We're Back Annual Report 2022
Wellington Holbrook
Chair, Board of Directors
We are back in business!
After a very challenging environment in 2020 and 2021, 2022 can only be described as a very strong recovery year for the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC). The pandemic had considerable impacts on the Centre and 2022 marked a return to ‘almost’ normal operations. We were pleased to welcome a significant number of conventions and conferences to our space for the first time since the beginning of 2020. These events showed that Calgary was open for business again as we welcomed many folks from our city, from across Canada and from around the world to the CTCC.
As business returned to the Centre, our workforce also proudly returned to work in 2022 and by the latter half of the year, we were more or less operating at full capacity. As we hosted numerous events for our clients and delegates, our employees made the Centre, and our city, proud by showing the world our famous hospitality, professionalism and humanity.
The Board of Directors is incredibly proud of our team that has been so resilient despite the challenges the pandemic had previously caused. We recognize that we are fortunate to have world class employees, and leadership. They give us the confidence to look ahead with optimism as the CTCC leans into 2023 with an ambitious agenda to drive more business to our city and create more value for our stakeholders and citizens.
2022 was a year where it was refreshing to be looking to the future again. In 2020 and 2021, our biggest concern was maintaining the viability of the Centre through the pandemic. That changed in 2022 where we shifted our focus to how we can be better and how we can bring a higher order of value to Calgary.
The board and management reset our strategy to focus on sustainable growth, in the coming years, by building a great team and thinking bigger about the actions we will take to drive more economic and social value to our city. An active convention centre brings business travellers that have four times the economic impact compared to a leisure traveller.
We worked closely with stakeholders and partners on building a more prosperous future for downtown. We have started to re-imagine how we can develop the unique role of the CTCC as we revitalize Stephen Avenue and the surrounding areas.
Today, we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, with an optimism that the CTCC will play an exciting and important role showing off the outstanding city we all get to call home.
Sincerely,
Wellington Holbrook
Chair, Board of Directors
Kurby Court
President and CEO
2022 can only be described as a year of transition. As we emerged out of COVID and welcomed business events back safely. I am proud of the team at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) for their commitment to rebuilding Calgary as an ultimate host destination.
We started 2022 still working under COVID restrictions. In April, we pivoted quickly to executing a solid three months of compressed business. We got back to what we do best: transforming our space into creative and unique experiences for our clients and delegates.
While our building came back to life, our sales team continued to work diligently with clients to find new dates to host previously booked events. They worked proactively in international, national and local markets selling out to 2029.
In 2022, the CTCC held over 160 successful events. With our Centre once again activated, it was a good reminder of our larger purpose. We don’t just provide a space for delegates to gather; we provide a brave space—for challenging conversations. A space that breaks down barriers, inspires new ideas and innovation, creates meaningful memories, and elevates big ideas and important causes.
Every day we are reminded of our collective responsibility. Located on Treaty 7 lands, we began our important journey towards truth and reconciliation which included our learnings of the truths and meaning of land acknowledgements. Through a walking land acknowledgment tour, reflections from within, and working with elders we now have a land acknowledgement that is representative of the land we are on as a gathering space.
2022 saw us reimagining our space and how we can make an indelible impact on everyone who comes to the Centre. This is a continuous journey, one where we constantly challenge ourselves to be truly representative of the community in which we live, the community of our clients, and the community of delegates who walk through our space. To that end, we became the first Convention Centre in Canada to be certified by the Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce as Rainbow Registered. We are also now recognized as a living wage employer by Alberta Living Wage.
In December, we earned Green Key Meeting certification. Green Key Global is the meetings industry standard on environmental sustainability and we’re proud to continue our work with Green Key Global to further implement their recommendations.
Throughout the year, we continued to work collaboratively and have open communication with our partners, stakeholders and the community; including advocacy work to positively position the Centre and become a thought leader for the industry and the destination.
None of this would have been possible without the commitment, dedication and passion of the team members at the CTCC. They show up everyday to help us build a better facility and a better city. Their hard work is crucial to our success as a convention centre. They are the reason we were able to get back to business!
Kurby Court
President and CEO
Wellington Holbrook
Chair, Board of Directors
Financial Technology Professional
Gillian Basford
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors
Principal
Consultant, Delcor
Management Inc
Robert Palmer
Chair, Audit and Finance Committee
Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Calgary Airport Authority
Ranju Shergill
Chair, HR and Governance Committee
Partner & Executive Recruiter,
Pekarsky & Co.
