” says Williams.

The value has been outstanding. For 35 years it has created great memories and smiles, generation after generation. And the experience just keeps getting better every season. •

www.calawaypark.com403.240.3822

http://www.calawaypark.com

Left to right: Dr. Mohamed Abousalem (CEO), Nan Xu, Andrew Ma, Candice Fulgencio, Gordon Banting (CFO), Donna Richardson, Richard Gorecki, Jonathan Neufeld and Andrew HousePhoto by Jonard Tan Photography

TECTERRA Invests in Diversif ication and Growth

By Rennay Craats

In the past year, the Alberta economy has experienced a steady downturn due to plummeting oil and gas prices. Now more than ever, the province needs to diversify its

economic portfolio in order to not only recover from this slump, but to prevent it from happening again. TECTERRA is doing its part by offering support and funding to a variety of companies across industries, stimulating much needed growth and diversity.

TECTERRA is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Alberta government that has injected tens of millions of dollars into the economy through investment in small and medium-sized geomatics technology companies for the past six years. This, in turn, has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact.

“We don’t discriminate against any industry or application as long as the content is innovative technology that is based in or uses geospatial platforms,” says Dr. Mohamed Abousalem, CEO of TECTERRA.

In fact, geomatics applications are everywhere and used every day. Alberta is a major player in the area, representing 40 per cent of the geospatial market across Canada. Geomatics (also referred to as geospatial) technologies involve the collection, management, analysis, representation and display of geographically-referenced information. This can relate to anything from positioning and navigation to surveying

and mapping, remote sensing and photogrammetry to spatial data management. Application is vast and geomatics technologies are used in such areas as oil and gas, agriculture, environmental protection and management, forestry, land use planning, wildlife management, location-based services, utilities, and recreation.

The Alberta government identified geomatics as a great area of opportunity to bring technology and innovation to the resource sectors in 2009. Alongside the University of Calgary, the government built on the idea of investment in innovation and put forth $21.6 million to get TECTERRA off the ground. As the centre gained momentum, it attracted the attention of the federal government, which contributed another $11.685 million to support the initiative for five years and broaden its scope across Canada.

“It moved forward to the concept of TECTERRA being a stand-alone, independent entity catering to the industry at large,” says Abousalem.

TECTERRA set out to invest in the development of innovative geomatics technologies through company-led product development projects, and applied research projects at post-secondary institutions. It was created with Abousalem at the helm to ensure it maintained an industry focus and pace, as well as a motivation to listen and cater to the needs of the industry. Since its inception,

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TECTERRA has committed $37.3 million to supporting 66 industry-led projects and 25 applied research projects with four post-secondary institutions, as well as other business support programs. Overall, TECTERRA has invested in 195 companies including 80 startups, and its companies have 79 patents filed or in progress. At the end of 2015, the federal government’s commitment ended and now TECTERRA operates with funding solely from the provincial government that goes to supporting only Alberta companies and professionals.

“We are looking at the new support programs under the Liberal government to target the right federal funding source to take us back to that national mandate,” says Abousalem.

The key is to find the right funding program that aligns with what TECTERRA does and how it operates. Until then, it is using the latest commitment of $4.5 million per year from the provincial government to continue its mission: investing in projects and development of technologies, assisting companies with growth by hiring personnel, and supporting companies with mentorship and business strategies.

INVESTING IN ALBERTA’S FUTUREThere are other centres supporting innovation across the country, but TECTERRA’s model is unique. The main component of TECTERRA is the Industry Investment Program, which invests in product development and commercialization of geomatics technologies across a variety of sectors. Once approved, companies can secure a zero-interest loan of up to 50 per cent of the project cost, with the other 50 per cent coming from private money raised by the company. On average, TECTERRA invests between $250,000 and $300,000 per project.

“It’s a zero-interest contingent loan but we never take IP or equity in the company,” says Jonathan Neufeld, Director of Commercialization Programs. “As a non-profit, our goal is to see those companies succeed and grow, generate revenue, hire people and really add to the economy in Alberta and Canada.”

Funding from TECTERRA can be used for development, manufacturing, marketing, and other expenses related to the creation and commercialization of a new technology product or service. Only once the company begins selling and making revenue do they start paying back the principal amount. Repayments are put back into the pool to reinvest in other innovations. And if the technology doesn’t materialize into commercially viable products or services, the TECTERRA loan is forgivable.

TECTERRA has also worked hard to ensure this process is as efficient as possible. Being an independent, non-profit organization means it can function at the speed of industry rather than bureaucracy. Where standard government funding programs often take a long time to process applications and deliver funding to recipients, TECTERRA strives to get funding into company coffers in two to four months, so companies can get to work.

InvenSense CanadaFormerly Trusted Positioning Inc., InvenSense started as a University of Calgary project that created a device allowing people to navigate in areas where they don’t have GPS signals on their smartphones or vehicle-mounted devices. In 2014, it was acquired by American firm InvenSense for $36 million and continues to operate under that banner.

