Business in Calgary - March 2020

MARCH 2020 | $3.50 BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

LEADING LADY

PM41126516

DESIRÉE BOMBENON ON BUSINESS AND LIFE SUCCESS

B OMA CALGARY NEWS - SPRING 2020

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CALGARY CHAMBER SECTION

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The Business of Consumer Confidence “Keep calm and carry on!”

I

n business, the concept of “consumer confidence” is so simple, yet so complex. It’s also a vital factor for business success.

When it comes to the ups and downs of consumer goods and services, a number of important economic factors impact consumer demand: employment, wages, prices/inflation, interest rates and consumer confidence.

According to business schools, consumer confidence is an economic indicator that measures the degree of optimism consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation. It also measures how confident people feel about the stability of their income.

“Consumer confidence is very relevant in the retail world,” says EO Calgary member Shashi Behl, founder and CEO of Joydrop, a popular Calgary jewelry store. “When people are buoyant and excited about what is happening in their city, they are more likely to spend their money and enjoy the city more. This has such a positive effect because $1 spent in the local economy actually generates $6! When people are confident, they spend discretionary income.”

According to Clark Schaefer, the personable owner of Apex Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heating and an EO Calgary member, “Consumer confidence is very relevant with a significant impact on any business. With our business and size, we are not global and we are very reliant on the local market.

We do not refer to the consumer confidence index for our direction, but consumer confidence directly drives our business model and our sales.”

The index of consumer confidence is based on the Conference Board of Canada’s survey of Canadian households. It measures consumers’ levels of optimism regarding current economic

conditions. This is a crucial indicator of near-term sales for companies in the consumer products sector.

“Consumer confidence is very relevant in business and in general for … life in Calgary,” says Tara Kelly president and CEO of SPLICE Software and an EO Calgary member. “It is impacted by the price of oil and gas, the Canadian dollar, the news about layoffs and consumer debt, government data announcements and federal, provincial and civic policies. A lot of our sales are national and international so it is not so directly relevant for our business.”

Behl suggests businesses can use consumer confidence to their advantage. “Our job as retailers is to understand what consumers are thinking and wanting. Using the information to change our behaviour, buying patterns, experience driven sales and internal processes to increase profits. When consumer confidence is down, sales will be weaker but we have to understand why it’s down, then make change upwards so that we can all benefit.”

“Some ways that businesses can deal with consumer confidence,” Schaefer adds, “includes staying positive and focused on what is in your control. Consumer confidence in some ways is a self-fulfilling prophecy and grows from stable and promising environments with brighter futures. Worry and chaos just accelerates drops in confidence. Keep calm and carry on!”

Behl underscores the positivity. “We obviously can’t change key factors like oil prices in Calgary, but we can change our attitude around developing new industry and other places for growth. Calgary is full of people who make an impact. Hearing about what these people are doing has a big impact on consumer confidence.”

Contributing Members:

Shashi Behl

Clark Schaefer

Tara Kelly

founder and CEO of Joydrop

owner of Apex Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heating

president and CEO of SPLICE Software

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.

www.eocalgary.com

|

For membership inquiries: membership@eocalgary.com

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 30 | Number 3

REGULAR COLUMNS

9

Shifting From Desk Dictator to Municipal Champion

By Brad Field

10

Teck: Another Liberal Energy Disaster

By Frank Atkins

12

There’s Much to Learn from Past Campaigns in Neighbouring Provinces

By Cody Battershill

CONTENTS COVER FEATURE

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Leading Lady Desirée Bombenon on business and life success

By Melanie Darbyshire

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: DESIRÉE BOMBENON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SURECALL CONTACT CENTRES LTD. PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

FIND US ONLINE! B US I N E SS I NCALGARY.COM BUSINESS IN CALGARY

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75 92 94

Calgary Chamber of Commerce The Calgary Report Current developments for Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Tourism Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, and Innovate Calgary

Marketing Matters

By David Parker

GREAT LEADERSHIP LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY

Great leaders think critically, and innovatively.

West Campus Development Trust is proud to be awarding the second annual Legacy Leadership Award at this year’s Business in Calgary Leaders Awards on June 25th, 2020.

This award was created to celebrate a Calgarian who shows deep passion for people, business and community, and who embodies the qualities essential to great leadership.

Among these qualities are innovative thinking and problem-solving. Great leaders know the facts behind the problems they face, but more importantly, they know how to think critically about those facts. They use sound judgement and creative thinking to make successful decisions while constantly striving to develop and expand their personal learning.

wcdt.ca

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 30 | Number 3

86

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

28

Calgary’s Business Women of Influence Highlighting some of the best

By Melanie Darbyshire

CONTENTS COMPANY PROFILES

86 89

33 57

elling Your Home in a S “Buyer’s Market” Tidy it up and price it right

By Tamara Isbister

Roots 2 STEM

Celebrating Business Excellence

62

The Kidney Foundation

Celebrating Business Excellence

89 MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

he 2020 Calgary Auto & T Truck Show Ogling for ideas

By John Hardy

67 80 83

6

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards 2020

B OMA Calgary News Spring 2020

The Big Cleanup Readying “fore” the 2020 golf season

By John Hardy

A Brave New World STEM education takes centre stage as labour market demands continue to shift

By Jamie Zachary

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PUBLISHERS

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EDITOR

Melanie Darbyshire melanie@businessincalgary.com

COPY EDITORS Lisa Johnston

ART DIRECTOR

Jessi Evetts jessi@businessincalgary.com

ADMINISTRATION

Courtney Lovgren courtney@businessincalgary.com

ACCOUNTING

Nancy Bielecki nancy@businessincalgary.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Frank Atkins Brad Field Cody Battershill

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Melanie Darbyshire Rennay Craats Tamara Isbister Jamie Zachary

PHOTOGRAPHY

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SHIFTING FROM DESK DICTATOR TO MUNICIPAL CHAMPION // BRAD FIELD

Shifting From Desk Dictator to Municipal Champion

BY BRAD FIELD

Y

ou can’t get a lightbulb changed without a work order…

That saying paints a picture of a common government problem – the rigidity of bureaucracy. In Calgary, it’s so bad that a couple of years ago, the city hall program tasked with finding efficiencies ground to a halt due to red tape.

Yes – bureaucratic processes held up the committee looking at reducing holdups created by bureaucratic processes. You can’t make this up.

The word bureaucracy at its root actually means rule by desk. In a rigid bureaucracy, we have a desk dictator, lacking flexibility. How on earth does that create innovation, align with progress or move broken economies?

The answer is: it doesn’t.

Rigid bureaucracy is how we’ve arrived at today. We’ve stifled creativity, quashed engagement and created forests worth of paper trails. In my years working with smart and capable city employees, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard “I want to, but my hands are tied” when suggesting a process efficiency or pointing out areas for streamlining. While they typically want to do the best job possible, they absolutely cannot move outside their lane. It’s not the people who are broken; it’s the system.

Our opportunity now lies in taking the rigidity out and innovating within the public sector. I don’t advocate removing all processes, but it’s high time we start looking at modernizing many of them.

This isn’t always the easiest thing to hear, or to say for that matter, but reducing the size of governments is the quickest way to reduce unnecessary red tape. Also, how about applying innovation and technology to eliminate

administrative areas of paperwork? Technology doesn’t take jobs away from people; it just changes the scope of the work.

As our workforce continues to trend upward on tech-savvy skills, municipalities have an opportunity to trend with them. Maybe with a few automated forms and a person tasked with solving problems for citizens rather than finding barriers, a local microbrewery wouldn’t have had to wait 11 months for approval to put a couple of picnic tables outside for patrons to enjoy a pint.

Breaking down the resistance within a bureaucracy that has come to value routine over innovation will take a focused effort with strong leadership. We need to reward employees for creative thinking about how to break down barriers and we will need to attract some fresh faces with new perspectives and priorities. The change required is profound.

Instead of rewarding safe, process-driven behaviour, a new vision for an agile public service would reward trying new things and taking calculated risks, even knowing that some of the attempts will fail.

If we treat our departments like they’re individual business units or companies, it would be possible to define key performance measures like those we use in the private sector. City departments should be encouraged to collaborate both internally and externally and share resources. This would foster a more action-motivated workforce.

Leadership and leadership alone can counter this syndrome.

Our current Calgary leaders appear more focused on theories of urban planning than on the hard work of motivating and managing thousands of employees. Innovating, inviting private sector best practices into the government system and reducing our government footprint may seem like unsexy topics. Still, our opportunity lies in shifting bureaucrats from desk rulers to municipal champions. That leadership is needed.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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TECK: ANOTHER LIBERAL ENERGY DISASTER // FRANK ATKINS

Teck: Another Liberal Energy Disaster

BY FRANK ATKINS

T

he Junior Trudeau government has never demonstrated they have any kind of a grasp on economic issues. They seem to regard taxpayers as an endless well of money to support the government’s insatiable desire to spend taxpayer money. As I have said many times before, this is eerily similar to the financial mess the Senior Trudeau government left us in. Instead of trying to deal with this obsession with spending and deficits, the Junior Trudeau government is fixated on nebulous goals such as net-zero emissions by 2050. From a purely political perspective, this is a stroke of genius. Promise something that has all the right words in it, while setting the goal so far into the future you will not be around to answer for it.

The Teck Frontier project is a perfect example of this type of naive economic behaviour. Here is a project that would create jobs much needed in the Alberta economy, as well as contribute tax revenue to the federal government.

As I write this article in early February, there are strong rumours the government will either delay approval, or possibly deny approval completely. Apparently, if the project is not approved, Finance Minister Bill Morneau is preparing some sort of financial aid package for Alberta to compensate for the loss of the project. Alberta Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon has called this package a charity handout, adding “Albertans are not going to tolerate this anymore.” Mr. Morneau’s response to Mr. Nixon demonstrated his head is anywhere but in the issues.

Trying to separate the aid package from the Teck project, Mr. Morneau stated, “We’re working on how we can create opportunity in parts of the country that have the need for increased job opportunities. The issues around Teck Frontier are separate and distinct.… It’s unrelated to the work that I’m

THIS POTENTIAL TECK PROJECT CANCELLATION IS CONTRIBUTING TO A MUCH LARGER ECONOMIC ISSUE. ECONOMIES NEED INVESTMENT DOLLARS IN ORDER TO GROW, AND CANADA IS ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF INVESTMENT. doing on thinking about how we can make sure that Alberta continues to have a robust economy.” The fact the Teck project would help the Alberta economy become more robust seems to be beyond anything Mr. Morneau can grasp.

This potential Teck project cancellation is contributing to a much larger economic issue. Economies need investment dollars in order to grow, and Canada is especially in need of investment. The Trudeau government’s mismanagement of the TMX issue did not help attract foreign investment dollars into Alberta. Now the potential cancelling of the Teck Frontier project has made this issue even worse. Premier Kenney summed this up nicely when he said, “Why would anyone invest in Canada? It’s a very dangerous path to go down.”

I suspect that if the government continues on the current economic path, the ramifications of their economic policies will inflict major damage on the Canadian economy long before the 2050 timeline for net-zero emissions. We may or may not have net-zero emissions, but we will have a poorly functioning economy with high unemployment.

Frank Atkins is a Senior Fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

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THERE’S MUCH TO LEARN FROM PAST CAMPAIGNS IN NEIGHBOURING PROVINCES // CODY BATTERSHILL

There’s Much to Learn from Past Campaigns in Neighbouring Provinces

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

D

oes anyone remember B.C.’s infamous “War in the Woods,” the forestry land-use conflicts of the 1990s?

According to many of the participants I’ve spoken with over the years, it wasn’t much fun. In particular, a few First Nation leaders whose people relied on forestry revenues found the activist anti-forestry campaigns hurtful.

Indigenous communities were fractured, in large part by external campaign forces.

I’ve written elsewhere about the parallels between the old War in the Woods and the current campaign to block Coastal GasLink, the pipeline that would connect northeast B.C. to a new liquefied natural gas terminal in Kitimat. Every one of the 20 elected First Nation councils along the proposed route supports the project. But activists oppose it completely.

It’s a similar situation to Teck Frontier, the oilsands mining project located between Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan in northeast Alberta that’s committed to incorporating best practices for environmental protection, tailings management, water use and managing greenhouse gases.

A joint review panel from the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has already recommended approval of Teck Frontier. Teck Resources, the proponent, has publicly committed to eliminate its CO2 emissions by 2050 and is already subject to a carbon tax on its product.

In short, Teck Frontier is a great story of Alberta innovation, a fact that hasn’t escaped the attention of local indigenous leaders who see the project as a pathway to responsible development and an antidote to local systemic poverty.

They’re interested in the fact Teck Frontier could employ

an estimated 7,000 workers during construction and up to 2,500 workers during operation.

This helps explain why 14 local indigenous bands around the mining site have signed on with the project in order to help lift their communities out of poverty and into an era of economic reconciliation and the prosperity that comes with it.

Does it satisfy U.S. film star Joaquin Phoenix, the recent campaigner against everything from Teck Frontier to the dairy industry? Obviously not.

But if you consider the International Energy Agency estimates global energy demand will grow by 32 per cent by 2040, and if you acknowledge Canada’s strong reputation for responsible resource development, then it makes sense Canada would continue to play a central role in meeting that demand with projects like this.

I won’t speak for indigenous communities or their leaders, but I see their growing frustration over having to manage systemic poverty rather than participate in economic opportunities that would help them move to a new model – a safe, secure and sustainable future for their community members, and especially their youth.

Isn’t it time for indigenous communities to join the table, to move from poverty to prosperity, and to push ahead on reconciliation? Isn’t it time we learned from the mistakes of the past, not repeat them?

Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder/spokesperson for CanadaAction.ca.

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What Is Love Gala: Phase 2 Healthy Mothers and Babies Living in Community

Emma House is a unique Calgary program committed to empowering homeless, at-risk youth and women who are pregnant. Emma House goes above and beyond providing shelter in a time of desperate need by offering affordable housing and a supportive environment where vulnerable women can transform their lives and break the cycle of homelessness.

Former residents of Emma House have said that a sense of community, genuine care, and life-skills training in a familylike setting are just a few of the unique ways Emma House has helped them overcome a multitude of barriers and transform their lives. For many, it is the first time they have felt part of a family – something most of us take for granted.

On April 16th, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and businesses around Calgary will be gathering together for the What Is Love Gala in support of Emma House. This entertaining evening is an opportunity for concerned Calgary citizens to network and leverage joint resources of all kinds so that homelessness among mothers and babies in our city can be eradicated. Honourable Rebecca Shulz, Alberta’s minister of children’s services, is eager to advocate for policies that protect and support vulnerable children. She will be speaking about how we can ensure that children in Alberta have the best opportunities to succeed. Honourable Shulz, is a communications professional with experience ranging across sectors - from energy to education in two prairie provinces with a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.

As with this year’s International Day of Women 2020, we endeavour every day to improve our women’s situations and

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to celebrate their victories. Emma House believes that this goal can be realized by turning vulnerability into resilience through daily training and supportive care.

For more information about Emma House and the What Is Love Gala contact Deanna Branson at info@emmahouse.ca or 403.612.2351 or go to www.emmahouse.ca

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Operation Eyesight Helps Calgarians to Think Globally and Act Locally

Operation Eyesight is an international development organization that is raising Calgary’s global profile. Since its inception in Calgary in 1963, Operation Eyesight has been preventing blindness and bringing sight-saving treatment to millions of people in the neediest parts of Africa and South Asia. The impact has been truly phenomenal and Calgarians have been behind this important work for decades.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Report on Vision, at least 2.2 billion people live with a vision impairment and for at least 1 billion of these, it could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Almost 90 per cent of blind or visually-impaired people live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to eye health care can be extremely limited.

Blindness doesn’t affect all people equally. It has the most devastating consequences on those already living in poverty.

It affects more women and girls than men and boys.

Canada has a long history of international assistance. Operation Eyesight donors have expressed a desire to think globally and act locally by supporting a local organization dedicated to helping the people who need it the most in the world.

“We as Canadians tend to see ourselves as global citizens,” says Aly Bandali, president and CEO of Operation Eyesight.

“We wear a Canadian flag patch on our backpacks when we’re travelling, because we’re proud of this reputation and we feel welcomed when people in other countries recognize us as Canadians.”

For the last two years in a row, Operation Eyesight has been recognized as one of Charity Intelligence Canada’s Top 10 Impact Charities and the organization was also included in the new Top 10 International Impact Charities category.

Operation Eyesight was the only Calgary-based charity to be singled out for their high-impact overseas programs.

While Operation Eyesight has donors across Canada and throughout the world, community engagement within Calgary has been key to the success of the organization. In October of last year, Operation Eyesight celebrated World Sight Day as staff and a group of volunteers from Ovintiv took to the streets on Stephen Avenue Walk to encourage Calgarians to prioritize their eye health.

