Contents PUBLISHERS Tim Ottmann Pat Ottmann
Volume 18 • Number 12 www.businessincalgary.com
On our cover… Tom Jackson
EDITOR
Cover
Derek Sankey
COPY EDITOR Lisa Johnston
The CEO of Giving
36
Tough Times for Investment Decisions
20
Helicopter Sector Still Soaring in Calgary Region Despite Downturn
25
Aviation Directory
28
Funding Continuing Education: Worthy Investment or Bad Financial Risk?
32
Charities Feel the Economic Squeeze
77
Year in Review: A Look Back at the Big Business Stories of a Wild Year
82
Actor and musician Tom Jackson makes the business case for giving in tight economic times as he launches Singing for Supper in December By Derek Sankey
Art Director
Cher Compton cher@businessincalgary.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS katalist studios & Kenji Doshida
By Shelly Brimble
ADMINISTRATION
Lisa Sexsmith info@businessincalgary.com Kim Hogan kim@businessincalgary.com
By Shelly Brimble
REGULAR COLUMNISTS Richard Bronstein Frank Atkins Peter Menzies David Parker Heather Ryan
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Shelly Brimble Sandra Sweet Saad Bashir
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cover photo courtesy of Mathieson and Hewitt Photographers
36
By Derek Sankey
ADVERTISING SALES
Bobbi Joan O’Neil bobbi@businessincalgary.com Brent Trimming brent@businessincalgary.com Carla Wright carla@businessincalgary.com Evelyn Nykyforuk evelyn@businessincalgary.com Nikki Mullett nikki@businessincalgary.com
Company Profile Bantrel Anniversary profile
Leading with Energy for a Quarter Century
Winter 2008 Newsletter
Bernie Cooke bernie@businessincalgary.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Can Barack Obama Save Calgary?
25
6 • DECEMBER 2008 BUSINESS IN CALGARY
10
The Future is All About Rodeo
12
Real Estate Analysis
73
By Frank Atkins
Tourism Calgary
100
Leading Business
104
Marketing Matters
110
Current developments for Tourism Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, and Calgary Technologies Inc.
By David Parker
77
8
The City Hall Mess
By Heather Ryan
The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 41126516
www.businessincalgary.com
By Richard Bronstein
By Peter Menzies
Business in Calgary is delivered to over 33,500 business people every month including Banff, Canmore, Chamber Members and the City of Calgary .
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. 1025 101 6th Ave. SW Calgary, AB T2P 3P4 info@businessincalgary.com
85
Regular Columns
EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Online at www.businessincalgary.com Annual rates: $31.50 $45 USA $85 International Single Copy $3.50
41
BOMA
DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING
1025, 101 6th Ave. SW Calgary, AB T2P 3P4 Tel: (403) 264-3270 Fax: (403) 264-3276 Email: info@businessincalgary.com
Non-profits turn to online giving amid downturn in philanthropy By Business in Calgary staff