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OCTOBER 2016 | $3.50 BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Ross Glen

Ron Southern

Mac Van Wielingen

Cal Wenzel

PM41126516

2016 Calgary Business Hall of Fame: Role models for future generations

C ELEBRATING THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES

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83 |

CALGARY CHAMBER SECTION

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79

Dear Alberta,

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STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 26 | Number 10

CONTENTS

REGULAR COLUMNS

COVER FEATURE

50

12

Hall of Fame Role models for future generations.

By John Hardy

ON OUR COVER: The Inductees of the 2016 Calgary Business Hall of Fame: Ross Glen, Ron Southern, Mac Van Wielingen and Cal Wenzel.

Some Perspectives on the U.S. Election

By Frank Atkins

14

Skewed Priorities are the Alberta Government’s Dirty Laundry

By Paige MacPherson

80

79 98

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

102

Marketing Matters

By David Parker

GUEST COLUMN

11

Op/Ed: Still Waiting for an Answer

FIND US ONLINE! 6

B US I N E SS I NCALGARY.COM

OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

BUSINESS IN CALGARY

By Cody Battershill

@BUSINCALGARY

BDC is where you need us to be: right there with you.

There are a lot of different ways to grow a business. As the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, we’re there to give you the financing and advice you need to steer yours in the right direction.

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 26 | Number 10

94

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

34

G etting Used to the Mobile Wallet Customers are digitized

By Parker Grant

CONTENTS COMPANY PROFILES

89

Synergy Land Services Going Strong Celebrates 10 Years

93

Executive Mat Service Gets a Green Thumbs Up

Celebrates 20 Years

42 57 66

K eep on Trucking The transportation and logistics industry remains robust

By Melanie Darbyshire

C autious Optimism The trending of Calgary real estate

By John Hardy

T he (Local) Home Away from Home A recreational property can be a smart investment with a big impact on your financial future

By Nerissa McNaughton

71 83

T he Art of Event Planning Calgary is still a hot draw

By Colleen Wallace

S mall Business Week 2016 Celebrating the best of Calgary’s small businesses

By Melanie Darbyshire

89 BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

9

Control your group benefit plan costs… without compromising choice or flexibility.

PUBLISHERS

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ADMINISTRATION

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REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Paige MacPherson Frank Atkins David Parker

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Melanie Darbyshire Rennay Craats Cody Battershill Parler Grant Nerissa McNaughton Colleen Wallace

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Alberta Blue 2016 Business in Calgary 2/3 page / full colour - Trim Size: 4.5” x 9.75” OCTOBER 2016Cross // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

RUN April, June, October 2016

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OP/ED: STILL WAITING FOR AN ANSWER // GUEST COLUMNIST

Op/Ed: Still Waiting for an Answer

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

S

ome readers might be aware of my interest in the public words and actions of Hollywood heavyweight Leo DiCaprio.

By ‘public words and actions,’ of course I’m referring to the way Leo preaches carbon catastrophe while he shuttles his entourage back and forth across the globe in CO2-spewing private jets and flashy mega-yachts.

For me it’s just one more reason to wonder about the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. activist group where, between private flights, Leo polishes his green credentials as an NRDC board member.

So I was intrigued to be invited a couple of weeks ago to a live radio debate with NRDC Canada Project director Anthony Swift, a Washington, D.C.-based staff lawyer.

I thought it might be a chance to exchange some real information, and to get a few answers to some serious questions that have been bothering me for a long time.

Wow, was I wrong!

Instead, I encountered an evasive, ill-informed spokesperson who, considering he’s a full-time professional environmental activist, couldn’t really answer the simplest inquiry.

Here was my main question: If projections are correct and global oil demand is on the increase, and if NRDC thinks Canada’s pipeline proposals are all problematic and should never be built, then why isn’t NRDC also protesting U.S.destined oil from unregulated, oppressive Venezuela, Nigeria or Saudi Arabia?

If U.S. activists are truly concerned about carbon dioxide emissions, then shouldn’t the activist movement recognize

that Canada is the only carbon-regulated major supplier of oil to the U.S.?

Isn’t Swift aware our province has had carbon emissions regulations in place since 2008, and that those longstanding regulations were just strengthened recently. In fact, President Barack Obama addressed our Parliament in June of this year, and applauded Alberta’s work on carbon emissions regulations.

Does Swift realize that while pipeline projects in Canada have been delayed, the U.S. has built almost ten thousand miles of new line, which has allowed America to export its oil to the world?

Think of it this way: If NRDC is truly opposed to oil tankers, then why doesn’t it protest tankers sailing to the Gulf Coast today? There’s no need for NRDC to wait for Energy East. If it needs a target, many already exist.

Yet, Swift and his group are stuck in neutral on this issue.

In spite of the fact Canada is a world leader in democratic freedom, transparency, environmental protection, worker rights and emissions reductions, his group protests our pipeline proposals exclusively, and gives a free pass to oppressive regimes that are not just less regulated, but less transparent and less respectful of human rights.

It’s like Leo and his yachts and private airplanes. It’s a massively dysfunctional situation. And it should stop.

To my radio debate question, “If not oil from Canada, then from where?,” I never did get an answer from the NRDC spokesperson. That just shows that having Hollywood heavyweights on your board and full-time lawyers on staff doesn’t guarantee open, honest communication. I suppose I already knew that.

Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder/spokesperson for CanadaAction. ca, a volunteer organization that supports Canadian energy development and the environmental, social and economic benefits that come with it.

SOME PERSPECTIVES ON THE U.S. ELECTION // FRANK ATKINS

Some Perspectives on the U.S. Election

BY FRANK ATKINS

A

s an economist, I have always found politics to be very strange. This is because many economic ideas are politically unpalatable. In these situations, politicians resort to distortions and half-truths, if not outright rejection of some economic ideas. The gains from free trade are clearly laid out in any first-year economic textbook. Countries should exploit what economists call their comparative advantage. That is, we should produce what we are good at in a low-cost efficient manner. Other counties do the same, and then trade takes place where goods are traded at lower prices and higher quality than in the absence of free trade.

Of course, the free part of free trade refers to the absence of trade barriers such as tariffs. However, next comes the political distortion. What politicians do not tell the voters is that moving to free trade will involve winners and losers. The winners will be the regions of countries that produce traded goods efficiently. The losers will be the regions that produce certain goods inefficiently. These regions will necessarily experience a decrease in employment. This is one of the reasons why left-leaning politicians do not support free trade. Unions back the socialist parties, and unions do not like any workers losing jobs anywhere.

In order to experience the full gains from trade, the workers who lose their jobs should move to where there are increased employment opportunities. Politicians almost never mention this in their speeches. It would be political suicide to go into a region during an election and state you support free trade, but you people in this region will lose your jobs.

Further, politicians actually make the situation even worse

by developing programs that encourage unemployed workers to stay in the depressed region.

This has come up in the U.S. election campaign in terms of economic and political discussion of free trade. Donald Trump is exploiting this regional employment loss in another cynical political move. Mr. Trump is going into regions of the U.S. which have high unemployment and stating that he will rip up the free trade agreements.

Unemployed workers must just love hearing this, and clearly Mr. Trump knows this. In a very strange U.S. election, this is yet another strange event, a multimillionaire businessman who opposes free trade.

There is ample evidence the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has benefited the Canadian economy.

Therefore, from this economic perspective, Canadians should hope Mr. Trump does not get elected. However, at various times in her career, Hillary Clinton has also opposed free trade, although she does not appear to be as vocal about this lately.

In contrast to the above, there is a reason why Albertans should hope for a Trump victory (this is in spite of the fact he exhibits what might politely be called an erratic personality). Mr. Trump seems to support pipelines in general and the Keystone XL pipeline in particular. In contrast, it is fairly clear Ms. Clinton is a strident opponent of the Keystone XL pipeline. Getting our oil to markets in pipelines would clearly benefit the Alberta economy at the moment, and in the future. Interestingly, this is something our own prime minister does not seem to understand.

Frank Atkins is a Calgary economist.

12

OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

LOOKING FORWARD IN T R O D U C IN G P R I VAT E B A NK IN G W I T H R E D - C A R P E T E X P E R IE N C E TA IL ORED TO E ACH UNIQUE PAT H

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SKEWED PRIORITIES ARE THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT’S DIRTY LAUNDRY // PAIGE MACPHERSON

Skewed Priorities are the Alberta Government’s Dirty Laundry

BY PAIGE MACPHERSON

B

ack in the spring of 2015, Alberta’s New Democratic Party candidates were campaigning on what their platform called “leadership for what matters.”

“We will balance the budget in 2018,” the platform declared.

Job creation topped the NDP’s list of primary priorities. By taxing “large, profitable corporations” more, the party would balance the budget in just three years.

Fast forward to today: the most recent quarterly fiscal update revealed a deep operational budget deficit that increased by another $500 million, bringing the grand tally to $10.9 billion – over $14 billion when accounting for capital spending. The wildfires in Fort McMurray accounted for some of the deficit growth on the expenditure side, but the major cause of the growth was a dramatic decline in corporate tax revenues, which dropped by $877 million.

Could it be possible that raising taxes on businesses doesn’t always lead to an automatic increase in government revenues?

A little tongue in cheek, but the reality is staring Albertans in the face like the pink slips in the hands of over 100,000 laid-off workers. The government’s plan to hike taxes to balance the budget just isn’t working out. Low oil prices are already negatively impacting investment. Disincentivizing businesses from investing in Alberta is completely illogical if the government wants more revenue.

That balanced budget date in the NDP platform has been revised multiple times, now sitting at 2024 – a soft promise the government likely hopes Albertans won’t take too seriously.

Our government has been dealt some curve balls. It would be unfair to suggest otherwise. They’re the same curve balls thrown to businesses and families across the province. Oil revenues have declined. Natural disaster has stricken Alberta

once again. Times are tough – and in tough times, people expect their government to make tough choices. To provide “leadership for what matters.”

Yet, unlike businesses and families, the government is exercising no restraint. In fact, not even including the $500 million spent as a result of the Fort McMurray fires, government expenses increased by $700 million. Finance Minister Joe Ceci has declared time and again that he rejects “draconian cuts” – ignoring humble suggestions to at least try to bring Alberta’s spending in line with that of other provinces.

The minister pulled out the same line in response to credit downgrade after credit downgrade, while ignoring the reality that poorer credit ratings increase the likelihood of higher borrowing costs and therefore less money to spend on education, health care and poverty reduction. This fiscal update confirmed that Albertans would now be forced to waste $1 billion per year on debt interest payments alone.

Leadership in government requires making priorities. Perhaps the clearest evidence that our government’s priorities need a rethink is the recent decision not to outsource laundry services for Alberta hospitals. This change would have saved taxpayers millions of dollars in equipment upgrades. Outsourcing would have meant moving jobs outside of the government sector.

Apparently, that would have been draconian.

When the NDP promised “leadership for what matters” – most taxpayers likely weren’t thinking that the overpriced, unionized washing of linens was what mattered. If the government still wants job numbers in Alberta to go up and not down, as it promised in its campaign, the government should try focusing on business-friendly policies instead of tax hikes and feeding its insatiable addiction to unsustainable government spending.

Paige MacPherson is Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a nonprofit, non-partisan citizens advocacy group dedicated to lower taxes, less waste and government accountability. For more information, visit Taxpayer.com.

14

OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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BEARSPAW | $4,900,000

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WOODL AN D L AN E

This incredible home sits on 2 exquisitely manicured acres with stream, pond & dream treehouse! Thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted bungalow w/ loft, walkout, elevator, 4 car garage This home boasts sophisticated, programmable lights, sound, security, blinds, water feature, pool features, sprinklers, heating & cooling. Impressive in every way with stunning curb appeal, chef’s kitchen (induction range, espresso maker, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele), elegant master wing (w/ sitting rm, bar, walk-in, laundry & steam shower ensuite), main floor den, homework room & ensuite guest rm. Walkout with family/games room, wet bar, laundry, 4 bedrooms & mudroom. Secure pool room w/ huge mosaic tiled pool with hard cover, water & fibre optic light features hot tub, wet bar, gym & wall of sliding doors opening wide to a private patio with pond views.

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BRITANNIA | $3,590,000

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C R E S E C E N T B O U L E VA R D , S W

Contemporary new home with an oversized 4 car garage and 6169 SF of luxurious living space, set on a fabulous 75-foot wide lot in Britannia! Walking distance to the shops of Britannia Plaza, temple B’Nai Tikvah & to the river pathways. Why not lace up your shoes and take the dog for a walk along the ridge, go for a run along the river or ride your bike to work today? Beautifully appointed 2-storey with huge rooms, expansive window walls, designer lighting, stone countertops, glass railings & wide-plank hardwood floors it boasts: A total of 5 ensuite bedrooms, dream kitchen with quartz counters and Wolf & Subzero appliances, living room with fireplace feature wall, wet bar, home office, big mudroom and a generously scaled master suite retreat with massive walk-in closet & steam shower ensuite. 5th bedroom (with full ensuite), family room, wet bar, media room & gym with hydrations station all developed in the lower level. Car lovers will appreciate the 4 car heated garage with space to add lifts for more cars.

ELBOW PARK | $2,595,000

3906

9 T H S T R E E T, S W

Contemporary & fully developed newer home in an exceptional inner city location across from Flock Park and walking distance to elementary school & the river pathways. Like new, this architecturally designed, professionally decorated 2-storey home tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac sits on a 75-foot lot and offers in excess of 4800 SF of total living space with 6 bedrooms (4 ensuite), state of the art kitchen (with Wolf & Sub-Zero appliances, walnut cabinetry, quartz countertop with waterfall finish on centre island), open-planned dining room with bar (equipped with 2 glass front wine fridges), main floor den, amazing master suite with fashion lover’s dressing room & spa ensuite and a fully developed basement with professional style gym, media & games rooms, wet bar, full bathroom & 2 additional bedrooms. The oversized attached garage is accessed via a family-sized mudroom with built-in storage & seating and the fenced yard is private & quiet with large patio and lots of space for kids & pets to play.

ELBOW PARK | $1,695,000

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A rare find in Elbow Park - If you’re looking for a new beginning then now it the time. Snap up this large, elevated lot in a prime location backing onto a treed green space in desirable Elbow Park, the perfect spot to let your creative juices run wild designing and building your dream home! This oversized inner city vacant lot measures 87.5-feet wide by 125-feet deep, which is just shy of 11,000 SF in size, that’s over a quarter of an acre! This inner city location is beyond compare. It’s a very quiet street, close to amenities, walking distance to two elementary schools and the Elbow River pathways and mere minutes to the downtown business district and all of the shops & restaurants on trendy 4th Street. The sunny, west facing backyard is very private as it backs onto a heavily treed green area. The raised elevation allows for a multitude of building options providing east, south and west exposure and the elevation provides an opportunity for a view depending upon the style of home you decide to build.

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FINE HOME ASPEN WOODS | $1,750,000

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Superb location, just a 5 minute walk to Rundle College & C-train!

Boasts a total of 6 bedrooms (5 ensuite) including an oversized room perfect for grandparents & an elevator serves all levels including the garage! Custom home on oversized lot showcases beautiful craftsmanship & offers 5200 SF of total living space with front courtyard, grand entryway, sparkling chandeliers, 4 fireplaces, french doors, gleaming hardwood floors, a main floor den, formal dining room, living room & island kitchen with large eating area, high-end appliances (6-burner gas cooktop), butler’s pantry (extra sink & fridge) and access to deck overlooking huge backyard. There are 4 bedrooms + library/homework area upstairs including large 4th bedroom (near elevator) w/ sitting room & private ensuite (for grandparents). Walkout has family/games room, wet bar, media room & 2 bedrooms (1 with cheater access to ensuite).

ASPEN WOODS | $1,595,000

240

A S P E N S U M M I T H E AT H , S W

Huge pie lot, almost 1/4 acre, backing onto treed greenbelt! Close to schools & shopping, 2 storey with developed walkout basement, over 4700 SF of total living space with developed walkout & 6 bedrooms (2 ensuite). Beautifully appointed w/ extensive hardwood, chic lighting, built-ins, high & coffered ceilings, A/C, dramatic, curved stairway, granite & quartz counters thru-out! Chef’s kitchen w/ professional style stainless steel appls (gas cooktop) & butler’s pantry w/ apron sink & extra work/storage space. Family sized mudroom, large living & dining rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths & laundry room up. Oversized master suite w/ jet tub ensuite. 2nd large bedroom w/ 3-pc ensuite & walk-in closet, 2 other bedrooms share a 5-pc bath. Walkout with 2 bedrooms, full bathroom, family & games room. Huge balcony & covered patio in sunny backyard.

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SHOWCASE EVERGREEN | $1,395,000

WEST HILLHURST | $1,095,000

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52

E VERCREEK BLUFFS ME WS, SW

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Exceptional 3+1 bedroom home with outdoor fireplace in south backyard! Superb location just a block away the Bow River making for an easy walk downtown. Walnut flooring, huge formal dining room, kitchen with professional style appliances, adjacent huge wet bar area, living room with panelled feature wall with fireplace & TV, master bedroom with dressing room that has both a centre island & a window, ensuite with steam shower, soaker tub with TV, & heated tile flooring, Huge upper level family room & studio area with ample natural light from both skylights & windows. Basement developed with 4th bedroom & full bathroom.

Backing Fish Creek Provincial Park! Huge, almost 10,000 SF pie lot in exclusive cul-de-sac, with spectacular views from all levels of this 3700 SF home with walkout basement (5091 SF total), triple garage, 4 fireplaces, chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, family-sized mudroom (w/ lockers), 2 dens, 4 bedrooms, 5 baths (2 ensuites), dream laundry room & beautifully landscaped yard.

Master with sitting room has spa-like ensuite with fireplace, airjet tub & multi-head shower. Walkout with family/games rooms, den, gym, wrapping room, 4th bedroom & 3-pc bathroom with access to covered patio (ideal for hot tub).