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STAFF SUPPORTThe growth of small companies and startups can stall at the stage where they could use another professional on staff to drive sales, but their current revenue isn’t quite enough to justify the expense. TECTERRA’s GEO-Placement Program is designed to facilitate that growth push by paying 50 per cent of a new hire’s salary (up to $50,000) for the first year. These highly qualified personnel (HQP) candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in their field, with post-graduate degrees preferred.

“We’ve had great success with this job creation program, with continuity beyond our year of support,” says Abousalem.

In the past five years, TECTERRA has created and supported 307 new jobs, trained 640 HQPs and engaged 420 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in product development and commercialization at small and medium geomatics companies across Canada.

Providing funding is only one aspect of TECTERRA’s impact. It also advises and counsels company leaders with the small and large pieces that make a company successful. The Executive Mentorship Program, for example, links companies with volunteer mentors from TECTERRA’s business and technical advisory committees to give them access to the expertise and experience of this diverse group of professionals.

Lim GeomaticsWith TECTERRA’s support, Ottawa’s Lim Geomatics created an online tool to manage LIDAR data for forestry applications. Using lasers, forestry companies can map an area to determine terrain as well as vegetation and analyze this data to determine how to best manage their resources. Lim Geomatics is now one of the country’s leading forestry GIS consulting firms and was one of the first companies to repay TECTERRA’s investment in full.

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htAchievements in AlbertaSince June 2010, TECTERRA has committed >$35M (matched with >$24M of private investments) to geospatial technology companies and applied research groups for the development and commercialization of innovative technology solutions, job creation, training and business support:

133 SMEs supported (Canada: 195) including 58 startup companies (Canada: 80)

$149M in actual economic impact (Canada: $169M) to date, projected to grow to >$300M by 2018.

247 new jobs created and supported (Canada: 307)

25 post-secondary applied research projects supported in Alberta

31,833 Geomatics Lab equipment days of utilization for product development and testing

640 HQP trained on state-of-the-art geomatics equipment and technology applications

For more information on TECTERRA, visit: www.tecterra.com

Also, within its Commercialization Support Services Program, the Sales Mentorship Program funds companies to connect with paid sales professionals who will advise entrepreneurs on sales strategy and execution, business planning, and how to communicate the product to possible consumers.

“A lot of the companies are started by engineers, scientists, physicists – very smart people, but they just don’t know how to sell their creation,” says Neufeld.

TECTERRA invests in sales mentors to help these technically-based entrepreneurs achieve their business mandate by giving them skills they may not have in order to get their technology into the market.

HIGH-TECH LABIt’s clear that TECTERRA’s investment extends far beyond financial support. In addition to their programs, TECTERRA also has an on-site facility that was set up with a $6 million grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada. This technology library contains an enormous amount of state-of-the-art equipment that companies can borrow or lease at a subsidized rate to test and modify their designs, develop aspects of their products, and demonstrate the product’s efficiency. With ground-penetrating radars, laser scanners, GNSS simulators, thermal imaging, 3D printers and UAVs on

hand, TECTERRA allows companies to access equipment necessary to move a product from concept to reality without shouldering the huge costs of purchasing it for themselves.

THE EVOLUTION OF SHOWCASEMany companies within TECTERRA’s portfolio have gone on to great success in a variety of areas. And while these companies have prospered and outgrown TECTERRA’s mandate, the centre still supports them through the annual TECTERRA Geomatics Showcase (now TECNOVATE). This event serves as a forum to promote TECTERRA while highlighting the achievements of the companies funded by it – both past and present. Companies display their technologies, while engaging in a tradeshow that offers an effective platform for forming strategic partnerships and networking with other professionals.

This June 22, TECTERRA is doing something a bit different.

“This is the first year we are opening the opportunity for geospatial companies beyond TECTERRA’s portfolio to exhibit in the tradeshow,” says Candice Fulgencio, Manager of Marketing and Communications.

TECNOVATE will build on last year’s 63 exhibitors by adding new TECTERRA companies, as well as outside entities to better celebrate the achievements of geomatics innovation across Canada. The event will also feature keynote addresses from prominent Canadian entrepreneurs Manjit Minhas and Leonard Brody.

“By broadening our scope, we are bringing more value to exhibitors and business professionals within the geospatial realm by giving them the opportunity to further network, build alliances and develop commercial opportunities within the industry,” says Fulgencio.

The success of TECTERRA is remarkable. It boasts an economic impact of $168.6 million to date (projected to grow to over $300 million in a few years) while serving the province’s diversification and job creation efforts since 2010. TECTERRA continues to work with the Alberta government to craft a long-term future with secure funding, so that it can continue creating this important impact on the economy and fostering growth in geomatics for years to come. •

Blackline SafetyThis Calgary company created a lone-worker safety device that is worn when working in remote areas. If a person becomes injured or incapacitated, the Loner SMD, which features a comprehensive safety alert management technology and mapping of employee locations, triggers a signal for help. Industries including oil and gas and forestry have adopted this technology.

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TECTERRA Geomatics Lab equipment. Photos by Jonard Tan Photography

http://www.tecterra.com

in Home Entertainment

For the Fisher brothers, helping out at their dad’s office made them the envy of the neighbourhood. After all, as the owner of SML Entertainment, Tony Fisher had

all the best arcade games and games room toys on his showroom floor just waiting for his three sons to try out.

