CPC Club Connections Winter Spring 2025-compressed
CALGARY PETROLEUM CLUB MEMBER NEWS AND EVENTS
LATIN NIGHT & SALSA
Spice Up Your Evening with Latin Flavors and Salsa Rhythms
SPEAK EASY NIGHT
Step Into the Jazz Age with Live Music and Elegance
WINE RELIEF FUNDRAISING DINNER
Raise a Glass to Support Okanagan Wineries in Need
JEFF NEWMAN
Canadian Mentalist and Magician will be Performing his Award-Winning Act at the Club
Unveiling Wine’s Secrets: From Ancient Cellars to Modern Masterpieces
Savour Fine Drams Beyond the Club Doors
Enjoy a Taste of the CPC Kitchen at Home
Redline Trio brings to life an attitude of a bygone era with a modern perspective.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello Members,
Happy New Year to each and every one of you! As we begin 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable year we just completed and to look ahead to the exciting opportunities that await us in the months to come.
The Calgary Petroleum Club continues to thrive thanks to your unwavering support and commitment. It is your active participation and enthusiasm that make this Club such a special place for all of us.
Looking ahead to 2025, I am filled with anticipation for the continued success of the Calgary Petroleum Club. With your support, I have no doubt that we will continue to build on our rich legacy, offering a dynamic and welcoming environment for our members.
Of note are two exciting new club events I encourage you to consider attending; the Speakeasy on Saturday, March1st and the performance by Mentalist, Jeff Newman on Friday, April 11th.
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I wish you a prosperous and successful New Year, filled with health, happiness, and memorable moments at the Club.
David Langlois President Calgary Petroleum Club
Kim Williams
Experience the Extraordinary: Discover Verity Club through Your Calgary Petroleum Club Membership
In the heart of downtown Toronto, the Verity Club offers a unique blend of elegance, opportunity, and tranquility designed exclusively for women.
This exclusive, members-only club is not just a destination but an experience. A sanctuary that blends professional growth, social connection, and personal rejuvenation.
Now, through your Calgary Petroleum Club (CPC) membership, you can access this remarkable space via our reciprocal club privileges.
Verity: A Haven for Connection and Inspiration
Imagine a day that begins with a workout in a state-of-the-art fitness studio, followed by a meeting in an elegantly designed boardroom, and ends with a gourmet dinner under the stars in a private courtyard. This is the essence of Verity: a vibrant 65,000-square-foot facility that caters to every aspect of a woman’s busy life.
Whether unwinding in the lounge, strategizing in a meeting room, or indulging in a signature massage, Verity offers an unparalleled atmosphere for personal and professional enrichment.
Reciprocal Access for CPC Members
As a Calgary Petroleum Club member, you have the unique privilege of accessing the Verity Club during your visits to Toronto. Experience the same warmth, exclusivity, and benefits that Verity members enjoy.
How to Access Verity
Before your visit, secure your access by requesting a letter of introduction from the CPC: Contact the Front Desk: 403-269-7981 Membership Coordinator: 403-260-6351
The CPC team will handle the arrangements, ensuring a seamless experience that connects you to the Verity community.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
The partnership between Calgary Petroleum Club and Verity Club reflects a shared dedication to enriching the lives of our members. Both clubs understand the importance of creating spaces where connections thrive, ideas flourish, and lives are enhanced.
Whether you’re meeting clients, hosting an event, or seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle, Verity welcomes you with open arms. It’s more than a club; it’s a celebration of possibility and purpose.
Don’t miss the chance to elevate your Toronto visits; explore the extraordinary at Verity Club through your CPC membership today.
By Luis Elias Obregon, CPC’s Sommelier and Matt Doherty, CPC Bar Manager
The origins of wine cellars can be traced back to ancient civilizations dating back to 1700 BCE. Once wine was assigned a monetary value for trade, wine storage techniques were developed to protect it, keeping it cool and shielded from the sun.
The first underground cellars were Roman catacombs unlocking the key to wine preservation. The first true wine cellars were discovered almost by accident in the Middle Ages. Large structures were made of stone, making them quite heavy and susceptible to the soil shifting beneath them.