HAMPTONS | $950,000

OAKRIDGE ESTATES | $850,000

23

89

HAMPSTEAD HILL, NW

OA K M O U N T C O U R T, S W

2548 SF + developed walkout, with 4 + 2 bedrooms & main floor den! Professionally decorated & updated throughout with new Kitchen & 4 new bathrooms, hardwood (3 levels), lighting, drapes, tile-work, cabinetry/built-ins, granite counters thru-out, laundry/mudroom (with quartz counter & mudroom built-ins). Features gourmet kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances (including gas stove). Walkout also all updated with 2 more bedrooms, full bathroom, family room (w/ built-ins & fireplace), wet bar and media room w/ built-ins, projector & retractable big screen. Big backyard with plenty of space for kids to play. Quiet location.

Add your personal touches to turn this well kept, sprawling 2374 SF bungalow + developed basement (3741 SF total living space) in Oakridge Estates into a dream home. Backing onto a green space it offers: triple garage, vaulted main, wide-plank hardwood, 2+1 bedrooms (all ensuite) & kitchen with granite counters. A grand Old Chicago Brick fireplace adds warmth & character to the great room. The 18-foot master suite has a private deck, walk-in and jet tub ensuite. Basement with games/ family room, wet bar, bedroom & ensuite bathroom with lots of space for more development.

ALTADORE | $775,000

SIGNAL HILL | $650,000

4106

3207

16T H S T R E E T, S W

SIGNAL HILL DRIVE, SW

2 + 2 bedrooms & den. This bungalow style home with 2548 SF of living space, above-grade basement & extensive updates is located across from a park & steps to elementary school!

Updates thru-out are sure to impress including: laminate wood flooring, carpeting, chic lighting, tile accents & stainless steel appliances. The kitchen is open to the dining & living rooms.

Around the corner is a flex room with views of the park and foothills. There are 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms & laundry room on this level while the private lower level has 2 more bedrooms, full bathroom & family/games room, ideal for extended family or work from home.

With a developed walkout basement, 3 + 1 bedrooms, den, 2587 SF and high-end finishing this is the best value in Altadore!

Boasting: Hardwood, built-in speakers, deep-toned cabinets & granite counters (in kitchen, bathrooms & wet bar)! Tile flooring flows from the foyer into the impressive island kitchen with espresso cabinetry, granite counters & stainless steel appliances (incl. gas cooktop). The living room has a fireplace & tons of builtin storage space. It opens to the dining area & maintenance-free deck. A flex room & den complete the main. The beautifully developed walkout has a 4th bedroom, 4-pc bath and family/ games room with wet bar.

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403 870 8811 |

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403 686 7800 |

ALTADORE | $998,000

2116

4 9 T H AV E N U E , S W

Light & bright West Coast style 3085 SF newer home with extensive upgrades & extra features: Bonus room, city views, limestone faced fireplace, south exposure, rooftop deck, hickory floors & cabinets, open string staircase, quartz countertops, Viking appliances, automated lighting & home audio. There are 3 bedrooms on the second level, including master suite with free-standing tub & steam shower ensuite. The loft level with bonus room has a wet bar, rooftop patio & views on 3 sides.

Basement has in-floor heat & is developed with family room, 2nd wet bar, 4th bedroom & bathroom.

SOUTH CALGARY | $795,000

1919

3 0 T H AV E N U E , S W

Elegantly appointed detached home with a developed walkout basement, south backyard & over 2500 SF of total living spce!

Hardwood flows thru most of the the main including kitchen with island/eating bar & stainless steel appliances (incl gas stove).

French doors allow you to entertain with ease on the sunny, tiled deck. There are 2 master bedrooms up, both with full ensuite.

The south master has a spa-inspired ensuite with jetted tub & granite topped vanity. The walkout is developed with a 3rd bedroom, bathroom & family room. Features plantation shutters, stone counters, maple floors/cabinets, beautifully landscaped yard.

RICHMOND | $575,000

3231

2 7 T H S T R E E T, S W

Close to Mount Royal University & trendy Marda Loop! Terrific Richmond Park location near golf course, tennis courts & shopping with quick access to downtown. 3 + 1 bedroom bungalow with many recent updates. Newer kitchen featuring quartz countertops, tiled backsplash & pendant lighting! Great room plan with island kitchen open to combination living & dining room with fireplace & bow window. 3 bedrooms & full bathroom with granite counter on the main. Basement developed with a family room, den area, full bath, laundry rm & 4th bedrm. Large treed backyard with refinished, 2-tiered deck & newer fencing.

www.SAMCOREA.COM

|

SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

CONDOMINIUM BANKVIEW | $1,595,000

1709

21S T AV E N U E , S W

New construction, 3000 SF of total living space, in a cutting edge urban location, steps to tennis courts & walking distance to 17th Avenue this is the perfect lock & leave home! From the talented trio of McIntyre Bills interiors, Jackson McCormick Design & Rawlyk Dev. comes this rare find: A bungalow style townhome with all principal rooms on the main level & superb downtown views. With concrete construction, high ceilings, Control 4 + Lutron lighting, Fleetwood doors, frameless glass railings + white oak floors no detail has been overlooked. Its a great room plan, flooded with natural light, and anchored by a marble faced fireplace & wall of nesting windows opening to the outdoors. The chef’s kitchen is fitted with finest quality custom cabinetry, Miele appliances, huge island & wet bar with wine fridge. The dining room offers access to a huge terrace and the master suite boasts a lux ensuite & enormous walk-in.

SOUTH CALGARY | $950,000

2929

17 T H S T R E E T, S W

City view & party sized rooftop deck! Trendy townhouse with its own elevator, fabulous city views, distinctive urban look & feel, extensive upgrades & an awesome 570 SF rooftop deck with enclosed sunroom & outdoor kitchen! Carefree living, with quality workmanship, long term warranty & high-end finishings: Hardwood, quartz & marble counters, built-in speakers, A/C, 3 fireplaces, 2 bedrooms, heated garage. Entertaining is easy in the wide open main level with large dining & living + fam rm & kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances (gas cooktop, wine fridge). 2 bedrooms, 2 baths & laundry room up. Master boasts panoramic views, walk-in, fireplace & 5-pc ensuite (heated tile floor & big multi-head shower). The top floor is a rooftop deck with enclosed party space with outdoor kitchen, stainless steel bar, gas cooktop & fireplace.

MY EXPERIENcE IS YOUR ADVANtAGE

JUST ASK ME!

CORNER BAYVIEW | $795,000

QUARRY PARK | $629,000

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Best location & best price in the exclusive “Bay Point” development, backing Glenmore Reservoir! It’s an expansive plan, nearly 2500 SF of living space with 2 master suites. Lovingly maintained but ready for you to make this your dream home.

Hardwood flooring flowing thru-out the main level including living room with cathedral ceiling & brick faced fireplace, formal dining room & kitchen with granite countertops. The main floor master is a private retreat with fireplace & jet tub ensuite. Ascend the open stringer staircase to the family room/loft with views of the reservoir and a second bedroom serviced by a full bathroom.

STRATHCONA PARK | $575,000

RENFREW | $559,000

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S T R AT H AV E N C I R C L E , S W

15 T H AV E N U E , N E

Horizon Village (50+) bungalow Villa with walkout basement, updated kitchen, beautiful sunroom, 2 + 1 bedrooms & skyline views on a quiet street, walking distance to grocery & transit & offering a total of 2100 SF of living space. Kitchen with granite counters, & stainless steel appliances is open to lovely sunroom.

Great home for entertaining with big living room & formal dining room with french doors. There are 2 bedrooms, laundry & 2 full baths on the main & walkout is developed with 3rd bedroom, family room, den, bathroom & workshop.

New construction, Renfrew townhouse, 1723 SF with hardwood flooring, quartz counters in kitchen & bathrooms, full complement of stainless steel appliances (including gas stove), fireplace, in-suite laundry, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, bonus room & single garage. The master suite has full ensuite bathroom & a generously scaled walk-in closet. Conveniently located just steps from transit, grocery and close to schools, Renfrew Pool, 16th Avenue & Edmonton Trail shops, services and restaurants.

ASPEN WOODS | $375,000

MISSION | $365,000

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403 870 8811 |

3 3 3 - 2 2 N D AV E N U E , S W

Newer, corner suite in the heart of it all, steps from 4th Street & river pathways - with a walk score of 91 and a bike score of 100!

This modern main floor suite has its own private entry & terrace so has more of a townhouse feel. Almost 700 SF of living space with 1 big ensuite bedroom, with walnut hardwood & great kitchen with granite counters, espresso toned cabinets, Fisher & Paykel & Bosch stainless steel appliances! Includes in suite laundry, storage, titled, underground heated parking, visitor parking and a communal rooftop patio with city views.

Executive, 2 level penthouse with titled, heated parking, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 2 entrances! Great location; walking distance to Aspen Landing shops, restaurants & grocery & 3 minutes from the C-train! Featuring in-floor heat, hardwood, espresso-toned cabinets, granite counters with waterfall edge, stainless steel appliances. Ideal plan for room-mates with a bedroom & bathroom on each floor. Upper master suite has 5-piece ensuite with his & her raised vessel sinks on a granite counter. Building has guest suites & a large fitness centre.

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2 01 Q UA R R Y WAY, S E

Spectacular river views! With 2 indoor titled parking stalls & 2 ensuite bedrooms this luxurious “Champagne” condo offers an amazing location backing onto a 90 acre park & the Bow River with views from all principal rooms & deck. Over 1300 SF, beautifully appointed with hardwood, marble, granite, crown mouldings, Kohler fixtures, maple cabinets & stainless steel appliances. The luxurious master BR has a large walk-in closet & 5 pc ensuite while the 2nd Bedroom also has a large walk-in & ensuite. Close to lots of shopping in Deerfoot Meadows & with quick access to DT.

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403 686 7800 |

CRESCENT HEIGHTS | $615,000

324

3 R D S T R E E T, N E

Two units to choose from. New, upscale inner city townhome on a beautiful tree lined street in Crescent Heights. Walk or bike to work? Your modern open plan home offers 2000+ SF of living space (developed basement) & features high-end finishing with: Charcoal oak hardwood, designer carpeting (upgraded underlay), white cabinets, quartz counters, deluxe stainless steel appliances and spa-like ensuites with free-standing tub, tiled rainhead shower, raised vessel sinks & heated tile flooring. 3+ bedrooms, high-spec party walls, single garage.

BANKVIEW | $525,000

301

#

2 3 0 6 - 17B S T R E E T, S W

Architecturally designed, high-end loft townhome with 2 master bedrooms, 2 ensuite baths & 1600+ SF of luxurious living space with downtown views! Great inner city location, walking distance to 17th Avenue. Open plan with breathtaking 20ft cathedral ceiling, expansive views & bonus room + den overlooking main flr living room with ornate fireplace, dining room with beautiful chandelier & breakfast nook. Features granite counters in kitchen & baths, hardwood, stainless steel appliances (incl. gas stove), A/C, fresh & modern paint, crown mouldings, carpeting, 2 heated indoor parking stalls.

MCKENZIE TOWNE | $315,000

270

E LG I N WAY, S E

You will find exceptional value in this beautiful 1126 SF townhome with 2 master suites & double garage located close to all amenities including lots of shopping, schools & transit.

Living area boasts a dramatic 13-foot high ceiling with gigantic windows which flood the space with lots of natural light. The kitchen features upgraded cabinetry, centre island/eating bar & upgraded appliances. Dining area is quite spacious and would fit most dining room tables. There is a deck off of the dining area, great for barbecuing. Upstairs there are two large bedrooms, both including full ensuite baths and walk-in closets.

www.SAMCOREA.COM

|

SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

JUST ASK ELBOW VALLEY WEST | $1,598,000

166

O C T O B E R G O L D W AY

Exquisite appointments & stunning architectural details set this amazing home apart from the rest. Spoil yourself with travertine marble floors, granite counters (in kitchen & all bathrooms, wet bar & butler’s pantry), antiqued cabinetry, stone-faced fireplaces and amazing ceiling details including domed, barrel vaulted, coffered & vaulted ceilings with special paint details. 3639 SF + basement for a total of 5080 SF designed by the renowned John Haddon!

This incredible home offers a total of 6 bedrooms (4 with ensuite), spectacular & huge kitchen w/ full-height antiqued cabinets (illuminated uppers & contrasting island), granite counters, walkin & butler’s pantry, high-end stainless steel appliance package & 2-sided fireplace with water feature. Special den with built-ins & leather floor, family sized mudroom w/lockers, dining room w/ tray ceiling seats at least 16 easily, basement with wet bar, wine cellar, family/games room & 2 bedrooms (1 ensuite). 1/2 acre pie lot in cul-de-sac, facing green island.

WATERMARK | $1,499,000

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S TONE Y POINTE PL ACE

Another Trickle Creek masterpiece - this new home, with triple garage & developed basement, is ready for immediate possession with over 4200 SF of total living space. Set on a spacious .29 acre lot (82’ frontage by 151’ deep) in the wonderful community of Watermark it offers a sunny south backyard so you can soak up the sun while you watch the kids play or have the whole gang over for a BBQ. Features extensive hardwood flooring, quartz countertops, beautiful tile accents, chic lighting, tray ceilings, den with barn door and designer kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances complemented by natural wood & classic white cabinetry and accented by quartz countertops. There are 3 bedrooms, a laundry room, bonus room and an artist’s Loft upstairs. The master suite is your private retreat at the end of a long day. It offers a big walk-in closet and spa-like ensuite with free-standing tub. The basement is developed with a 4th bedroom & bathroom as well as lots of extra space for family fun in the family room & games room.

c 403 870 8811 t 403 686 7800 F 403 686 7804 Sam@SamCorea.com www.SamCorea.com

MY EXPERIENcE IS YOUR ADVANtAGE JUST ASK ME!

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Another Major Milestone for Calgary’s New Central Library Installation of iconic exterior curtain wall gets underway You can’t judge a book by its cover. But a library … well, that’s another story altogether.

Ever since Calgary Public Library made the decision to locate its New Central Library in East Village, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the organization tasked with overseeing every aspect of the library’s design and construction – has taken every necessary measure to ensure it’s a landmark building every Calgarian can be proud of.

It all began with a rigorous and exhaustive search for a worthy architectural firm – a ninemonth process that culminated in the selection of Snøhetta, an international architecture firm with offices in Oslo and New York, and DIALOG, a Canadian firm with locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto.

“The winning prime design team lived up to all our expectations and designed a landmark structure and inspiring space that’s as dazzling as it is dynamic,” says Michael Brown, CMLC’s president and CEO. “And today – a little more than three years after issuing the request for qualifications that led us to Snøhetta and DIALOG – we’re thrilled beyond words to see their incredible design coming alive as we begin to install the New Central Library’s exterior cladding.”

While the steel and concrete assembly that’s been rising into

Calgary’s skyline since vertical construction began in September 2015 will be the backbone of the New Central Library, the 465 hexagonal panels that form the building’s outer shell will give the structure its iconic appeal.

“The curtain wall is such a vital part of the entire building,” explains Kate Thompson, CMLC’s vice president, projects.

“It lends so much to the dynamic style and personality of the library.”

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BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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Each of the library’s 485 panels is one of five different shapes, yet each is slightly different from the other.

Ranging in size from 1.2 x 3.7 metres to 2.7 x 9.1 metres and weighing from around 900 to 2,250 kilograms, they’ve been designed to fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle over the building’s steel and concrete framework, encasing the scholastic wonders within. Calgarians can get a great view of the installation program starting at the corner of 9 Avenue and 3rd Street SE. “It’s great to see the tremendous construction progress being made this year on the project,” notes Bill Ptacek, CEO, Calgary Public Library. “It’s getting harder and harder to manage our enthusiasm; the building will not be complete until Q3, 2018 but our entire staff and volunteer teams are already imagining what it will be like to work in the building.”

Designed to LEED Gold certification, the New Central Library design incorporates a host of energy-efficient technologies. The hexagonal outer panels are an important part of this equation.

“The glass panels will provide texture to the building because they have a clear, glazed or fritted finish, but their function is by no means purely esthetic,” says Thompson.

“We’ll strategically place the panels to help prevent heat build-up in the building. To achieve our LEED Gold status, we’re keeping the glazed openings to a maximum of 40 per cent of the building’s exterior, as this limits excessive heat loads and reduces the costs of cooling the interior.”

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

The unique glass panels were fabricated by Ferguson Corporation, a Calgary-based manufacturer specializing in advanced curtain wall and structural glass building enclosures. It took eight months to fabricate the panels, and Ferguson will require another six months to install them.

“Ferguson sent two prototype panels to a testing lab in Miami to see how they withstood water, heat and other extreme conditions,” says Thompson, who adds that some minor modifications were made as a result. “Installation will start at the south end of the building, continue around the corner of the building and then finish up at the north end.

The building should be entirely closed in by Q2, 2017.”

Calgary’s New Central Library is fully funded by the City of Calgary and Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.

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Mahmut Elbasi’s Mediterranean Magic Calgary’s newest downtown restaurant “Feels like home and tastes like home” is a secret to Mahmut Elbasi’s Calgary success.

So is lots of early mornings with hard work, culinary skill and creative flair for Mediterranean flavours and dishes, a knack for making Calgary customers happy as well as a lot of positivity and business confidence.

For more than 10 delicious and popular years, Mahmut and Selma Elbasi have been the gung-ho, usually smiling and friendly owners and operators of the constantly busy Anatolia, the popular food stand tucked away in a corner of Calgary’s busy Crossroads Market.

The magic is Elbasi’s special touch with freshness and flavours in dishes such as lamb and chicken kabobs, roast lamb shanks, rib dinners and the appetizing varieties of Börek – phyllo pastries filled with cheese, minced meat or vegetables.

The couple’s tremendous hard work (they usually start the day at 4 a.m., baking homemade breads and prepping the fresh sauces and soups) has earned a loyal following and a superb Calgary reputation.