“We’d take a bunch of friends and test all the games before they’d go out on location,” says Dean Fisher, Tony’s youngest son and now vice president of SML Entertainment.

SML was the site of birthday parties and team wind-ups for the boys. Their basement was also stocked with pinball

machines and arcade games, giving the boys a chance to try their hands at the latest craze before it was installed for one of the company’s commercial customers. The business may have changed since then, but the core values of the company are very much intact.

When it opened in 1956 as Southern Music Ltd., it was the first to bring jukeboxes to Calgary and the West. It soon expanded into shuffleboards and arcade games, and finally coin-operated pool tables for bars and arcades. Tony Fisher, a longtime employee of Southern Music Ltd., took over for the original founder, Dick Johnson, when he retired in the 1980s.

SML Entertainment a

LeaderWritten by Rennay Craats

SML Entertainment | 60 Years | 1

LEFT TO RIGHT: TONY FISHER,

BRETT FISHER, DEAN FISHERPHOTO BY MICHAEL CUDJOE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Today, SML remains a family affair. Tony’s brothers Otto, John and Ed are all longtime SML employees as are sons Brett, Chad and Dean. Together the Fishers have helped the company evolve with the times and have turned it into one of the biggest of its kind in Western Canada.

While SML still services and maintains coin-operated machines, in 2000 SML Entertainment changed its focus and made a move toward retailing home entertainment.

“We started expanding and remodelling our showrooms and we’ve grown to five stores across Alberta,” Fisher says.

With two stores in Calgary and one in CrossIron Mills, Red Deer and Edmonton, SML is poised to become the ultimate one-stop shop with everything from hot tubs to darts, pool tables to pinballs, patio furniture to foosball. The stores, which average 6,000 square feet, showcase a complement of the product lines SML carries. Hot tubs can be custom ordered and built within a few weeks and pool tables can be brought in to accommodate a client’s needs. Clients can also peruse websites and catalogues for products not on display in-store to help them make the best choice. And there is a lot to choose from. SML has an extensive product list with some of the best names in the industry.

SML is the region’s exclusive provider of Brunswick billiard products, Beachcomber hot tubs and a variety of patio furniture lines, and it’s proud to represent these companies’ quality lines. It is easy to get behind the premium brands

SML sells because they mirror the company’s own philosophy on quality, durability and customer service. The items are well crafted, carry long-term warranties and guarantees, and are built to last.

That is what drew the company to Beachcomber hot tubs. Dean Fisher bought his own hot tub in 2001 and was impressed with the quality and service he experienced. When they decided to add hot tubs to SML’s inventory, it was a no-brainer.

“There was no other brand we wanted to sell,” says Fisher.

Not only did SML become exclusive dealers of Beachcomber hot tubs in Calgary and Red Deer in 2009, they also hired hot tub manager Danny Byrne, former Beachcomber dealership owner, to add his 30 years experience to that division. This gave SML the expertise and knowledge it needed to make hot tubs a significant part of the business.

Whether purchasing a big item like a hot tub or something smaller like a shuffleboard table, SML takes good care of its customers. If there is a lower advertised price on the same item, SML will match or beat that price. This can be a challenge given the online marketplace, but SML has even matched online prices even though the vendor isn’t offering warranties, installation or servicing. SML’s in-store consultations and high level of customer service is second to none and on many products like Brunswick pool tables and Beachcomber hot tubs, SML’s price guarantees mean customers won’t find it cheaper online.


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CongratulationsSML Entertainment on 60 years!

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That said, online competition can still be a challenge for any business, and SML is countering by offering a new online store of its own. It is launching this spring with a select catalogue of goods available for shipping worldwide or pickup anywhere SML has a service or retail location. Fisher is excited to get SML’s extensive pinball catalogue online, as these nostalgic items are highly collectible one-of-a-kind pieces that customers across the globe are searching for.

Customers also feel nostalgic about retro video games that transport them back to their childhoods. Today, SML can give customers that same experience with a technological twist – hundreds of classic games can be loaded into a single arcade table, bringing the entire arcade into the customer’s basement. SML can offer the same for music lovers. While some customers covet the vinyl or CD jukeboxes of old, many like the concept of a jukebox but prefer to go digital by streaming music or hooking up an iPod.

SML has evolved and adapted to these changes in the industry for 60 years, and is always looking for areas in which it can


SML is the region’s exclusive provider of Brunswick billiard products, Beachcomber hot tubs and a variety of patio furniture lines, and it’s proud to represent these companies’ quality lines.

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advance. One growth area of the company is in rentals of items large and small. The company rents out air hockey, pool tables, pinball machines, arcade games and foosball tables for corporate or private parties. One new item SML will be carrying this spring, both for sale and rent, is a sports simulator.

“There are screens that you hit balls into. The one we’re looking at gives you golf but also soccer, hockey and basketball. It’s a full-range multi-sport simulator,” says Fisher.