To prevent this, elaborate underground support structures were built consisting of arches beneath the buildings, thus creating the perfect cellar with constant temperatures and no exposure to UV light. The French were the first to purposely build cellars intended purely for wine.
The Sommelier was the person in charge of managing the cellars during this period. Throughout the centuries, the position evolved to specialize in wine management solely with a big emphasis of knowledge of the products that such cellars contained. As the cooks transitioned from the nobility household into their own restaurants, the sommeliers also became a part of this new industry.
A wine cellar is a crucial element of a high end and fine dining establishment. With smaller scale operations being the new trend in the restaurant world, “Old School” wine cellars are starting to disappear throughout the world. At the Calgary Petroleum Club, we are lucky to have one of the best cellars in Western Canada with a depth not seen in most places.
When I first started here at the CPC, my mission was to only offer wines that were ready to drink
to our members. After several weeks of countless hours in January spent in our beautiful but chilly wine cellar, I was able to catalogue our inventory and thus create a “Cellaring Rotation System”. This would allow us every year to release wines into our Wine List that are ready to drink, while we mature the new purchases for future years to come.
Every January we will be releasing curated wines into our Wine List. There is no set rule to the magic. Everything depends on our stock levels and how each different vintage from different regions are evolving. Some wines might take longer to appear on our list since patience will pay off in terms of lifechanging wine moments.
Some examples of the wines that will be released this January 2025 include the stellar 2015 vintage in the Old World, as well as some examples of 2017. Look out for Bordeaux, Brunello and some Burgundy coming to our list. In terms of wines from the New World, expect more high-end 2020’s populating the list. This will include single vineyard wines from Argentina, as well as our Napa Valley favourites.
My first full year working at the Club was filled with memorable wine experiences that I would love to share with you. I’ve been a Sommelier for over 10 years and I’m confident to say that 2024 was the best wine year I’ve ever had! Thanks to the support of our members in the wine events we organized, I was lucky to taste some incredible wines from legendary vineyards and producers.
I can’t wait for all the wine events we have planned for you this 2025, as well as welcoming you when you come to dine with us. Thank you again for letting me be a part of your wine experiences here at the Club and let’s raise a glass until we meet again!
Here is a Top 10 List of the most memorable wines that I tasted this year from our cellar with a brief description:
1. Chateau Grillet 2004 - Northern Rhone Valley Viognier where the winery is the sole producer of this 4ha appellation. After 20 years, it still expressed an unparalleled elegance and long lasting mouth feel.
2. Chateau Haut Brion 1999 - Part of the exclusive Haut Brion vertical we hosted, this particular vintage was the one that stood out the most for me in a very memorable tasting.
3. Comte Georges de Vogue Bourgogne Blanc 2011 - Sole producer that makes a white Musigny with young vines declassified as entry level Bourgogne. Very few bottles are produced every year and I was lucky to showcase this producer at a wine dinner.
4. Hewitson Old Garden Mourvèdre 2004Oldest planted Mourvèdre in the world from the Barossa Valley. This was a grateful surprise of one of my favourite grapes.
5. Trimbach Cuvée Frederich Emile Riesling 2006 - Another of my favourite grapes that showed beautifully during our Volcanic Wines dinner.
6. Max Von Ritcher Wehlener Sonnehur Riesling Spatlese 2011 - The “Sun dial” is one the most famous vineyards for Riesling in the world. This was the wine paired with dessert in the dinner organized to introduce myself to our members.
7. Travaglini Tre Vigne Gattinara 2012Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo that found its prime moment to drink at a great value on our wine list.
8. Shafer Hillside Select Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - The main wine during our Shafer wine dinner hosted in October. Iconic wine from Napa that after two decades was at its most delicious state.
9. J.L. Chave Hermitage Rouge 2004 - The rockstar winemaker of this legendary appellation that would make the hermit proud of what was achieved.
10. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 2015 - This was the biggest wine event I’ve ever hosted with the Baron Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild presenting his delicious wines at our exclusive lunch we were lucky to host during Stampede.