Anatolia is now an exciting Calgary business success story.

It is Calgary’s newest downtown restaurant, just across from city hall.

Mahmut Elbasi is upbeat about opening his new sit-down restaurant. “We have always had calls from people who wanted to come for lunch, and we just couldn’t accommodate them. We didn’t have the space. Now we can!” he smiles with enthusiasm.

“We don’t want to be too fancy. It’s just not who we are. With the current Calgary economy, it may not be the best time to start a new business but, I trust my food and I want to make people happy,” Elbasi says with passion.

PHOTO SOURCE: ANATOLIA TURKISH FOOD IMP&EXP LTD.

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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New Recreation Centre Helps Complete Quarry Park To meet the growing need for convenient recreation opportunities and support the important role recreation plays in building complete communities, the City of Calgary made a commitment to open four new recreation facilities in underserved areas of the city.

The first of these facilities, Remington YMCA, officially opened its doors in Quarry Park on Canada Day. The City of Calgary oversaw the planning, design and construction of the new facility, representing an investment of $63 million. Owned by the city, the facility will be operated by YMCA Calgary as part of a shared commitment to provide quality health and recreation opportunities for Calgarians. This third-party operated model for recreation has been successful in the past and is aimed at ensuring the best possible services are provided in an efficient and cost-effective way.

“We are trying to meet the recreation needs of Calgarians as we are growing,” says Kyle Ripley, director of Calgary Recreation. “We look for land that will allow us to do that, then we secure funding to develop these facilities, and then we look for a partner to operate it, and in this case the partner is YMCA Calgary.”

At approximately 94,000 square feet, the Remington YMCA features two pools, hot tubs and a steam room. There is also a gymnasium, fitness centre, aerobics studios, running/walking track, multipurpose rooms for cultural, art, learning and business activities, childcare and food services.

Designed with the specific needs of the surrounding communities in mind, the facility reflects extensive community research and engagement. It will serve as a new community hub, offering a blend of leisure, recreational and community amenities, including a new 9,000-square-foot full-service public library. There are also outdoor playing fields that will be operated by the city.

Investment in recreation infrastructure is important for fostering cultural vitality, encouraging healthy, active lifestyles and stimulating the local economy.

Recreation plays an important role in building and sustaining active, cultural, vibrant and complete communities.

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MEDICAL SPACE FOR LEASE

3916 MacLeod Trail SE “Calgary’s recreation clientele encompasses the 1.2 million people who live in our city,” says Ripley. “We have the objective to bring recreation into their lives.

Specific to this facility, we are looking at the individuals and families in the area.

It is to serve them and the employees of the adjacent business park.”

The city will be opening future facilities in the Great Plains industrial area (November 2016), Rocky Ridge (late 2017) and Seton (late 2018).

TOP: REMINGTON EXTERIOR RENDERING. BOTTOM: VIEW OF THE YMCA POOL FROM THE CARDIO SECTION.

403.209.5555 info@opuscorp.ca Visit opuscorp.ca for more info on current projects and services

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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A Gift of Art from the Esker Foundation Founded by longtime residents Jim and Susan Hill, the Esker Foundation is the largest privately-funded, non-commercial contemporary art gallery in Calgary. Located in the Atlantic Avenue Arts Block, the 20,000-square-foot gallery connects the public to contemporary art through exhibitions, programs and publications.

Opened in 2012, it was a way for the Hills to give back to the city that contributed to their success.

“There seemed to be a lot of funding of hospital services or educational services, but the visual arts had been an area in Calgary that had struggled for basically decades to have a real strong physical presence,” says Jim Hill, founder of Pason Systems Inc. “We have a strong interest in the arts and felt it was a place where we could make a contribution.”

Admission to the gallery – and for all programming – is free of charge. In addition to annual exhibitions in the fourth-floor main gallery featuring prolific national and international artists, the street-level Project Space aims to engage the community by increasing the presence and accessibility of contemporary art. As a commissioning body, the Project Space invites emerging and established artists to develop new, responsive projects that directly address the neighbourhood and explore important contemporary issues.

After years of searching for a site, the Hills decided to build Atlantic Avenue Arts Block. Seeing Inglewood as an emerging area of energetic revitalization, it has proven

an ideal location for the gallery and the many creative businesses that now call it home. As a peripheral benefit, this building has contributed to Inglewood’s invigoration and is of substantive civic value. In the future, Esker plans to create a sculpture garden for the 900 block of 9th Avenue.

While arts is often dependent on donations from the community and government support, Esker’s model is a unique synthesis of commerce and philanthropy, as revenues from the building tenancy contribute to the foundation’s ongoing operation.

“In most art intuitions, staff is required to fundraise and lobby for government funds,” says Hill. “They spend an inordinate amount of time fundraising which over time can become quite fatiguing and can impact the arts programs.

I thought it would be more efficient if we could have a group of people focused solely on the arts program…. Art institutions seem to have a pretty positive effect on the outside community, so we built our own commercial building where the Esker Foundation is just a subset of the entire space. The rest of the building is filled with tenants that have an interest in art. As the building and leases mature, I expect that will pay for both the mortgage of the building and the art program at Esker.”

The Esker Foundation is not only a perpetual gift of art; it is also a visionary and unique model that could inspire others while supporting Calgary’s economic diversification.

PHOTO SOURCE: COURTESY OF ESKER FOUNDATION

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

GETTING USED TO THE MOBILE WALLET // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Getting Used to CUSTOMERS ARE DIGITIZED

the Mobile Wallet

BY PARKER GRANT

A

lthough there will forever be newer and newer updates, technology is no longer considered “new.” Technology is already embraced as a routine fact of Calgary business and social life – for ways of gathering information, managing risks, tracking operations, communicating, accessing all things Internet, business Wi-Fi, doing homework, booking vacations and paying bills.

The technology that is an established vital business tool has made a subtle, aggressive and seamless expansion into conventional private-life areas like banking, investing and shopping. Innovative financial institutions, like ATB, continue to tap into the limitless potential of technology with state-of-the-art features like online banking, mobile banking, Interac and Apple Pay.

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Most major banks and global financial institutions are carefully monitoring and going head-to-head with a bold, new dimension of technology: fintech (financial technology). Some call it the new economic industry, made up of companies that use technology to offer newer, digital financial services. Particularly in North America, fintech companies are still usually startups, targeting existing financial systems and challenging traditional financial institutions that, so far, are less reliant on software.

“Ultimately, the customer drives the banking industry,” says John Tarnowski, vice-president of channels, payments and card services at ATB, with more than 112,000 customers in the Calgary area. “They always have and always will. And despite the tremendous innovation of technology, customer expectations will always drive the pace of change.

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GETTING USED TO THE MOBILE WALLET // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

“Technology has been an important factor for banking customers for more than 20 years. We had ATMs in the 1990s, then telephone banking. ATB introduced online banking about 15 years ago, and eventually apps and mobile banking became a preferred option about seven years ago.

Now tablet banking is getting increasingly popular.”

While most of the initial exciting newness of technology was getting early attention for record-keeping and information storage and early public exposure to things like Pac-Man and a crude, Jurassic version of emails, banking and the financial sector was already interested and pursuing the potential of technology.

According to Jim Miller, senior director of banking services in the financial services practice at J.D. Power, the iconic and influential global market research company, “Technology is replacing transactions that had to take place inside a branch during regular banking hours. ABMs have been dispensing cash for years, but now customers can deposit cheques using their mobile device. The result is that branch transactions are declining.

“The less obvious answer is that technology is changing the relationship with the bank. When paper statements were the norm, customers only looked at their bank account information once a month, or else had to call the bank to get their balance or ask about a transaction. Online banking made this information much more accessible, but customers had to be in front of their PC to use it. Mobile banking users look at their bank account information much more often. This is having a big impact on their entire banking relationship,” Miller explains.

Although most things that are past technology are often interesting but relegated to stale nostalgia, and technology is so much a part of contemporary business and social life, that it’s almost hard to believe that one of the earliest staples of the fintech revolution happened more than 30 years ago: the invention of Interac.

“Interac is a solid brand and interconnected ABM network which gave Canadians state-of-the-art access to their money,” explains Caroline Hubberstey, head of external affairs, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. “Interac debit

cards first happened in 1994 and Interac e-Transfers and Interac Online, with seamless P2B payments, evolved in the past dozen years or so.

“Today, Interac is a respected national payment network that uses the latest technology to enable Canadians to access their money at 65,000 ABMs and use Interac Debit or the newest, Interac Flash, at more than 879,000 pointof-sale terminals across Canada. Last year, Canadians spent nearly $350 billion and made more than five billion transactions using Interac,” she points out. “Just last year, TOP: JOHN TARNOWSKI, VICE-PRESIDENT, CHANNELS, PAYMENTS AND CARD SERVICES AT ATB FINANCIAL BOTTOM: JIM MILLER, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF BANKING SERVICES IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE AT J.D. POWER

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

TAILLE MINIMUM 30 MM DE LARGE

LOGO GROUPE AFKLM Nยบ dossier : 2008356E

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Validation DA/DC :

100

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Validation Client :

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Date : 24/11/08

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

in the Calgary area, Interac had 194,253,158 transactions for a total of $8,176,862,570.”

Another vital aspect of how constantly upgrading technology continues to transform the business world is the development of newer, faster and more functional business Wi-Fi that is targeted specifically at small and mid-size businesses.

“As a large technology service provider in Canada, the journey we are on is to be an adviser to small business,” says Ron McKenzie, senior vice president of business at Shaw. “So much of the Calgary economy is driven by small business, Shaw was committed to design services specifically for the small business customer; especially striking a balance of features with ease of use. A key small business

ABOVE: CAROLINE HUBBERSTEY, HEAD, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, INTERAC ASSOCIATION AND ACXSYS CORPORATION

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“SO MUCH OF THE CALGARY ECONOMY IS DRIVEN BY SMALL BUSINESS. SHAW WAS COMMITTED TO DESIGN SERVICES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMER. ESPECIALLY STRIKING A BALANCE OF FEATURES WITH EASE OF USE.” ~ RON MCKENZIE

focus is consistency of the customer experience – providing the ability for their customer to easily connect with the business, provide ‘a dashboard’ (a simple way to present a full suite of analytics to the small business owner) and ensure that the business stays seamlessly and securely connected, in the office or on-the-go.”

“The inertia of technology is transforming the banking sector at such a rate that sometimes it feels like it’s going even faster than it is,” Tarnowski points out. “For many ATB customers, online banking is now a routine. Supply and demand recently added Apple Pay to our system. IPhones only came out about nine years ago but they are like an appendage for many people and they are constantly walking around with it in their hand. It’s no surprise that mobile banking has become a routine.

“For banking and so many other uses, iPhones and tablets are enablers of convenience. One way or another, our customers are already digitized.” He mentions a business technology conference four years ago, where the phenomenon of iPhones was called ‘a solution looking for a problem.’ It was no milestone but it certainly accelerated ATB’s hook-up with the warp-speed evolution of mobile banking technology.

“The ATB customer has solidly embraced online banking, has shifted to mobile banking and the next option is tablets and ‘wearables,’ like smart watches. For banking, this is the era of the mobile wallet,” he says with enthusiasm and excitement.

Most technology and financial institution experts agree that, in banking, as in most other aspects of business

and personal life, technology is constantly and excitingly evolving and is a proverbial work-in-progress. It is a business tool that is redefining services.

“While ABMs initially made it easier to get cash,” Miller says, “they only served a single purpose and may not have worked when you needed them to. Today’s technology is much more advanced making it easier to use and allows customers to conduct many more activities. One of the big differences is that technology in the past was driven by the banks trying to reduce expenses. Today it is driven by customer demand.

“Customers use mobile to interact with other companies and expect that they can do the same with their bank.

Touch screens have become universal and customers expect an ABM to have a touch screen and to do more than just dispense cash. Over the past couple of years, we have seen satisfaction with in-person interactions with the branch remain basically flat, while satisfaction with using the ABM or mobile has increased significantly.”

Tarnowski enthusiastically emphasizes that technology in the banking sector needs one key aspect for success: plugged-in staff. As tech evolves, one of the challenges of the industry, and a big ATB focus, is to ensure a digitally-minded employee base. “We have more than 5,400 employees. We not only develop staff awareness but we make sure our staff understand the customer needs, the preferred uses and the expectations about digital banking. ”Ultimately, it’s all about the customer!”

ABOVE: RON MCKENZIE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AT SHAW COMMUNICATIONS.

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS // TRANSPORATION & DISTRIBUTION

KEEP ON TRUCKING THE TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS INDUSTRY REMAINS ROBUST

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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ince the early days of Calgary’s existence, the transportation and logistics industry has played a key role in the economy. It was the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883, in fact, which marked the beginning of the city’s growth into a dominant commercial and agricultural centre. Then, and now, the transportation and logistics industry provides the backbone to the region’s prosperity.

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ABOVE: DEANA HALEY, VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE INNOVATION AT CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

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TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS // TRANSPORATION & DISTRIBUTION

development and workforce innovation at Calgary Economic Development. “It plays into every other sector – it’s an enabler.” Its importance, she says, is a regional reality, and the city works closely with surrounding communities to promote the benefits of the Calgary Region Inland Port.

The reasons why Calgary is the transportation and logistics hub that it is today are many, location being a prime one.

Sitting at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway (spanning the country east to west) and the CANAMEX north-south trade corridor (connecting Northern Canada to Mexico), Calgary is a uniquely-positioned inland port.

“There are 50 million people accessible within 24-hour ground transportation,” says Ben Smith, chair of the Calgary Logistics Council, “and with air transportation at YYC we have access to virtually any market within 48 hours.” The Calgary International Airport has more than doubled in size and passenger volumes in the last 20 years, and its $2-billion

expansion includes cargo facilities, the longest airport runway in Canada and a new international terminal.

Other reasons include two intermodal rail yards (CP Rail and CN Rail), Calgary’s large number of head offices, its highly skilled workforce and excellent land availability.

Because of all this, the region has become a top distribution hub. “Many of the major and brand-name distribution centres are actually located in the Calgary region,” explains Haley.

ABOVE: ART OF A GAS PLANT – COMPRESSOR PACKAGE. INSET: BEN SMITH, CHAIR OF THE CALGARY LOGISTICS COUNCIL. PHOTO SOURCE: WTS LOGISTICS INC.

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Congratulations to Stikeman Elliott LLP and Peters & Co. Ltd for being this year’s Generosity of Spirit Award honourees and for your commitment to philanthropy in Calgary.

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TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS // TRANSPORATION & DISTRIBUTION

out of than into it. “There are advantages to having a big distribution centre in Calgary that ships to Vancouver or Winnipeg,” he explains.

Another advantage the Calgary region offers is its designation as a foreign trade zone (FTZ). A FTZ enables companies involved in handling or moving goods to reduce and eliminate normal trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas and compliance costs. Many companies, for example those in oilfield services, may be able to take advantage of the FTZ. Costco, Walmart, Loblaws, Sears and Sobeys all have major distribution centres here. While taking advantage of Calgary’s ideal location, these companies also enjoy cost savings.

“We’re a city that offers good truck volume out of the location,” says Doug Romanuk, vice president, western region at Bison Transport, a Winnipeg-based Canadian carrier that runs approximately 400 trucks from its Calgary facility. He explains that Calgary is typically known as a “backhaul city,” meaning it is cheaper to send freight

The industry is ever evolving, with technological advancements leading the charge. In trucking, both the U.S. and Canada have mandated the switch to electronic logs by 2017. Bison, Romanuk says, is currently 100 per cent electronic log compliant. It also runs collision avoidance systems and is the largest long combination vehicle (LCV) carrier in North America. “The carbon reduction footprint is enormous when you pull two trailers together,” he says. “You burn a little extra fuel because you have more weight, but the exponential difference is incredible. We’re doing lots of that work.”

ABOVE: BISON TRUCKS EN ROUTE. INSET: DOUG ROMANUK, VICE PRESIDENT, WESTERN REGION, BISON TRANSPORT. PHOTO SOURCE: BISON TRANSPORT.

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS //

ON THE LOGISTICS SIDE, HELICOPTER AND DRONING SERVICES ARE SOME OF THE LATEST At Kahane Law, we offer low flat rate fees, which means no surprises and no hidden fees.

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ADVANCEMENTS. NIKOLAS KARANIKOLAS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT WTS LOGISTICS INC., EXPLAINS THAT FOR MANY CLIENTS, THESE SERVICES ARE A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL METHODS.

Autonomous vehicles, Romanuk predicts, are potentially next. “It’s likely five to eight years off before we might have an autonomous truck of some form doing some kind of work, but it’s coming.”

On the logistics side, helicopter and droning services are some of the latest advancements. Nikolas Karanikolas, business development manager at WTS Logistics Inc., explains that for many clients, these services are a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. “For example, pipe maintenance,” he says. “It’s tedious, time consuming and requires a lot of manpower. To avoid that, we use a drone which is able to go all the way down to thermal imaging.”

Technological advancements highlight another important point about the industry: it offers myriad careers. “It’s more than the typical stereotype,” says Romanuk. “We’ve got continuous improvement, a learning and professional development department, a human resources group, customer service, planning, dispatch, fleet, sales – there’s a lot more to trucking than dispatching and driving.”

Potential career opportunities can be explored at various educational institutions in the city. The Calgary Board of Education, University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SAIT and Bow Valley College all offer programs in the logistics and supply chain areas.

Romanuk is particularly enthused about a new logistics course at James Fowler High School. “We have kids who are trying to make decisions on what they should do for post-secondary education, and if they don’t know anything about transportation and logistics they don’t have an opportunity to consider it.”

Employment opportunities do exist, notwithstanding the economic climate. “This is one sector where there would be lots of opportunity for people to explore a new career in the coming years,” Haley offers.