These devices are gaining popularity in bars as well as homes, and SML is eager to add them to the catalogue. SML has prospered for six decades because it could stay with the current times and lead the industry into the next. And it continues to do just that. SML is looking ahead for opportunities to expand, whether by adding another store in Calgary or expanding elsewhere. But whether there are five stores and growing or the one small shop in 1956, SML Entertainment has always served its customers by providing the best products for the best price, and it will continue to do so for the next 60 years. •

www.SMLentertainment.com

Calgary North3605 32 St NE (403) 291-1666

Calgary South8228 Macleod Trail SE (403) 259-3027

Red Deer409 Lantern St (403) 348-2300

Edmonton10149 34 Ave NW (780) 428-2302

Crossiron Mills261055 Crossiron Blvd (403) 274-9284

With two stores in Calgary and one in CrossIron Mills, Red Deer and Edmonton, SML is poised to become the ultimate one-stop shop with everything from hot tubs

to darts, pool tables to pinballs, patio furniture to foosball.

LEFT TO RIGHT: DEAN FISHER, BRETT FISHER, TONY FISHERPHOTO BY MICHAEL CUDJOE PHOTOGRAPHY

http://www.smlentertainment.com

Many Calgary entrepreneurs and Calgary members of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)

share something special with their colleagues around the world: SUCCESS!

EO is a global, non-profit organization, whose mission is as bold, precise and dynamic as its members: “Engage leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow.”

Of all the perks and benefits of being an EO member, and there are many, the most important is the unmeasurable and tremendous value that results from networking. EO is the world’s only peer-to-peer network, exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO Calgary, like all the global chapters, was founded with the goal and commitment to help Calgary business owners achieve greater professional success and personal fulfilment.

EO Calgary provides entrepreneurs with networking opportunities, connections to business expertise and tremendous professional, business and people skills as well as vital peer-to-peer learning.

“EO Accelerator (EOA) is a unique and potent feeder and education program that enables early-stage entrepreneurs – those who haven’t yet qualified for EO – to catapult their business to the next level,” explains the upbeat and enthusiastic Chris Jones, CEO of Strategic Traction Inc., EOS implementer, EOA program leader and a long-term EO member.

“Accelerator empowers entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow their business to more than US$1 million in sales and, most importantly, provide the skills to make them better entrepreneurs and leaders.

“Being an entrepreneur, though sexy in perception, can be a lonely role. There are common challenges all entrepreneurs face, and sometimes those challenges outstrip the expertise of those closest to us. How do we grow to the next level? How do we respond and deal with the challenges? Who do we talk to?” he says.

In Calgary, the program usually lasts 12 months and one of the key aspects of EOA is accountability groups. Each participant is placed in an accountability group with other non-competing business owners who meet monthly. In a confidential environment, each group is coached by an experienced EO Calgary member – a Calgary entrepreneur who has navigated the journey of getting a business over $1 million in revenue – among other strategy.

The EOA coach facilitates the meetings, encouraging the participants to share wins, struggles and needs with the group.

In addition, each member is required to report on completing certain priorities, and are informally ‘held accountable’ for completing the various priorities.

“From the stats we have seen, only four per cent of businesses make it over the $1 million mark, and growing past this mark is difficult,” Jones cautions. “We have all experienced that. It means the business has to start to become more than just one or two key people. It has to change. And we designed the EOA program in Calgary to help entrepreneurs navigate that change, as we have all experienced that ourselves.

“Once we get to $1 million in sales, it typically opens up another level of problems, like: how do I become a leader? That’s where EO comes in. EO is more designed to help grow leaders. EOA is about getting the business over that tough hurdle to become big enough that we can actually lead.”

With Calgary’s EOA, as with so many other aspects of business, testimonials are added dimensions to the story.

Lila Lewandowski, co-owner of the innovative Joydrop in Market Mall, credits the program for helping with valuable professional skills. “I entered EOA with some gaps in my business knowledge. The ability to talk through challenges we are facing with an experienced business owner who’s been through the trenches is priceless. Now after a year in the program, I have built a solid and well-rounded foundation to grow from.”

According to Calgary entrepreneur Derek Lien, owner of Derek Lien Enterprises and CIR Realty, “EOA has been a valuable experience, learning and collaborating with other entrepreneurs.

“I have been implementing the four EOA components to running a successful business: people, strategy, execution and cash. Being able to hear and ask questions from the panel of successful business owners at the learning days has been terrifically beneficial,” he says with enthusiasm.

EO Accelerator Boosting business and leaders

The international Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is the respected, world-wide business networking group — with more than 10,000 members in 35 countries — where business leaders meet informally to brainstorm, compare notes, learn and share relevant discussions about business.EO has 122 chapters around the world, including the Calgary chapter which is the fifth largest and one of the most active EO chapters in the world.

Let’s Ask an EOer

www.eocalgary.com | For membership inquiries: [email protected]

Chris Jones

Upcoming Events:

May 5 Warren Rustand

May 5 Fire Walking Now

May 12-14 Global Leadership Conference-Bangkok, Thailand

http://www.eocalgary.com


The new Bon Ton is far more than a premium meat market with delicious homemade pies and fresh-cut meats. The Calgary landmark has moved its operations to Crowfoot

Crossing Shopping Centre, offering a large showroom with a full-service deli while still maintaining its traditional emphasis on personalized and knowledgeable service.