ABOVE: OPERATION EYESIGHT PRESIDENT & CEO, ALY BANDALI, VISITED A SCHOOL IN KENYA WHERE THE ORGANIZATION HAD BROUGHT CLEAN WATER TO THESE GRATEFUL BENEFICIARIES. OPERATION EYESIGHT DRILLS AND REHABILITATES BOREHOLES AS PART OF THEIR PROGRAM TO ELIMINATE BLINDING TRACHOMA.

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Do you want to grow your business?

For 20 years, Chuck Bean and his team have helped Calgary businesses get smart about sales, leadership and strategy.

Call 403.703.9525 or visit themethodeffect.com They will be holding their biggest awareness event yet, Sight Is Life, at the Bow Tower on May 11.

Operation Eyesight’s donors make it possible for their programs to reach the people who need it the most, in some of the poorest remote communities in developing countries. These programs change lives in so many ways beyond restoring sight and preventing blindness. When people can work, they have a chance to break the cycle of poverty and maintain their independence. Women and girls are given equal access to many opportunities, empowering them to pursue education and employment.

Communities are provided with clean water and sanitation to reduce the spread of blinding bacterial diseases, allowing the community to thrive.

“By restoring sight, we create opportunities for our beneficiaries to pursue a brighter future for themselves, their families and all those around them,” says Bandali.

For more information on this Calgary-based organization, visit operationeyesight.com.

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PSAC Forecast Update: Oilpatch downturn Five years and still counting

In its first update to the 2020 Canadian Oilfield Services Activity Forecast, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) has revised the number of wells drilled (rig released) across Canada for 2020 to 4,800 wells. This represents an increase of 300 wells, or seven per cent, from PSAC’s original 2020 forecast released in October 2019.

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PSAC is basing its updated 2020 forecast on average natural gas prices of $1.85 CDN/mcf (AECO), crude oil prices of $59 USD/barrel (WTI) and the Canada-U.S. exchange rate averaging $0.76.

With some curtailment quotas relaxed, three major oilsands companies are planning higher activity this year, thereby increasing the forecast by 300 wells.

Although many companies experienced a stronger start to 2020, it is believed this is primarily due to work deferred from Q4 2019 that will not translate into increased activity for the rest of the year.

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PSAC president and CEO Gary Mar says, “On the gas side, there is optimism with LNG Canada underway; however, activity for the oilfield services sector for development and production is still several years out. Currently, we are still oversupplied with gas with a dearth of storage capacity and pipeline egress that will provide little incentive for new drilling.”

Oilfield services companies have begun looking at repair, maintenance and closure work as well as decommissioning, reclamation, remediation and new geothermal projects to help companies survive what is now the sixth year of the unpredicted downturn.

It is expected that closure work alone will provide $559 million of work or more, pending the new rules expected as of March 2020.

On a provincial basis for 2020, PSAC now estimates 2,460 wells to be drilled in Alberta, up 14 per cent from 2,155 wells in the original forecast. The revised forecast for Saskatchewan now sits at 1,790 wells, down five wells from the original forecast, while British Columbia and Manitoba are unchanged at 345 and 190 wells, respectively. Compared to 2019, 2020 is expected to have two per cent less activity.

Mar continues, “We absolutely must find a way to get our responsibly-developed resources to global markets to help lower GHG emissions by replacing coal and through innovation and technology, while creating jobs and prosperity for all Canadians. There simply is no good reason to do otherwise.”

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Global Petroleum Show Rebrands

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Global Petroleum Show—North America’s leading energy event announces its complete rebrand to Global Energy Show in advance of the 54th annual show.

The name Global Energy Show reflects the industry’s continued evolution, as the show builds upon significant technological and sustainable achievements driven by oil and gas and moves to encompass alternative sources.

“As we launch this rebrand, we are upholding the Global Energy Show’s reputation of showcasing the best in energy and innovative technologies from top suppliers, with more than 700 exhibitors across five exhibit halls and growing,” says Nick Samain, Vice President, dmg events, organizer of the Global Energy Show. “We want to leverage our platform to share how Canadian energy companies are not only transforming with the industry but also leading the dialogue and making meaningful contributions on the global stage.”

Annually, the show brings together more than 50,000 industry professionals, government officials and companies to have forward-thinking conversations about creating a prosperous and sustainable future for upcoming generations.

Delegates from more than 110 countries are represented during the threeday exhibition and conference. With rebranding, the show strives to draw global attention to the increasing pace of technology that is driving growth in sustainable energy production. The event will profile the oil and gas sector as a hub of solutions-based innovation and promote the show as an inclusive event for all energy players.

“Canada continues to be one of the most important and reliable energy producers in the world. Alberta is at the epicentre of it,” says Samain. “Through the Global Energy Show, we want to convince the world that Alberta and Canada are great places to invest and do business in—whether that opportunity lies with oil and gas or new and emerging sectors. As we strive to meet global energy demands, the Canadian energy sector must continue to diversify, innovate and expand into new avenues for growth.”

Global Energy Show is taking place June 9-11, 2020, in Calgary, at the BMO Centre. Audiences will see the return of existing programs including the threeday Strategic and Technical Conference, Global Market Seminar Series, Awards Gala and GPC VIP program. In addition, the show will launch the Global Energy Investment Forum, the CEO & Ministerial Summit to foster dialogue and promote investment in the sector.

SMWL.COM 20

MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

COMPANY PROGRAM “Company Program taught me business and financial skills while in high school that will help me long term. I believe this program has taught me many essential life skills that will lead me to success in any career field” - CP Student

“Company Program has shaped my overall high school experience and undoubtedly made me a better articulated person from where I started 3 years ago. I am more confident in who I am, and a better leader to serve the future” - CP Student

During this 18 week program, over 700 Calgary and area youth develop business ideas, write business plans, elect executives, market and sell their own products. Students would not be able to participate in this entrepreneurial experience without the mentorship of volunteers and the support of organizations dedicated to seeing young Albertans succeed.

School of Business

THANK YOU

LEADING LADY // COVER

LEADING LADY DESIRÉE BOMBENON ON BUSINESS AND LIFE SUCCESS

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

D

esirée Bombenon’s life to date has all the makings of an inspiring, from-the-ground-up female success story. A humble, Canadian immigrant childhood; a young, single mother working through university; an entry-level start to her career; the gradual movement up the ranks to the role of CEO; the leadership and transformation of a successful company; a dedicated involvement with the community and desire to give back, particularly to girls and women, in many ways; a creative and energetic woman happily wearing many hats.

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LEADING LADY // COVER

ABOVE: DESIRÉE BOMBENON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SURECALL CONTACT CENTRES LTD. PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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LEADING LADY // COVER

The majority of clients are from all over Canada and the U.S. “It can be any size client,” she says. “We have everybody from startups to small and mid-size enterprises, to large corporations and government entities. We help everybody.”

To the energy industry, for example, SureCall provides applications such as emergency response planning and employee tracking and monitoring. “We also do order entry for a number of large restaurants, food and beverage and consumer goods companies,” she continues. “We do complete customer support and fulfilment services, whether that’s inputting information into a database, sending out coupons for large grocery chains or connecting organizations with their customer base. If you can name it, we can do it.”

Today, the president and CEO of SureCall Contact Centres Ltd., a 24-7, 365-days-per-year contact centre headquartered in Calgary, has many hot irons in the fire. Taking up most of her time is SureCall, which she co-owns with husband Marc Bombenon. Over 35 years (Bombenon has been involved for 30 years), it has evolved from a small, local dispatch centre for pager communications to a full-service business process outsourcing (BPO) provider for clients of every size all over the world. Business is busier, and better, than ever.

“This year is pretty crazy so far,” Bombenon admits from her Calgary office. “It looks very promising. We’re in the middle of a scale-out growth mindset program within the organization, which has been continuing since 2019. It’s busy and we love it.”

Much more than a contact centre, SureCall offers a range of front-end and back-office customer support, BPO and emergency response services to its clients. “We support inbound and outbound customer service through multiple channels,” she explains. “It’s what is known as omni-channel offerings. We’re not just looking at the various marketing streams to assist clients but also at all of the technical, innovation, applications, social media – every kind of contact that our client has, we can manage it.”

Originally born in Sri Lanka, Bombenon moved to Calgary with her parents when she was three years old. The family lived a humble life. “It was a pretty tough life,” she recalls of growing up in Calgary in the 1970s. “I ate oatmeal for most of my young adult life because you could buy it in bulk. It’s cheap but good for you.”

Bombenon started at SureCall (then called Page Direct) in 1989 in the call centre. With two young children and her job, she nonetheless managed to attend the University of Calgary, graduating with a business degree concentrated in marketing. Her position at Page Direct rose.

At the same time, Page Direct’s competitive landscape was transformed with the advent of cellphones. “We sold our paging divisions and opened several cellular stores (Telus stores today),” she explains. “We eventually became the largest dealer for cellular in Alberta.”

The company eventually sold all of the paging and cellular phone assets. “We had this dispatch centre left over from the paging days, and didn’t know what to do with it,” she says. “We were going to close it down; however, with the encouragement of several customers, we opened an afterhours servicing centre.” That centre operated as a service bureau for several years until SureCall was reborn in 2013 and Bombenon took over the role of CEO. Today, SureCall employs between 100 and 130 Canadians, located across the country. “We have employees from B.C. all the way out to Newfoundland,” she says. “We use work-from-home

ABOVE: DESIRÉE AND MARC BOMBENON, CO-OWNERS OF SURECALL CONTACT CENTRES LTD.

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

VANCOUVER | CALGARY | EDMONTON | WINNIPEG | TORONTO | MONTREAL | HALIFAX

Close the Deal with Confidence MNP Corporate Finance would like to thank our clients for trusting us with their transaction advisory needs. The following is a selection of transactions completed across Canada in 2019.

DENTAL LABS CANADA

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For more information, contact Mike Reynolds, Managing Director, Corporate Finance at 587.702.5909 or mike.reynolds@mnp.ca

LEADING LADY // COVER

remote agent solutions along with our inhouse agent pool. We’re a 24-7 centre, so we have shifts all throughout the day and night.

But we’re quite flexible with our shifts, for whatever works best for our teams.”

Amongst her employees, Bombenon is lovingly referred to as SureCall’s chief disruption officer. “I feel compelled to change how our industry is looked at and to raise the bar through technology and creative innovations that showcase how valuable outsourced solutions could be to companies who embrace them,” she explains. “The traditional view of what our industry does is old school and I am constantly introducing new technology and pushing our team outside of their comfort zone.”

A recent highlight occurred in April 2019, when SureCall became a Certified B Corporation – the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. “The verification is an important factor for retaining great talent and engaging new clients; it’s something everybody is looking for,” Bombenon says proudly.

“We were named ‘best for the world honoree’ for 2019 in community giving.”

Not content to remain static, Bombenon is working on a number of projects for SureCall now, with big plans for the future. “We’re looking at a potential platform change,” she reveals. “A fully cloud-based platform that allows us to integrate artificial intelligence into our services. For long term, we’re looking at a global scale-out. We want to progressively expand into Europe, Australia and some other large markets globally.”

SureCall is not Bombenon’s singular focus. She also owns a boutique wine and specialty spirits import business – Desirée Imports – which she launched 10 years ago out of her passion for good wine. A certified sommelier, Bombenon’s goal with the wine business was to bring great, socially-responsible

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wines to Canada. “We want wine that tastes great but is also environmentally sustainable,” she says, noting much of the wine is sourced from France with some New-World additions coming soon. “We sell to boutique wine stores, restaurants and liquor stores here. We get to travel to all of these amazing vineyards to try all the wines; so fun!”

Two of her grown children are now involved in the business, which she believes has major potential. “It started as more of a hobby than a business but it’s starting to expand and grow now. It’s becoming a real going concern.”

In addition to businesswoman and sommelier, Bombenon is also an accomplished writer, the author of two novels. During a sabbatical in 2010 she started writing an action adventure novel called The Offering, which was published in 2012. Her followup novel – The Congregation – was published in 2015.

ABOVE: IN 2017, AS A FELLOW AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY’S ADVANCED LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE, BOMBENON DESIGNED THE HERO GIRLS PROJECT. ITS MISSION IS TO EDUCATE UNDERSERVED FEMALES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. BELOW: SURECALL TEAM. MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

LEADING LADY // COVER

“It was a lot of fun and it helped me work through some of the things in order to get my mind back into business,” she says.

“The books, believe it or not, started to get some attention and were getting picked up mostly online in the U.S.” Her desire to give back, particularly to women and girls, has been evident for many years. After 10 years of work in the area, she launched Mentor In A Mini-Skirt, a program that encourages and fosters female mentorship. “We may think we’ve moved the needle on gender parity, but I think we have a long way to go,” she warns.

Mentorship is not just for young women either, she notes.

“Women of every age are looking for mentorship to help them find not only their voice but also to navigate the journey of leadership, especially in predominantly male-led industries.”

In 2017, as a fellow at Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative, Bombenon designed the Hero Girls project. Its mission is to educate underserved females in developing countries. “We provide scholarships for early education to the girls who would not otherwise be allowed to attend school,” she says. “My pride is actually the entrepreneurial program I designed for the older females where they learn about business and how to launch an innovation project. We also support a mother’s group with microcredit loans for local businesses. It is a really great program and still going on today.”

Bombenon and her husband Marc attended the graduation of the first class of Hero Girls in Nepal last November. “There were 105 girls that went through the program with 30 successful innovation projects launched in their community,” she beams. “It was very exciting for us.”

Closer to home, Bombenon is involved with the Calgary Chamber (as chair of governance and HR, for the board), Children First Canada (also as a member of the board and chair of the governance and HR nominating committee), the National Music Centre, the Distress Centre and Inn from the Cold, to name a few.

She joined the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) in 2004 and in 2011, became the first female to chair the

Canadian region. “YPO is a wonderful organization of likeminded individuals and everybody is very much about helping each other succeed,” she says. “But it is still predominately male members. In order to get more female members we have to gain the same respect and have the same confidence as men. You can only do that in a position of leadership where you can contribute your opinion and ideas about how to make the organization better for everyone.”

For all her efforts, Bombenon has been recognized and awarded many times over. Notably, she was a 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and a 2018 Leaders Award winner.

She was nominated for a 2019 Women of Inspiration Award and made the list of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2016 and 2017. “Those were all meaningful things, but really, the awards are a reflection of the work my team and I do together every day,” she explains. “Really, the awards belong to my team at SureCall.”

She’s bullish on Calgary, despite recent economic troubles, noting the “true grit” in this city. “We’ll continue to find ways around these obstacles and get to that creative mindset of designing, innovating and finding new ways to do business and to flourish,” she urges. “It’s one of the reasons I have never moved from Calgary. To me, it is one of the best places in the world to live and raise a family.” SureCall, she adds, has continued to grow throughout the downturn.

Her wisdom is apparent when reflecting on the challenges she’s faced in life and business. “It’s been 30 years of crucibles to the point that if something isn’t going wrong I think something must be going wrong,” she laughs. “You just put a check mark in the lesson learned column every time.

Because failure is the foothold for your climb to success and without it, you’ll never reach your full potential.”

Bombenon’s story is inspiring, for women and men, young and old, rich and poor, immigrants and Canadian-born. The principles she has lived by – hard work, embracing challenge, giving of oneself – have served her well, and everything she touches. She is a true leading lady.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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CALGARY’S BUSINESS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE // WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

Women of Influence

CALGARY’S BUSINESS

HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE BEST

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

C

algary’s business community is replete with remarkable and inspiring women. In every industry, throughout the ranks, highly-skilled, accomplished and dedicated women work hard daily to build their businesses and communities. The network amongst these entrepreneurs is strong, supported by over 80 different organizations working to advance professional women.

Following are some of this city’s passionate businesswomen, who are excelling in their professions and making an important impact for their peers.

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CALGARY’S BUSINESS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE // WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

“We believe that young women have the power to change the energy industry for the better,” she says. “We want to increase and provide the voice presence, development and leadership of women working in the energy industry.”

Membership in YWE, she notes, is open to all women in energy. “It’s for any age or discipline. It’s for someone who’s at that pivotal point: no longer a new graduate, but not yet an executive. They’re just looking for that additional support.”

YWE hosts a number of events and programs for its members, offering opportunities to develop and connect.

The YWE Acumen Series presents industry experts on a variety of topics aimed at improving attendees’ business acumen. Networking events include a golf league and golf boot camp, a non-fiction book club and the YWE Summit, a yearly conference in Kananaskis. “It’s really impactful content,” Smith says. “Getting women out of their day jobs and trying to advance them as future leaders of energy.”

Katie Smith, Executive Director, Young Women in Energy At just 31 years old, Katie Smith is at the forefront of Calgary’s women in the business community.