BACK TO BUSINESS
The Calgary Petroleum Club had the pleasure of hosting a captivating conversation with Dave Taylor, a trailblazer in Calgary’s marketing and advertising industry. Known for his entrepreneurial journey and his ability to adapt to Calgary’s everchanging economic landscape, Taylor shared his insights on business growth, relationshipbuilding, and the importance of strategic alliances .
Building Relationships: The Foundation of Entrepreneurial Success
In a world where digital advertising often feels impersonal and transactional, Dave Taylor, co-founder of In Front Marketing, has carved a unique path by prioritizing relationships over revenue. During his interview on the Calgary Petroleum Club’s Back to Business podcast, Dave shared his journey from a high-paying corporate job to launching a marketing agency that has become a trusted partner for clients like the Calgary Flames and other major sports organizations.
The
Turning
Point: A Leap into Entrepreneurship
Dave’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 when he left the security of his corporate role to address a gap he had identified in the marketing industry. “The clients that I was working with were seeing such a struggle investing their advertising dollars
and not necessarily having any sort of clarity on what it was doing for them,” he explained. Frustrated by the lack of transparency in digital media’s impact, Dave created a solution that would empower business owners to better understand their return on investment.
Launching In Front Marketing was not without its challenges. Dave and his business partner, John McCollum, spent two years building the agency from the ground up. They worked long hours—sometimes waiting tables to make ends meet— while refining their business model. “For us, it was two years of sweat equity of working in restaurants, trying to figure out what our business really was,” Dave recalled. Their perseverance paid off, as the agency has now celebrated eight years in business and continues to grow.
COVID-19: A Catalyst for Connection
2020 posed unprecedented challenges for businesses worldwide, and In Front Marketing was no exception. “We lost, to be quite frank, half a million dollars in three months at the beginning of COVID,” Dave revealed. Yet, rather than retreating, Dave and his team doubled down on their core values. “We stopped selling and just started building relationships,” he said. By focusing on genuine connections and offering support without a sales agenda, the agency not only weathered the storm but also doubled its revenue by the end of the year.
Dave’s approach underscores a key principle: entrepreneurship is about more than making sales. It’s about creating value and fostering trust.
“One of the worst things you can do is try to pay your rent off the back of your business,” Dave advised. He emphasized the importance of supplementary income to alleviate financial stress, allowing entrepreneurs to invest their time and energy in growing their ventures.
Building a Sustainable Business
Reflecting on his experiences, Dave shared several actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. First and foremost, patience and strategic planning are critical. “How can this become a side hustle until it’s a full-time job?” he asked, encouraging new business
owners to take incremental steps. He also highlighted the importance of building a strong network of relationships and strategic alliances. “Who are the relationships that I need to know to make sales, and who are the strategic alliances I can get to grow my business?” he asked.
For Dave, success lies in understanding that business growth is a marathon, not a sprint. He advised entrepreneurs to resist the temptation to rush into full-time operations without a clear plan. “It takes a little bit of understanding of what you’re about to get into before going to the registry and getting that name on paper,” he said.
The Future of Marketing
As In Front Marketing continues expanding its footprint, Dave remains committed to the principles guiding his journey. His focus on transparency, accountability, and relationshipbuilding has set the agency apart in a competitive industry. By prioritizing his clients’ success over short-term gains, Dave has built a thriving business and earned the trust and loyalty of those he serves.
For Calgary’s business community, Dave’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of resilience, adaptability, and human connection. His journey illustrates that by focusing on the needs of others, entrepreneurs can create lasting impact, both for their clients and for themselves.
Dave Taylor is a creative thinker and seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in advertising and creative messaging. As the co-founder of In Front Marketing, Taylor has worked with a diverse range of clients across industries, often managing campaigns for over 500 clients annually. His innovative approach focuses on addressing the challenges businesses face in understanding and leveraging digital advertising to drive measurable results.
INDULGE YOUR SENSES
Award-winning dining, artisanal cocktails, and panoramic views at Calgary’s most exquisite dining destination.
Introducing the Calgary Petroleum Club’s New Whisky Take-Home Promotion
We are thrilled to announce a unique new offering for our valued members at the Calgary Petroleum Club: our Whisky Take-Home Promotion. Starting this month (January), you can now enjoy a memorable dram of your favorite whisky from our curated collection — and take a small portion home with you to savor at your leisure.