While the 7,000-square-foot location may look vastly different from the original Bon Ton that opened its doors on 7th Avenue and Centre Street in 1921, the premise behind the business has never swayed. Bon Ton Meat Market remains an old-fashioned and truly unique business with a deep and rich history, but it has evolved with the times offering clients all the latest products from gluten-free options to more exotic products including pheasant and elk.

Today, Bon Ton remains a quality and service-driven company where every client is individually served by one employee from the beginning of their shopping experience until the end. All clients receive undivided attention to ensure their every need is met in the manner to which they expect, deserve and have become accustomed to – as is demonstrated with Bon Ton successfully receiving the Consumer Choice Award for 13 years in a row.

To maintain their clients’ complete and unconditional satisfaction, two basic fundamentals form the basis of the Bon Ton business. Firstly, it starts with buying the best products possible from the highest grades of AAA Alberta beef and free-range poultry to grain-fed lamb, milk-fed veal and fresh Alberta pork. Complementing the selection of high-end meat products is 24 types of deli salads, a delicious selection of homemade prepared hot and frozen foods, cheeses and mouth-watering desserts.

Secondly, Bon Ton’s staff possess the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to properly prepare all the different cuts of meats. The meat cutters at Bon Ton share over 250 years of experience, allowing them to handle any request while guaranteeing satisfaction.

“We have a tradition for the highest quality,” says Bon Ton Meat Market owner Greg Keller. “Good just isn’t good enough. It has to be great!”

The future for Bon Ton includes continuing to evolve with the ever-changing buying trends of the public, while remaining committed to the finest quality products and exceptional service. In addition, Bon Ton strives to be a good corporate citizen by giving back to the community and supporting a number of charitable causes.

Bon Ton Meat Market

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LYNN DONALDSON & ASSOCIATESD E S I G N A N D C O N T R A C T I N G

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http://www.bontonmeatmarket.com


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FORE INTO 2016 // GOLF

It’s the 2016 season. From Springbank Links, the Glencoe, Shaganappi Point, HeatherGlen, Bearspaw, GlenEagles, Confederation Park, McCall Lake, Canyon Meadows,

Pinebrook, Priddis Greens, D’Arcy Ranch and beyond.

The greens are ready. The fairways and bunkers are ready. The cup flags and cups are ready. The water traps are always ready.

And the weekend (and after-work) warriors are over-ready.

The six Calgary public courses – Confederation Park, Lakeview, Maple Ridge, McCall Lake, Richmond Green and Shaganappi Point – are centrally managed by the city with individual clubhouses and grounds operations.

Contrary to common myths and assumptions, the city is not involved in actual golf course operations other than the council mandate that they function on 100 per cent cost recovery.

The annual budget of the six public courses is $10 million and virtually all costs are offset by fees for rounds played.

According to Greg Shymanski, the city’s golf course operations coordinator, “This year, we’re essentially updating capital plans for each of our facilities to position us for capital improvements in the next few years. Some noticeable visible improvements for 2016 will include cart path life cycle at Lakeview and Richmond Green. McCall Lake Golf Course will be embarking on a three-year plan to improve the drainage, circulation, accessibility and the clubhouse facilities.

“We are also doing work on all our public course driving ranges to enhance the customer experience at Shaganappi, Confederation and McCall Lake.

“And we have a new deck at the McCall Lake clubhouse (completed late last year) which now offers a much-improved view of the signature par-4, 395-yard, 9th hole.”

At popular Springbank Links, there are a few golfer-noticeable additions, like the new halfway Social House being built on the par-3, hole #10, but, as Springbank general manager Kevin Heise points out, “The club

into 2016What’s new on Calgary links

ForeBY JOHN HARDY

TOP: MCCALL LAKE

ABOVE LEFT: GREG SHYMANSKI, THE CITY’S GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR. ABOVE RIGHT: KEVIN HEISE, GENERAL MANAGER, SPRINGBANK LINKS GOLF COURSE

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is tackling the 2016 season with more of a renovation of our concepts and focusing on the business of golf. We have the same concerns as most Calgarians regarding our struggling economy and consumer jitters.

“I never thought we would see our fees this affordable, but the important and best thing for the club and existing members is to keep gaining members.”

Springbank’s aggressive approach has created a lot of interest since its launch in March. “Yes, we are signing up new and happy members, and our multi-club model combined with the price levels have been a hit.”

It is another year of amazing golf course conditions at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, according to Ryan Anderson, head teaching professional. “Kerry Watkins and his staff work endlessly to create playing conditions that are the talk of the town. This will be the second full year that the Forest course has reopened. I think everyone is ready for another chance to try and conquer it.

“The biggest news is our head professional, Judy Forshner, was named the Canadian PGA Club Professional of 2015.