2 016

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Smith agrees. “Those servicing the oil and gas sectors are affected more, but overall the logistics and supply chain sectors have benefited from being able to fill

OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

// TRANSPORATION & DISTRIBUTION

HASKAYNE

skilled jobs that were previously unfilled due to competition with higher paying oil and gas companies.”

The industry, to be clear, is not immune to the downturn. “Things are obviously tight in the marketplace,” concedes Romanuk, “but I think it’s a time to be responsible – from an efficiency perspective, but also for the type of service that you’re offering.” Bison has been taking costs out of its business, not including people, and has maintained a very high level of service. “Our western level of service last year on 179,000 orders was 97.5 per cent on time,” he reports.

Standard rates, Karanikolas says, are obsolete in the downturn. “I’m looking at market rates; market reality. A complete shift from premium prices to marketadjusted pricing.” WTS also aims to provide extra value to customers. “We do a lot of back-flow optimization,” he explains. “Let’s say we have a truck going from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and the client has equipment to ship back to Edmonton from Fort McMurray – we will not charge the full price. The truck and driver have to come back anyway.”

He is optimistic about the future. “I can tell you out of experience, in any kind of economic downturn, logistics is always the last sector to be affected and we’re the first ones to recover, because you have to move items.” Involvement in the global market also helps. “There are still plenty of opportunities as we continue to focus on building stronger relationships with our customers and developing new partnerships within the World Freight Group.”

Smith shares the confidence. “The outlook is a positive one,” he opines. “As the economy begins to grow again we are well positioned to use existing capacity and further develop additional capacity to service growing markets.”

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Haskayne had the right balance of strong brand recognition, value, and focus in the energy and resources industry to help me achieve my goals.

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A shining, often under-appreciated, star for the region’s economy. As the city trudges through this downturn, the transportation and logistics industry will continue to provide the much-needed life-support that it always has. It can only emerge stronger.

ABOVE: SCAFFOLDING HEADING TO A PROJECT JOB SITE.

haskaynemba.ca

PHOTO SOURCE: WTS LOGISTICS INC.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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HALL OF FAME // COVER

2016 Calgary Business Hall of Fame: Role models for future generations

H

all of Fame is a hard-earned honour; a tribute of respect and recognition. And although most inductees shy away from the spotlight, the distinction is richly deserved.

Calgary’s JASA (Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta) Business Hall of Fame is all about distinction, vision, excellence and inspirational achievement. “What makes Alberta great is our terrific, can-do, maverick attitude and spirit, coupled with big hearts and a tradition of giving back,” says Melissa From, JASA president and CEO. “The purpose of our Hall of Fame is to deservedly honour the lifetime achievements of the province’s most distinguished leaders in business, community, philanthropy and entrepreneurial thinking. An important JASA focus is working with young people, readying them for the business world. A big part of that is to inspire them to be ethical and able to operate and compete in this global economy.

“A key priority with the Calgary Business Hall of Fame (CBHF) inductees is picking role models for future generations,” she says with pride. “Recognizing business and community leaders and entrepreneurs who have long and distinguished histories of mentoring.”

Every year since 2004, JASA has inducted four Calgary icons into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame. The purpose: to salute and permanently enshrine Calgary’s dynamic and visionary business and community leaders and acknowledge the ways they have shaped the unique and entrepreneurial story that is Alberta and, particularly Calgary.

The permanent and familiar CBHF exhibit is in the Bankers Hall East Tower lobby in the heart of Calgary’s financial district. Each year, the listing on the wall (and the touchscreen video profiles) literally grows, as JASA inducts four new names. The CBHF already honours such Calgary

business icons as Clive Beddoe, JR Shaw, John Forzani, Max Bell, Bud McCaig, Richard Haskayne and other inspirational faces from Calgary’s exciting and remarkable business story.

Melissa From shrugs with a warm smile about JASA’s uniquely wonderful, annual dilemma when it comes to celebrating and paying tribute to the selection committee’s four Hall of Fame inductees. Whether it’s modesty or a common character quirk of successful high achievers, and despite being a wealth of wisdom and experience, most hall of famers are reluctant about attention. They deflect praise, recognition and fuss and they usually bounce credit to family, staff, the community … and luck.

Consistent with the genuinely humble, self-effacing (and awkward) style, the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees (Ross Glen, Ron Southern, Mac Van Wielingen and Cal Wenzel) are true to form.

ABOVE: MELISSA FROM, JASA PRESIDENT AND CEO. PHOTO SOURCE: JASA

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HALL OF FAME // COVER

Ross Glen “YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU’RE GOING TO. YOU MUST HAVE UNCOMPROMISED INTEGRITY. AND STAFF IS ALWAYS THE CRITICAL ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS.” “The basics of the business world are pretty straightforward,” says Ross Glen, president of Calgary-based RGO Office Products and 2016 CBHF inductee. “You gotta do what you say you’re going to. You must have uncompromised integrity.

And staff is always the critical aspect of the business.”

He makes it sound so easy. “My father wanted me to be a lawyer. I told him I wanted to make money.” Glen started selling and servicing Underwood and Olivetti typewriters (collector’s items by today’s ultra-high-tech standards), and he parlayed his gutsy determination, vision, relationship building and people skills into today’s tremendously successful RGO Office Products, with more than 275 employees in Calgary, Edmonton and Canmore.

With his entrepreneurial flair, a focus on constantly being diversified and a whole lot of hard work, Ross Glen has grown RGO into the largest company of its kind in Canada.

“No matter what the business,” he points out, “you have to always move forward and diversify. Particularly in this business, the service side is critical. If you want to grow, you have to give good service and build strong relationships.”

The typewriters are long gone but state-of-the-art technology (and his iPad and iPhone) are now vital aspects of Glen’s

professional (and personal) growth and diversification. “I’m a big fan of being lucky, although you can make your own luck. And you must have your family behind you,” says the gregarious, 50-years married, grandfather of five, passionate steak lover and master shmoozer, who still goes into the office every day.

Subtle but solid giving back is a vital professional and personal priority for Glen.

Privately and with RGO Office Products, he has made significant contributions to the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SAIT, Bow Valley College (he is currently the chairman of Bow Valley College’s “Quest for Best Campaign”), the Calgary performing arts, the Calgary Zoo, the City of Calgary, Heritage Park, Calgary Junior Achievement, the Humane Society, the Resolve Campaign and many local charities. Glen is also a lifelong booster and super-fan of his hometown Stampeders and Flames.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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HALL OF FAME // COVER

Ron Southern “HE WAS A RELATIONSHIP BUILDER. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HIM. HE KNEW EVERYBODY’S NAME, AND THEIR CHILDREN’S NAMES.” ~ NANCY SOUTHERN He is a true hall-of-famer! And his Calgary impact is forever.

Although Ron Southern passed away this January, his unconditional focus on excellence in everything he did, the depth of his tremendous business sense and his legendary business values, ethics, skills and achievements continue.

“In so many ways, he was way ahead of his time,” recalls his wife, Marg. “No matter what success he achieved, he was constantly trying to improve. And never afraid of failing.

Ron was determined and never let anything stop him. In everything he did, he always had a plan B and a plan C. It became a bit of a family tradition, but Ron had a personal New Year’s resolution that was also a motto: ‘How do I do things better and how do I get better at everything I do?’ He was constantly learning.”

Best known for the ATCO Group, a business Ron Southern started with his father and grew into a diversified company with over 8,000 employees, his legendary high energy, tireless hard work, attention to detail and business savvy impacted the gas, pipeline and electrical utility sectors; midstream, drilling, logistics and manufacturing; as well as workforce housing sales, leasing, maintenance and operations.

“Many entrepreneurs feel a need to control,” says his daughter, Nancy Southern, president and CEO of the ATCO Group. “He was exceptional with his ability to assign responsibility. He trusted people and always looked for

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ways to teach and mentor the people around him. He was a relationship builder. It was important for him. He knew everybody’s name, and their children’s names.”

“He was ferocious when it came to learning about international business,” says his daughter Linda SouthernHeathcott, president and CEO of Spruce Meadows, Calgary’s superb and internationally acclaimed, 360-acre equestrian and showjumping facility that attracts more than 500,000 people every year, which was one of Ron Southern’s passions. “His approach to everything about business was ambitious and big. It had to be global.”

The CBHF honour is richly deserved and unanimous. From being inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame, recognized by the Financial Post as the CEO of the Year in Canada, companion of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence, Ron Southern was an inspiring business leader and, more importantly, an unforgettable community and people person.

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HALL OF FAME // COVER

Mac Van Wielingen “THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT WITHIN CULTURE THAT MUST EXIST IS A CONTINUOUS EVER-PRESENT SEARCH FOR CLARITY, DEEPER INSIGHT AND OBJECTIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED UNDERSTANDING.”

Calgary business icon Mac Van Wielingen has a remarkable track record. With a lifetime of business vision and achievement, he has created a hard-earned legacy of respected business success in Canada’s oil and gas industry.

With ARC Financial, his dynamic strategy, corporate development and investment decision-making have generated approximately $5.3 billion of capital under management. Van Wielingen is also a founder of one of Canada’s largest conventional oil and gas companies, ARC Resources Ltd., with current daily production of approximately 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent and total market capitalization of approximately $8 billion.

He is also chairman of Alberta Investment Management Corporation, a provincial Crown corporation responsible for managing approximately $90 billion on behalf of public sector pension, endowment and special purpose funds.

In business, and in Haskayne classrooms, Van Wielingen continues to earn much respect and admiration for his contribution, inspiring generations of business forwardthinkers and actively sharing his limitless passion for entrepreneurship, leadership, organizational culture and his 30 achievement-filled years of business savvy.

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He is consistently asked for – and generously gives – advice.

“The active ingredient within culture that must exist is a continuous ever-present search for clarity, deeper insight and objective, evidence-based understanding.

“It is the relentless passionate pursuit to see what is real and true that can cut through the obscurities of our biases and partial truths. If you are authentically searching for objective understanding, you will search everywhere and you will allow the evidence to confront you, and potentially change you.

“Major research published in 1999 tremendously changed my outlook about business and management,” he says with enthusiasm. “It showed that the most important factor in employee satisfaction and productivity was not compensation, not benefits or training, not even the bottom line or success of the company. It was the quality of the employee’s relationship with his or her supervisor.”

This example and many others Van Wielingen often references were all sourced using what he calls “the same active ingredient” – a passionate, if not fearless and uncompromising, search for objective understanding.

HALL OF FAME // COVER

Cal Wenzel “FAMILY MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE AND FAMILY MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE!”

For Cal Wenzel, the founder and owner of Shane Homes and 2016 Hall of Fame honoree, it’s a family business in many ways.

From the very beginning, when things were tough and he and his partner pitched in to help out with everything from construction, sales and accounting, his nearly 40 years of hard work, business smarts, market savvy and vision has created one of Calgary’s most respected and successful new homebuilders. But it has always been about more than building homes. It’s about creating a quality lifestyle for Calgary families.

Professionally, Cal Wenzel’s experience and expertise has transformed Alberta’s homebuilding industry, and, while growing the success of Shane Homes, he was actively involved in many industry groups like the Alberta, Calgary and the Canadian Home Builders’ Associations and the Alberta New Home Warranty Program.

With much success came the opportunity and, for Wenzel, the responsibility to give back and make life better for families in the Calgary community.

Since the first profitable year of Shane Homes, the company has donated 25 per cent of its proceeds to Ronald McDonald House. It was just the beginning. Today, the Cal Wenzel Family Foundation continues as a big booster of particularly

Calgary-area children and families, amateur sport, theatre and more. Last year, when the going got tough, the foundation donated $50,000 to the Calgary Food Bank.

Wenzel is also closely involved in the Willow Park Charity Classic which raises in excess of $500,000 annually for a variety of Calgary charities.

His business and personal life is still – all about family.

“How lucky am I?” he asks with a deep, warm laugh. “I’m semi-retired, so I get to sleep in till five, then I go into the office and meddle. My son, Shane, is the company president.

My daughter, Sharlene, is vice-president of administration.

My son-in-law, Dave Rickett, is vice-president of operations.

And my granddaughter, Natasha, works in the design department. My wife, Edith, is the real workaholic. She works much harder than me, and she’s the one who should get the award,” he says with affection and pride. “She looks after the foundation.

“Family makes it all possible and family makes it all worthwhile!”

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM // REAL ESTATE

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM THE TRENDING OF CALGARY REAL ESTATE

BY JOHN HARDY

“S

ign, sign, everywhere a sign!” Of course the Jurassic Canadian rock group, Five Man Electrical Band, wasn’t singing about 2016 Calgary real estate, but the shoe fits.

Subtle or encouraging, there are signs in the Calgary real estate sector that the mood swing to cautious optimism has begun.

Despite the jarring broadside and the slow recovery of world oil prices and its impact on most-things-Calgary – from the job market, house prices and downtown vacancy rates to the economy and the social aftershocks felt by Calgary consumers – residential real estate and major project development reveal some interesting signs about the 2016 and 2017 Calgary mood.

PHOTO SOURCE: CONCORD PACIFIC DEVELOPMENTS INC.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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Grosvenor’s Avenue Spearheads Calgary’s West End Revival

A

s Calgary’s commercial market ramps up, downtown density is becoming increasingly important. In the past, the typical Calgarian has preferred suburban living, but as the city grows up and develops into a major metropolitan centre, there is an increasing preference for an urban lifestyle. Projects on the east side and beltline have spearheaded this movement, but it is the west end that is poised to be the city’s next urban hub.

With an estimated completion in Spring 2017, Avenue is the first new project to come to the established West End, Calgary’s premier riverside community, in over 10 years. Jointly developed by two trusted developers, Grosvenor Americas and Cressey Development Group, Avenue’s contemporary architecture elevates the new centre of West End while offering a unique balance between serenity and big-city life.

Avenue’s West End location has its own appeal and has drawn a diverse array of buyers from young professionals to downsizers. Located in the heart of the west end, Avenue is surrounded by Calgary’s best amenities.

It is situated steps away from the downtown core, next to the Bow River Trail, close to RiverWalkTM and the charming Kensington neighbourhood, to combine urban convenience with serene residential living.

Designed by renowned architect James Cheng, the contemporary towers feature extensive use of glass in the exterior design. Avenue’s elegant interiors and thoughtful floor plans were designed for functional living. Its features include: engineered hardwood wide-plank flooring throughout the main living areas, full-size appliances, spacious balconies, titled parking spaces and Calgary’s first ever CresseyKitchenTM, famous for its seamless functionality and sophisticated design with its walk-through layout, ample storage space and high-quality finishes. The 24-storey, twotower building will feature homes ranging in size from 600 to 2,300 square feet, with a wide variety of flexible floor plans available.

“This is an incredible milestone development for Grosvenor Americas, Cressey Development Group and Calgary’s West End neighbourhood,” says Robert Duteau, senior vice president of development for Grosvenor Americas. “We are thrilled to present this calibre of project as the landmark West End development opportunity.”

The two-tower condominium development is made up of 316 residential units and includes a grand, hotel-inspired lobby and porte cochère driveway with private concierge. With this milestone project, Avenue marks an exciting urban revival for residential development in the area.

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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM // REAL ESTATE

“Calgary is ranked one of the most livable cities in North America,” says Grant Murray, senior vice-president of Concord Pacific, developers of The Concord, Calgary’s dazzling, new condominium complex on the south bank of the Bow River near the Peace Bridge. “And that’s a very positive and important business factor. After all, you can’t be ranked one of the most livable cities without opportunities and growth, particularly in real estate.”

Sam Corea, owner and broker of Sam Corea Re/Max Real Estate and one of Calgary’s most successful real estate professionals, also senses the return of confidence in the Calgary market. “No doubt about it. Real estate will forever be a supply-demand-driven business. Of course we may not be totally out of the woods but the trends are slowly showing confidence coming back to the Calgary market. Smart buyers are definitely buying and this is a good time to upgrade.”

The mid-summer, real estate resale good news/bad news from CREB (Calgary Real Estate Board) underscores Corea’s current buyer’s-market interpretation. The Calgary market – with various factors that put downward pressure on resale prices – continues creating ‘bargains.’

“NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. REAL ESTATE WILL FOREVER BE A SUPPLY-DEMANDDRIVEN BUSINESS. OF COURSE WE MAY NOT BE TOTALLY OUT OF THE WOODS BUT THE TRENDS ARE SLOWLY SHOWING CONFIDENCE COMING BACK TO THE CALGARY MARKET.” ~ SAM COREA

TOP: GRANT MURRAY, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF SALES WITH CONCORD PACIFIC DEVELOPMENTS. BOTTOM: SAM COREA, OWNER AND BROKER OF SAM COREA RE/MAX REAL ESTATE.

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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM // REAL ESTATE

According to CREB stats, for the first six months of the year, single-family homebuyers saw more than $15,000 in savings through Calgary’s resale market, compared to the same time in 2015. The median price for a single-family home in Calgary was just over $501,000, down about three per cent from the year before.

The CREB numbers also detail that, due largely to the uncertainty of the Calgary mood, inevitable differences exist between buyer and seller expectations. A majority of single-family resales were in the $400,000 to 449,900 range and showed a slight year-over-year price drop, while prices in the $350,000 to $399,999 range had a small yearover-year increase.

Calgary real estate experts have various theories and explanations about signs of cautious optimism in the resale market. CREB points out that numbers from some specific Calgary areas are encouraging. Sales actually went up in the west, north and northwest areas, like Signal Hill, West Springs, Aspen Woods, Edgemont, Tuscany and Evanston, compared to the same period, last year.

“THE GENERAL MOOD FROM BOTH A COMMERCIAL TENANT AND LANDLORD PERSPECTIVE IS RESIGNATION TO A NEW REALITY OF LOW OIL PRICES AND CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM THAT WE HAVE HIT THE LOW POINT AND THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT WILL NOW IMPROVE.” ~ JOE BINFET

The good signs are not only in suburban Calgary real estate.