She has been involved with Young Women in Energy (YWE) since it was founded in 2013. “They did a call out for volunteers and I had had a fairly similar idea,” she recalls.

“So, it was perfect. I got on board and did external relations and communications for a year. Then when the founder, Anna Murray, moved to Toronto, I applied to take over the day-to-day and was selected.”

Under Smith’s leadership, YWE has enjoyed substantial growth, increasing from roughly 1,000 members to just over 4,500 today.

YWE’s flagship program is its Awards Program, where 10 women are recognized each year for changing the face of energy. “They are a way of recognizing and rewarding women who are doing really incredible things to change the face of energy,” Smith explains.

By day, Smith manages proposals for Calgary-based Spartan Controls, and has always been interested in how to communicate technical information in a more persuasive way. A born-and-raised Calgarian, she graduated from the University of Calgary with a communications degree, then received her certificate in public relations from Mount Royal University. She is currently pursuing her MBA in executive management from Royal Roads University.

Smith is also a founder of Axis Connect Corp., a new nonprofit focused on connecting and supporting the various organizations in Calgary working to advance women. On March 5, Axis will co-host the inaugural Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards with the Calgary Chamber, recognizing seven outstanding female business leaders and one male champion for women in Calgary.

ABOVE: KATIE SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YOUNG WOMEN IN ENERGY.

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CALGARY’S BUSINESS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE // WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

Parker says. “We also create really strong partnerships for our clients. We become a part of their business in a way, providing them access to our entire suite of communication strategies and relationships. We’re a full-stop shop.”

Parker, a proud Calgarian, knows what she’s doing. “Event planning and community building have been strengths throughout my whole life,” she reflects.

Growing up in Sunnyside, she attended the Calgary Waldorf School from kindergarten through Grade 9. “[Waldorf] is all about community building,” she says fondly. “There’s tons of volunteering and a focus on philanthropy and helping charitable organizations.” She attended the University of Laval and then Mount Royal University’s public relations degree program.

After university, she had various jobs in Calgary and Manhattan including at Wordfest Calgary, the Calgary Food Bank, a New York-based public relations company, the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ellen Parker, CEO, PARKER PR and Board Member, Dress for Success Calgary When Ellen Parker started PARKER PR five years ago, her intent was to do public relations on the side of her fulltime job as mom to two young boys. With a background in communications and having just moved back to Calgary from New York City, she started with small contracts for small ensembles with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Growth occurred organically, and today her business has seven full-time employees, between 15 and 25 clients at any time, and a vibrant Kensington office.

“Our team is technically trained and more importantly really passionate about what they’re doing and their purpose,”

Today, Parker balances being a mom (she co-chairs the parent council of Hillhurst School where her boys attend and volunteers every Monday morning in the classroom) with running her business.

PARKER PR clients include the Kensington and Downtown Business Revitalization Zones, the Pioneer Event Corporation, Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary International Film Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Rozsa Foundation and Willow Park Wine & Spirits, among many others. “Our goal is to showcase to the world all of the amazing work that people are doing in Calgary,” she says.

Two years ago, she joined the board of Dress for Success Calgary – which provides a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life – as the public relations director.

“Once a client has a job interview they are referred to us and we provide them with about three different outfits for that

ABOVE: ELLEN PARKER, CEO, PARKER PR AND BOARD MEMBER, DRESS FOR SUCCESS CALGARY.

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

B AY C L U B NOW OPEN CALGARY’S NEWEST EXECUTIVE W O M E N ’ S O N LY DOWNTOWN FITNESS CLUB

CALGARY’S BUSINESS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE // WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

interview,” Parker explains of the process that occurs at the organization’s Inglewood boutique, where she volunteers.

“Slacks and blouse, skirt, footwear, makeup, scarf, jewelry, handbag, overcoat. And once they secure the job, they can come back for a full wardrobe.”

Since joining Dress for Success, Parker has led two new fundraising initiatives which have involved local partners such as Holt Renfrew, the Fairmont Palliser and other businesses, to raise both the organization’s profile and funds.

“We’ve definitely changed the landscape,” Parker says proudly.

“It’s an amazing board of women who are really effective – many strategic hands at the table to benefit the cause.”

Judy Fairburn, Shelley Kuipers and Alice Reimer, Founders, The51 Individually, Judy Fairburn, Shelley Kuipers and Alice Reimer boast impressive resumés. Fairburn is a fellow at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a director on several boards, and a serial founder with C-suite industry, government and venture capital experience. Kuipers is a business activist and pioneer in the field of crowdsourcing, the founder of several companies including IOVIA and Chaordix, and a dedicated community builder. Reimer is a successful technology entrepreneur and community leader, currently the CEO of Fillip and site lead for CDL. Together, they are The51, a financial platform and collective – launched in Calgary one year ago – that invests in femaleled/co-led startups. Their combination is powerful.

“The51 refers to women being 51 per cent of the population,” Fairburn explains. “We felt it was time to harness the unbelievably talented women in this province and beyond to unleash the next economic wave with businesses that are future-relevant.” She notes that Alberta has double the national average of technology startups founded by women. “But the best we can tell, if the ventures are solely female led, they only receive two to four per cent of the venture capital. Which means it’s very hard for these startups to successfully grow.”

The51 connects women with capital with women-led/ founded businesses. “We know the world has not largely been designed by women so here is our opportunity,” Kuipers urges. “We are 51 per cent of the population so let’s participate and redesign what can be a better future within the constructs of capitalist, feminism and sustainable business practices.”

The51 quite literally got to work in 2019, and to date has invested just over $5.5 million in female founders in Canada and around the world who are building new, innovative, female-driven business models. From technology applications to clothing brands, at-home fertility test kits to custom waste-water treatment systems, the companies invested in – underpinned by a powerful community of women investors and entrepreneurs – are driving the next female-powered economic wave.

“We’ve experienced first-hand that there are not enough women at the table, as experienced investors and entrepreneurs,” Reimer laments. “The51 is here to change that and the three of us are driven to make this happen – not by talking about what we will do but by doing it.”

“I’m passionate about building an Alberta that our younger generation chooses as a place of opportunity,” Fairburn says. “It’s possible and inevitable for this province to thrive again. Our unique DNA of entrepreneurship and community are the secret. And the key, in particular, is to unlock the potential of our amazing women!”

ABOVE: ALICE REIMER, SHELLEY KUIPERS AND JUDY FAIRBURN, FOUNDERS THE51.

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CALGARY INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

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SELECTION COMMITTEE These executive leaders have lent their time and expertise to help us select the deserving men and women who are advancing women in Calgary

Ed Sims CEO, WestJet

Rona Ambrose NAFTA, TransAlta, Manulife Financial

Mick Dilger CEO, Pembina Pipelines

Una Power TC Energy, Teck Resources, Scotiabank

Marcos Lopez CEO, Solium Capital

Susan Jones Gibson Energy

Curtis Stange CEO, ATB Financial

Tracy Robinson EVP, TC Energy

Nadeem Velani CFO, CP Rail

Celine Gerson President, Schlumberger Canada

Michael Webb EVP, Nutrien

Marie Delorme CEO, Imagination Group

Eleanor Chiu CFO, Trico Homes

Dr. Chen Fong Founder, Creative Destruction Lab

Heather Culbert Vice Chair, EDC

Nancy Foster SVP, Husky Energy

Lesley Conway Former President, Hopewell Residential

Dianne Wilkins CEO, Critical Mass

Trent Edwards COO, Brookfield Residential

Kate Thompson CEO, CMLC

Karen Brookman CEO, Western Can. Digitial Imaging

Brad Shaw CEO, Shaw

Cathy Orr CEO, RGO

Cal Jacober Vice Chair, PwC

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 2

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Judy Fairburn

J

udy Fairburn, former Cenovus executive, co-founder of The51 (the Calgary investment platform boosting funding for women-led businesses) and serial entrepreneur Judy has proven herself as a trailblazer, a respected business leader, an innovative community builder and a seasoned change-maker.

“Calgary is really coming alive in terms of the impact of its women,” she says. “Many of Calgary’s business champions are women, of all ages and diversity, banded together to drive positive change. Calgary is home to a terrific web of women-led organizations. Alberta can be proud of the fact that it has double the national average of female-led/co-led tech start-ups!”

Judy Fairburn

She draws on a unique mix of C-suite industry, government and startup/venture capital experience and over 30 years of energy sector experience, to point out that “The Calgary new normal is a realization that Calgary must look forward to ensure positioning businesses to be future relevant to attract and maintain the younger generation.”

For Fairburn, professionally and personally, it’s all about community.

“Calgary’s unique DNA of entrepreneurship and get-it-done attitude and community-mindedness are our secret sauce.”

MALE CHAMPION AWARD John Osler

J

ohn Osler, is senior partner at McCarthy Tétrault with practices focused on leading securities, corporate commercial lawyer, mergers and acquisition. He has advised some of Canada’s largest corporations. Osler is also an active member of the community, with leadership and board positions in various organizations and charities.

John is duly recognized as a male champion as he reinforces the value and role of women in business. “Studies show that gross domestic product in Canada could increase by up to $150 billion with the full participation of women. And still, the number of companies led by women remains proportionately low and gender equality in board rooms in Alberta is lagging,” he notes. “Helping remove barriers for women who face daily challenges to full inclusion and participation in Calgary and throughout the province is a key focus.

John Osler

“With a shifting economy, comes new opportunities,” John adds with positivity. “Entrepreneurship is on the rise and the number of womenowned businesses in Alberta is well above the national average but we know and acknowledge that more can be done.”

Community involvement is key for John Osler. “Dedicating time and effort to volunteer and pro bono positions pave the way for meaningful change and ensure that background and circumstance aren’t barriers to getting ahead for individuals and families in our communities. We do this in Calgary better than anyone.”

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 3

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD Jill Angevine

J

ill Angevine, managing partner at Palisade Capital Management and a corporate Board Director, has over 25 years’ experience in the investment industry. She is also co-founder of the Women’s Balance Forum to inspire and connect female executives by providing a unique forum for direct engagement with business and community leaders.

She notes women in Calgary business is a momentum. “Recent advancements are sector-specific, with significant progress in the legal, advisory and professional services. It’s important that we commit to providing all employees opportunity and access to enable their advancement, including investing in education, so strong candidates--regardless of background---become tomorrow’s leaders.

Despite recent Calgary business speedbumps, Angevine is confident.

“The challenges---especially in respect to energy---have resulted in significant advancements in efficiencies with innovative approaches constantly enhancing the discovery and extraction of oil and gas.”

Jill Angevine

“But as Calgarians, we are adaptive with an entrepreneurial spirit.”

Angevine is actively involved with a number of not-for-profit organizations.

“Everyone contributes to community differently and all efforts are important elements producing the end result. Our city is only as strong as our community and we are so fortunate to have such an engaged business community, actively supporting diverse philanthropy endeavors.”

ENTREPRENEUR AWARD Dr. Breanne Everett

D

r. Breanne Everett, CEO, president and co-founder of Orpyx™ Medical Technologies as well as a doctor in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Calgary. Seeing the burden caused by diabetic foot complications, she founded Orpyx™ to create meaningful, lifechanging impacts with medical-grade wearable technologies. Everett was awarded the Governor General’s Innovation Award in 2016 and named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.

“Historically, business leadership in Calgary has been very male-dominated.

But that is changing,” she says with conviction. “The old guard is a misnomer. I think organizations benefit from embracing diversity of backgrounds, opinions and perspectives at the table. Increasingly, an absence of that diversity is a hindrance to progress--looking at problems in many ways—and innovation, regardless of the leader’s gender. If you are intrepid, tenacious and gritty, it doesn’t matter who you are. Growing levels of diversity in leadership breeds more of the same.

Dr. Breanne Everett

“Community involvement by diverse leaders—which is about visibility and mentorship—opens up vital conversations and enables diversity in leadership. People seem themselves in their leaders and they think ‘this is possible, I can do this.’ It’s contagious,” she emphasizes with positivity.

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 4

LARGE ENTERPRISE AWARD Kerry O’Reilly Wilks

K

erry O’Reilly Wilks, is chief officer, legal, regulatory & external affairs at TransAlta Corporation. Her portfolio spans legal, communications, government relations, and more. She underscores the new age of women in business. “We cannot create an ‘us vs. them’ mentality for men and women. Especially in Calgary business, we have come a long way with strong examples of women in leadership positions. Women in Alberta, and Calgary business in particular, are strong, fierce and excellent.”

“They harness the power that comes with operating in those zones and move forward. They are game changers! Seeing women in positions that were held by men for so long creates successful role models and shows what is possible to strive towards.”

Kerry O’Reilly Wilks

Originally from the East Coast, O’Reilly Wilks is now passionate about boosting Calgary business. “Whether it’s small businesses or large industry peers working together to solve the hard-hitting problems of today, Calgary is booming with passionate people who not only want to succeed, but who want to see those beside them succeed. Particularly the innovative nature of businesses in Calgary, specifically when it comes to how we are thinking about the environment, our community and economy.”

EMERGING LEADER AWARD Amanda Hamilton

A

manda Hamilton, founder and creative director of Amanda Hamilton Interior Design & Palette Archives, is one of the most sought-after interior designers in Western Canada and a popular mentor for women in business.

“The CIWB Awards celebrates women and provide the opportunity to extend our reach and inspire other women. I have always felt like I’ve earned and deserve a seat at the table and feel a responsibility to ensure other women have the same opportunity.”

As a savvy Calgary business leader, Hamilton has a refreshing take on Calgary’s re-defined business environment. “Some positive changes have come out of the ‘new normal’. Clients are more fiscally responsible and thoughtful about their investments and more grounded in their decisions. It has spawned all sorts of new business, pushing those with established businesses to evolve and develop creative strategies in a much more competitive market.

Amanda Hamilton

“If anything, the speedbumps have tested the resilience of our community regardless of gender creating an environment that encourages collaboration despite sex.” Hamilton feels community involvement is important. She values the opportunity to share her story and experiences to support fellow business owners, entrepreneurs, young adults and supporting the career development of women of all ages.

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 5

SMALL/MEDIUM ENTERPRISE AWARD Milena Radakovic

M

ilena Radakovic, is president and owner of Nexus Exhibits. An accomplished marketer, communicator and business strategist with more than 25 years of experience and a passion for the events industry.

She is the Canadian Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WEDO), on the Global Board Committee of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) and the Organization of Women In International Trade (OWIT).

Radakovic is a high-energy champion of women in business. “BDC stats show that 39 percent of all entrepreneurs in Canada are now women. In the past four decades, women entrepreneurs have quadrupled, growing more than three times faster than men.”

Acknowledging the new normal in Calgary business, she urges that “Entrepreneurs need to be flexible and look at new ways to run businesses, seek new opportunities, help grow local business in new markets, outside of Alberta and possibly Canada.”

Milena Radakovic

She adds that “Women face different challenges then men. The Calgary economy has made it even more difficult in the last few years, particularly for new women entrepreneurs, to start a business. Financial challenges. Financing and capital is harder to find.”

Radakovic emphasizes the community is a priority. “I’m a huge believer in supporting our community. No matter how busy a person is, there is time to give back.”

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD Karen Young

K

aren Young, president and CEO of the United Way Calgary and area. A visionary leader who believes in the value of partnerships and collaborations to achieve a common vision, Karen is a catalyst for social change and has played a pivotal role in raising over $312 Million for the Calgary community.

“Alberta’s business history demonstrates the courage and passion of female leadership. Women face unique challenges in the workforce, especially those who are facing poverty, domestic violence, or as single parents. We have come a long way but we still have progress to make on issues like pay equity and executive/Board representation equitability.”

“As female leaders, we have a role in ensuring that we are valued not only in the organizations where we work, but beyond our office walls by contributing to community in various ways, including service to Boards.

Everyone should be provided opportunities to thrive.”

Karen Young

Karen is realistic about Calgary’s recent business challenges. “United Way knows the impact of Calgary’s downturn. The gap for services needed and resources available is unsustainable. Similar to corporate Calgary, the non-profit sector is changing to adjust to our new normal. We are a ‘can do’ city. Working together toward common outcomes achieves greater impact than working in silos.”

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 6

INTRODUCING AXIS CONNECT Calgary’s Newest Non-profit Taking the Lead Role in Being a Central Collaboration and Resource Hub for Women-focused Initiatives and Organizations

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algary is home to numerous initiatives and organizations working to advance women in all stages of their careers across a wide spectrum of the business community. Whether it’s fostering connections, offering development and training, or having tough conversations about navigating the workplace as a woman, there is incredible work going on in our city, but finding and choosing the right fit can be challenging.

Axis Connect is Calgary’s newest non-profit taking the lead role in being a central collaboration and resource hub for women-focused initiatives and organizations. The proceeds from the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards (CIWB) will fund Axis Connect’s mission to connect, collaborate and champion the incredible momentum to advance women in Calgary.