“And we have a new golf bike. We bought two golf bikes for members to try and it’s becoming a big hit. We have a very health-conscious membership and a membership that loves to cycle. Now they can do both things, together. Glencoe also has on-site fitness classes: stretch and core, TPI fitness, and yoga for golfers. It’s a great way to get people out to the course, to do a fitness class, and then go play.”

The emphasis at the Glencoe this year is on social activities such as the Wine Club, local Brewery Tours, Yappy Hour, Stomp into Stampede and Drive-In at the Driving Range. “Last year,” he says regarding the movie night, “members brought their lawn chairs, golf carts and blankets. The night started off with an outdoor dinner, bouncy castle, games, the movie and the night was capped off with fireworks. It was very popular, so we’re making it bigger this year.”

When golf courses do any maintenance, repair and renovations, they usually schedule the work for the fall, toward the end of the season to minimize downtime and inconveniencing golfers.

“We did successful re-sodding of our new putting green and Hawk #15 green a couple of years ago, and last fall, the remaining 17 greens on the Hawk golf course were re-sodded with the same strain of bentgrass,” explains Marc Emslie, senior associate golf professional at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club.

“The bentgrass is more poa resistant (a common bluegrass weed) and hardier in the winter months, making it ideal for our climate and unique growing conditions. Also, there were two major reconstruction projects done to the green complexes, bunkering and approach areas on Hawk #2 and #3. Not only will these changes enhance the playability of the holes, improve drainage and increase the number of usable hole locations, but some selective tree removal will increase the amount of sunlight hours on these greens and help slow the infestation of poa.

“The large deck outside of the Grandview Dining Room has been renovated and the new deck is significantly larger and enhances Priddis’ spectacular views of the Rockies.”

Calgary, golf 2016 has begun!

ABOVE LEFT: RYAN ANDERSON, HEAD TEACHING PROFESSIONAL AT THE GLENCOE.

ABOVE RIGHT: MARC EMSLIE, SENIOR ASSOCIATE GOLF PROFESSIONAL AT

PRIDDIS GREENS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB.

FORE INTO 2016 // GOLF

THE EMPHASIS AT THE

GLENCOE THIS YEAR IS

ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

SUCH AS THE WINE CLUB,

LOCAL BREWERY TOURS,

YAPPY HOUR, STOMP INTO

STAMPEDE AND DRIVE-IN AT

THE DRIVING RANGE.

http://www.newstalk770.com

http://www.webstergalleries.com

calgary-convention.com

HOSTING THE WORLD

HOW TO BRING AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT TO CALGARY

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to win a bid for a professional association’s annual congress or convention, Jackie Sieppert has some valuable insight.

The dean of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary (U of C), Sieppert led the efforts to bring the 2016 World Congress of the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect to Calgary. He and his faculty teamed with the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) to bid for the prestigious event.

Sieppert says it took about five minutes to be convinced to bid for the congress, which coincides with the U of C’s 50th anniversary celebrations. When Calgary was short-listed along with Dubai for the congress, Sieppert says the bid team turned to a powerful secret weapon.

“We went to the community and asked them to be involved and everyone said yes. And when we submitted our second bid, that made the difference,” Sieppert says. “The community is what makes Calgary special.”

Some of the many community organizations that joined the bid include Human Services Alberta, the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, the Child Welfare League of Canada, the Alberta Association for Services for Children and Families, and Woods Homes. These and other groups will also be part of the congress’s programming and trade show.

Sieppert says the bid team recognized hosting an international event came with some risk, but “we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for knowledge exchange . . . Some of this will be about sharing research knowledge, but it will also be about practical application––the concrete operational pieces of the protection of children.”

Between 1,200 and 1,500 delegates from around the world will attend the four-day congress in August at the CTCC. Sieppert is so confident the event will be successful that his faculty plans to bid for another international congress in 2020.

For advice and insight on bidding for an international congress or convention, contact the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre at 403.261.8500 or [email protected].



The arrival of May means longer days, warmer temperatures and, of course, annual spring cleaning. At Calgary Economic Development, we tell the city’s

story to the world so it is a perfect time to point out Calgary topped the latest Mercer Global Financial List of the World’s Cleanest Cities. The annual study by the human resources company compares cities in five key areas:

• Availability and drinkability of water

• Waste removal

• Quality of sewage systems

• Air pollution

• Traffic congestion

The honour reinforces the fact that quality of life is a big advantage that Calgary has to offer to companies making decisions on where to invest. Combined with a young and highly educated population and a long history of entrepreneurship, Calgary is definitely leading the way.

People are often surprised to learn the real Calgary story. It’s a city that’s working to be clean and green with a demonstrated commitment for initiatives from urban transit to renewable energy. The University of Calgary and other post-secondary institutions are centres of research in cleantech while innovative companies such as TransAlta, ATCO, Suncor Energy and Enmax are major producers of renewables.

Clean and green in Calgary starts with the glacier-fed Bow and Elbow rivers. Among the most beautiful waterways in any urban setting, they are also the cleanest rivers in any major city in the world. The Bow is a renowned fly-fishing river and the two systems are the backbone for more than 800 kilometres of urban pathways.