As part of this exclusive member benefit, you can purchase anywhere from 1 to 4 ounces of any whisky from our extensive selection, which includes some of the finest single malts, blended whiskies, and rare finds.
Whether you’re a connoisseur seeking to expand your collection, or simply looking to indulge in something special from our bar, this opportunity allows you to enjoy the flavours you love, even after you’ve left the Club.
The whisky is carefully poured into a take-home container, sealed for freshness and quality, so you can savor the same exceptional taste at home. It’s the perfect way to relive the experience of your evening at the Club with a dram in your favorite whisky glass.
This promotion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our members with exceptional, exclusive experiences. The Calgary Petroleum Club is known for its world-class atmosphere, and we are always looking for new ways to enhance your time with us. With this new offering, you now have the chance to bring a bit of that atmosphere into your home.
Be sure to ask your bartender next time you visit the Club for more information on how to take advantage of this exciting new promotion. We look forward to seeing you soon, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy our whisky collection in a whole new way!
Cheers to unforgettable moments!
FROM THE KITCHEN
MISO ORANGE
GLAZED SALMON
By Joanna Astudillo, CPC’s Executive Chef
Ingredients
For the Glaze:
¼ cup mirin
¼ cup sake
4 Tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice (from a small orange)
• 4–6 Tbsp miso paste
For the Salmon:
4 salmon fillets (skin on or off, your preference)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1–2 tsp Dijon mustard (non-grainy preferred, but seeded is okay) Black and white sesame seeds (toasted, optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Glaze:
• Combine mirin, sake, brown sugar, orange juice, and miso paste in a small pot. Heat over low flame and whisk until smooth. Bring to a gentle boil for about 1 minute, then remove from heat. Allow the glaze to cool; it will thicken slightly.
• If the glaze is too thin, mix equal parts cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the glaze while heating to thicken as needed.
• Adjust ingredients to taste, keeping in mind that miso can be salty.
2. Prepare the Salmon: Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
• Heat a non-stick frying pan or ovenproof skillet over high heat.
• Rub olive oil on the salmon skin and season the fillets with salt and pepper.
• Place the fillets skin-side down in the hot pan and sear for 3–4 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
3.Season and Roast:
• Transfer the salmon fillets to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Brush the flesh side of the salmon with Dijon mustard. This helps the sesame seeds stick and adds flavor
• Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds (optional).
4. Bake the Salmon: Roast in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Add the Glaze: Pour the miso glaze over the salmon halfway through baking or after it is cooked. For a balanced presentation, you can glaze only half the fish.
6. Optional for Whole Fillet:
• If preparing a whole fillet, you can skip the searing step. Simply season the Dijon side, apply sesame seeds, and roast as directed.
CP C SPRING EVENTS
A NIGHT AT THE SPEAKEASY WITH THE REDLINE TRIO
AN EXCLUSIVE EVENING OF AWARD-WINNING JAZZ
Step back in time to the glamorous days of the Prohibition era, where the air was thick with jazz, the drinks were strong, and the conversation was lively. On March 1, join us at the Calgary Petroleum Club for an unforgettable evening at “A Night at the Speakeasy,” featuring The Redline Trio—an awardwinning jazz ensemble that has captured the heart of Calgary’s music scene.
Renowned for their exceptional musicianship and eclectic mix of classic jazz standards and contemporary influences, The Redline Trio will transport you to an era where the jazz was hot, the atmosphere electric, and the rhythms irresistible. Whether you’re a longtime jazz aficionado or new to the genre, their smooth and sophisticated sounds will make for a night to remember.
Enjoy this exclusive event for just $40 per person, or elevate your experience with dinner and the
show for $100. The three-course dinner will feature exquisite dishes prepared with the finest ingredients, complementing the mood of the evening. Indulge in flavors that evoke the timeless elegance of the Jazz Age, all while enjoying the live performance of Calgary’s own award-winning trio.