The city centre also showed mid-summer spikes in areas like Mount Pleasant and Hillhurst, where resales were also up from the same time last year.

“People are feeling more confident to buy – especially based on this time last year – just judging by my sales,” says Corea.

“To be blunt about it, in the first six months of 2015, my business was down 83 per cent. Today, it’s up 20 per cent.

And another exciting and encouraging aspect is that Calgary is becoming so diversified. When oil is down, doctors, lawyers [and] surgeons consider it a time to buy.”

While some painful speed bumps still hover over the primarily downtown commercial real estate market, Calgary’s increasing business diversity and other factors are leading to cautious commercial real estate optimism.

“The general mood from both a commercial tenant and landlord perspective is resignation to a new reality of low oil prices and cautious optimism that we have hit the low point and the economic environment will now improve,” notes Joe Binfet, managing director and broker at Colliers ABOVE: JOE BINFET, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND BROKER AT COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL CALGARY.

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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM // REAL ESTATE

International Calgary and the leader of commercial real estate teams in Calgary’s downtown, suburban, retail, industrial and investment divisions.

“Downtown landlords are providing incentives like free rent, free furniture and large tenant improvement allowances in an effort to attract and retain tenants. The drop in rental rates has led to some tenants exploring options in the downtown core to improve their existing space by moving to A- and AA-class buildings. The trailing vacancy from this migration puts upward pressure on vacancy in the B- and C-class buildings.”

Key aspects of Binfet’s respected Calgary expertise are not only commercial real estate savvy but his grasp of Calgary’s oil and gas-driven but diversifying overall business community. “A return to over $55 per barrel would be a good indicator of a Calgary recovery. At this price, most Canadian crude oil producers will become sufficiently profitable and will scale up production.

“Retail stores such as Nordstrom Rack and popular Canadian retailer Simons (projected to open in the CORE in early 2017) are coming to the market and tech companies like Benevity are locating to the beltline and recruiting high-end engineers from oil companies. These are all signs that they see potential in the Calgary market,” Binfet says. “And oil and gas companies with strong balance sheets are acquiring key assets at low cost which signals they think the market may be at the bottom and on the way up.”

As Murray points out, The Concord is not only a dynamic and high-profile example of exciting confidence in Calgary’s downtown condo market, but a unique and unmistakable sign of Calgary positivity.

“Calgary is a lot more diversified than people think. A lot of the people who are looking at The Concord and buying have nothing to do with oil and gas,” he says. “In our price bracket, there’s not much competition. We’re $800,000 and up and going after a certain demographic. The Concord will be a uniquely lifestyle-focused community, targeted for various age groups and particularly baby boomers whose kids have grown up, with grand kids, maybe a second home in the mountains or Vegas and looking forward to giving up their big home but still have their luxuries, privacy, space and storage and enjoy turnkey living in the downtown environment.”

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CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM // REAL ESTATE

“WE RECOGNIZE THAT CALGARY MAY BE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF OIL PRICES IN THE SHORT TERM AND THIS MAY BE CREATING A CAUTIOUS BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.” ~ PETER WEBB

The two 14- and 17-storey towers on the Bow River will be complete with high-end amenities including private garages – some holding up to eight cars – an outdoor water garden that becomes a winter skating rink, and private elevators in 50 per cent of the suites. Concord Pacific has already sold more than 60 per cent of the first tower’s units, including five estate penthouses ranging from $3.5 to $7 million and a $3-million two-floor villa. The most expensive penthouse is $13 million.

“We recognize that Calgary may be feeling the effects of oil prices in the short term and this may be creating a cautious business environment,” adds Peter Webb, Concord Pacific’s senior vice-president of development. “Concord believes in the entrepreneurial spirit of Calgarians and we see great potential for Calgary as a model of great urban development.”

The Concord is another sign that Calgary confidence is on the rise.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

65

THE (LOCAL) HOME AWAY FROM HOME // RECREATION INVESTMENTS

(Local)

THE HOME AWAY FROM HOME A RECREATIONAL PROPERTY CAN BE A SMART INVESTMENT WITH A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

A

h, the vacation rental! It’s the ultimate real estate investor’s dream – a place that grows in value while offering year after year of enjoyment.

But in this economy, how viable is this dream?

According to Elton Ash, regional executive vice president, RE/MAX of Western Canada (1998) LLC, those looking to buy a recreational property should consider, but also look beyond, the state of the market.

“The decision to buy a recreational property should be based on lifestyle and affordability as opposed to a ‘return on investment’ point of view,” Ash counsels. “Historically, recreational property investment is done with discretionary dollars. Therefore, if the economy turns down, this type of property is affected to a greater extent than primary residences. Nevertheless, a good investment isn’t always determined by the dollar return of an investment. It can also be measured by the enjoyment factor and lifestyle factor it may bring the owner.

“Therefore, this is really a personal decision that will vary family by family. Many of us recall fond memories of time spent at the lake. Many of those in the younger generation

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want to provide those same experiences for their children.

Baby boomers also want to provide these types of memories for their grandchildren, so they think of recreational property as a legacy.”

If you are considering a recreational property, do not assume that you will have the same mortgage structure or downpayment requirements of your primary residence.

“Lenders look at recreational property as a discretionary spend and will typically require a greater equity position than in a primary residence,” Ash points out. “This will also be related to the personal finances of the family. I would suggest speaking directly with a mortgage lender for greater detail.”

While some families turn to Mexico or other perpetually sunny locales for their recreation home, it pays to look a little closer to home. Alberta’s diverse landscape of everything from towering mountains to glassy lakes, rolling badlands to thriving urban centres, attracts millions of visitors each year. Buying a local recreational property can be the ultimate money-saving medium between flying out of the country for a holiday and the increasingly popular (money-saving) staycation – and many real estate investors are catching on to this notion.

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THE (LOCAL) HOME AWAY FROM HOME // RECREATION INVESTMENTS

“AREAS THAT ARE CLOSER TO THE CITY TEND TO BE MORE POPULAR. FOR EXAMPLE, CANMORE OR THE CROWSNEST AREA ARE VERY POPULAR FOR MOUNTAIN RETREATS.” ~ ELTON ASH

ABOVE: CANMORE, ALBERTA INSET: ELTON ASH, REGIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, RE/MAX OF WESTERN CANADA (1998) LLC.

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THE (LOCAL) HOME AWAY FROM HOME // RECREATION INVESTMENTS

“Calgary residents travel near and far to enjoy recreational property investments,” says Ash. “Areas that are closer to the city tend to be more popular. For example, Canmore or the Crowsnest area are very popular for mountain retreats.

Sylvan Lake or Windermere are popular, given the closer proximity, for lake property. We see a great number of Albertans travelling to the Shuswap or the Okanagan to buy lake-oriented recreational property as well.”

the current currency exchange rate, is much more expensive.

However, given that buying a recreational property is a very personal decision, the timing might be right no matter where the economic cycle is at the time.”

Timing aside, it’s important to remember that if your vacation home is purchased as an investment – to appreciate in value and then sell, to rent out to tourists, to shore up your portfolio, etc. – to make it count, you have to think long term.

When it comes to investing in a recreational property closer to home, it’s not just the travel savings in the here and now that can be beneficial. The financial impact can be felt over the long term. Ash explains, “Given the current economic cycle Alberta is in at this time, there might be greater value available in looking more locally for property as opposed to the Shuswap or the Okanagan, as those areas are also very popular with Vancouverites and foreign investment, which is in a strong up cycle at this time. Buying out of country, given

Spencer Bennett, a financial adviser with Edwards Jones, provides advice about long-term investing. “We all want our investments to go up, and preferably immediately, but we [Edwards Jones] believe patience is an important attribute of a long-term investor.”

Bennett points out the benefits of long-term investing, suggesting that real estate can be just one of the items in a

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THE (LOCAL) HOME AWAY FROM HOME // RECREATION INVESTMENTS

“OWNING A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO OF QUALITY INVESTMENTS CAN GIVE YOU GREATER CONFIDENCE THAT YOUR INVESTMENTS CAN REBOUND WHEN STOCKS HAVE DROPPED AND HEADLINES ARE BLEAK.” ~ SPENCER BENNETT

strong portfolio. “Long-term investment success relies on preparation: selecting a strategy to take you through good and bad market conditions. Owning a diversified portfolio of quality investments can give you greater confidence that your investments can rebound when stocks have dropped and headlines are bleak.

“When you are younger, you have time on your side. While spare cash at this age may seem modest and there will be plenty of competing interests for your money, you have time on your side to allow even the smallest savings to become significant 30 or 40 years down the road. As those who wait until later years to save will tell you, delays in saving have a dramatic effect on your final balance going into retirement.”

But why invest at all? Isn’t money safer just sitting in a bank?

“Think about it this way,” Bennett counters. “Saving is for today, while investing is for tomorrow. You need your savings to pay for your daily expenses, such as groceries, and your monthly bills – mortgage, utilities and so on. In fact, you might even want your savings to include an emergency fund containing six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses to pay for unexpected costs, such as a new furnace or a major car repair. These are all ‘here-and-now’ expenses – and you could use your savings to pay for them. But in thinking of your long-term goals, such as post-secondary education for your children and a comfortable retirement for yourself, most individuals typically can’t simply rely on their savings – they’ll need to invest. Why? Because, quite simply, investments can grow – and you will need this growth potential to help achieve your financial goals.”

Edwards Jones has earned recognition from J.D. Power Canada for showing four consecutive years of having the highest investor satisfaction record, largely for sage advice, such as this tip from Bennett: “It’s time in the market … not market timing. Some investors think they can succeed at ‘market timing’ – buying when the price is low and selling when the price is high. This would indeed be a good strategy if they could predict highs and lows. No one can accurately forecast these peaks and valleys, though. So, instead of ducking in and out of the market in a vain attempt to catch the highs and lows, simply stay invested. The more time you spend in the market, the lesser the impact you’re likely to feel from short-term price swings.”

Whether you are purchasing a recreation home as an affordable vacation destination for your family, as an investment property or as an asset in your portfolio, Ash reminds us all that you can “never make assumptions on what you will be able to do with a property after it has been purchased. Be aware of provincial or municipal regulations and costs. It is very important to work with a REALTOR® that is very familiar with recreational property in the specific area to ensure there are not any unpleasant surprises later on after possession.”

Ash concludes, “There is no doubt that recreational property is a very important asset to our Canadian lifestyle. My advice to anyone thinking about buying a recreational property is, do not let emotion cloud good judgment. Be aware of all the ramifications and set your budget according to your own affordability. When you have purchased with all this in mind, you will enjoy a stress-free family-oriented lifestyle, which is really what’s most important.”

ABOVE: SPENCER BENNETT, A FINANCIAL ADVISER WITH EDWARDS JONES.

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THE ART OF EVENT PLANNING // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

THE

Art OF EVENT PLANNING CALGARY IS STILL A HOT DRAW

BY COLLEEN WALLACE

D

espite the global price of oil and the domino effects on the market, the Calgary brand is strong! For various business and reputation reasons, Calgary continues to be a solid draw for conventions, conferences, trade shows and other business-related special events.

While major convention and trade show destinations – like Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Vegas and others – mostly focus on key aspects like room nights, spinoff business, restaurants, retail, tourism and revenues for a city’s economy, there are many other factors when it comes to the planning and staging of large, business special events.

It’s a fiercely competitive market and reputation is as vitally important as nitty-gritties like location and per-night room rates. One key aspect is … the competition.

“Canada’s association market is still the most consistent, as they have the requirement to rotate their meetings between the East and the West,” explains Dave Sclanders, executive director of Meetings & Conventions Calgary (MCC).

“As convention centres across Canada continue to expand, and membership in some associations continues to grow, the competition for the Canadian association market gets tougher. In the U.S., the growth and expansion of secondtier cities is constantly changing the landscape. Positioning Calgary’s rightful spot for U.S. business against the larger

convention venues in cities like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver is an ongoing challenge.

“In the last five years or so,” he points out, “Calgary has made serious brand inroads in key U.S. cities with planners and congress decision-makers. We are guaranteed to not get a decent chance at U.S. business if we are not there,

ABOVE: DAVE SCLANDERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS CALGARY. BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

71

THE ART OF EVENT PLANNING // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

“CALGARY IS A TREMENDOUSLY POPULAR DRAW FOR MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOWS, AND WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING FOR US.” ~ GREG NEWTON

aggressively selling Calgary to event planners. And even inside the U.S., the competition for smaller congresses that Calgary can handle, is at risk. Even what the industry calls third-tier cities, like Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, have larger convention centres than Calgary.

And their populations are less than 150,000.

“So more and more cities are active in the competition for the meetings and conventions business and no longer are we just competing against tier-one and tier-two cities. It is very important that Calgary continue to keep our activity in the international and U.S. markets, or we limit ourselves to only Canadian business.”

Sclanders and his MCC team work closely with Travel Alberta and Tourism Calgary to detail and target pitches and proposals for Calgary convention and conference business throughout Alberta, Canada and internationally.

While sometimes stereotyped for Calgary’s legendary twoweek July party, the conference and trade show venues and facilities of the Stampede fairgrounds area solid, popular and sought after with convention and event planners from around the world.

“Calgary is a tremendously popular draw for meetings, conferences and trade shows, and we have so much going for us,” raves Greg Newton, manager of sales development at Calgary Stampede, the sprawling, 250,000-square-foot event facility that is booked and busy 50 non-Stampede weeks of the year.

“Most aspects are positives but, we do have some negatives we are trying to resolve. We never understate the location and Calgary’s famous western hospitality. It’s so important.

Companies, groups and event planners are looking for cities that offer a unique experience, not just price and deals on room nights. A key aspect of our pitch is that Calgary is so much more than a gateway to the Rockies.

“The big four of the convention and trade show business are: hotel inventory, an attractive destination (a certain uniqueness of the area which draws the attendees), the convenience of the airlift, and the quality of the actual meeting or exhibit venue. The no-tax and the low loonie are also important factors, especially for American events. Of course it has to be the right deal but planners of these major events don’t really chase the dollars so much, and it’s not usually a key part of the bidding.”

He points out that the smooth and efficient management of a convention or trade show is a priority, requiring big blocks of hotel room space, which sometimes tends to be a Calgary negative. “Calgary lacks total meeting space but, most of all, Calgary lacks hotel room inventory. Besides, most of Calgary’s new hotel space is at the airport. The frequent question from event planners is, ‘How many downtown hotel rooms do you have?’ The answer is 4,000. It’s less than Ottawa. And major event planners don’t want to contract with six different hotels.”

Bruce Carew is the Calgary vice president of energy at DMG Events, the company that manages more than 80 large

ABOVE: GREG NEWTON, MANAGER OF SALES DEVELOPMENT AT CALGARY STAMPEDE.

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THE ART OF EVENT PLANNING // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

“THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE HAS AFFECTED LOCAL BUSINESSES. EXHIBITORS ARE STAYING RELEVANT, KEEPING PACE AND CAPITALIZING ON THE ENERGY INDUSTRY’S NEW NORM.” ~ BRUCE CAREW

business conference, convention and trade show events in 25 countries each year. DMG is also the organizer of Calgary’s annual Global Petroleum Show (GPS.) With much extensive North American event management experience, Carew is gung-ho about the Calgary brand as a potent draw. “The big annual Calgary show attracts a mix of key international and regional manufacturers, distributors and service companies providing technologies, equipment and solutions for the oil and gas industry. Despite the global oil price situation, Calgary is still recognized as an industry leader and the heart of the Canadian energy market. It’s also the largest city in Alberta, the third-largest municipality and fifth-largest census metropolitan area (CMA) in Canada and it is home to the highest number of corporate head offices in Canada among the country’s 800 largest corporations.

“But the city urgently needs expanded infrastructure,” he warns. “Especially additional hotel rooms and conference and exhibition space to attract more events. Events like GPS take place on a world stage. The facilities that host these kinds of events must keep up with the needs of its partners and clients.”

Carew is a savvy event management professional and concedes that, this year, the industry price slump and the Calgary economy have impacted the GPS. In 2014, GPS attendance was 66,935. Last year, it was 48,756 and this year it was 44,597.

“The current economic climate has affected local businesses.

Exhibitors are staying relevant, keeping pace and capitalizing on the energy industry’s new norm. This year, some

exhibitors chose to be just attendees and will return as exhibitors next year.”

Events planners always work years in advance, and Carew and his DMG team are already planning the 2018 details, as Calgary hosts the 50th anniversary of the Global Petroleum Show.

Positivity and planning ahead is what it’s all about for Heather Lundy, acting general manager at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC.) “The economic downturn has mostly affected the local business segment; a decrease in the number of local meetings, banquets and Christmas parties. They are scaling back or changing their meetings and events formats. But we continue with sales and marketing initiatives in key U.S. and international areas. Our economic impact for 2015 increased 21 per cent due to delegates attending conventions from outside of Canada.

“2017 is looking like a busy and good year,” she says with enthusiasm. “The Calgary City Teachers’ Convention is in February, the 59th annual IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Industry Technical Conference is all set for May and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in August.”

MCC’s Dave Sclanders also highlights a busy 2017. “The Western Retail Lumber Association is back in January for their third consecutive year. The Canadian Federation of Nurses, the American Petroleum Institute and in May, Tourism Calgary is hosting Rendezvous Canada, the premier international tourism marketplace with buyers from all over North America and the world coming to Calgary.”

ABOVE: BRUCE CAREW, CALGARY VICE PRESIDENT OF ENERGY AT DMG EVENTS.

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our Team EPIC is Michael and Jolene Cudjoe, a visual arts dynamic duo. Michael and Jolene are acclaimed artists in their own right but it is together that they hit their stride as “Your” Team EPIC! Jolene’s eye for detail coupled with Michaels adventurism make for a formidable pairing that helps them create unique and memorable images. Whether it be a family shoot, a wedding at home or abroad, or one of their EPIC photoshoots locally or internationally, you’re sure to get the best with “Your” Team EPIC! Team EPIC productions works in photography and videography, focusing on a few areas, but with the expertise and experience to work in almost any genre. Team EPIC Productions focuses on local & destination weddings, local & international EPIC photoshoots, and corporate work including aerial photography & videography, photobooths, and events.