CONNECT: Axis Connect will develop a central, online platform will share information about women-focused organizations in Calgary - their unique offerings, events, and opportunities to support, and promote resources to women as their careers progress.

COLLABORATE: Axis Connect will facilitate opportunities for capacity building and collaboration amongst the women-focused organizations to share best practices. Working together will reduce duplication of effort and increase the effectiveness of all programming to work toward a common goal – more women in decision-making roles.

CHAMPION: Axis Connect will increase awareness of the existing initiatives and organizations to support women looking to get involved. The annual Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards will celebrate female achievement and use success stories to motivate the next generation.

Thank you to the Calgary business community for the overwhelming support of the inaugural Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards and Axis Connect. We believe that this will create tremendous impact for business in Calgary, our province and country.

AXIS CONNECT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jenna Kaye, Founder, Corporate Diversity Consultants Katie Smith, Executive Director, Young Women in Energy (YWE) Heather Culbert, Founder, Women on Boards Marnie Smith, Co-Chair, Women in Capital Markets - Calgary

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 7

THANK YOU

TO OUR SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR

AWARD SPONSORS ENTREPRENEUR

SMALL/MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

EMERGING LEADER

MALE CHAMPION

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards • 2020 • 8

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

LARGE ENTERPRISE

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

Springbank Hill

$2,495,000 Unparalled luxury with 6500+ SF of opulent living See inside for more information

MOVING FORWARD! Sam Corea and his team are always on the move to make deals happen. Selling or buying property - Sam Corea, Chris Fullerton and Alison Kallstrom Team gets you thrilling results. For a seriously successful and enjoyable home sale or purchase, they are your real estate team.

Now more than ever you need a smart marketer, an experienced guide and a sharp negotiator.

Looking for results? Contact the SAM Team today.

Not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale nor intended to cause a breach of any existing agency relationship.

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

ASK SAM

SAM COREA ON WHY THE THE SMARTEST BUYERS ARE PURCHASING NOW

Q

Q: Who can benefit from the current real estate market?

Rental Investors

If you invest in Calgary real estate and are looking to add to your portfolio, now’s your time. The rental market is in high demand due to strict mortgage rules and an influx of international migrants. Prices are lower and there are many options available so it’s your time to buy! If you are on the hunt, we can assist you in your search.

First Time Buyers

You’ve been saving up (or you’re the favourite child and your parents are helping out), you’ve talked to a mortgage broker and are ready to jump into the market. Your timing couldn’t be better, especially if you are looking at condos. There is an abundance of choice available. You’ll be able to get your first home at a lower price than you would have 5 years ago. Just keep in mind that the rules have changed on financing for first time buyers. We can fill you in and point you in the right direction.

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Upsizers

If you’re considering an upgrade, you are in luck. There are some very good buys available and sellers are willing to negotiate. If you’ve been smart investor and saving, don’t miss the boat! This is the ideal time to get that house of your dreams. Get yourself pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping so you know your budget in advance. If you need help finding your perfect real estate match, we can hook you up!

Custom Builders

Land prices in established neighbourhoods have dropped too.

There are a lot of opportunities on the market, and fewer people looking to purchase them. It is the right time to snap something up for future development. You can rent it out while you prepare to build later. If you want to be the first to know about a land value listing, contact us to get all the info.

www.SAMCOREA.COM

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SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

BEARSPAW ELBOW VALLEY | $4,900,000 | $3,500,000

65

MAJESTIC POINT

Uncompromising luxury and refinement! After a 2 year renovation by Gallagher Homes and with a beautifully designed interior by McIntyre Bills, this 5 bedroom seven bathroom home boasts over 7,000 SF of opulent living space. Any discerning buyer will appreciate the high quality finishings such as exotic marbles, semi precious stones, custom millwork detailing, ceiling coffering and antique lighting reproductions featuring raw crystals. You’ll find this home to be extremely inviting while still offering lots of intimate gathering spaces. In the luxurious French style kitchen there is everything you could ever need with two massive islands, marble counters & the ultimate appliance package. The enclosed patio is the spot for entertaining guests in front of the fireplace while you BBQ. Upstairs offers three bedrooms, including the stunning master retreat with a spa inspired ensuite and massive walk-in closet. The lower level features a spa-like heated indoor pool which helps make Calgary winters a breeze, exercise room, theatre room and a wet bar. The level of detail and craftsmanship is second to none and truly is a must see!

CALL TODAY TO GET YOUR HOME IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

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BEARSPAW | $4,900,000 SPRINGBANK HILL | $2,495,000

24

S P R I N G W I L L O W W AY S W

Unparalleled luxury! With 6500+ SF of opulent living space, mountain views & a ravine location this Spring Willow home is a rare find. In the luxurious chef ’s kitchen you’ll find everything you could ever need with a massive island, walnut cabinets, granite counters & the ultimate appliance package. The open-string staircase leads to the serene master bedroom. Double glass doors slide open to a private deck, the perfect spot for sunsets & star-gazing. The spa-like master ensuite boasts a built-in espresso machine, deep soaker tub & a steam shower. Fashion-lovers will appreciate the huge walk-in closet. Three other bedrooms, flex room & laundry room complete the upper level. The walkout level is the ultimate spot for entertaining with a climate controlled wine room, wet bar, games & family rooms, gym, home theatre & an indoor sport court. The beautifully landscaped west facing backyard demands attention not just for the sweeping views but for the putting green, hot tub, patio with fireplace & water feature.

GET OUR MARKETING DOLLARS WORKING FOR YOU

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTHŽ

BEARSPAW| $2,250,000 BEL-AIRE | $4,900,000

1423

B E V E R LE Y PL AC E S W

Rare in Bel-Aire! Nestled along the ridge of the Glenmore Reservoir, perfectly situated at the tip of a secluded culde-sac lies this beautifully landscaped, one-of-a-kind half acre property. The completely overhauled grounds include a massive limestone patio, grand tiered lawns, a playground area and bonfire pit all surrounded by breathtaking perennial gardens and towering spruce trees. In 2014, the original home was updated with wide plank white oak hardwood, new plumbing fixture and light fixtures.

This property provides the ideal opportunity to enlarge or rework the existing house or build your dream home on one of the largest parcels of land in this prestigious neighbourhood. The possibilities are endless.

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BEARSPAW | $1,795,000 HILLHURST $4,900,000

1829

BOWN ES S ROAD NW

Modern Masterpiece! MetroCore balances contemporary design with family living in this spectacular new build.

Statement lighting and luxurious finishes are used throughout. A spectacular staircase floats between split face stone and a glass wall. The kitchen is a showstopper with top of the line appliances and a massive waterfall edged island while the marble clad fireplace provides a focal point for the chic living room. A mudroom, side entrance, den, and walk in pantry make this a home fit for the whole clan.

Upstairs, a Jack and Jill bath services 2 bedrooms while a 3rd has its own ensuite. The master contains a spa like bath and an expansive closet plus a coffee bar. The third floor loft and roof top patio offer even more living space.

Use this area as a home office or gym. A jaw-dropping bar and wine room, a media room and Rec room complete the lower level. This home proves you don’t have to sacrifice style when living in a house suitable for family. Trust us, you and your guests will be impressed!

CALL TO BOOK YOUR PERSONAL TOUR

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

DISCOVERY RIDGE | $1,750,000

67

D I S CO V E R Y VA L L E Y CO V E S W

Open the back gate and you are in Griffith Woods right on the Elbow River! Located on a quiet cul de sac, this sprawling home is like mountain living in the city. Enter into the foyer & take in the warm & inviting living area with vast windows & fireplace with custom millwork. The spacious kitchen is a chefs dream with stainless steel appliances, granite counters, pot filler & a breakfast bar. An attached dining area is perfect for morning meals with the kids while looking out at the lush trees. The master bedroom is an escape from it all with an ensuite & generous walk in closet. Three additional bedrooms & 2 bathrooms can be also be found on this floor. The walk out provides plenty of space for entertaining guests or for older children. A large rec room, wet bar, media room, den & a 5th bedroom complete the basement. The lush landscaping provides the perfect place for the kids to run around & adventure while the adults relax by the fire-pit. Enjoy being just minutes from the amenities of Aspen Landing!

PINEBROOK ESTATES | $1,375,000

195

P I N E B R O O K WAY

Luxurious estate living just minutes from the city! This renovated bungalow in exclusive Pinebrook Estates is the very best lot in the community. Enter into the bright & airy foyer & take in the open concept living area. The stunning kitchen features beautiful views to enjoy while you prepare dinner. Subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, oversized island, double sink, butler’s pantry & dining nook make this a dream kitchen. Eat dinner in the formal dining room or Al fresco on the covered patio. The master bedroom can be customized to your taste to create a dream en-suite & walk in closet. Two additional bedrooms & 2 bathrooms complete the main floor. The basement is the ideal area for older children or guests with 2 bedrooms & recreation area with fireplace. Enjoy your sunny west facing backyard backing onto a wetland park. An attached 3 car garage is perfect for any car lover. Conveniently located minutes from the Pinebrook Golf & Country Club. Welcome to paradise!

SPRINGBANK HILL | $1,295,000

140

S P R I N G B L U F F B O U L E VA R D S W

This exquisite bungalow in Springbank Hill offers unparalleled and unobstructed views of the mountains. The inviting & warm interior will instantly make you feel right at home. A gourmet chefs kitchen features stainless steel appliances, butler pantry & custom cabinetry. Enjoy your morning coffee at the breakfast bar or have a casual meal in the dining nook.

The living room opens up from the kitchen & is highlighted by a beautiful fireplace with custom millwork. The master bedroom has a spa like 5-piece ensuite with a grand soaker tub, large walk-in closet and mountain views. Enter the lower level & take in the spacious family room which is the spot for movie night. Entertain with ease with the wet bar. There are three more bedrooms & two full bathrooms which is perfect for older children or out of town guests. The oversized attached garage & mudroom help make winters a breeze with enough room to park the big truck or SUV! Enjoy the close proximity of the nearby amenities of the Westhills shopping centre.

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ASPEN WOODS | $1,195,000

18

A S P E N DA L E CO U R T S W

Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac in desirable Aspen Woods, this open concept home is contemporary yet still traditional and timeless. The chef ’s kitchen features a separate fridge and freezer, stainless steel appliances, a large kitchen island, plenty of cupboard space and a walk in pantry. Entertain with ease in the adjacent dining room. Cuddle up with a great book in front of the fireplace. Upstairs you will find the ultimate master bedroom with a spa like ensuite and a closet that will have any fashion lover in awe! Two additional bedrooms with walk in closets, a bathroom, family room and laundry can also be found on this floor. The spacious basement recreation room is the perfect place to enjoy family movie night with all audio visual equipment included. A bedroom and bathroom is ideal for out of town guests. The patio is a great spot for summer BBQs while the kids play in the yard. Enjoy the close proximity to the shops, restaurants and amenities of Aspen Landing.

WILDWOOD | $1,195,000

455

WILDWOOD DRIVE SW

“On the Ridge” & backs onto Edworthy Park! Your chance to live on the most coveted cul-de-sac of idyllic Wildwood.

Located deep in the heart of the community, at the quiet tip of Wildwood Drive, this fully renovated bungalow provides direct access to the park from the back gate of the huge, west facing, pie-shaped yard. Mature landscaping, a huge deck, & a patio are additional highlights of the secluded backyard, one of the largest in the community. The impressively sized kitchen features granite counters, hardwood & a backsplash of glass & marble. The master suite includes a walk in closet & ensuite with soaker tub; rare finds in houses in this district. In addition, all the windows have been replaced. Downstairs is a fully developed recreation room with a stone faced fireplace separating a flex space perfect for a workout area or office. Enthusiasts of 1950s homes will adore the charming neighbourhood & thoughtful updates.Live moments from the downtown core while enjoying Edworthy Park at your doorstep.

ALTADORE | $1,095,000

4209

17 S T R E E T S W

Luxe living in desirable Altadore! This custom home features amazing attention to detail and expansive living space.

Distinctive lighting fixtures, hardwood floor and custom cabinetry can be found throughout The front living room is highlighted by a gorgeous double sided fireplace. Whip up a meal in your gourmet kitchen that includes a stunning quartz waterfall island, walk in pantry, herringbone backsplash, stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry. Unwind in front of the fireplace and enjoy lots of natural light streaming in from the oversized windows in the family room. Upstairs you’ll find the bright and spacious master bedroom that includes a walk in closet with custom built ins and spa like ensuite with soaker tub and steam shower. Two additional bedrooms & laundry room are also on this floor. A fourth bedroom with walk in closet & bathroom can be found in the basement. Conveniently located just minutes from the amenities, shops & restaurants of Marda Loop. Book your exclusive showing today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND FLOORPLANS

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTHŽ

BEARSPAW || $4,900,000 RICHMOND $1,175,000

2113

2 8 AV E N U E S W

Stylish and contemporary living in Richmond! Enter this bright, open concept home and instantly be impressed by the high end finishings. The dining room is highlighted by a double sided fireplace. The chefs kitchen boasts a large concrete waterfall island, custom lacquer cabinetry and top of the line stainless steel appliances. Entertaining is a breeze in the attached living room. One floor up, you will find two bedrooms with a bathroom, office and laundry conveniently located. The top floor is an urban oasis completely dedicated to the master suite. A spacious master bedroom opens up to a rooftop patio with beautiful city views. Also included on this level are an ensuite featuring a double rain head steam shower and walk in closet. Head down to the basement where you will find a family room which is made for cozy movie nights & a fourth bedroom and bathroom - perfect for out of town guests! Enjoy the close proximity of the amazing shops, restaurants and amenities of the neighbourhood!

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BEARSPAWPARK WINDSOR | $4,900,000 | $1,095,000

632

5 4 AV E N U E S W

Family Inner City living! This home in Windsor Park is the perfect place to raise your family in a contemporary setting.

A modern Scandinavian vibe is featured throughout the home. A den near the entrance can be utilized as an office or a play room. The kitchen features walnut cabinets, lots of concrete counter space and a wine cooler. Your children can do their homework in the built in desks adjacent to the kitchen while you cook up a meal. A mudroom helps to keep everyone organized. The open concept living room and dining area are an entertainers dream. Upstairs, the large master suite features a dressing room/walk in closet - fashion lovers rejoice! Two additional upstairs bedrooms are perfectly sized for little ones. The basement is a great hang out area for the kids and features a bedroom and a flex room which can be used as a work out area. Enjoy Calgary’s beautiful Summer evenings on your patio overlooking an expansive green space. Savour the restaurants & shoppes of nearby Chinook or Britannia.

BOOK YOUR SHOWING TODAY

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTHŽ

BEARSPAW || $4,900,000 RICHMOND $1,050,000

2105

19 S T R E E T S W

Sparkling nights in a private city garden. This ultra-chic two story perched on the crest of Knob Hill is a slice of Eden.

A secret oasis filled with the sounds of a trickling fountain takes Al Fresco living to a new level. The main floor of this executive contemporary home is an entertainers dream.

A formal dining room for intimate gatherings captures twinkling city views. The sleek kitchen is finished with quartz counters, Thermador & Miele appliances, wine fridge and 2 prep sinks. The living room features a modern fireplace and an expansive wall of windows overlooking the garden. Use the loft as an office. The guest bedroom contains its own ensuite and provides privacy. The serene master retreat has skyline views, a sitting area and fireplace.

Fashionistas will love the massive dressing room and elegant master ensuite with soaker tub, and heated floors.

Downstairs is a gym, flex room, laundry and bath with steam shower as well as direct garage access. The ideal home for a stylish professional couple.

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WILLOW PARK | $899,900

603

W I L LO U G H BY C R E S C E N T S E

Serene private home located in exclusive Willow Park, just minutes away from the Willow Park Golf and Country Club!

This lovingly cared for home features a glamorous walk-in closet with a built-in vanity that will fulfill any fashion lovers fantasy. The updated master ensuite features a large soaker tub with beautiful natural light and lots of storage for toiletries.

Whip up a gourmet meal in the French inspired kitchen featuring a Subzero fridge, stainless steel appliances and an oversized sink that overlooks a lush oasis. Share your days stories around the kitchen table beside the fireplace. Entertain guests in the formal dining room with two built-in hutches and then bring them to the backyard that dreams are made of for an aperitif. Relax in your Gazebo overlooking a large, mature garden at the end of a long day. Check out the great shops and restaurants in nearby Willow Park Village and Southcentre Mall. This is truly the perfect home to grow with your family and create many more beautiful memories!