The annual Pathway and River Cleanup has taken place for almost 50 years and close to 3,000 volunteers collected 4,190 kilograms of garbage from pathways and riverbanks in 2015.

The city also takes management of water and sewage systems seriously. The Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is among the most advanced in the world and home to the

University of Calgary’s Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets research facility.

The Mercer study identified two other Calgary initiatives, Too Good to Waste and Green Calgary, as exemplary. Too Good to Waste is a public education program to reduce waste going to landfills with a goal for Calgary to be a zero-waste society.

Since 1978, Green Calgary has been a leading environmental charity helping Calgarians take effective actions in their home, workplace, school and community on everything from recycling to an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

In 1994, Calgary recognized global climate change as a concern by signing the Canadian Declaration of Climate Change and the Urban Environment. The city has subsequently researched and implemented environmentally friendly initiatives that include becoming a leader in the use of wind power.

The City’s Ride the Wind! Project was introduced in 2001 to make the C-Train the first wind-powered public transit system in North America. Since 2012, the city has bought 100 per cent of its power from renewable energy sources.

Calgary has often been portrayed as an auto-oriented city but the Pembina Institute has found we have one of the highest levels of public transit ridership in North America. We are also among the highest user of ride-sharing businesses in Canada.

Calgary leads all Canadian cities with transit lines per million residents. Over the last 10 years, it has laid more new track than any city in Canada and the proposed Green Line is set to add 40 kilometres to the system by 2024.

Even the Calgary Folk Music Festival is one of the world’s greenest music festivals as it encourages cycling, provides seedlings to people to offset carbon emissions and has a recycling campaign that diverts 80 per cent of waste from landfills.

Calgary is serious about maintaining its status as “the world’s cleanest city.”

Calgary: Cleanest City in the World


On May 18, 2016, Tourism Calgary will host the 54th annual Calgary White Hat Awards, an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence in

customer service. Calgary is a city known for western hospitality, demonstrated through genuine warmth and friendliness. Through the years, the white cowboy hat has become a symbol for Calgary and our legendary western hospitality.

Since 1961, the White Hat Awards has been one of the most unique tributes to outstanding customer service. Presented to tourism and hospitality industry employees who offer outstanding customer service, the awards honour individuals who have excelled in leadership and performance in 20 different categories.

One in 10 working Calgarians are employed by the tourism industry. In 2014, Calgary welcomed over eight million visitors who contributed $1.7 billion to the local economy through visitor spending, highlighting the importance of exceptional service and hospitality.

This year, more than 650 White Hat Award nominations were accepted, submitted by guests, co-workers or managers of individuals in the service industry who have direct, daily contact with visitors, customers and guests. The nominees

distinguished themselves by promoting Calgary through exemplary customer service.

All nominees were invited to interview with industry professionals who evaluated the candidates according to a pre-established adjudication system. Nominees were assessed on their enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication to tourism. Final scores are being tabulated and verified by a third-party auditor, before being reviewed by members of the Calgary White Hat Awards nomination committee. Three finalists will be identified in each category and one individual will ultimately be selected as the recipient of the coveted White Hat.

With 26 categories that recognize a variety of hospitality and tourism professionals from best server to best front-line retail professional to best ground transportation driver, the White Hat Awards are a true recognition of the hard-working people who make significant contributions to Calgary’s standing as a great place to visit and to live.

Tourism Calgary is proud to continue the tradition of honouring the outstanding achievements of our city’s tourism and hospitality industry.

To learn more about the Calgary White Hat Awards and Tourism Calgary, see visitcalgary.com.

BY CASSANDRA MCAULEY

Tourism Calgary proud to celebrate the


On March 15, 2016, the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation held their third-annual Energy New Venture (ENV) Competition – an event

showcasing energy sector technology startups and entrepreneurs.

The event features a competition where entrepreneurs, researchers and seed-stage companies, from across the globe, are invited to pitch their energy innovation to a panel of judges. With over $150,000 in cash and in-kind services to be won, there is a lot at stake for the competitors.

This year, Calgary-based Spectralog was awarded the top prize. Spectralog provides a solution to one of the biggest challenges faced by the energy industry – obtaining high-quality, reliable data that indicates where and how to drill in order to achieve maximum resource recovery with minimal environmental impacts.

Using hyperspectral imaging technology – imaging that collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum – Spectralog provides users with high-resolution imaging data, and interpretation of that data, to aid in resource recovery.

Compared to current methods which primarily require environmentally invasive chemical testing of drilled core samples, Spectralog’s proprietary scanning technology has the potential to decrease environmental impacts while minimizing costs and risks.

This year’s event showcased 13 energy sector technology startups and entrepreneurs. There were two streams of competitors, competing based on their level of development: concept or venture. The in-kind prizes were provided by Innovate Calgary, a technology transfer and commercialization centre, and Collins Barrow, one of Canada’s largest associations of chartered accounting firms.

“Winning the Energy New Venture Competition is validation of the strength of our technology and business plan, as well as our ability to clearly explain our vision to investors and customers. We have already seen strong interest from the investment community in reaction to our win and we are looking forward to sharing this news with our clients and partners,” says Grant Sanden, CEO, Spectralog.