We’re a trusted name in photography, having worked with companies such as: ATB Calgary Stampede’s Aggie Days Saipem Calgary Zoo GlobalFest Business in Calgary Magazine KCCFA Weddings by Evanescents and Roof Hospital.

Connect with us online at www.teamEPIC.rocks, or on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram @yourteamEPIC

2016 EVENT PLANNING & CATERING DIRECTORY // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

Venues Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport 403-291-8000 www.acclaimhotel.ca Aloft Calgary University 403-289-1973 www.aloftcalgaryuniversity.com Ambrose University 403-410-2000 www.ambrose.edu Arts Commons 403-294-9494 www.artscommons.ca Best Western Village Park Inn 403-289-0241 www.villageparkinn.com Calaway Park 403-240-3822 www.calawaypark.com Calgary Marriott Hotel Downtown 403-266-7331 www.marriott.com Calgary Stampede 403-261-0531 www.venues.calgarystampede.com Calgary Telus Convention Centre 403-261-8500 www.calgary-convention.com Calgary Zoo 403-232-9300 www.calgaryzoo.com Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 403-776-1040 www.sportshall.ca Cardel Theatre 403-258-8484 www.cardeltheatre.com Carriage House Inn 403-253-1101 www.carriagehouse.net Clarion Hotel 403-291-4666 www.clarioncalgary.com

Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre 403-248-8888 www.calgaryplaza.com Commonwealth Centre 403-338-2100 www.commonwealthcentre.com Country Inns & Suites by Carlson 403-250-1800 www.countryinns.com Courtyard Marriott 403-238-1000 www.marriott.com Days Inn Calgary Airport 403-250-3297 www.daysinn.ca Days Inn Calgary South 403-243-5531 www.daysinn.ca Deerfoot Inn and Casino 403-236-7529 www.deerfootinn.com Delta Bow Valley Hotel 403-266-1980 www.marriott.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Airport 403-769-1888 www.ihg.com

Fort Calgary Historic Park 403-290-1875 www.fortcalgary.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites SouthMacleod Trail 403-225-3000 www.ihg.com

Four Points by Sheraton Airport 403-648-3180 www.fourpointscalgaryairport.ca Four Points Calgary West 403-288-4441 www.fourpointscalgarywest.ca Genesis Centre 403-590-2833 www.genesis-centre.ca Gerry Thomas Gallery 403-265-1630 www.gerrythomasgallery.com Glenmore Inn 403-279-8611 www.glenmoreinn.com Global Business Centre 4030-221-7831 www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

Delta Calgary Airport Hotel 403-291-2600 www.marriott.com

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Calgary-Airport 403-250-4667 www.hamptoninn3.hilton.com

Delta Calgary South 403-278-5050 www.marriott.com

Heritage Park Historical Village 403-268-8500 www.heritagepark.ca

Delta Lodge at Kananaskis 403-591-7711 www.deltahotels.com

Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport 403-717-1999 www.hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com

Devonian Gardens 403-268-3830 www.calgary.ca

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary (downtown) 403-269-8262 www.ihg.com

Landmark Cinemas (Empire Theatres) 403-974-0470 Executive Royal Inn 403-291-2003 www.executivehotels.net

Your Family tination Playcation Des

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! of Family Fun rs a e Y 5 3 g n ti Celebra lebration!

Join in the ce

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Fairmont Palliser 403-262-1234 www.fairmont.com

OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Holiday Inn Express & Suites NW (university) 587-390-6100 www.ihg.com

Hotel Alma at the University of Calgary 403-220-3111 www.hotelalma.ca Hotel Arts 403-266-4611 www.hotelarts.ca Hotel Blackfoot 403-252-2253 www.hotelblackfoot.com Hotel Elan 403-229-2040 www.hotelelan.ca Hotel Le Germain 403-264-8990 www.legermainhotels.com Hyatt Regency Calgary 403-717-1234 www.calgary.hyatt.com International Hotel 403-265-9600 www.internationalhotel.ca Jubilations Dinner Theatre 403-249-7799 www.calgary.jubilations.ca Kahanoff Conference Centre 403-262-1224 www.kahanoffconference.com Kensington Riverside Inn 403-228-4442 www.kensingtonriversideinn.com Lakeview Signature Inn 403-735-3336 www.lakeviewhotels.com MacEwan Conference & Event Centre 403-210-9375 www.macewancentre.com

mily Fun! It’s all about Fa Book your group outing or event at Calaway Park today!

Visit

calawaypark.com for more details.

2016 EVENT PLANNING & CATERING DIRECTORY // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

Manning Centre 403-255-8100 www.manningcentre.ca Metropolitan Conference Centre 403-266-3876 www.metcentre.com Mount Royal University 403-440-8890 www.mtroyal.ca National Music Centre 403-543-5115 www.nmc.ca Nuvo Hotel Suites 403-452-6789 www.nuvohotelsuites.com Olympic Oval 403-220-7954 www.oval.ucalgary.ca Ralph Klein Park 403-268-2489 www.calgary.ca Ramada Downtown Calgary 403-263-7600 www.ramadacalgary.com

Ramada Plaza Calgary Airport Hotel & Conference Centre 403-879-1505 www.ramada.com The Ranchmen’s Club 403-228-3885 www.ranchmensclub.com Reader Rock Garden 311 (outside Calgary: 403-268-2489) www.calgary.ca Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary South 403-252-7263 www.sandmanhotels.ca Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary Airport 403-219-2475 www.sandmanhotels.ca Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary West 403-288-6033 www.sandmanhotels.ca Sheraton Cavalier Hotel Calgary 403-291-0107 www.sheratoncavaliercalgary.com

Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire 403-266-7200 www.sheratonsuites.com Spruce Meadows 403-974-4200 www.sprucemeadows.com Staybridge Suites Airport 403-204-7829 www.ihg.com StudioBell Home of the National Music Centre 1-800-213-9750 www.studiobell.ca TELUS Spark 403-817-6800 www.sparkscience.ca Theatre Junction GRAND 403-205-2922 www.theatrejunction.com Travelodge Calgary (all locations) 888-276-8666 www.travelodge.com

U of C Conference & Event Management 403-220-3111 www.ucalgary.ca U of C Downtown Campus 403-210-7000 www.ucalgary.ca The Westin Calgary 403-266-1611 www.westincalgary.com Wingate by Wyndham Calgary 403-770-9073 www.wingatehotels.com WinSport Canada 403-247-5452 www.winsport.ca

Meeting & Event Planners Boom Goes the Drum 587-316-5292 www.boomgoesthedrum.com

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2016 EVENT PLANNING & CATERING DIRECTORY // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

CEO Productions 403-263-0007 www.ceoproductions.ca

Essential Meetings 403-245-6128 www.essentialmeetings.ca

Capitol Conferences 403-210-0596 www.capitolconferences.com

Eventful Planning Calgary Ltd. 403-560-5131 www.eventfulplanningcalgary.ca

Circa Event Productions 403-805-7900 www.circaevents.ca

Five Star Events 403-266-6558 www.fivestarevents.ca

Concorde Entertainment Group 403-262-3811 www.concordegroup.ca

Freeman Audio 403-235-1563 www.freemanav-ca.com

ConventionALL Management 403-244-7821 www.conventionall.com

Gidget Event Production 587-832-1433 www.gidgetevents.com

Cracked Pepper Event Strategy Inc. 403-923-3108 www.crackedpepperevents.com

Green Event Services 403-456-2438 www.greeneventservices.ca

DMG Events 403-209-3555 www.dmgevents.com

Hillcrest Events 403-401-3644 Email: Lynda@hillcrestevents.ca

Details Convention & Event Management 403-277-7377 www.detailsinc.ca

Logistically Speaking 403-813-3342 www.logisticallyspeakingcanada.com

E=MC2 403-770-1383 www.emc2events.com

Mosaic Event & Travel Management 587-327-0225 www.mosaicplanning.ca The Event Group 403-543-4786 www.eventgroup.ca JEF Event Services 403-971-5714 www.jefeventservices.ca Mint Event Management 403-616-4882 www.minteventmanagement.com Jennifer James Events 403-294-1644 www.jenniferjames.ca Mountainscape Productions & Events 403-760-5436 www.mountainevents.ca One West Events 403-277-9378 www.onewestevents.com

Meetings & Conventions Calgary 403-261-8514 www.calgary-convention.com

Paradis Events Management Inc. 403-968-2662 www.paradisevents.ca

POP Kollaborative 403-264-9801 www.pophasawebsite.com Production Canada 403-718-0211 www.productioncanada.com Red Tree 403-242-3246 www.experienceredtree.ca Simply Elegant Corporation 403-242-0598 www.simplyelegantcorp.com Spark Event Management 888-929-0991 www.eventsbyspark.com Special Event Rentals 403-235-2211 www.specialeventrentals.com The Muse Group Ltd. 403-219-8481 rita@themusegroup.ca True Event Management 403-589-4022 www.trueyyc.com

I Saw Carly Kissing Santa Claus!

Perfect for Large Corporate Groups or Individual Holiday Parties!

The Metropolitan Centre invites you to join us for an evening of fabulous holiday fun as Carly’s Angels, Canada’s top female impersonators, return for another unforgettable night filled with brassy humour, flashy costumes and flawless make-up!

Imagine a festive buffet dinner and a hilarious star studded performance by three fabulous queens bursting with holiday cheer!

Friday, December 2, 2016 The Metropolitan Ballroom 6:30PM Reserve today at admin@metcentre.com or Call: Barb/Rania 403.266.3876

333 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0H9

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

OCTOBER 2016

IN THIS ISSUE...

• Upcoming Events • Member Profiles

2016 Board of

Upcoming Events

Directors Executive Chair: Denis Painchaud, Director of International Government Relations, Nexen, a CNOOK Limited Company Past Chair: Rob Hawley, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Vice Chair: David Allen, Founder & President, Situated Co.

Treasurer: Wellington Holbrook, Executive Vice-President, ATB Financial CEO: Adam Legge, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber

Directors Bill Brunton, Vice President of Marketing and External Relations, Habitat for Humanity, Southern Alberta

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

Thursday, October 20, 2016 2016 Small Business Calgary Conference BMO Centre – Hall C - 1410 Olympic Way SE Amazing things happen when entrepreneurs get together, and that’s what Small Business Week is all about. This year the highlight of the week is a half-day conference that includes keynote speaker, Michelle Romanow from Dragon’s Den, learning workshops, a business showcase and the famous Awards show. The Small Business Calgary Conference is the biggest celebration of small business in Canada.

Carlos Alvarez, Audit Partner, KPMG Lorenzo DeCicco, Vice-President, TELUS Business Solutions Phil Roberts, President, Vintri Technologies Linda Shea, Senior Vice-President, AltaLink Mike Williams, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, Encana James Boettcher, Chief Idea Officer, Fiasco Gelato Brent Cooper, Partner, McLeod Law LLP Desirée Bombenon, President & CEO, SureCall Contact Centres Ltd. Management Adam Legge – President and CEO Michael Andriescu – Director of Finance and Administration Kim Koss – Vice President, Business Development and Sponsorship Scott Crockatt – Director of Marketing and Communications Rebecca Wood – Director of Member Services Justin Smith – Director of Policy, Research and Government Relations Leading Business magazine is a co-publication of the Calgary Chamber and Business in Calgary Calgary Chamber 600, 237 8th Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2G 5C3 Phone: (403) 750-0400 Fax: (403) 266-3413

Small Business Calgary Showcase The day kicks off with an afternoon of learning, sharing ideas and building new business connections at the Small Business Calgary Showcase. The Showcase is made up of trade show-style business display area and breakout sessions. (Last year you would have known this part of the day as the Expo). The Showcase will feature everything from an innovation pavilion to a business resource area and even a spa with a real beach, where companies of all sizes will showcase a variety of products and services.

Breakout sessions As an executive of a growth-focused business, this is a fantastic professional development opportunity. From digital marketing to small business banking strategies that work, the afternoon workshop series includes a variety of topics all meant to help you make your business the very best it can be.

Small Business Calgary Awards As the sun sets, we will transition into the second half of the day: the Small Business Calgary Awards. Hosted by comedian Andrew Phung, this is the part of the event where the city’s greatest small businesses get to shine and be recognized for the important contribution they make to Calgary.

The Small Business Calgary Conference is an event you will want to bring your entire team to.

Come celebrate our city’s greatest small businesses with over 1000 other business leaders!

To register visit smallbusinessweekcalgary.com.

calgarychamber.com

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AMVIC Licensed

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

ATB Business It starts with a vision. Where others see an empty space, you see a dream. ATB Business gets that, which is why they’re proud to support Small Business Week in Calgary and the rest of Alberta. After all, like you, ATB is an Alberta business too. ATB Business celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and has worked with innovative Albertans for over 75 years. ATB understands doing business in Alberta. And whether we’re in challenging times or in the middle of a boom they’ve stood by Albertans — and they always will. ATB is not only here to help and support you with your banking needs, but to be part of helping you amplify your business and achieve your goals. Learn more about how ATB Financial can help you and your business.

For more information visit ATB.com/Business

Gabriella’s Kitchen Gabriella’s Kitchen is a Canadian company that makes skinnypasta – low-carbohydrate, low-calorie and highprotein pastas, several of which are gluten-free. The healthier alternatives to traditional pasta are made with high-quality,

nutrient-dense ingredients and contain no GMOs, additives or preservatives. With three lines of skinnypasta available at stores across North America and online – and more offerings on the way – Gabriella’s Kitchen is a leader in transforming the way the world eats by offering food with no compromises.

For more information, visit www.GKskinnypasta.com.

PATTISON Outdoor PATTISON Outdoor Advertising is Canada’s largest Outof-Home, Transit and Digital display advertising company and the nation’s market share leader, serving over 200 markets from coast to coast. For your business to connect with today’s consumers, it needs to stand out in a sea of sameness with unmatched reach and coverage. You need to empower brand advocacy by delivering messages and bold ideas in a way that engages audiences and best serves your brand. PATTISON is constantly developing products to meet the evolving needs of advertisers and marketers, and providing solutions for measuring results like Eyewtiness(tm) and Web Mapping. Products include Billboards, Digital displays, Street Level units, Transit Advertising, Airport Advertising, Mall Advertising and specialty niche products.

For more information visit PattisonOutdoor.com.

Thanks

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

Member name Guardian Advisory Group River Valley School Society Watersmart Solutions Ltd. Azuridge Franklin Bissett Investment Management Bluesky Design Dorward & Company LLP Chartered Accountants LMKR Canada Inc Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc. Stratos Inc.

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Read Jones Christoffersen Read Jones Christoffersen (RJC) is celebrating 20 years as a Chamber member this year. RJC has emerged as the largest independent and Canadian-owned engineering firm in the industry, specializing in structural engineering, restoration, building science and parking planning services. With offices across Canada, RJC serves clients locally and globally in both renovation and new construction markets. RJC’s engineers design for sustainability by introducing innovative structural and building designs that are durable, adaptable and improve energy efficiency, while minimizing material use and environmental impact.

For more information visit RJC.ca.

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Celebrating

THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

T

he 34th annual Small Business Week will take place this month between October 17 and 21. Produced by the Calgary Chamber in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, the perennially popular event showcases and celebrates Calgary’s premier small businesses through a week’s worth of workshops, presentations, social gatherings and an awards ceremony – all with the goal of helping to redefine what comes to mind when people think of the word “business.”

“There’s a pretty widely-held belief that ‘business’ means big business,” says Adam Legge, president and CEO of event organizer, the Calgary Chamber. “But the reality is that those are the tiniest minority of businesses. In actuality, 95 per cent of businesses in any given city, and in particular ours, are small businesses.”

These businesses, Legge says, make up the fabric of our community – from the coffee shop down the street to the local yoga studio – and are drastically under-appreciated for what they do. “So many of these small businesses are not overnight successes – they’re five-, 10-, 15-year successes – and without them our city just wouldn’t function,” he says. “We want to recognize how important they are in our community, how many jobs they create and how much they contribute to making our city livable and enjoyable.”

The highlight of the week is the Small Business Calgary Conference, taking place Thursday, October 20 at the BMO Centre. The day will feature concurrent workshop sessions, a trade show and an awards ceremony during which nine award categories will be presented. In addition to the top prize – the ATB Small Business of the Year Award – awards ABOVE: ADAM LEGGE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF EVENT ORGANIZER, THE CALGARY CHAMBER. PHOTO SOURCE: CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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CELEBRATING THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

HOP COMPOST FINALIST: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD

H

op Compost – Canada’s first urban composting facility – has combined business and environmental objectives into one, successful venture. Since 2015, the company has been collecting the food scraps from 40 select Calgary restaurants and turning them into the first local fertilizer alternative to be certified organic and non-GMO. “Hop Compost has saved 2.9 million pounds of food waste from the landfill, while crafting the most nutrient-rich compost in Canada to boost organic crop yields,” says Kevin Davies, founder and CEO. That boost has made Hop Organic Craft Compost (HOCC) popular with local gardeners and Grow Calgary – Canada’s largest urban agricultural farm located west of Canada Olympic Park – which announced that by using HOCC, its local crop yields would rise enough to donate 1,125 meals to the Calgary Food Bank.

A business at heart, Hop has monetized the inputs, outputs and byproducts of its production, attracting several million in investment. “Hop stands out for heralding a new, scalable era of sustainability, with better adoption for consumers, jobseekers and investors, and therefore, better impact,” Davies says.

will be handed out in the following categories: the BDC Emerging Growth Award, the Breakout Business Award, the Innovation Award, the BDC Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award, the Customer Service Award, the Community Impact Award, the Environmental Stewardship Award and the People’s Choice Award.