NORTH GLENMORE PARK | $849,900

2120

5 8 AV E N U E S W

Charming Craftsman Bungalow with Suite! This fully renovated home is situated in the sought after neighbourhood of North Glenmore Park - a great alternative to nearby Altadore in terms of space and value. Beautiful landscaping frames the front yard, making a wonderful first impression. Enter into an open concept living space featuring valued ceilings, hardwood flooring and oversized windows. A salon near the entrance can easily be converted into a mudroom or walk-in closet. The master bedroom features french doors that lead out to your patio, a large walk-in closet, ensuite with steam shower and a built in vanity. Two additional upstairs bedrooms are perfectly sized for guests. The lower level contains a suite with a modern, clean feel. Conveniently there is a separate entrance, large living area, two bedrooms and a bathroom with a stand alone tub and waterfall shower. Perfect to rent out to a great tenant! A detached garage and a parking pad out front ensures there is lots of room for vehicles.

CLIFF BUNGALOW | $849,900

#3

1818 5 S T R E E T S W

Fix yourself an old fashioned and settle in. This townhome in Cliff Bungalow blends a modern aesthetic with a distinctive nod to the history of the neighbourhood. It’s a striking streetscape that opens into a full-sized 2000+ square foot living space. White oak & luxurious silk carpet underfoot, quartz countertops, & soft close hinges on kitchen cabinets are just the beginning. The stairwell is enclosed with custom-built metal screens, whose bold geometry lets light pass through & defines the space. There’s a show-stopping gas fireplace & hearth in the living room, and the master ensuite features heated flooring, rain head, body sprays & spectacular tile work. Two additional bedrooms are perfect to utilize for guests.

A favourite feature is the kitchen island, wrapped with a deep emerald green beveled tile, and accessorized with jewel-like brass and glass pendants. Escape to your spacious private roof top patio to garden, entertain or just escape from it all. An attached double garage is also included.

ASK US HOW MUCH YOUR HOME IS WORTH

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

ERLTON | $775,000

2709

E R LTO N S T R E E T S W

Best of Both Worlds! Need ample outdoor living space, a secluded location, security and all within the city core? This unit is your solution! Nestled along the hillside and backing on to the Monastery gives this 3 story townhouse sparkling city and wooded views. A sunny dining area greets you at the entrance of the open concept main floor. Seat four guests easily at the central kitchen island while you cook. There’s lots of cabinet space, granite counters and a gas range. The living room opens to a private back deck surrounded by natural landscaping. The second floor master includes a spacious ensuite. Use the third floor as a media room, office, additional bedroom or fitness studio. The highlight of this level is the rooftop patio and pergola. An under drive tandem garage provides security and easy access to the main floor. This is an ideal home for a professional wanting proximity to downtown, local cafes and restaurants, the Elbow River paths and local parks. Solitude in the heart of the action!

SUNALTA | $649,900

1610

16 AV E N U E S W

Enjoy the convenience of inner city living! This Sunalta townhome built by RNDSQR has a bright and contemporary interior that is warm and inviting. The dining area, living room and kitchen are all connected which makes visiting with family and friends a breeze. The kitchen features grey millwork, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances & an island with breakfast bar. A custom-made stair screen highlights the main floor. The back patio is the perfect spot for Summer BBQs. The master bedroom is a serene getaway with an ensuite and a spacious walk-in closet. A 2nd bedroom with walk in closet, bathroom & laundry can also be found on the upper floor. The top floor bonus room leads out onto your private patio where you can kick back and relax. The basement is ideal for overnight guests with a recreation room, full bathroom, and a third bedroom. The amazing restaurants, shops and amenities 17th Avenue are walking distance from your front door!

SPRUCE CLIFF | $375,000

#307

6 H E M LO C K C R E S C E N T S W

Maintenance free living! This third floor, two bedroom apartment in Spruce Cliff is the perfect spot for an empty nester! The kitchen has plenty of cupboard room, stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. The open concept dining and living room are perfect for entertaining. Enjoy summer BBQs with friends on the wrap around balcony. A second bedroom includes a 5 piece ensuite and walk in closet. Escape to the spacious master retreat and enjoy the spa like ensuite with double sinks and a large soaker tub. Fashion lovers will appreciate the generously sized walk in closet. Work from home with ease in the office. One titled underground heated parking spot is included. Enjoy the amazing amenities in the building including a gym, car wash and clubhouse. Enjoy close access to the Douglas Fir Trail, Shaganappi Golf Course West LRT, and the Westbrook Shopping Centre. Call us today to book your exclusive showing!

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Always the Right Move with AMJ Campbell Calgary

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MJ Campbell Calgary, a Platinum Rated Agent for Atlas Van Lines, has some exciting news! 2020 marks a great year for changes and growth with a brand new state of the art facility. Located by the Calgary Airport at 1722 118 Ave NE, this inviting space boasts over 100,000 square feet where we welcome new business and continued success.

AMJ is Canada’s largest moving company with over 35 branches coast to coast. Offering moving services in residential, international, commercial, special products and home deliveries with such companies like Crate and Barrel, Urban Barn and Ethan Allen to name a few. Additionally, if you are looking to furnish your office space, we are happy to assist with our Logiflex line out of Quebec.

“Where there is a woman there is magic.” ~ Ntozake Shange As International Women’s Month is upon us, we at AMJ felt it’s a great time to showcase strong women in business and Tara Hargreaves, senior sales representative and partner, is pleased to welcome Daisy Azucena, certified moving specialist, to our successful AMJ team! This dynamic duo with over 30 years of combined experience in all areas of the moving industry is here to assist with your moving needs. You may have seen them at events like CREB’s 2020 Forecast, Business in Calgary Leaders Launch Party or volunteering at the Samaritan’s Purse for Operation Christmas Child.

Tara Hargreaves Certified Moving Specialist/Partner C: 403-397-7721 thargreaves@amjcampbell.com Daisy Azucena Certified Moving Specialist C: 403-919-9144 dazucena@amjcampbell.com

Whether you are moving down the street, across the country or into the U.S., they will provide a quality moving experience start to finish.

Tara and Daisy welcome you to make your best move with AMJ Campbell!

1722 118 Ave NE, Calgary AB T3K 0R1 amjcampbell.com

SELLING YOUR HOME IN A “BUYER’S MARKET” // REAL ESTATE

Selling Your Home in a

“Buyer’s Market” TIDY IT UP AND PRICE IT RIGHT

BY TAMARA ISBISTER

G

enerally speaking, the buyer has the upper hand in Calgary’s real estate market. With high inventory levels in most segments, both accurate price and polished presentation are key to finding a buyer. Often, buyers will view several homes over the course of a few hours, so making your home stand out is essential.

According to Erin Bibby, owner and lead designer of Beautiful Life Design & Décor, “You are selling the vision of what life could be like in your home. Buyers are looking for move-in ready properties.” Bibby offers sellers in-home consultations, where she views the home with a fresh set of eyes, offering an unfiltered perspective on improvements that will increase a home’s marketability.

An unkept property may signal lack of maintenance and discourage buyers. Bibby recommends four simple and seemingly common-sense preparations before listing a property for sale: Clean: Every surface should sparkle. Pet hair and evidence of pets should be removed, and if needed, carpets should be cleaned. She recommends using natural cleaners to avoid chemical smells in the home.

Organize: “Even if you’re not, appear that you are!” says Bibby. Closets should be reorganized to highlight the space that’s available. Remove any loose items from closets, pantries and shelves. Toys and children’s items should be

ABOVE: DINING AREA, BEFORE AND AFTER.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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SELLING YOUR HOME IN A “BUYER’S MARKET” // REAL ESTATE

ACCORDING TO ERIN BIBBY, OWNER AND LEAD DESIGNER OF BEAUTIFUL LIFE DESIGN & DÉCOR, “YOU ARE SELLING THE VISION OF WHAT LIFE COULD BE LIKE IN YOUR HOME. BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR MOVE-IN READY PROPERTIES.” stored or neatly put away and any unnecessary furnishing should be removed to encourage buyers to see the home’s “space and flow.”

Refresh: Above all, Bibby recommends putting money into a fresh coat of paint. “It will leave the home smelling new and will make it feel cleaner.” Neutral colours are the best choice.

Decorate: “Colour and personality are OK, but limit it to one splash per space,” Bibby notes. Entertainment potential is important to today’s buyer, so showcase the home’s ability by setting the table or island. She recommends adding a touch of greenery to every space. “Green represents nature and tranquility, leaving perspective buyers with a feeling of peace in your home.”

Calgary real estate agent Jillaine Carlin of Re/Max Landan Real Estate emphasizes the importance of proper pricing in our current market. “Now is not the time to push the envelope when it comes to price. Accurate pricing is key. Make sure your price matches or undercuts your competitors.” First impressions are everything, she adds.

“You need to be the best on the block.” Similar to Bibby, she also recommends sellers take time to clean, stage and make the necessary repairs or upgrades that may impress buyers.

She also recommends depersonalizing the home by storing personal effects and photos, so the buyer can imagine themselves in the space.

The first two weeks after listing is the most integral time for showing activity, and overpriced properties may miss out on the initial momentum. It is the real estate agent’s responsibility to properly valuate the home, and Carlin recommends pricing based on most recent sales and active

comparable properties. “City assessments are considered to be outdated information,” she says. “Considering the current market conditions, your competition will offer the basis for value.” Sellers should be wary of real estate agents who claim they’ll get more money for the home – expectations should be realistic and based on fact.

Considering the price declines of recent years, comparable sales from years past may be irrelevant.

ABOVE: RECREATION SPACE, BEFORE AND AFTER.

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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SELLING YOUR HOME IN A “BUYER’S MARKET” // REAL ESTATE

MOST BUYERS SCREEN PROPERTIES IN ADVANCE. “ONLINE PRESENCE IS KEY,” SAYS CARLIN. “IN OUR CURRENT MARKET, YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT; BE AWARE THAT IT CAN TAKE LONGER (THAN IN THE PAST) TO SELL A HOME.” When shopping for a real estate agent, look for one with a detailed marketing plan, including professional photography and virtual tours. Most buyers screen properties in advance.

“Online presence is key,” says Carlin. “In our current market, you need to be patient; be aware that it can take longer (than in the past) to sell a home.”

Calgary homeowner Jane Wachowich is in the process of selling her inner-city home. “It’s definitely a buyer’s market” says Wachowich, “but I knew that going in, and adjusted my expectations to reflect the reality of the market. Great houses will still sell, although it may take longer; but having bought and sold in Elbow Park and Mount Royal through all market conditions, I know that the house will sell, and at the price that reflects its worth today. I’ve never thought of my house as my investment; it’s a home.”

In its 2020 Forecast published in January, the Calgary Real Estate Board predicts the majority of improvement to occur in the lower-end market (under $500,000). Depending on economic factors, it predicts “easing prices and oversupply will persist in the upper price ranges.” According to the report, “Improvements will be driven by the lower end of the market and challenges will persist in the higher end. Despite challenges in the higher end of the market, overall sales activity is expected to improve by two per cent.”

Once your home is listed, it’s important to make it available for all showing requests – some may come with short notice, which can be a challenge for those with young children or pets. Be prepared and expect some inconvenience. Every showing must be seen as an opportunity. “Buyers will take advantage of the current market conditions,” Carlin advises.

“Remember, offers are open to negotiation, so don’t discredit an offer that starts low.”

LEFT: JILLAINE CARLIN OF RE/MAX LANDAN REAL ESTATE. RIGHT: LIVING ROOM BEFORE AND AFTER.

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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THE 2020 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW // CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW

THE 2020 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW OGLING FOR IDEAS

BY JOHN HARDY

A

side from the rows and rows of shiny bright colours, dazzling designs and unique, exciting, innovative features, the annual Calgary International Auto and Truck Show (Wednesday, March 11 – Sunday, March 15 at the BMO Centre) is a fascinating barometer of consumer trends, likes and dislikes.

of trends, supply, demand and sales, the consumer shift to SUVs and pickup trucks continues hotter than ever.

Throughout North America (with some exceptions), new car customers are flocking to taller vehicles with features that conventional sedans and mid-size cars simply cannot offer.

“Calgary is the first western show in the circuit and it is very important to most manufacturers,” says the hectically busy Jim Gillespie, executive manager of the Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA) and the Calgary International Auto and Truck Show.

According to LMC Automotive, North America’s respected automotive forecaster, for the past 10 years “the big three” are focused on the SUV and truck momentum. The projections show that more than 80 per cent of GM sales will be some kind of truck or SUV, Ford’s ratio will hit 90 per cent and Fiat Chrysler’s ratio will near 97 per cent.

Although it has been subtle, North American trends continue to show that conventional two- and four-door sedans continue to be replaced by the resounding popularity of trucks and SUVs. Automotive experts agree: in terms

“The SUV market is definitely dominating,” Gillespie says “No doubt about it – the SUV market is showing terrific momentum and growth but, specifically in the Calgary market, trucks are still outselling all categories.”

ABOVE: LAMBORGHINI AT THE 2019 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW.

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2017 VVolvo Car Canada Ltd, 9130 Leslie St., Suite 101, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9. Pricing subject to change without notice. Offer valid until March 31, 2020. ©©2020

THE 2020 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW // CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW

After more than 11 months of discussions, planning and negotiations, the gung-ho Gillespie, his board and his staff are ready to dazzle the Calgary area with over 27 manufacturers and 35 aftermarket companies.

Encompassing 250,000 square feet of vehicle and accessory displays, this year’s exhibits will showcase the latest vehicles, designs, comfort touches and technologies in the sprawling BMO Centre.

With the warp speed of innovative technology innovations, there’s something new and updated every year. Like the latest in electric vehicles (EV); in-car Wi-Fi with bigger-and-better built-in antennas for stronger and more consistent signals; state-of-the-art crash avoidance features (such as forward collision warning, autobrake, lane departure warning and lane departure prevention); adaptive headlights; blind-spot detection; and more.

“There’s always so much exciting and new,” he says.

“Relevant for the near future of Calgary’s very hot truck market that, by next year or 2022, there will be electric trucks as well as self-driving trucks.”

Since electric vehicles are such a booming automotive trend and constantly in the news, Gillespie is delighted that EVs will also be a big draw at this year’s auto and truck show. “In addition to the show’s static display of electric and hybrid vehicles, for the first time consumers will be able to actually participate in an EV Test Drive experience where drivers can get behind the wheel of multiple EVs and find the one that best fits their lifestyle. To make sure the EV Test Drive event runs smoothly, pre-registration is necessary on www. autoshowcalgary.com.”

Aside from the intense planning focus for the big March 11-15 Calgary International Auto and Truck Show, Gillespie also touches on a whimsical and nostalgic fun side. “We also have about 12 very cool cars confirmed for the Show’s Collector Car Haven, including a ’37 Cadillac, a ’54 Corvette, a 21-window ’63 VW Transporter Van, a ’96 Camaro, a ’65 Mustang convertible and more.”

Not only chock full of dazzling displays and exhibits, the Calgary International Auto and Truck Show is

ABOVE: MAZDA, SUBARU AND CHEVROLET AT THE 2019 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW.

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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THE 2020 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW // CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW

ALTHOUGH THE DETAILED 2020 CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AUTO AND TRUCK SHOW LAYOUT MAP WILL SHOW THE SPECIFICS, SOME OF THIS YEAR’S ‘STARS OF THE SHOW’ WILL BE:

Volvo: XC40, XC60 and Polestar PHEV

also a dynamic community booster. Each year, the CMDA, through its charitable foundation, donates 85 per cent of show proceeds to benefit the Calgary community. The annual Vehicles and Violins gala has helped raise over $4 million for Calgary charities. “The 2020 Vehicles and Violins event, the premiere night before opening day, will be our 21st gala,” Gillespie says with enthusiasm. “It will be 21 years of giving, happening on Tuesday, March 10.

“Attendees will be treated to an exclusive preview of the 2020 auto show, accompanied by live entertainment from the Calgary Philharmonic, international cuisine and complimentary drink tickets. During the event, there will be various auctions and raffles raising money to benefit Discovery House, Calgary’s social profit organization providing a continuum of care to women and their children fleeing domestic violence.”

Tickets are still only $150 with no GST and half the ticket cost can be used as a tax receipt. Tickets and information can be found at www.autoshowcalgary.com.

ABOVE: BUGATTI AT THE 2019 CALGARY AUTO & TRUCK SHOW.

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Chevy: Bolt Acura: NSX Subaru: Outback and Legacy Jaguar: I-Pace and F-Pace Chrysler: Pacifica Hybrid Dodge: Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Jeep: Wrangler EcoDiesel and Gladiator Mazda: 3 Honda: Civic Mitsubishi: Outlander PHEV GT Nissan: Leaf, (all new) Sentra and Tundra Toyota: Prius Prime and Supra Hyundai: Kona EV VW: Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Arteon, GTI, GLI, e-Golf Ford: F150, F450, F350, Ranger, Escape, Explorer and Explorer Hybrid, GT500, Edge, EcoSport, Expedition Lincoln: Corsair, Aviator, Nautilus, Navigator, MKZ, Continental

TOC

Page 1 - Our Advocacy in Review Page 6 - BOMA Insider Page 7 - Living the Downtown Life

NEWS SPRING 2019

Our Advocacy in Review

T

he year 2019 brought many changes. We saw a different provincial government take the reins in Edmonton last spring, and a provincial budget that had a profound impact on the municipal government in the fall.

