Avenue‘s annual Top 40 Under 40 celebration, presented in association with connectFirst Credit Union, University of Calgary and Calgary Chamber, is right around the corner, and while the Avenue editorial team and its parent company RedPoint Media are thrilled to finally reveal the class of 2023, we’ve also planned our biggest and best party yet that will honour and celebrate 25 years of the Top 40 program and its alumni.
But, this event isn’t just for those who’ve made the list (tickets are still available online). Here are four reasons to attend the 2023 party on November 2 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
It’s the Professional Networking Event of the Season
Because the Top 40 Under 40 program welcomes nominations from professionals in any industry — everything from arts to academia, business to tech, energy to medicine, community-building to the non-profit sector and more — the annual celebration is attended by hundreds of engaged Calgarians from a diverse range of backgrounds, professions and associations. And since the evening is a hybrid celebration and networking atmosphere, we’ve made sure to think of even the smallest details, such as complimentary coat check for all guests (generously sponsored by Oxford Properties Group), colourful, branded name tags, and working with the Jubilee to organize an extended selection of non-alcoholic beverages that are available for purchase throughout the evening.
There’s A Top Tier Local Music Lineup
Three musical acts will be performing at various times throughout the party. Expect to hear from Ginger Beef, the local, instrumental pop collaboration between husband and wife team Warren Tse (organist for the Calgary Flames) and Jiajia Li (acclaimed flautist and artistic director of the Calgary Chinese Orchestra); the Russell Broom Memorial Orchestra, a lively, local band headed up by Russell Broom, former guitarist for Jann Arden; and local artist Kenna Burima (Top 40 alumna, class of 2015), who is performing a very special set to and for the Top 40s.
There Will Be Lots of Delicious Food and Drink Options
With so many Avenue readers being foodies, we’re delighted to have a variety of options to snack on throughout the night including passed hors d’oeuvres, three food-specific stations (a taco station, a pad Thai station and a sirloin station), and desserts, all catered by Hotel Arts. Some Top 40 sponsors will be offering goodies too, like the Calgary Chamber’s cupcake station featuring its signature Crave cupcake.
Enjoy Exciting Activations and Photo Opportunities
There are fun, candid event photos, and then there are fun, candid, high-resolution event photos taken by professional photographers and suitable for both your personal Instagram or your LinkedIn account. You can get both kinds of photos at the Top 40 party through different activations. Have your photo taken in front of the official Top 40 media wall managed by TKShotz, at the Pure Portraits Photo Booth in the Bloom Benefits lounge or by our professional event photographers throughout the night.
Thanks to UCalgary, you can also have your portrait drawn at the UCalgary Spark Lounge via a unique robotic drawing tool. If robotic portraits aren’t for you, stop by the UCalgary Spark Lounge anyway to snag a 3D-printed Dino and, if you’re a Top 40 alumni, a special gift.
For the art fans, make sure to visit the interactive art project presented by our partner the Telus Convention Centre, which is bringing visual artist and Top 40 alumnus Dean Stanton (class of 2003) to complete an on-site, original art piece that all attendees can participate in creating and then enter to win to take home.
Get your tickets now at avenuecalgary.com/T40tickets
The Top 40 Under 40 is made possible thanks to our sponsors: connectFirst Credit Union, University of Calgary, Calgary Chamber, Oxford Properties Group, TKShotz, Global News, Pacific Wine & Spirits, Vivienne Huisman Real Estate and Vendo Media.