To be eligible, applicants must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of July 1, 2016 and have fewer than 100 full-time paid employees. Small businesses must also have a regional or head office located in Calgary to qualify for the

awards with the exception of the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award which encompasses all of southern Alberta.

This year, the Chamber received 370 award applications across eight categories (excluding the People’s Choice Award) – 50 per cent more applications than last year.

Types of operations included restaurants, entertainment businesses, fitness centres and instructors - a diverse range of businesses, according to Legge.

Judging panels haven chosen finalists for each of the categories (other than the People’s Choice Award which is chosen by the citizens of Calgary) as well as the category winners, which will be announced at the ceremony on October 20.

Eva Friesen, president and CEO of the Calgary Foundation, is chair of the Community Impact Award judging panel. She, along with three others, was tasked with assessing eight different small businesses in terms of how they do business while also making a positive impact in the community. Five finalists and one winner were then chosen.

“It was a very rewarding experience,” says Friesen. “I learned about businesses that I didn’t know existed and felt so warmed by the way people intentionally design their ABOVE: EVA FRIESEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CALGARY FOUNDATION AND CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD JUDGING PANEL FOR SMALL BUSINESS WEEK CALGARY. PHOTO SOURCE: EVA FRIESEN

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OCTOBER 2016 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Find the right path for your small business.

Whether you are looking to start, expand or improve your business, it’s hard to know which path to take. That’s why we’ve created The Business Circle, real lessons from successful business leaders to help you make more informed decisions for your business.

Learn more at servus.ca/businesscircle

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CELEBRATING THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

METICULON

FINALIST: COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

A

s a successful software testing, quality assurance and data verification business, Meticulon takes a different approach: it is the first business in Canada to leverage the unique capabilities of people with autism to create a profitable business.

“At Meticulon, we aspire to and have recognized the value of people over processes,” explains Garth Johnson, CEO. “We know that labels don’t effectively describe abilities. We know our staff want to make significant contributions in our world. In the time we have been operating as a business, we have watched lives change and businesses grow.”

Of the company’s 26 employees, 21 have autism spectrum disorder. These consultants are matched with clients following a rigorous assessment with astounding results: consultants often complete their work more efficiently and with better results than clients experienced in the past. At the same time, the lives of many consultants – often unemployed or underemployed before joining Meticulon – have changed for the better.

“We are all about social engineering that benefits everyone – the customer, the company and the community – and, thankfully, we’re succeeding at it,” Johnson says.

businesses for both a bottom line and a community impact. I was most impressed.”

The work of the panel, she says, was made smooth and seamless by the Chamber’s efforts and she wouldn’t hesitate to volunteer again next year if asked.

All applicants, and in particular Small Business award finalists and winners, enjoy a number of benefits. In addition to gaining a better understanding of themselves through the written application process, finalists and winners are profiled in the awards ceremony. The Chamber also profiles the winners in a number of different ways throughout the year. This exposure can be incredibly helpful in increasing the credibility of many small businesses which are virtually unknown beforehand.

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After 33 years, Small Business Week remains important for Calgary’s business community – it is now deemed to be the best and biggest small business week in Canada by BDC. This is especially helpful in the current economic situation.

“Particularly in a down economic climate, small businesses are probably going to be struggling more than the big companies,” says Legge. “They may not have the reserves or the savings; when they cut employees, it’s usually people they are very close with; when they have to cut expenditures, they’re usually paying themselves less. There’s a much more personal connection in a downturn.” Any help Calgary’s small businesses can get will surely be appreciated.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to www. smallbusinessweekcalgary.com.

PRESS + POST

FINALIST: BDC EMERGING GROWTH AWARD

T

hrough the ever-changing landscape of modern media, Press + Post aims to guide its clients in the right direction. Formed in 2015, the marketing and brand storytelling agency connects its clients with the best journalists, writers, publishers, strategists and creatives in the country. With its social media and digital marketing training academy at the Social School, the company serves as a marketing linchpin of sorts for its clients.

“As mainstream media completely transformed over the past decade, so too have our clients’ needs shifted from traditional PR and marketing services toward unforgettable digital content, social campaigns and consumer experiences,” explains Kelly Doody, co-founder.

As a consequence of this shift, Press + Post was formed as an evolution of the founders’ former PR companies, with the aim to “drive consumer advocacy, human conversations and unforgettable brand moments that go well beyond conventional tactics.”

A finalist for the Emerging Growth Award, Press + Post is enjoying significant growth and expansion, in terms of both service offerings and its reach into new markets.

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESSES // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

2016 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK CALGARY AWARD FINALISTS Environmental

People’s Choice

HOP COMPOST DIG BULLFROG POWER SKY FIRE EXNERGY CALGARY ELITE ROOFING

PK SOUND BUTTERCREAM CLOTHING SABRANG ENTREPRISES LTD. THE AUDIO ROOM COOL CHOIR

Community Impact

BLACKSQUARE INC. BEEP AUTO SERVICE FINDER SPLICE SOFTWARE STREAM SYSTEMS LTD PURPLE FROG PRODUCTS

METICULON GREEN EVENT SERVICES PURE MOTION DANCE COMPANY WEEMPLOY INC. JB MUSIC THERAPY

Breakout Business

Emerging Growth

SHOWPASS FITTER INTERNATIONAL INC. (FITTERFIRST) TWT GROUP INC. DOGMA TRAINING & PET SERVICES INC. RYAN MURPHY CONSTRUCTION

GREY EAGLE RESORT PLANT PRESS+ POST RE-MATT INC. THE LOCKED ROOM LTD.

Customer Service CALGARY ELITE ROOFING PK SOUND LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY CANADA BLACK SHEEP MATTRESS CO. AARON MACHINE SHOP

Innovation

Indigenous Entrepreneurship MOONSTONE CREATION NATIVE DIVA CREATIONS BEAUTIFUL BLINDS AND SHUTTERS LTD.

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How to Keep Your Employees Happy Keys to staff engagement and morale

Let’s Ask an EOer

By Melanie Darbyshire

A

sk any successful business owner and they will tell you that a key to long-term success is good employees. Competent, engaged and happy staff can be the difference between a fledgling, stagnant company and one that thrives. Finding – and keeping – the right ones is therefore paramount.

And while it may seem simple enough to hire pretty much anyone, fostering good morale and ensuring staff remain engaged with their jobs are not such simple tasks. To better understand some of the keys to maintaining staff engagement and morale, we’ve spoken with three local business owners, who are also EO members, with plenty of experience in this regard.

level,” MacFayden explains. “We introduce them to everyone they will be working with and take them through the why to our business.”

Good communication with staff is also vital. “If they understand their role in the organization, and how they impact the team and the company, they will want to make sure they don’t let the team down,” says Palmer. “So communicating how important they are and how they fit in the company can definitely play a role in keeping them engaged.”

Jayme MacFayden is part of the BMeX Restaurant Group which owns UNA Pizza + Wine, Native Tongues Taqueria and Ox and Angela Restaurant and Tapas Bar; Usman Tahir Jutt owns a McDonald’s franchise in Strathmore; and, Jamie Palmer is a broker and the president of Power Properties Ltd., a property management firm.

MacFayden maintains good communication through regular “coffee chats” with staff members (no matter their position) as a way to check-in with the employees’ professional and personal lives. Jutt has similar meetings with his staff and an open-door policy. “We try and create that culture of openness,” he explains. “Staff can talk to a variety of different managers and my door’s always open; not just to talk about their career and the business, but about everything.”

They all agree: staff engagement is critically important and should begin from day one. “It’s all about culture and making sure our systems, beliefs and values are aligned,” says Jutt.

“It starts with a very strong orientation – we’re very clear in articulating our corporate culture, our vision and where we want to be.”

Palmer also highlights the importance of providing employees with new challenges. “Tackling those new challenges ensures staff are never bored.” Similarly, MacFayden tries to ensure continuous employee learning on the job. “We try and teach something new every day so there is an opportunity to come to work and learn something new.”

In MacFayden’s businesses, the hiring process involves a trial shift which engages both the prospective employee and current staff. “We are essentially bringing someone into our family and have chosen them for not only their skills, but personality and what they can add to our team from a cultural

To keep morale high, Palmer provides employee perks such as profit-sharing, company-paid vacations, handwritten letters celebrating employment anniversaries and staff lunches to celebrate milestones. “I find knowing that you will be rewarded and appreciated keeps morale high,” he says.

Contributing Members:

Upcoming Events: Oct 5 • Leadership Series Lunch Oct 13 • Calgary Forum Summit

Jamie Palmer

Jayme MacFayden Usman Tahir Jutt

president of Power Properties Ltd.

of the BMeX Restaurant Group

Oct 27 • Basil Peters-Don’t Blow the Biggest Deal of Your Life!

owner of a McDonald’s franchise in Strathmore

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

Keith Turner and Bill Giese.

Photo by Neil Speers.

SYNERGY LAND SERVICES

By Rennay Craats

O

Going Strong

ver the years, Alberta’s economy has shifted from boom to bust and back again. To be successful, businesses have had to adapt to challenges and ride out the tough times. Since its inception in 2006, Synergy Land Services hasn’t enjoyed a booming economic cycle but despite that, it has continued to grow with the times and stay ahead of the curve.

We Inspire High Performance with Executive Coaching and Recruitment Congratulations Synergy Land Services for 10 years of Success! www.theessencegroup.com | info@theessencegroup.com 1-888-399-7554

“We’ve never been in optimal years but what that does is sharpen your business acumen,” says Bill Giese, Synergy’s founder and president/CEO. That’s saying something considering the pedigree of Giese and his vast experience in the industry. Giese has worked in energy for over 30 years, first in utilities and then as a land man in oil and gas. After leaving another land brokerage firm, Giese found himself at a crossroads. His former clients urged him to start his own company so they could continue working with him, prompting Giese to hang up a shingle and venture out on his own.

Giese and his wife chose to call the company Synergy to reflect their core beliefs and fundamental conviction of working together toward the greater good. They identified a vision that they still believe in today.

“Whether a project entails bringing heat to homes, power to agriculture, or individuals to family via roadways, Synergy strives to ensure it reaches a positive, mutually agreeable outcome,” he says. “Through professionalism, continuous training and genuine care for the communities where we work, we aim to achieve true synergy with the public and industry.”

Synergy Land Services | 10 Years | 1

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In the early days, he operated Synergy out of the basement of his house with his wife taking on bookkeeping duties.

The first hire was an experienced industry colleague who provided land administration support while Giese worked in the field and pounded the pavement seeking business opportunities.

Giese rode out the downturn in 2007 and 2008 by earning respect and trust in the industry and slowly building up a client

base. The company came out the other end stronger. As the economy improved and projects got bigger and more frequent, Synergy grew as well.

The industry is close-knit, and brokers, clients and resource companies all talk. When clients were looking for an excellent broker, word on the street was to try Synergy, a group of fresh thinkers providing services clients were used to: great value, communication and experience.

OUR BUSINESSES MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BUT OUR PASSION IS THE SAME. We salute and congratulate Synergy Land Services for your entrepreneurial spirit and 10 years of successfully growing your business.

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Synergy Land Services | 10 Years | 2

Giese believes in the value of adding team members with different proficiencies than his own to offer a full complement of skills.

Not long after Turner joined, Synergy started to fill some important positions, hiring fantastic people who have become the company’s current senior management staff.

One of the company’s original clients allowed Giese to put his utilities experience to good use assisting them in growing the province’s underdeveloped power infrastructure.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Synergy Land Services on 10 years of excellence.

“They were the ones who really got Synergy started in the industry.

They were and continue to be a fantastic client,” he says.

The relationship was, aptly enough, synergistic. Giese’s specialty in utilities and power gave their client, one of Alberta’s largest power transmission companies, the confidence that work would be done right, and that confidence led to Synergy landing more of their projects as well as from others.

Subsequent large pipeline and midstream projects led Synergy through exponential growth.

Synergy’s expansion across the country was organic, establishing a presence where the industry needed it. To facilitate further growth, a key addition was a former coworker, Keith Turner. Turner, current executive vice-president, came aboard as a business partner, joining Giese at the helm of the growing land broker.

“He brought organizational and project management skills and that allowed me to focus on more business development. In any successful business you need a team and the addition of Keith brought management stability that was needed to keep the ‘home fires burning’,” Giese says.

Giese believes in the value of adding team members with different proficiencies than his own to offer a full complement of skills. Not long after Turner joined, Synergy started to fill some important positions, hiring fantastic people who have become the company’s current senior management staff.

“They learned what Synergy was all about and that happened to parallel what was in their hearts — passion for what we do, deep trust, taking chances and ensuring our clients are number one,” he says.

By providing top-quality work and reinvesting profits into growing the company, Synergy prospered. The company started gaining traction as Turner and Giese built a solid reputation as knowledgeable industry professionals. More projects meant more staff and more space. Today’s 10,000-square-foot head office in Calgary’s southeast is a far cry from its humble beginning.

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Congratulations, Synergy Land Services Ltd. It is a pleasure helping you and your team achieve your business success.

Peter Thorp, Vice-President, Associate Portfolio Manager & Investment Advisor | RBC Dominion Securities Faisal Jamal, Business Owner Specialist RBC Wealth Management Services 403-216-6182 | www.rbcds.com/peter.thorp Helping business owners reach their goals.

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. 16_90701_RPV_001

Synergy Land Services | 10 Years | 3

“We want to be the go-to land company for all aspects related to land and we’re not afraid to grow the business as far as industry wants us to take it,” Giese says.

This fearlessness has paid off. Since the early days, Synergy grew to a peak of more than 80 staff working out of seven locations across Canada; its head office is in Calgary with branch offices in Fort Macleod, St. Albert, Regina, Brandon, Fort St. John and Cambridge. It has also diversified its land services. Synergy has trained professionals ready to lead projects in everything from transportation to communications, upstream to minerals, asset management to renewable resources.

“We’re not just doing power transmission lines or exploration work. We’ve diversified into other areas and we are trying to grow all sides of our business right now,” Turner says.

Synergy has thrived in tough economic times by cultivating strong relationships with clients as well as staff. Whether Synergy professionals are helping clients select a route for a new project, negotiating agreements, making applications for regulatory and third-party consent, or meeting with landowners when a project is completed, clients are in good hands. Synergy is there for them at every stage, acting as an invaluable resource and applying a wealth of knowledge and experience to keep projects running smoothly.

Clients remember the service, hard work and quality products received from Synergy. Much of the company’s work is with

CONGRATULATIONS

longtime clients who continue to rely on Synergy’s expertise and capabilities. In an industry notorious for professionals moving from company to company, Synergy has been rewarded with continued work from many of these professionals in their new positions with new companies. In this way, Synergy has expanded its client base along with its business scope.

“One of the things we do well is to take the time to listen to what our clients want and expect as well as to ensure that we have the knowledge and experience to meet those expectations,” Turner says.

Synergy has experience and knowledge in spades and is taking advantage of the economic downturn to further build its business from the inside, adding specialized talent to augment an already outstanding team. This opens the door for future expansion into other areas including the renewables market and the environmental side of the business. Accomplishing this requires attracting people with the right skills and experience, and Giese and Turner want to retain them long-term. They work hard to ensure that their work family is happy.

“I know every organization relies on its people and we’re no different. Our culture is to do everything we can for our employees and more, and boy do they give back in return,” Giese says.

The staff shares in management’s passion, often putting in long hours to get the job done well. Giese and Turner are grateful for this dedication and reward beyond competitive salaries and benefits. The head office houses a large, bright lunch room and amenities such as televisions, ping-pong and pool tables. When designing its current space, the company added a gym and showers as a healthy perk for staff.

“When things do start to recover, we are beyond ready,” Giese says.

Whatever the next economic phase brings, Synergy will meet it head on with grit, determination and excitement. The opportunities are endless, from partnerships for international projects to rebuilding Alberta’s economy, and Synergy is ready for anything.

On the company’s

10

“I think the future is bright for Synergy,” Turner says. And if the full-service land broker’s past decade is any indication, he just may be right.

th

ANNIVERSARY

IRWA is proud of its longstanding business relationship with Synergy Land Services. From its headquarters in Calgary to IRWA’s growing membership across the globe, together, we are building a better world!

200, 2710 17 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2A 0P6 P: (403) 283-4400 • TF: 1-877-961-LAND www.synergyland.ca Synergy Land Services | 10 Years | 4

20 YEARS

Kim Caron

Executive Mat Service Gets a Green Thumbs Up

By Rennay Craats with Photos by Michael Cudjoe Photography Ltd.

W

hen Kim Caron started Executive Mat Service in 1996, he was a one-man proprietorship offering a mat rental service to local businesses. Today the business is much more than just mats. It has grown to around 100 employees across branches in Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Regina, is one of the largest independent mat companies in North America, and provides high-quality customizable mats and consumable products. On top of that, Caron is leading the charge toward zero waste for himself and his clients through his Green Thumb Initiative.

From early on, Caron was an innovator with an environmental consciousness.

When a client asked him to wash their cloth towels soiled with printers’ inks and hazardous solvents, Caron discovered it was illegal to send the used water into the sewer system.

“There was an opportunity there,” says Caron, founder and president of Executive Mat. “I decided to adopt some technology that would extract the hazardous solvents before I washed the towels.”

He created a system to separate the hazardous solvents from the towels, which left him with cloths ready for standard laundering and barrels of hydrocarbon.

Executive Mat Service | 20 Years | 1 93

Sarbjit and Baljit folding freshly pressed table cloths.

For a while, he gave the hydrocarbon to mechanic shops for parts washing, but alternatives played in the back of Caron’s mind. He discovered that the hydrocarbon was essentially kerosene which could be purified into a working fuel. He sourced a burner to link to his boiler so he could use this fuel to generate heat. He then took it a step further and extended the process to paper wipes used by various industries including automotive mechanics. He generated three drums of fuel daily using this process.

