From groundbreaking spaces to unmatched hospitality, Calgary is ready to host your next world-class event. visitcalgary.com/meetings Calgary rolled out the blue carpet for Rotary International’s global convention, welcoming 15,000+ attendees from more than 120 countries. With 1,400 local volunteers supporting the effort, the BMO Centre and Scotiabank Saddledome hosted the main events, anchoring a city-wide experience that radiated with energy and exceptional hospitality. STANDOUT MOMENTS: • A Blue Sky City welcome, with performers, volunteers and Tourism Calgary information kiosks, awaited delegates at the airport and host hotels. • A custom Rotary Experience Pass offered attendees exclusive discounts on dining, attractions and tours. • Downtown pop-ups by Right Out of the Blue Crew volunteers surprised delegates with local favourite, Righteous Gelato. • Wayfi nding elements—including signage and photo ops—guided delegates from the BMO Centre throughout downtown along pedestrian routes and transit corridors. • Grandstand Spectacular, a signature event—with Indigenous hoop dancing, horseback relays, fi reworks and a White Hat ceremony—gave attendees a taste of the iconic Stampede experience. “Some large cities can sort of swallow an event. If you get a block away from the convention hall, you might have no idea that the event is going on. That’s not the case in Calgary. Our businesses and our residents truly appreciate you being here.” — Craig Stokke, co-chair of the Rotary Host Organizing Committee Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Werklund Centre (Rendering) Glenbow (Rendering) DOWNTOWN REIMAGINED Calgary’s historic Stephen Avenue is undergoing a bold transformation into a thriving, all-season destination in the heart of the city. With completion set for June 2026, the project will update aging infrastructure, refresh streetscapes and public spaces and enhance walkability, creating a rich urban environment where visitors and locals alike can dine, shop and connect. Stephen Avenue is home to the state-of- the-art Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) steps from the city’s cultural landmarks, including the Glenbow museum, Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza. The CTCC connects directly to hotels, Bankers Hall and The Core via the +15 Skywalk network, keeping guests comfortably indoors during colder months. CULTURAL CAMPUS By 2028, a new era will begin for Calgary’s cultural sector as the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) reimagines the city’s premier performing arts centre and breathes new life into Olympic Plaza. As part of the $660 million redevelopment, Werklund Centre (formally Arts Commons) will be expanded with the addition of a new three-level facility boasting a 1,000- seat performance hall and 200-seat studio theatre. The existing building will be upgraded with enhanced accessibility and state-of-the-art amenities and technology. The $70-million revitalization of the adjacent Olympic Plaza will deliver a vibrant, all- season, community gathering space, featuring a fl exible outdoor venue that can host gatherings for up to 5,000 people, a skating rink and a pavilion with seating. Scan the QR code and see why planners choose Calgary for unforgettable events. GLENBOW REIMAGINED To be unveiled as the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture in the spring of 2026, the Glenbow museum is undergoing an extensive transformation into a visually striking cultural destination and inclusive space for innovation, creativity and connection. Highlights include new street- level entrances, a 13,000-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace overlooking downtown landmarks and a new theatre, with its extensive collection of artistic works showcased across 44 exhibitions. Spanning eight storeys and 325,000 sq. ft., the museum will offer free general admission, and is purposefully designed without cognitive, cultural, economic, social or physical barriers, making arts and culture accessible to all visitors. CASE STUDY: ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, JUNE 21-25, 2025 Sponsored Feature | Ignitemag.ca | 29