But with change comes opportunity, and the changes last year allowed our team to advocate for our industry in a variety of important subjects.

A key component of BOMA Calgary’s mandate is advocacy, where our focus is on the provincial and municipal levels. We’re proud to be the voice of our industry at the provincial legislature and city hall.

Earlier this year, the province released a KPMG report that identified significant governance issues with the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA), which regulates much of our industry. In partnership with BOMA Edmonton, we’ve been working with Service Alberta to secure better representation for our industry within the council’s governance bodies. BOMA Calgary has been at all consultation sessions held by the government where we’ve emphasized the need for improved commercial real estate representation, as well as enabling more relevant education offerings for licensing programs. BOMA Calgary’s advocacy with the provincial government has led to the recommendations slated to hit the legislature for the 2020 spring sitting.

We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Government of Alberta and are looking forward to doing more of the same in 2020.

A key component of BOMA Calgary’s mandate is advocacy, where our focus is on the provincial and municipal levels.

We’re proud to be the voice of our industry at the provincial legislature and city hall.

We are also working with BOMA Edmonton as the provincial government considers amendments to the recently refreshed Municipal Government Act (MGA), which, among many other things, gave cities additional powers and created city charters. The industry has long-standing concerns with the regulations around disclosure and transparency in property assessments which we are working with the new provincial government to improve.

Municipally, the majority of 2019 had a focus on property taxes and the city’s 2019 and 2020 budgets. Last year, non-residential property taxes rose once again and many properties outside of the core saw unsustainable tax increases stemming from the loss in downtown property values. BOMA Calgary has long advocated for a

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BOMA Calgary News

BOMA Calgary News is a co-publication of BOMA Calgary and Business in Calgary.

Business in Calgary

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BOMA Calgary

Suite 225, 550 11th Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2R 1M7 Email: info@boma.ca • Web: www.boma.ca Tel: 403.237.0559 • Fax: 403.266.5876

Communications Committee Christine White, Chair, Oxford Properties Group Rita Borrow, Brookfield Lance Merrifield, Epic Roofing Enam Islam, Hines Jon Holmes, Camfil Aydan Aslan, BOMA Calgary Lucy Skjarstad, Artopex

Board of Directors

CHAIR Lee Thiessen, MNP LLP CHAIR-ELECT Richard Morden, QuadReal Property Group SECRETARY TREASURER Rob Blackwell, Aspen Properties PAST CHAIR Chris Nasim, GWL Realty Advisors EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lloyd Suchet, BOMA Calgary

Directors

Jay de Nance, RioCan Management Inc. Todd Throndson, Avison Young Art Skow, Bentall Kennedy Canada LP Laura Newcombe, GWL Realty Advisors Candace Walker, Brookfield Blair Carbert, Carbert Waite LLP Christine White, Oxford Properties Group Dan Lindsay, GDI Facility Services

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Calgary publishes BOMA Calgary News quarterly. For advertising rates and information contact Business in Calgary.

Publication of advertising should not be deemed as endorsement by BOMA Calgary. The publisher reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to reject any advertising at any time submitted by any party. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of BOMA Calgary, its members or its staff. © 2015 by BOMA Calgary.

Printed in Canada.

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BOMA Calgary has long advocated for a more equitable tax split between commercial and residential properties, and continued to forcefully support this position. We advocated for a shift towards the residential base, continued spending constraint and a strategic review of non-core, potentially underperforming city assets. more equitable tax split between commercial and residential properties, and continued to forcefully support this position. We advocated for a shift towards the residential base, continued spending constraint and a strategic review of non-core, potentially underperforming city assets.

In December, council adopted the scenario that BOMA Calgary and NAIOP jointly advocated for prior to the budget meetings. Council chose to adopt a 52 per cent residential to 48 per cent non-residential tax share split with an “increase” of 1.5 per cent to the operating budget. This decision was coupled with a proposal led

by Councillors Diane Colley-Urquhart and Jyoti Gondek. The proposal used $24 million in one-time funding from the city’s savings account to keep the operating costs collected from property taxes unchanged. The combination of the two led to the exact scenario jointly advocated for by our groups: a 52 per cent residential to 48 per cent non-residential split with no increase to the overall amount collected from taxpayers to fund the city’s operating budget.

Businesses have struggled to absorb consecutive years of significant tax increases. The resulting $12/month increase on a typical home or $5/month increase to a typical condo – the result of the new tax shares – provided a reasonable adjustment needed for businesses to grow, hire and serve Calgarians.

BOMA Calgary is proud to have represented the industry on this important issue and played a crucial role in this positive outcome.

While this is a good first step, city council and administration must stay committed to maintaining our city’s competitiveness to other cities across Canada.

We will work to hold city hall accountable and ensure discipline is practiced to reduce the non-residential to residential tax ratio.

Last October, the United Conservative Party (UCP) government presented their 2019 budget, which included some changes that indirectly influenced our industry through the municipal government. The first of this was the cash-flow adjustment made to the Green Line LRT project, which our industry views as a crucial city-building initiative with the potential to have significant positive impacts on our industry if done right. The city was already having budgetary challenges with the costly downtown tunnel portion and the Bow River crossing, which was exacerbated by the deferral of funding from the province. BOMA Calgary has been working closely with the city’s project team to ensure that any changes to the river crossing and downtown alignment do not negatively impact downtown and the beltline’s property values while also maintaining a functioning transportation network for all modes. We look forward seeing council’s decision on the future of this city-building project and will continue to engage with our members to gather feedback in the future.

The 2019 provincial budget also saw the repeal of the city charters agreement between the province and the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. This repeal

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We also advocate in less high-profile areas that are important to our industry. One example of this concerns the unfortunate state of many sidewalks downtown. As an area with the highest pedestrian usage that also happens to provide the bulk of the city’s tax revenue, the industry has told us these sidewalks must be made more of a priority by the city. restructured how major infrastructure projects in both cities are funded between 2020-23. The Local Government Fiscal Framework Act that followed changed the amount of funds the two largest cities in the province are entitled to, and also allowed more municipalities access to a $405 million fund. The change does appear to be more equitable for other municipalities at first, but it does not adequately address the higher costs and services that are provided by our two cities.

We also advocate in less high-profile areas that are important to our industry. One example of this concerns the unfortunate state of many sidewalks downtown.

As an area with the highest pedestrian usage that also happens to provide the bulk of the city’s tax revenue, the industry has told us these sidewalks must be made more of a priority by the city. We have also heard that some sidewalks pose a significant accessibility challenge for Calgarians who live, work or just visit downtown.

Our government affairs committee is engaged with city administration on this issue and looks forward to making headway in 2020.

In 2019, we also saw the beginning of a multi-year initiative to re-imagine and revitalize Stephen Avenue Walk. As a primary retail corridor in the heart of downtown, our industry has a natural interest and role to

4

play in this process. While this project is in a very early phase, BOMA Calgary is working closely with the joint City of Calgary and Calgary Downtown Association project team to ensure our industry’s voice is represented.

Finally, the city continues to move forward on the action items from the Climate Resilience Strategy and the associated Mitigation and Adaptation Action Plans approved in 2018, with input from BOMA Calgary. In particular, they are moving forward on voluntary benchmarking for commercial buildings for mid-2020. Through our experience with BOMA BEST, we are firm believers in the value of benchmarking and environmental performance. We are working closely with administration to ensure the city’s program complements existing industry actions and serves a tool for industry as opposed to simply “naming and shaming.” We are confident these principles will be reflected in the final program design, but remain engaged with administration.

A lot happened in 2019, and 2020 is promising much of the same. BOMA Calgary is proud to represent the voice of Calgary’s commercial real estate industry at the provincial legislature and city hall, advocating for the industry’s interests as policy-makers deliberate on bylaws and legislation. We are looking forward to the opportunities that are coming as we move into 2020.

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BOMA Insider 2020 TC Energy BOMA Excellence Awards will take place on Friday, May 22, 2020 at the Hudson Event Venue with an official after-party at Guild! Registration will open in March.

Welcome New BOMA Member Companies!

ParkChamp ~ Maggie Young Sure-Seal Contracting Ltd. ~ Alex Carnegie

If you’re interested in becoming a BOMA member, contact the BOMA office at info@boma.ca or 403.237.0559

BOMA Calgary hosted 900 guests at the Christmas Luncheon at Hyatt.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers! (L-R Melanie Parker, Oxford Properties Group; Aydan Aslan, BOMA Calgary; Jay Islam, BOMA Calgary; Julie Visser, Servpro Disaster Restoration; Jessica McGlashing, BOMA Calgary; Lucy Skjarstad, Artopex)

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By David Parker

I

Living the Downtown Life

can remember checking in to a hotel on my first visit to Fort Worth where an economic development conference was being held and then wandering outside on a pleasant Texas Saturday afternoon. It was eerily quiet; not a soul around until two of three boys came hurtling around the corner on skateboards.

I stopped them and asked, “Excuse me but where’s downtown?” and was surprised by their response, “Right here man.”

It’s not too long ago that we complained about Calgary being “dead” at night and on weekends, but now I see lots of action around the core – largely thanks to the increasing number of residences in the downtown and beltline districts.

Ready to admit that I do like suburban living – even though as I type I am watching a flicker decide which house siding to bore a hole into – yet encourage others on the many advantages of being able to walk to work, shopping and entertainment.

It is imperative for our hospitality industry that visitors are able to enjoy easy access to a good variety of restaurants, pubs, shops, entertainment and the arts.

Meeting and convention delegates want to spend time and money enjoying new experiences, so it’s important for the health of this city that, despite the huge increases in costs suffered particularly by restaurants, businesses continue to make a profit.

And that’s why those residential towers are so important.

It’s always good to see cranes working and never mind they are not building tall office towers, we welcome the activity that should bring several thousand more people within walking distance of downtown businesses.

Some of the major developments include the first phase of ONE Properties’ mixed-use complex consisting of two towers that will offer 650 residential units and 16,500 square feet of retail where 12th Avenue meets Macleod Trail SE. Further along 12th Avenue, Hines’ 500 Block looks impressive as we watch the progress of the seven-storey podium that will contain 184 studio suites above retail, adjacent to a 35-storey tower with a further 277 units.

It is imperative for our hospitality industry that visitors are able to enjoy easy access to a good variety of restaurants, pubs, shops, entertainment and the arts.

Meeting and convention delegates want to spend time and money enjoying new experiences, so it’s important for the health of this city that, despite the huge increases in costs suffered particularly by restaurants, businesses continue to make a profit.

Driving into the core from the west, one has to be excited to see the topping off of the first tower of the Cidex massive development that will span a whole city block on the former Stampede Pontiac site. An impressive gateway into downtown, the tower will offer 554 units, and another two tall towers are yet to come.

Add Bosa’s The Royal to the west of Mount Royal Village with another 222 units in the 31- storey tower – and others such as Scarboro 17 and AVLI on Atlantic – and we can look forward to more than 2,000 new residences, feeding people into downtown to the benefit of Calgary Downtown Association members who need all the support they can get in these trying times.

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Serving Calgarians for 30 Years

C

algary is a city of extremes, and with hot summers paired with bitterly cold and snowy winters, those extremes can do a number on a roof. For 30 years, Sunik Roofing has been battling the city’s challenging environment to help extend the life of its customers’ roofs.

“If Sunik shingle’s your roof then we have a deal where we come back at no charge between year two and three to do a visual inspection – a roofing tune-up. We’d recommend this for all roofs,” says Nick Sims, Sunik Roofing president.

Whether it’s an aging roof or a new one, homeowners should have a professional come out for annual or biennial visits to ensure there aren’t issues after a tough winter. Sunik’s trained professionals know what damage can occur from heavy snow loads, ice, wind and the effects of thawing and refreezing so they can identify and repair trouble spots to avoid costly repairs later.

The team examines the roof thoroughly, looking for everything from exposed nails to curled or buckled shingles. As part of the maintenance package, Sunik re-tars plumbing collars and vents, checks the chimney, flashings and valleys, examines skylights to ensure they are sealed, and keeps an eye out for envelope

30 years in Business

www.sunik.com 403.280.2803

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MARCH 2020 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

issues like condensation buildup in the attic from plugged or faulty vents.

Sunik’s roofers evaluate the general condition of the roof during this inspection, offering advice on what needs repair and how homeowners can limit wear on the shingles to prolong the roof’s life. They recommend caution when going out on roofs to clean or hang Christmas lights.

“I’ve seen homeowners get up on their roof and ruin a whole section from washing windows, so minimizing foot traffic is helpful,” he says.

Older or damaged roofs may need to be replaced, and the nine-time Consumer Choice Award-winning roofer is available to offer the best solutions. Sims recommends products that are more forgiving in this punishing climate, including rubber shingles and class-4 shingles that hold up against the elements, including hail, better.

A roof’s best defence against the ravages of weather is maintenance and prevention, and Sunik Roofing’s spring package offers homeowners peace of mind while saving them money down the road.

The Calgary Chamber is the voice of the business community. We double down on commerce and work with businesses to create catalysts for growth.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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A

s the first quarter of 2020 comes to a close, the Calgary Chamber remains ever focused on advocating for public policies that enable our business community to grow and thrive. Open and transparent engagement is key to developing these policies, which is why we are focused on pre-budget consultation processes at both the federal and provincial levels of government.

Last month, the Chamber convened a roundtable comprised of business leaders, representing a wide cross-section of industries in the city, to provide feedback and insight to Alberta’s finance minister, the Honourable Travis Toews. This was arranged as part of the provincial government’s consultation as they prepare for budget 2020.

As we look towards the tabling of the provincial budget this spring, the Calgary Chamber will urge the provincial government to take a holistic and long-term view of the economy and put innovation at the heart of the budget. In partnership with the Edmonton Chamber, we are advocating for further exploration of Alberta’s competitive position in the tech sector, considering the elimination of four tax credits last fall.

Our city, and our province, are dynamic and entrepreneurial, and our diverse communities are poised to solve the biggest challenges we face as a society. In order to do so, business needs a stable, predictable environment that enables all companies to do what they do best: meet and grow market demand, innovate to compete, and deliver value to their stakeholders and shareholders.

At the federal level, we were pleased to host the Honourable Jim Carr, special representative for the Prairies, who made Calgary his first stop since taking on the role. As the podium of record for Calgary’s business community, the Chamber event was an opportunity for an open discussion on Western Canada’s importance to the Canadian economy, and the path ahead during difficult economic times.

To this end, the Calgary Chamber continues to advocate at the federal level for climate policies that stimulate competition, expanded market access and trade, a globally competitive tax system, closing the talent and skills gap, and planning for our fiscal future. In partnership with the Edmonton Chamber, we continue to advocate on behalf of our province to have an environment that allows companies to focus on growing and transforming their business.

And at the municipal level, we remain focused on the need for long-term, structural change to our property tax system. From the city, we also need to see a focus on driving efficiencies and reducing costs to ensure long-term sustainability and prosperity for business owners and residents. These are the important, strategic initiatives businesses need in order to operate with certainty in Calgary.

This month, to mark International Women’s Day, we will proudly celebrate the best and brightest Calgary has to offer through our work with Axis Connect, as co-founders of the inaugural Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards (CIWB). On March 5, seven female leaders and one male champion, who together showcase the full breadth of Calgary’s business community, will receive the recognition they have long deserved. As a member of the official selection committee, I want to take this opportunity to offer my sincere congratulations to all winners and nominees and express my gratitude to the other members of our selection committee, who had some tough choices to make.

We are also thrilled to be partnering with Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Sport Calgary for a three-part event series that explores what it takes to succeed at the highest level, from the playing field to the boardroom. Our first event is being held in celebration of International Women’s Day, as three of Canada’s top female leaders share their experiences through a discussion moderated by Catriona Le May Doan. We hope you can join us on March 4, 2020, for this exciting event.

The Calgary Chamber’s purpose is to nourish, power and inspire business so that they can, in turn, nourish, power and inspire the community. As Calgary’s podium of record, we deliver on that purpose by being the place where the business community, decision-makers and thought leaders convene, learn and discuss with one another to chart the path forward. I invite you to join us for these important conversations, either by attending an upcoming event or connecting with us online.

Sandip Lalli President & CEO Calgary Chamber

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Member Feature

Longtime Calgary Medical Imaging Company Expanding into Cochrane

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ayfair Diagnostics has been operating in Calgary for over 100 years, since Calgary’s first radiologist started a company that grew into one of Western Canada’s leading medical imaging companies.