This event offers an intimate setting that brings the best of both worlds—an incredible dining experience and world-class live jazz music. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a busy week or celebrate a special occasion with friends or colleagues, “A Night at the Speakeasy” is the perfect choice.
Seating is limited for this exclusive night of music and fine dining, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable experience. Reserve your spot today and immerse yourself in a night of music, memories, and timeless elegance at the Calgary Petroleum Club!
Is Experiential Marketing Part of Your Marketing Mix for 2025?
What is Experiential Marketing(XM)? Simply put, it is a strategy for building customer loyalty and brand awareness by curating custom experiences that elicit an emotional response, create memories and influence buying behaviour.
It may sound complicated and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as bringing your clients together for a curated activity where they have some fun and get to know you and your brand better. We all know people are more likely to buy from or work with someone they know, like and trust. Experiential marketing is a great way to do that.
In 2023, Agency EA, reported that industry professionals ranked experiential events as the most effective marketing tactic at a whopping (38.34%). This is followed by digital advertising at (19.69%), content marketing (12.44%), partnerships/ sponsorships (9.33%), and traditional advertising (7.25%).
XM can take many forms such as pop-ups, tradeshow booth design,
brand activations, workshops, seminars, and one-off events. It isn’t just for selling tangible products, it’s also about shaping the perception of a brand. A favourite example is when we helped an international law firm maintain connection with their clients by hosting a series of hands-on virtual workshops.
Clients and lawyers were seated at virtual tables together and instructed on how to build something (a seasonal floral or gourmet charcuterie board) using materials that had been shipped to their homes.
There was laughter, learning, camaraderie and maybe some wine involved. This shared experience not only deepened the relationships between the lawyers and their clients, but it also demonstrated that the firm saw its clients as people, not just a bottom line. It was very effective.
Get creative and explore opportunities to add Experiential Marketing to your marketing mix and make a deeper connection with your customers.
Kimberly Beaune, CMP CSEP, is the Owner and Event Strategist at Creative Twist Inc. An awardwinning event planning and design firm. What stories can she help you tell? Visit creativetwist.ca
EMPOWER YOUR FUTURE: JOIN THE CPC FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM 2025
Embark on a journey of professional growth with the Calgary Petroleum Club’s Future Leaders Program, starting January 17, 2025.
Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in Calgary, this program, now in its second year, is a testament to our longstanding commitment to young professionals.
We offer an unparalleled opportunity to enhance leadership, confidence, and innovation skills, rooted in the club’s vibrant history of fostering and supporting emerging talents in the business community. Join us to shape your future and the future of our city.
2025 Session Dates: Jan. 17 - Mar. 14 - May 9 - Sept. 19 - Nov. 7
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Educational Seminars: Insightful sessions with varied topics.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and industry leaders.
Skill Development: Focus on confidence, adaptability, creativity, entrepreneurship, energy literacy, financial literacy, leadership, and etiquette.
Accreditation and Alumni Connections: Gain recognition and long-term benefits.
Join the leaders of tomorrow. Register today!
HOW TO JOIN
Eligibility: Open to Young Professional members of the Calgary Petroleum Club, or a spousal member under the age of 36.
Start Date: January 17, 2025.
Registration: Free, but required. Contact Info: call 403-260-6367 or email communications@calpeteclub.com
We ask all Club members to please email a recent headshot of yourself to: memberships@calpeteclub.com so that we can add this to your electronic member file. This will enhance the security of your membership and assist our staff In getting to know you by name.
It’s Personal is one of our core values, and knowing you by name reinforces this value.
You can also upload a photo of yourself, via the members side of the Club website.
If you require assistance logging in, contact the club at 403-260-6367 or by email: contactus@calpeteclub.com
FIND US ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLAYERS
Club Hours
Monday-Friday: 7am-close
Saturday: 5pm-close
Club Closures:
Jan 1- 6: Holiday Closure
Friday, Jan 10: Club Closes at 3pm
Saturday, Jan 11: Closed for staff party
Feb. 15-17: Family Day Closure
Friday April 18-19: Easter Closure
Monday, April 21: Easter Monday
319 5th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 0L5 contactus@calpeteclub.com 403-269-7981