“Our technology could handle those paper wipes no problem, but the issue became what are we going to do with all this paper towelling?” Caron says.

a gasification boiler that would allow Caron to convert the paper towel into thermal energy. The system worked great but, again, he looked for ways to expand his program to divert even more materials from the landfill. After hearing about the number of coffee cups accumulating in the landfill, he turned his attention to office consumables like paper towels in the restrooms, paper cups and plates, and wooden stir sticks. Executive Mat has recently incorporated a line of paper-based health-care products including exam table paper and drapes into its Green Thumb Initiative, keeping those products out of landfills as well while saving clients the cost of waste removal.

The whole point was to lessen the environmental impact of these chemicals so sending the paper to landfill once the contaminants were removed wasn’t an option. The solution:

Caron developed a technology that would take all of the used compostable consumables and paper towels he collected from his clients, shred them and then condense them to form

20 YEARS OF SUCCESS!

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Executive Mat Service | 20 Years | 2

20 YEARS Executive Mat Engineering, Production and Administrative team.

Unlike many other companies whose green commitment ends upon delivery of their product to the end user, Executive Mat comes full circle by ensuring the materials are handled properly on the back end.

Dr Alrubaye in the lab.

biofuel briquettes. These briquettes were then used to fuel the biomass boiler in the facility. Today, Executive Mat processes 0.5 tons of paper products this way every day.

Unlike many other companies whose green commitment ends upon delivery of their product to the end user, Executive Mat comes full circle by ensuring the materials are handled properly on the back end.

“This concept of taking back the waste is revolutionary. No one else has thought to do that,” he says.

When Executive Mat Service changes the matting at a client’s office, the representative will also pick up the used towels, cups, biodegradable green plastic cutlery and other consumables that had been purchased from Executive Mat at the same time.

This service is offered at no extra charge to clients. He then

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Executive Mat Service | 20 Years | 3

20 YEARS People are taking notice of these innovations. Caron’s inventions have attracted the attention of the global marketplace as other companies from around the world are asking for the patented technology. Caron is working closely with the federal Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to help fulfil the global demand for his new technology. leaves the order of replacement consumables and the freshly laundered and sanitized mats behind and returns to the facility with the used goods for processing. That way no extra trips are made and the program’s carbon footprint remains small. And as clients don’t fill their dumpsters with used paper products, the money saved on waste pick up is often more than what they pay for the consumables in the first place.

This technology will make it easier for businesses and health facilities to move away from traditional mats, permanent matting and recessed wells, which are a prime source of mould and poor indoor air quality. WaterHog Plus mats and well tiles are safe and durable, customizable, and come in a variety of sizes, thus meeting client needs. And cleaning them regularly eliminates the breeding ground for mould and makes buildings healthier.

“It’s an absolute no-brainer,” he says.

People are taking notice of these innovations. Caron’s inventions have attracted the attention of the global marketplace as other companies from around the world are asking for the patented technology. Caron is working closely with the federal Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to help fulfil the global demand for his new technology.

Many of Caron’s technologies have been created because he couldn’t find anything in existence that met his needs.

Caron has also been quick to adopt new technologies as they are developed. WaterHog Plus, a key vendor of Caron’s, has recently developed a bi-level rental floor mat that has the potential to completely revolutionize the floor matting business. Made with recycled pop bottles, the product is literally a magnet for water providing a much drier and safer environment for customers. These mats can absorb more than five litres of water per square yard, and the heavy dam border ensures there’s no leakage onto the floor. This new technology has been slow to be adopted by other competitors as the product is very difficult to handle and clean using traditional laundering technology.

Caron created a mat processing machine to solve this issue.

His patented technology allows an operator to feed these mats onto a conveyer where they are automatically washed and sanitized, dried and rolled at the other end, all in under two minutes. The system is great on water, using 1/20th of the water other systems use saving the company more than $70,000 a year on water, and is great for extending the life of the mats. It is also a green system as the water is heated using solar power. Best of all, Caron’s system is safer for operators as they don’t have to wrestle with heavy, tangled mats as they did with previous systems.

“It’s exciting. Our little company might turn into something quite a bit bigger,” he says.

But the company already has. Its towel program earned it an Emerald Award for environmental excellence, it was the only North American company in the industry to get ISO 14001 certification, and it has high COR safety ratings. Its technologies are having a significant impact that reaches far beyond the mat rental industry. In 20 years, it has blazed a trail in environmental business, saving its clients money in the process. With its technologies in demand everywhere from oil and gas sites to small municipal landfills, Executive Mat Service is poised to turn into something even bigger in the years to come.

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Executive Mat Service on 20 great years!

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Executive Mat Service | 20 Years | 4

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

calgary-convention.com

Calgary Has a Tremendous Story to Tell

BY STEPHEN EWART

I

t goes without saying Calgary is a city of tremendous opportunity but there are still times when it needs to be said.

Two years into a punishing recession, this is one of those times.

The headlines in the media since the price of oil plunged paint a bleak picture for a city that’s been the country’s leading economic engine for much of the last two decades but they don’t tell the entire story. There is an enduring sense of optimism and an entrepreneurial energy that defines Calgary as a place where a good idea, and a lot of hard work, will be rewarded.

And Calgarians have always come together as a community when challenged by adversity – think back to the 2013 floods – to support their neighbours.

economy, highly educated workforce and competitive cost of doing business – not to mention, a great quality of life – Calgary is open for business.

The campaign positions Calgary as the place to be for innovators and entrepreneurs to Be Part of the Energy.

The phrase is a play on the energy industry but embodies the innovative, entrepreneurial, global, social, creative and collaborative energy of all Calgarians. The campaign will promote the clusters of excellence emerging in sectors including renewables, transportation and logistics, agribusiness, clean energy tech, and creative industries like film and TV production.

From robots to fashion, Calgary companies are doing things people might not expect.

The best way to tell the Calgary story here at home and across the country is simply to share the stories of remarkable Calgarians and the incredible things they are doing. We are starting a new conversation that changes the narrative to the countless things that make this city great and demonstrate that even in the current downturn there are reasons for optimism.

In Calgary, the campaign will celebrate companies and products made here, unique experiences and the spirit and community pride in our city. Nationally, the focus is on people, organizations and companies in Calgary taking innovative approaches to problem solving to showcase opportunities for business and investment.

Calgary Economic Development is partnering with Tourism Calgary on a national and local advertising campaign in October across various media channels. It will tell the stories of the incredible innovators and entrepreneurs who are building successful businesses and helping to solve global issues.

In both cases they showcase a city that’s ripe with opportunity and a great place to make a living and a life.

In addition to a national audience, we’re telling our stories to Calgarians. They will be ambassadors for the city because it’s Calgarians who have the greatest influence on what Canadians think about our city. The campaign gives them stories to share with family and friends outside of our city.

Regardless of the price of oil, there are dynamic companies and incredible business opportunities here. With a diverse

Even during this recession, almost 90 per cent of Calgarians responded to the city’s most recent citizen satisfaction survey that “their quality of life is good.” A survey of business leaders this spring found two-thirds believe there’s been a fundamental change in the oil and gas industry – yet just as many were hopeful about the future.

By delighting and inspiring Calgarians and Canadians alike we will create enthusiasm and optimism for the opportunities in our city. Calgary will always be a place of tremendous opportunity. We need to get the word out.

Stephen Ewart is communications and content manager for Calgary Economic Development.

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Calgary International Airport Expansion Will Benefit Visitors and Calgarians

BY CASSANDRA MCAULEY

W

hen the much-anticipated new international terminal opens at Calgary International Airport (YYC) on October 31, the benefits will be felt by travellers and Calgarians alike.

Not only is YYC an important economic engine for the city, region and province, supporting more than 48,000 jobs and generating more than $8 billion per annum in economic activity, it is an important hub for travellers to and from Calgary, welcoming more than 15 million passengers each year. Over the past 20 years, YYC has doubled in size and passenger volumes, now servicing 250 flights per day to 80 non-stop destinations.

Overall, tourism contributes an estimated $1.7 billion in visitor spending to the local economy, with over eight million visitors to Calgary each year. Air access is critically important to a vibrant tourism destination, and the new international terminal will ensure Calgary is well positioned long into the future.

“The new international terminal will enhance the wonderful welcoming experience visitors to Calgary already experience at YYC,” says Cindy Ady, CEO, Tourism Calgary. “Functionally and esthetically, it will further YYC as an airport of choice amongst international travellers, which is critically important for tourism.”

Among other features, the new two-million-square-foot international terminal will boast over 50 shops and services, making it a destination within the airport.

International terminal highlights: • The new international terminal will add approximately two million square feet, which is equivalent to 34 football fields.

• There will be 24 new aircraft gates for international and U.S. destinations.

• There is a new state-of-the-art baggage handling system that provides positive bag tracking and can process 4,000 bags per hour.

• A new tote and tray baggage handling system comprised of 10 kilometres of track and conveyor belts will transport bags through the entire system in less than 10 minutes.

This is the first and largest CrisBag installation in North America.

• Two post-security central locations (U.S. and international) with more than 50 new shops and services.

• Passengers will be able to relax in centrally-located departures halls.

• A new connections corridor has been constructed, which links the new terminal and the existing terminal.

• A key element of the connections corridor is the YYC LINK passenger shuttle, a custom-designed, Canadian-built passenger transit system. The electric-powered, 10-passenger vehicles run on a scheduled service transporting passengers between the concourses.

• The facility will offer a variety of self-serve options, including 20 self-bag drop units and kiosks to help passengers move quickly through the check-in process.

To learn more about YYC, visit yyc.com. To learn more about Tourism Calgary, see visitcalgary.com.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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A Client’s Journey Through the Alastair Ross Technology Centre

BY MEGHAN OCKEY

C

omputer Modelling Group Ltd. (CMG) began its journey in 1978. Now a multinational company, CMG began as a non-profit research company at the University of Calgary, led by Dr. Khalid Aziz with the support of his lone employee, Dr. Long Nghiem. Its focus was, and continues to be, on the development and delivery of the most accurate reservoir simulation technologies available.

Since starting as a company of two, CMG has grown to employ more than 200 people and is based in six countries worldwide.

CMG has pioneered much of the theory on reservoir simulation technology and advanced recovery process. Using the original research by Aziz as a foundation, CMG continues to develop innovative products to an evolving industry.

Early on, CMG became known for its expertise in heavy oil modelling. Over the years CMG’s technology offering has grown significantly which has allowed CMG to partner with most of the world’s largest oil and gas companies.

In 1993, CMG forged a relationship with the Alastair Ross Technology Centre (ARTC) as a tenant. With a customer support team of two employees, CMG moved into the building to provide software support and training to its worldwide customers.

CMG’s footprint has certainly grown at the ARTC, where it now occupies 40,000 square feet of office space. ARTC enabled CMG to grow at its own pace while maintaining a strong technical work environment and corporate culture.

This flexibility allowed CMG to focus on exceeding customer expectations, through technology and software support.

“CMG is proud to have its roots in the Alastair Ross Technology Centre,” says Ken Dedeluk, president and CEO, CMG. “The ARTC philosophy resonates well with CMG’s annual goal of investing 20 per cent of revenue into research and development.”

The flexibility offered at the ARTC has allowed CMG to grow at its own pace into the large tenant it is today. CMG’s entire

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research and development (R&D) department is in the same building, which increases collaboration.

CoFlow, a recent addition to CMG’s portfolio, is the product of a 10-year joint development project with Shell and Petrobras, each having numerous staff living in Calgary and working sideby-side. Having the team based at the ARTC has enabled CMG to work with its partners to develop this innovative integrated reservoir and production modelling tool. ARTC’s environment enables CMG’s R&D team to deliver products on the cutting edge of recovery methods and continue to develop innovative ways to overcome technological barriers.

Since joining the ARTC, CMG has grown to be the largest tenant, in large part due to CMG’s increasing membership of happy, successful customers, which, in turn, have been a cornerstone to the successes of the ARTC. These shared successes have brought the ARTC to what it is today, and have allowed CMG to grow into the company it is today. CMG is currently constructing a new headquarters building in the University of Calgary’s Research Park; the building, in fact, can be seen from the windows of the ARTC. “We are so proud to be able to say we have had a hand in the success CMG enjoys today,” says Crystal Raymond, manager, Alastair Ross Technology Centre. “Next year, our building will look very different without CMG but, while they will no longer hold residence in our building, they will always be our neighbours and friends. We can’t wait to see what is next for CMG.” Over their years of successes CMG has overcome trials that many young companies face and learned valuable lessons along the way. It has grown, developed and maintained the integrity of what led to its initial success.

To learn more about CMG, visit cmgl.ca. To learn more about Innovate Calgary and how the Alastair Ross Technology Centre supports new and emerging entrepreneurs, visit innovatecalgary.com.

KNOWLEDGE THAT PAYS OFF When the Canadian Payroll Association held its 34th annual conference at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre in June, it connected to and with the community in many ways.

“Our conference planning committee was made up of Calgarians who are members of the association. Additionally, we drew on the local expertise of Meetings and Conventions Calgary,” says Julie Calvert, the association’s manager of Events and Regional Programs. “The whole team brought a lot of meaningful insight to our event.”

That insight ranged from where conference-goers could find line dancing or a great restaurant during a social night out to suggestions for keynote speakers and program topics for the three-day conference.

The CPA’s Calgary conference had nine tracks and some 60 programs, including topics such as preparing for a payroll audit, indicators for payroll fraud and updates from the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada.

These and other diverse conference topics were another way the CPA connected to Calgarians and Albertans. More than half of the conference attendees were from the province. Plus, the conference attracted about 200 business professionals in local foot traffic to its trade show.

“Our conference is the premier payroll event and an opportunity for attendees to connect with top thought leaders in payroll compliance, employment standards and management” Calvert says. “The conference program offers experienced speakers, engaging and interactive sessions and peer-to-peer networking opportunities. This conference also looked at how technology will affect the future of payroll functions and services.”

Payroll is a highly specialized task and regardless of companies’ size or industry sector, they must remain compliant while compensating their employees (and make the required tax and benefit deductions) with regularity and to local, provincial and national standards.

Your next pay cheque may just be generated by insight and intellectual capital gleaned at the CPA’s 34th conference.

For advice and insight on how to make your next professional training event pay off, contact the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre at 403.261.8500 or sales@calgary-convention.com.

calgary-convention.com BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2016

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MARKETING MATTERS // DAVID PARKER

Marketing Matters

BY DAVID PARKER

I

f it’s true that travel broadens the mind, then Chris McPhail and his staff at Strut Creative certainly got to know a lot about Alberta and B.C as they toured both provinces. They visited thousands of students while working with Canadian Geographic to take the Energy IQ program on the road.

Funded by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the innovative literacy program included a giant floor map, a professional educator and learning materials tailored to the two provinces’ unique energy production, transmission and consumption realities. It provided interactive online learning tools and curriculum-linked in-classroom teaching resources to schools across the country.

Last fall Strut wrote and produced a 60-second Grey Cup television spot celebrating the launch of Shell’s Quest carbon capture project. It was followed by a TV ad with a “Ride the Bus On US” experiential activation, with Shell giving away 500 Toronto Transit passes to help Canadians reduce their own emissions.

McPhail says the summer was very busy. Strut launched an investor portal for Arlington Street Investments, a cloud-based information system for South Calgary Primary Care Network, and is helping to rebrand the Elks – one of Calgary’s oldest golf clubs.

Strut has also been flying the Calgary creative flag with McPhail presenting a case study on its mobile crisis communications and volunteer platform to a group of Canada’s top executives at an event co-hosted by Google and Microsoft, and company founder Aaron Salus was keynote speaker at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference.

Todd Sloane, owner and creative lead at Tag Advertising, has always had a passion for the science fiction genre and over the years – since sci-fi TV movies and comic books – has amassed an impressive collection of ’50s and ’60s tin toy robots and space vehicles.

Now he has sculpted his own sci-fi version of the future creating a collection of robots assembled from vintage technology using knobs, gears, wires, vacuum tubes and gauges from radios and TVs to everyday household items.

The Salvaged Ones are quite incredible pieces of art that Sloane is exhibiting at Tag Advertising on Thursday, October 20.

Don’t miss it.

In light of our current economic troubles, Mosaic Communications has been expanding its reach into Quebec, Ontario, Montana, California and B.C. I attended a reception recently that Melodie Creegan and her staff organized to promote Spirit Bay, a new sustainable village on Vancouver Island. Mosaic is responsible for the branding, advertising and communications of the development.

Increased business has meant more staff: Margo McKee with Stronger Branding has teamed up with Mosaic as lead creative director and Sarah Hlapcic, previously co-owner of Beleza Swimwear, is in a business development role.

Parker’s Pick Congratulations to Jocelyn Flanagan on the 15th anniversary of e=mc² – now a team of 30 in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.

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Great Debates: A New Series A new series featuring topic experts on subjects of timely interest to Calgarians.

Offered in partnership with the University of Calgary’s Debate Society.

Registration required. All debates take place at Central Library.

GREAT DEBATES: The Green Line City Councillors Shane Keating, Brian Pincott, and Evan Woolley debate the importance of light rail and transit infrastructure.

October 27 | 7:00 pm GREAT DEBATES: CalgaryNEXT City Councillors Andre Chabot and GianCarlo Carra debate the pros and cons of the CalgaryNEXT multisport stadium.

November 23 | 7:00 pm For more details, visit calgarylibrary.ca

Chiu Rule of Business no. 013 |

The "Inside Joke"

1. Palm Slap

Extend right arm and slap each other’s hand.

2. Backswing

Follow through the motion. On the backswing, slap the other side of their hand.

Caution: Temper your swing’s velocity if jagged jewelry is present.

3. Oscillate Lean back, raise the other hand, and keep both index fingers pointed forward; confirm friendship by moving hands up and down.

Pro tip: Continue oscillation until the moment passes. If it doesn’t, slink away to end the interaction.

A proper introduction begins with a handshake

Chiu School of Business

Chiu School of Business