Jyoti Gondek was sworn in as Calgary’s 37th mayor on October 25th, 2022 – the first woman to hold the position. We’re proud to welcome her to our board of directors, continuing our strong relationship with the City. Together, we’re ready to achieve great things.
Jyoti Gondek
Director
Mayor,
The City of Calgary
Terry Wong
Director
City Councillor, Ward 7, The City of
Calgary
Katie Black
Director
General Manager, Community Services
Department, The City of Calgary
Barry Hensch
Director
Information Technology
Professional
Chi Illya-Ndule
Director
Associate,
Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP
Micheal Selci
Director
Senior Vice-President, Financing
and Consulting
Business Development Bank of Canada
Sean Wilson
Director
Senior Vice President,
Chief Administrative and Sustainability Officer,
Gibson Energy
Board Notes
The CCCA maintains active operating agreements for:
Maintenance and repair of retail spaces owned by the City of Calgary in the CTCC North Building
Operations and maintenance of the shared loading dock in the CTCC North Building (with the City of Calgary and Balboa Land Investments)
Maintenance, repair, and cleaning of the Glenbow Museum
The Convention Centre and Business Rights Agreement (naming rights with TELUS)
The exclusive Food and Beverage Agreement with Calgary Downtown Mariott Hotel
In-House Partners
The CCCA is thankful for its trusted relationships with these preferred suppliers, which supplement the products and services offered by the CTCC staff:
Outside Partners
The CCCA also partners with these local and national organizations to leverage our reach, resources, and expertise:
As an active member of the convention and meeting industry, the CTCC belongs to the following local, national, and international trade organizations:
In line with our strategy, we managed to achieve numerous accomplishments in 2022. In the reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to develop our facilities for greater comfort and safety, while also making concerted efforts to improve our outreach on multiple levels. We also upheld our commitments as a vital part of the Calgary downtown core, collaborating with neighbours and partners to revitalize the streets surrounding our Convention Centre.
We are now better equipped to welcome guests from around the world, allowing them to experience Calgary like never before.
Performed work on North and South buildings, including developing cohesive wayfinding signage, installing water fill stations, and general electrical and mechanical upgrades.
Received Green Key Global Certification, Level 3.
Reaccreditation for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR program – important safety and environmental designations.
Implemented a Whistle Messaging Service which increased internal and external communication and efficiencies with our clients and stakeholders.
Developed a Public Event Threshold Plan (line control, crowd management, personnel and equipment requirements including barriers and time return tickets.)
Collaborated with Calgary Parking Authority to assist our clients on parking availability when coming to an event.
Completed renovations and upgrades including:
Became the first convention centre in Canada to be certified by Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce as Rainbow Registered.
Received Certification as a living wage employer by Alberta Living Wage Network.
Conducted crisis communications planning and training.
Collaborated with marketing agency to re-brand the CTCC and reframe marketing strategies for a post-pandemic world.
Engaged a communications agency to amplify the CTCC’s external messaging.
Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations started in their role.
Built a comprehensive Public Relations strategy.
Completed research and developed a framework for a new website to launch alongside rebrand.
Generated a total of 498 new leads as far ahead as 2029.
Executed 139 contracts as far out as 2028.
International Market:
Expanded the sales and event management teams to reflect the current market demand, including the addition of a Director of Sales & Event Management.
In market sales activities resumed to an almost prepandemic level with our sales team representing the CTCC throughout Canada, USA, and Europe.
Continued participation with Downtown Coordinated Safety and Security Committee focusing on improving the vibrancy and safety of one of Calgary’s downtown hubs.
Member of the Plus 15 Advisory Committee, which provides strategic advice to the City Administration and City Council on their decisions related to the Plus 15 network.
Collaborated with Glenbow Museum as a stakeholder in the design and development of their renovation project.
Worked with various charitable organizations in providing discounted space for their activities
Ongoing collaboration with the Centre Street Platform project group on the artwork design for the LRT platform.
Continued focus on building strong relationships/partnerships with our neighbours, suppliers, and partners.
Contributed to the Convention Centre Safety subcommittee through International Association of Venue Management.