With innovative technology and comprehensive services, Mayfair’s goal is to improve their patients’ lives, one focused image and one caring, compassionate human touch at a time. Each year Mayfair’s more than 400 employees serve over 700,000 patients.

Mayfair Diagnostics provides screening, diagnostic and interventional medical imaging services across 13 locations in Calgary and one location in Regina. Mayfair will also be opening a new clinic in Cochrane in the fall of 2020.

Owned and operated by over 60 radiologists, each year Mayfair’s team uses state-of-the-art technology to provide

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a variety of medical imaging services, including X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine imaging, MRI, pain therapy, CT, bone density and breast imaging exams.

We recently caught up with Mayfair and asked them a few questions about their business and the industry.

Calgary Chamber (CC): What role does medical imaging play in patient care?

Mayfair Diagnostics (MD): Medical imaging helps provide an accurate diagnosis by providing a detailed look inside the body. It can be diagnostic, helping determine the cause for a patient’s symptoms, or screening, helping detect diseases before they cause symptoms and while they can still be successfully treated. Medical imaging is also used in interventional radiology to treat patients.

CC: What are screening exams?

MD: Mayfair offers both diagnostic and screening exams at our clinics across Calgary. Our screening exams include bone mineral densitometry which measures bone density and can help detect osteoporosis; mammography which is used every year, or every two years, to help detect breast cancer; and CT screening which might be ordered by doctors for patients with risk factors for heart disease, or colon or lung cancer.

CC: What is interventional radiology?

MD: Interventional radiologists use medical imaging to perform minimally-invasive procedures that treat conditions like chronic pain, vascular conditions, enlarged prostate or uterine fibroids. Certain procedures are performed by Mayfair radiologists at Mayfair Diagnostics’ clinics while others are performed in hospitals.

CC: What are you most excited for in 2020?

MD: We have a lot of exciting things happening in 2020.

For example, we will be opening a new clinic in Cochrane in the fall. This clinic will offer much-needed local bone density, mammography and ultrasound services to Cochrane and surrounding areas.

CC: You offer teleradiology services to help patients in rural and remote locations. How does that work?

MD: Each year Mayfair radiologists remotely interpret and report on images from over 90,000 patients in rural and remote locations. With accredited radiologists who focus on specific diagnostic disciplines, this helps deliver high-quality reading where and when it’s needed.

To learn more about Mayfair, visit radiology.ca.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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THE BIG CLEANUP // GOLF

THE BIG CLEANUP READYING “FORE” THE 2020 GOLF SEASON

BY JOHN HARDY

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t’s not that they’re anxious, but they are.

From Shaganappi Point, Priddis Greens, Lakeview and Springbank Links to Confederation Park, Glencoe, McCall Lake and all golf courses in the Calgary area, the wintery hibernation is coming to an end and courses are getting ready for the 2020 season.

The Calgary golf season is widely accepted (and sometimes notorious) for being short. Golf in this region consistently depends on two key factors: weather and the economy – both out of a golfer’s control.

Regardless how anxious Calgary golfers are to hit the tees, the key concern for all area golf courses is the unpredictable seasonal timing of turf readiness. In addition to ensuring golfer safety, a crucial focus is on avoiding wet and soggy conditions that prevent golfers from walking on the turf.

Pending day-to-day Calgary weather, most golf courses are on-the-ready with rituals and detailed schedules of spring cleanup – removing tarps, cutting the roughs and cleaning up winter litter from the sprawling acres of golf course land.

It is a lot of hard work.

“There are 150 acres to be walked, inspected and cleaned up,” explains Jason Stanier, general manager and executive professional at Calgary’s popular Inglewood

Golf and Curling Club. “We have a total 80 staff in the summer and about 30 work full time on the grounds.

And spring cleanup is key, making sure there isn’t much ice damage or snow mould from the winter, and clearing the greens from spring snowfalls. We apply spring applications to the entire course to get things growing

ABOVE: INGLEWOOD’S REDESIGNED THIRD GREEN, ALONG THE BOW RIVER. BELOW: SPRINGBANK LINKS GENERAL MANAGER KEVIN HEISE.

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THE BIG CLEANUP // GOLF

and eventually get the irrigation system up and running.

Sometimes in the spring, the course can go from wet conditions to dry in less than a day.”

It’s quite the manoeuvre and feat to schedule the 700 acres that encompass City of Calgary-owned public golf courses: Confederation Park, Lakeview, Maple Ridge, McCall Lake and Shaganappi Point. “The key spring tasks include the general cleanup, like leaves, branches, garbage and debris from the late fall and winter,” says John Faber, senior superintendent of operations, golf and sport development with the City of Calgary. “And the placement of all the course amenities and accessories like benches, ball washers, garbage/recycle bins, flags, tee markers and more.

“When the spring weather really sets in, sooner than later,” he grins, “we are ready with our schedule for early turf health like fertilizing, irrigation and sodding. Our public courses employ about 150 in-season staff, brought in as needed in the spring.

It’s important to make sure all of the equipment is set up properly and the staff (returning and new hires) are properly trained to perform their work efficiently, effectively and safely.

“The clubhouse side of getting ready for the season means there are buildings to clean, inventory to be brought in and staff to be hired/trained,” Faber says.

While there is a skeletal winter management staff at Springbank Links – which takes on approximately 80

Only 9 Minutes from Downtown

in-season staff over the summer – general manager Kevin Heise explains the course supervisor checks the greens year-round to remove snow as needed, preventing ice from forming. “Once the weather breaks, hopefully mid-March, we are prepping basic supplies – tees, cups, signage, etc. – and tuning up equipment and carts. We keep the green tarps on as long as we can for a kind of greenhouse effect to help kickstart their growth.”

The sprawling green beauty of golf courses creates the common impression that it must be a tricky, expert manoeuvre involving tons of fertilizer. “Golf courses use much less fertilizer than people think,” Faber adds.

“Healthy green grass is achieved by providing the amount of food (fertilizer) and water it needs in small quantities.

This along with procedures like frequent mowing, aeration, top dressing (spreading sand), vertical mowing and other techniques make for healthy turf that is able to resist disease, endure drought and limit the encroachment of weeds.”

Inglewood’s Stanier adds that the grounds staff do spring applications to the entire course to get things growing as soon as cleanup has been done and the course is OK to drive and walk on. “We fertilize the greens every two weeks, all year long, and fairways and tee boxes once a month. Our irrigation coverage is almost wall to wall, but we don’t water no-play areas very often, if at all.”

WINSTON GOLF CLUB 2020 MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS TRIAL: $3850+GST, 7 Day Advance Booking, Unlimited Rounds INTERMEDIATE: (Age 19-29) $2480+GST YOUNG PROFESSIONAL: (Age 30-34) $2780+GST CORPORATE: Flexible Options Custom Tailored To YOUR Business

Proud Host of 2007 McKenzie Tours ATB Classic

Contact Dale Tomlinson for more information (403)984-1701 | dtomlinson@thewinstongolfclub.com www.thewinstongolfclub.com

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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THE BIG CLEANUP // GOLF

For all golf courses, financial success is dependent on weatherreliant “play” days. “We had approximately 200 days of play on our public courses in 2019,” Faber notes. “Some of these were not the greatest with the weather we had, but the courses were open for play and we still had people out enjoying.”

Inglewood had 173 playable days last year. “Although some were very cold days, we were open,” Stanier adds. Last year, Springbank Links lost 49 days due to weather, resulting in 149 play days.

its clubhouse approach and just bought a 40-foot vertical container farm hydroponic grow operation to grow our own vegetables and specialty herbs for the kitchen.”

In addition to breathtaking golf courses and legions of diehard-area golfers, Calgary is a caring community. The combination of golf and community is the focus of many big and small Calgary-area charity golf tournaments. Following is a list of a few happening in 2020.

Just about now, the predictable and guaranteed question for all Calgary-area courses is: when?

Shaw Charity Classic Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club www.shawcharityclassic.com

While Calgary weather makes advance scheduling of opening day risky and nearly impossible, the unofficial, easy answer from area courses is: as soon as possible.

Calgary Chamber’s Leaders Classic Silver Springs Golf & Country Club www.calgarychamber.com

Stanier says the goal each year is to be open for Masters weekend if possible, which this year would fall on April 10 (Good Friday). Regarding Springbank Links, Heise says April 15 is a realistic target date, while Faber adds that if the weather and spring scheduling goes well, Calgary golfers could be teeing off at most public courses by April 4.

Priddis Greens Charity Classic Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club www.priddisgreens.com

Over the winter break, some courses make use of the downtime by incorporating changes, occasionally accompanied by major renovations. Calgary golfers will notice some tweaks at city-owned courses. “More tee options at the newly renovated McCall Lake,” Faber points out. “A new ninth hole at Confederation, a few new tees at Maple Ridge and an opening up of the approaches on the Valley 9 at Shaganappi. We are also incorporating easier ‘teeways’ at Lakeview.”

And there are some non-golf changes. “We feel there is a fundamental shift in golf where the clubhouse and club atmosphere are becoming an important element of the golf experience,” Heise says. “Springbank is transforming

Willow Park Charity Golf Classic Willow Park Golf & Country Club www.willowparkgolf.com Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament Cottonwood Golf and Country Club www.woodridgeford.com Business Fore Calgary Kids Tournament www.businessforcalgarykids.com CREB Building Hope Charity Golf Tournament www.calgaryrealtorscare.org Calgary Stampeder Alumni Golf Tournament www.stampederalumni.com Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic www.flamescharitygolfclassic.com

ABOVE: INGLEWOOD’S 18TH GREEN; ACROSS THE POND IS THE 10TH GREEN.

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A BRAVE NEW WORLD // STEM

A BRAVE NEW WORLD

STEM EDUCATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS LABOUR MARKET DEMANDS CONTINUE TO SHIFT

BY JAMIE ZACHARY

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eep learning specialist. Avatar designer. Remote patient specialist. The jobs of the future are closer than you think say experts, pointing to significant labour market deficiencies in high-demand jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM. “When we’re thinking about students now, they are being prepared for careers that don’t even exist at this moment,” says Jennifer Adams, Canada research chair, creativity and STEM, and associate professor at the University of Calgary.

Staffing firm Robert Half Technology noted in its recent study titled Job and AI Anxiety that technology recruitment on its own will soar in the first half of 2020, but the number of qualified candidates will fall short of demand.

ABOVE: STUDENTS SOLDERING AS THEY BUILD STRUCTURES WITH COPPER WIRE. SUMMER CAMP COUNSELLORS JOSH AND ALI EXPLAIN HOW TO ASSEMBLE ROBOTICS. STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON CONSTRUCTING A ROVER. STUDENTS AT ROOTS 2 STEM USE THEIR IMAGINATION AND DIFFERENT MATERIALS TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING. BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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A BRAVE NEW WORLD // STEM

A separate report by employment-related search engine Indeed, meanwhile, found specialized engineering roles – specifically in tech – are currently among the hardest positions to fill in Western Canada.

And human resources powerhouse Ranstad recently stated the demand for skilled workers in STEM fields has exceeded supply in Canada, especially in technology – and it’s only increasing.

Local labour market professionals are already seeing this transitional demand for STEM jobs on the front lines.

Catherine Brownlee, president and CEO of Calgary-based recruitment firm Catherine Brownlee Inc. (CBI), notes there is aggressive interest in hiring for tech-based careers such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

“It’s exponentially changing for all of us,” she says. “The discussions have changed from ‘I can’t wait for everything to come back’ to ‘it’s never coming back.’ People are getting retrained and pivoting into other opportunities.”

Other areas in high demand for high-tech skills include everything from logistics to health care – even entertainment through virtual and augmented reality.

YET MANY EXPERTS STILL POINT TO BARRIERS THAT ARE DISCOURAGING MANY YOUNG ADULTS FROM PURSUING CAREERS IN STEM,

Even the way Brownlee hunts for talent has changed.

BEGINNING WITH HOW IT’S TAUGHT.

“When we’re looking for people, for years and years we’d look for specific criteria, particularly around previous experience so they could do the same thing again,” she says. “Now, employers are asking me for someone who is willing to learn because this has never been done before.”

ADAMS SAYS THE TRADITIONAL SILOED

Yet many experts still point to barriers that are discouraging many young adults from pursuing careers in STEM, beginning with how it’s taught. Adams says the traditional siloed approach of teaching subjects such as math and science in grade schools is out of date.

“If you’re thinking about STEM in the interdisciplinary sense, it’s not taught as widely as it should be,” she says. “In the siloed sense, it’s still taught as one of those gatekeeping courses where most students are required to take some equivalent of biology, earth and environmental sciences and maybe chemistry.

“But if you think about any of the STEM or science-related issues (outside of the classroom), they don’t exist in those

APPROACH OF TEACHING SUBJECTS SUCH AS MATH AND SCIENCE IN GRADE SCHOOLS IS OUT OF DATE. disciplinary silos. I believe all students need some type of STEM, but it would be more salient if it were taught in an interdisciplinary sense.”

The challenge? Money and perception.

“It’s going to take resources,” says Adams. “The human resources are there, but there needs to be an investment in both capital and material resources.

“There also needs to be a change in attitude of what science disciplines are. Even people who are practicing science in the

ABOVE: JENNIFER ADAMS, CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR, CREATIVITY AND STEM, AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY.

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Tech Talk: Finger Food Advanced Technology to Launch Innovation Centre in Downtown Calgary

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or the past decade, Finger Food has been delivering ground-breaking custom technology solutions through its design-led engineering team for a diverse range of global clients. It builds custom systems and applications that solve complex problems using AI, AR, VR, blockchain, robotics and IoT. “As a pioneer in innovative tech solutions, we harness our agility and creativity to create unparalleled results for our clients – no matter the industry or vertical,” says Ryan Peterson, CEO and co-founder, Finger Food Advanced Technology Group.

Hailing from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Finger Food has recently expanded to the Calgary market and will extend its presence by opening its first Advanced Technology Centre in the early summer. The company is thrilled to integrate itself into the fabric of the Calgary community and plans to make it a focal point for tech on a global scale.

Calgary has long been a hub for innovation and technology, and this sector is set to spur growth and generate employment opportunities as Calgary reinvents itself. Finger Food will take on a significant role in the community as it aids in diversifying the current economy in addition to continuing to support its local clients.

“Our goal is to be a catalyst for the future of Calgary with the addition of our Advanced Technology Centre,” says Peterson. “From its accessible geographical location, technical workforce and enticing real estate offering, there is an incredible opportunity for investment.”

The state-of-the-art space will be dedicated to disrupting traditional thinking and will act as a training ground to help reskill workers so they can participate in the digital economy of tomorrow. With ample learning opportunities for employees, Finger Food will help arm the workforce with the tools needed to excel in today’s technological marketplace. The Centre will introduce 200 full- time positions in areas such as design and software development as it grows over the next few years.

The facility falls in line with the rest of the corporate mandate: to turn traditional thinking on its head and deploy cutting-edge industry-first solutions. In partnership with Microsoft, the Centre will be focused on business innovation and upskilling and will also act as a showcase for Finger Food’s vast portfolio of projects. As an influential international leader with this new Advanced Technology Centre, Calgary will be the centrepiece of the company’s growth.

“We want to create jobs and showcase to the rest of the world what Calgarians and Albertans can deliver,” Peterson says.

And what they can deliver is limitless as Finger Food continues to use advanced technology to improve the way people work, play and interact with the world every day.

225 6 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 1N2 Canada | 604.475.0350 | info@fingerfoodatg.com | www.fingerfoodatg.com

Dean White, CEO and founder of Roots 2 STEM. Photo by Riverwood Photography.

ROOTS 2 STEM

by Rennay Craats

Producing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

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here is no greater investment than our youth, and Roots 2 STEM is empowering the next generation of engineers and scientists as they explore, problem solve and create with hands-on projects that inspire them.

“This is the future of Calgary. We need to build a community for those future global engineers, scientists and technologists,” says Dean White, CEO and founder of Roots 2 STEM. White knows the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. After decades of engineering projects around the world, the lifelong telecommunications engineer was ready to do something different and to give back to his community. He and his wife, Eeva, established the Engineering Academy that mirrors White’s passion for science and engineering and supports the need for hands-on STEM programs in the community.

The not-for-profit organization launched its flagship Junior Engineers program five years ago, offering students access to state-of-the-art equipment that facilitates projects limited only by the imagination. All the while it gives them

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a sense of community and a place to belong. Volunteer mentors help students bring their vision to life using the 3D design printer, laser cutters, milling machines, robotics equipment, gaming platforms, metalwork machinery and other high-tech tools in the 4,000-square-foot laboratory.

“There is nothing they can’t do. They can build anything they want here, as long as it doesn’t go bang,” quips White.

Roots 2 STEM offers school field trips and in-class sessions to explore STEM-centric curriculum, after-school programs for kids and a place to host birthday parties. It also offers incredible one-week summer camps covering everything from computer coding to robotics, electronics to architectural design. In addition, the organization hosts the Calgary Engineering Expo which allows students to showcase their projects and vie for prizes.