The venture stream winner was also invited to pitch alongside some of the top emerging energy technology companies at the 2016 PROPEL Energy Tech Forum, which was held in Calgary on March 16 and 17.

To help prepare for the competition, participants were given the opportunity to collaborate with top investment experts and pitch coaches at Innovate Calgary.

“The Energy New Venture Competition is a global platform that facilitates the relationship between researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and the energy industry,” says Peter Garrett, president, Innovate Calgary. “This collaboration is crucial to advancing the energy technology companies and concepts of the future.”

Along with Spectralog, many innovative technology concepts and startups were recognized, including Endeavor Technologies and Interface Fluidics, which were awarded second and third place respectively within the venture stream of the competition. First place within the concept stream was awarded to Aesop Technologies, with Invisible Predictions and BFH Corp (Bitcrude) following in second and third place.

To learn more about the winners and the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s annual Energy New Venture (ENV) Competition, visit haskayne.ucalgary.ca.

To learn more about Innovate Calgary and how it supports new and emerging technology, visit innovatecalgary.com.

Innovate, Create, CompeteBY CARMEN LOVO

CALGARY-BASED SPECTRALOG IS AWARDED THE TOP PRIZE AT THE 2016

ENERGY NEW VENTURE COMPETITION.

PHOTO COURTESY: JENN PIERCE, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY


Here we are in May already and despite the fears of many small business owners, there seems to be a very positive feeling among many of our advertising

and public relations agencies and creative shops.

Sure some of their Calgary clients have felt the need to ease up on previous planned ventures but the smart ones are attracting new clients to their portfolios from out of the province and out of the country.

A fine example of the rewards available through always being on the lookout for new business is an exciting new client for Melodie Creegan, president and founder of Mosaic Communications.

On a trail ride last fall as she sat around the campfire, she found she was chatting with Canadian singer/songwriter Ann Mortifee. She asked what Creegan did and shared that she was involved in a major real estate project near Metchosin on Vancouver Island.

Creegan flew out and now Mosaic is busy handling branding, marketing, web design and social media for Spirit Bay, a sustainable town resort beside the ocean.

New business means more staff and Creegan hopes to hire another creative director and director of client services this month.

Another creative house pulling in the business is Storm Division.

Founders Nathan MacKenzie and Simon House are both car fanatics and two years ago drove their specialty cars to ride the circuit of the Osoyoos race track.

Chatting with other enthusiasts, they spent time talking cars

with David Nolan of Studio Y Creations, an innovator and leader in the theme and display industry.

Nolan has a plant here and another in Florida and he has hired Storm Division to build custom proprietary software that will be used in his displays in U.S. dental offices to allow kids to have a happy time during their visit.

And Storm Division now provides web marketing for 30 automotive dealerships, including a number in Nova Scotia.

FLIPP Advertising is another Calgary firm chosen to lead an out-of-city campaign.

Managing partners Emily and Craig LePan have been picked to lead the digital presentation for Red Stripe Beer; acquired by Heineken in 2015 but brewed by Desnoes & Geddes in Jamaica since 1938.

FLIPP has lots of beer marketing experience including launching CRAFT Beer Market and more recently Brewsters Brewery & Restaurant.

I do like the new logo that SAIT is sporting – and thankful that it has decided to drop Polytechnic from its official name. But I have to admit to being very disappointed in learning that the institution paid a Toronto firm to design it.

MARKETING MATTERS // DAVID PARKER

Marketing Matters

BY DAVID PARKER

Parker’s PickKudos to Bow Valley College advertising grads who are work-ready.

Rolex Canada Ltd., 50 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON M4V 3B7, T: 416.968.1100 - F: 416.968.2315

INK-JET PRINTOUT IS NOT AACOLOUR-ACCURATE PROOF

AND MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO FIT PAPER.

Artwork supplied byRolex Canada Ltd.- Marketing Department

Contact: Ana Catucci, DirectorEmail: [email protected]

Docket No. File Name

CLOSING:STARTED:COMPLETED:

PUBLICATION:____________________________________________________________________

INSERTION DATE:____________________________________

THIS ADVERTISEMENT MUST BE USED ONLY FOR SPECIFIC PUBLICATION AND DATE,

AND MUST NOT BE MODIFIED.

AD SIZE:TRIM:BLEED:COLOUR:

304 2016_JVair_09Business in Calgary

May 2016FP 7.875”w x 10.75”d0.25” aroundFull Colour

Apr 04/16Mar 30/16Mar 30/16

2016_JVair_09_outl.indd 1 3/31/2016 9:09:55 AM

RISESWITH BOW VALLEY COLLEGE

WORK-READY

Instead of just hiring grads, hire work-ready grads from Bow Valley College. They can contribute from day one on the job because of what we teach them from day one at the College. We consult with hundreds of industry leaders to ensure everything we teach is relevant and valuable, so their knowledge, technical ability, and workplace skills make them ready from the get go. It’s working – 93% of our grads are on the job within 6 months of graduating. bowvalleycollege.ca

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http://www.bowvalleycollege.ca

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