White is excited to grow his Aerospace Academy that opened in September, teaching participants about robotics, flight training, rocketry and engineering while launching rockets, simulating rover and drone missions and running off-world scientific experiments. The 10-month program

to grow the academy and become accredited. Securing more corporate sponsorship would allow White to purchase more equipment, move into a larger space to accommodate more students, and ultimately promote STEM education in Calgary.

“Only $2,800 a year, or $240 a month, sponsors someone in the program,” says Mitchell Ravvin, director of fundraising. It’s advertising and promotion for a company and it helps us run the nonprofit’s programs.”

can be capped off with the summer SPACE Camp, where budding astronauts can train and learn about everything extraterrestrial.

Roots 2 STEM merges the creative with the scientific while it instils the engineering design process of identifying a problem and researching and testing different solutions to solve it. This critical thinking and active problem solving is imperative for the future and something lacking in today’s schools.

As word spreads about what Roots 2 STEM is all about (through events like the Engineering Expo, ESfS, Science Fair and the popularity of its own programs and camps), White hopes more corporations will step forward with sponsorship funding to help foster STEM education in the city. Dean White welcomes corporations to come down for a tour, meet the kids who are impacted every day by these programs and through nominal sponsorship, support the future today.

“With STEM education we help schools by providing extra curriculum with hands-on projects that focus on the engineering and technology,” White says.

Unfortunately Roots 2 STEM doesn’t have adequate budgets to run and expand its programs. A combination of private school contracts, user fees for programs and a personal infusion by the White family keeps the lights on but the organization is aggressively pursuing grants and sponsorship

#38, 11410 - 27th Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2Z 3R6 Telephone: 403-257-4200

roots2stem.ca

A BRAVE NEW WORLD // STEM

lab, they might say they’re a chemist. Yet if you look at their research, you realize it takes other disciplinary knowledge in order to adequately do that research.”

“The girls who I’ve seen here have accelerated. I think we need to nurture that – to get more women into science and engineering careers,” says White.

Camilla Sutton, president and CEO of Women in Capital Markets (WCM), says another roadblock, particularly for women, is they don’t understand what a career in STEM looks like.

At Roots 2 STEM, all students are encouraged to be curious and ask questions. White says he takes a hands-on approach to teaching within what he calls a “lab of discovery.” He singles out one student in his early teens who has spent the better part of a year building a remote-operated tank on his own, and it runs “like a Swiss watch.” Before that, the student built a rocket.

Last fall, WCM hosted its SheBiz conference in Calgary where more than 100 female local high school students had the unique opportunity to hear from business and STEM leaders, while being exposed to career opportunities available in these fields.

“What we hear a lot from girls is that only geeky boys are taking computer science – not recognizing that computer science is fascinating,” says Sutton, noting that, now entering its ninth year, SheBiz has already come to Calgary three times as demand grows with each conference.

“Or recognizing that if you want to go work at places like Google, you really need some of that background. I think there’s a stereotype there that the girls see who is interested in these early years of school and self-select out.”

Sutton says, currently, only 26 and 30 and per cent of math and engineering grads, respectively, in Canada are women.

“We are still just not attracting enough women into the higher education levels in STEM, which is critically important when closing things like the gender pay gap,” she says. “We haven’t been doing our girls any favours in terms of making sure they are considering going into STEM fields.

“This is not an area that Canada can risk falling behind in.”

Roots 2 STEM CEO and founder Dean White has seen first-hand how much both genders benefit from introducing STEM at a young age. The electrical engineer opened the Calgary-based learning academy in 2014, and has seen interest skyrocket among grade school students, both girls and boys. In 2019, he estimates more than 1,600 students passed through the not-for-profit educational organization’s doors through after-school classes, special events and camps.

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“We want to give them more hands-on projects they can learn from. Do problem solving and critical thinking – really outside-of-the-box stuff,” he says. “STEM is all about getting them to think about something. The way we teach it is to get them asking lots of questions and get them thinking of solutions and providing opportunities for them to learn.

“Our economy is changing. Technology is changing. We have to be prepared to work with STEM jobs, yet we don’t have enough students to fill those jobs. This is not about careers of tomorrow. This is about careers of today.”

White adds the arts, or STEM + A, is also making its way into programming at Roots 2 STEM. “Engineering has a lot of art in it, especially when you’re doing a lot of computer-generated imagery and 3D design,” he says. “It is all about giving students different perspectives on how to deal with different situations.”

Adams agrees, noting the two work hand in hand. She says it, again, emphasizes why a holistic approach to teaching makes sense.

“Scientists and artists work in very similar ways,” she says.

“They’re both asking questions about the world and coming up with some type of protocol or procedure to document and demonstrate what they learn and how to integrate what they’ve learned about the world. I think it’s really important to look at some of those things in parallel.”

Joyce Van Deurzen, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan and Dr. Daniel A. Muruve, Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary, Section Chief, Nephrology, Medical Director, Alberta Kidney Care South. Photo by Riverwood Photography.

KIDNEY FOUNDATION CHANGES LIVES AS IT FIGHTS FOR A CURE

by Rennay Craats

A

fter 56 years, it was time for change. The Kidney Foundation’s new branding reflects the organization’s evolution into a dynamic force in the fight against kidney disease.

“We needed to freshen our look so it aligns with our boldness, our focus on innovation, and being more than a funder but rather compelling things to happen,” says Joyce Van Deurzen, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The Kidney Foundation • Page 1 89

Benita Baker, two-time Kidney Marcher.

Those happenings include providing bridge funding during a crisis, offering peer support and information, and funding groundbreaking research. The Foundation helps people living the struggle today, teaching them to cope and live full lives despite the hardships of the disease. It also funds the Kidney Kids Camp to allow children with kidney disease to make lifelong connections and learn to see their futures in a different, more hopeful way.

The Kidney Foundation advocates for change in public policy, government and health-care systems to improve the lives of kidney disease sufferers. By shining a spotlight on organ donation and encouraging people to make their wishes to become donors known, the Foundation works to meet the enormous need for donors.

“Nearly 80 per cent of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant are waiting for a kidney. That’s why organ donation is a cornerstone of our mission,” says Van Deurzen.

The

The system has evolved to accommodate living donors and offers a paired exchange program that is increasing the number of transplants. If a living donor isn’t a match for their loved one, they can enter a pool that will find a match from those facing a similar situation to achieve a positive outcome for both parties.

A proud supporter of The Kidney Foundation Southern Alberta Branch

Tel: 403-233-0608 www.landstarcommunities.com

The Kidney Foundation strives to increase awareness wherever it can, including at WHL hockey games. At 17 games in Western Canada, the people dropping the puck have received or are waiting for a transplant or are organ donors, reminding people to have these conversations with their families. There are also opportunities to donate or purchase commemorative items to support the cause. This season will be the third year for the partnership, and it has raised $460,000 for the Foundation.

Since its inception, The Kidney Foundation has raised all its own funds, relying on individual donations to finance the programs that are changing lives. Kidney March is held the weekend after Labour Day and attracts participants from around the world in support of the fight.

“It’s a destination event and the only one of its kind in the world. It’s the biggest fundraising event for The Kidney Foundation of Canada,” she says.

The three-day event saw more than 600 loved ones, friends, kidney disease patients, volunteers, medical professionals and

The Kidney Foundation • Page 2

“My commitment as a leader is to ensure that we provide the best possible health care for patients and families in southern Alberta. The second is to ensure that we continue to do world-class, leading-edge research. We have one of the best, if not the best kidney research programs in the country, and one of the top five in the world. We need to keep it that way, because ultimately, we need to find a cure.” ~ Dr. Daniel A. Muruve, Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary, Section Chief, Nephrology, Medical Director, Alberta Kidney Care South

We are proud supporters of Kidney March and The Kidney Foundation!

Joyce Van Deurzen, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation, Southern Alberta Branch & Saskatchewan Branch.

researchers walk 100 kilometres from Kananaskis to Calgary to raise funds to support families and find a cure. Last year, it raised more than $1.5 million to help fuel life-saving research.

“We’re stimulating innovative research and now Calgary is a world-leading centre for kidney research,” says Van Deurzen.

These programs attract top minds in the field like nephrologist Dr. Daniel Muruve. Many researchers are also treating nephrologists, so what they learn in the labs is quickly translated into clinical practice to help people immediately.

The world-class Calgary researchers are mavericks who refuse to yield to barriers in their fight.

Northland Volkswagen has been Volkswagen’s #1 dealer in Southern Alberta for 24 years.

“What I love about The Kidney Foundation is that not only do we have a broad vision of reducing the burden of kidney disease to the point where we can prevent it, we are also helping people who are living this struggle,” she says.

By caring for the individuals afflicted today and fighting for a cure tomorrow, The Kidney Foundation, its staff and legion of volunteers are changing lives.

6007 1a St SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 (403) 255-6108 • www.kidney.ca

The Kidney Foundation • Page 3

4849 Northland Dr NW Calgary, AB T2L 2K3 Ph: (403) 286‑4849 | www.northland-vw.ca

Early Adopters Propel Calgary into the Digital Economy

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t a time when data is considered the new oil, the energy sector’s embrace of the digital transformation has proven to be a catalyst driving change in the high-tech landscape across all sectors of Calgary’s economy at a remarkable rate.

Recent announcements such as Cenvous Energy teaming with IBM, and Suncor Energy collaborating with Microsoft, generate national headlines and speak to the scale of the opportunity, but Calgary’s innovation ecosystem includes companies big and small in all sectors.

Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) mean that far more data is being analyzed at greater depth and efficiency than previously imaginable. The impact is evident everywhere from operational performance to corporate decision-making.

Attabotics, for example, is revolutionizing supply chains with its robotics-based fulfilment system and received special mention on Time magazine’s Best Inventions 2019 list.

The increased availability of information, access to algorithms, supply of software infrastructure and ever-expanding computing power has resulted in far more accurate and useful insights for companies across all industries.

In the energy sector, AI has been used effectively to improve worker safety through virtual monitoring, increase productivity through real-time optimization and to refine management practices through high-quality predictive analytics.

Achieving the vision set out in the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, requires companies to eagerly embrace technology and adopt agile business practices.

Doing so will enable us to help solve global challenges by providing cleaner energy, safe and secure food, efficient movement of goods and people, and better health solutions.

Calgary companies are turning technology and innovative thinking into business solutions for sectors such as financial services, life sciences, health, agribusiness, marketing, retail, construction, digital media, and transportation and aerospace.

Instilling a culture where data is viewed as a key input for smart decision-making will mean companies in Calgary – and throughout Canada – stand to benefit from the influx of new technology. With the highest concentration of corporate head offices in Canada, Calgary is home to data-rich companies that represent opportunities for tech firms.

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Home to 55 per cent of the tech companies in Alberta, Calgary saw more than a 25 per cent increase in tech employment in 2019. In areas like AI, companies are addressing business challenges with data mining, descriptive analytics, data visualization, business-performance management, text analytics, predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics models.

Technology is a differentiator in today’s fast-evolving business environment. A 2019 study for Calgary Economic Development forecasts that Calgary companies will lead the $18.4-billion spend on digital transformation in Alberta through 2022. The investment includes AI, ML, augmented and virtual reality (AV/VR), robotics, cloud technologies, Internet of Things, unmanned aerial systems, next-gen security, digital media and more.

Significantly, the study forecast there is strong investment in digitization in all major sectors identified for growth in Calgary in the New Economy. It signals a will to embrace transformative technologies and thinking to gain an edge in business. It also reinforces Calgary Economic Development’s focus on having the tech talent to fill the demand – by retaining new grads, retraining mid-career professionals and recruiting in-demand talent.

As digital disruption accelerates, building on the early adoption of new technologies in our core sectors will be critical to our overall growth.

Tourism Calgary’s Online Learning Program for the Tourism Industry Exceeds Expectations in Inaugural Year WHITE HAT ACADEMY WRAPS UP EXEMPLARY FIRST YEAR WITH MORE THAN 780 PROGRAM GRADUATES GROWING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF CALGARY’S DIVERSE OFFERINGS AND WITH TWO INDUSTRY AWARDS

BY BRIDGETTE SLATER

T

he White Hat Academy, Tourism Calgary’s free online learning program for the tourism industry, has made distinct waves since it first launched in March 2019. As a tourism-specific customer service program, the White Hat Academy provides customer-facing members of Calgary’s tourism and hospitality industry with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to be better ambassadors and storytellers for our city.

Visitors typically rely on recommendations from those who have experienced a city first-hand such as friends, family and customer experience providers. Through the White Hat Academy, customer-facing employees are establishing a standard knowledge baseline that ensures they are well informed about Calgary’s diverse experiences and about what it takes to provide exceptional customer service. By leveraging this knowledge, White Hat Academy graduates can feel confident in their ability to provide visitors and residents with tailored recommendations that highlight the best of Calgary. Ultimately, these efforts help build Calgary’s robust visitor economy by inspiring continuous exploration and sharing of our city’s unique offerings.

At the outset, Tourism Calgary’s goal was to have 250 users complete the White Hat Academy within the first year.

Results as of February 2020 show the program exceeded this target, with more than 780 graduates earning their certification and growing their knowledge of Calgary’s diverse offerings. To date, 96 per cent of graduates have given the program a five-star satisfaction rating. In 2019,

CARRYING THIS MOMENTUM THROUGH TO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE WHITE HAT ACADEMY, TOURISM CALGARY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THE NUMBER OF PROGRAM GRADUATES WHO HAVE ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS CERTIFIED AMBASSADORS AND STORYTELLERS FOR OUR CITY. the White Hat Academy further established its place as the ultimate resource for Calgary’s tourism industry by winning two prominent tourism industry awards – Destinations International’s 2019 ‘Most Replicable’ WOW Award and Travel Alberta’s 2019 Alto Service Excellence Award.

Carrying this momentum through to the second year of the White Hat Academy, Tourism Calgary will continue to grow the number of program graduates who have established themselves as certified ambassadors and storytellers for our city. This is anticipated to increase the likelihood that visitors recommend Calgary as a travel destination, which will lead to increased visitation and economic benefits for the city.

To learn more about Tourism Calgary and the organization’s efforts to foster a destination that is welcoming and rich with shareable experiences, see visitcalgary.com.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // MARCH 2020

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MARKETING MATTERS // DAVID PARKER

Marketing Matters

BY DAVID PARKER

O

range Door Direct, a division of West Canadian Digital Imaging, has welcomed back Christina Fauser as its new director and creative lead.

Fauser brings to the team a highly versatile skill set in both digital and print design. The past 10 years have included four at Orange Door as art director before leaving to establish her own studio (although she remained on contract as a valued designer).

“Returning to Orange Door in a leadership role allows me to continue my passion for design and solving challenges in creative ways,” says Fauser, a graduate of Alberta University of the Arts.

Backed by West Canadian’s robust print and signage production capabilities, Orange Door is a full-service creative house and a noted leader in direct marketing, recognized as one of the few Canada Post Smartmail MarketingTM Expert Partners.

AdFarm has been busy growing its food and beverage portfolio, recently named as agency of record for Village Brewery while also forging a strategic partnership with Nourish Food Marketing.

The full-service agency continues to place farmers and farming at the heart of its business, most recently elevating communications on behalf of recognized brands such as New Holland, Nutrien Premium Technologies and Alberta Wheat Commission. Recently, it was called upon by New Holland to develop a strategy for its global combine business.

The team at Trigger has been busy over the last few months, with the addition of new staff and new accounts, including

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Fountain Tire, Enmax and Inter Pipeline, adding to an already impressive list of cross-category clients like Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop, Hotel Arts, Calbridge Homes, CNOOC and Imperial Oil. Fresh faces include senior art director Brad Connell, senior copywriter Tim Anderson, account managers Haleigh Magill and Matt Cowie, and SEO specialist Jessa Morris.

Hearing of so many new hires in the industry is a good indicator of positive action in our city’s economy. And being able to attract experienced people reflects on company’s growth expectations.

Clearmotive has welcomed two new team members with 15 years of experience: after holding senior positions with Brown, Karo and most recently Everbrave, Stephen Nykolyn has joined the team as a new account manager; and Sherry Preston, formerly of Watermark, MacLaren McCann, Sid Lee and Direct Focus, will serve as art director.

Katy Devine and Tash McGrath have also joined the account management team and graphic designer Jess Ahn recently moved to Calgary from Toronto.

CEO Tyler Chisholm also reports that the agency has received approval on a complete corporate website rebuild for Inter Pipeline, a 12-month project that will focus on an overhaul of its current website.

Parker’s Pick The passion for quality printing by Ian Gregory and Jess Brousseau at their unique Feast Letterpress in cSPACE.

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