When walking around downtown Calgary, it’s likely you’ve strolled past the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC), completely unaware of the magic happening inside.
“The centre is a blank canvas — by design,” says Kurby Court, the Centre’s President and CEO. “When an event goes up here, the space absolutely transforms. It’s incredible to experience.”
A mainstay of Calgary’s downtown, the CTCC has transformed a lot over its 50 years. When the doors officially opened in 1974, the CTCC was the first purpose-built convention centre in Canada. Over the years, millions of guests have passed through the building’s doors, occupying its halls and meeting rooms. And as more and more people became aware of the kinds of events the CTCC hosts, it needed to grow to accommodate the demand.
In 2000, a second building was added to the CTCC footprint, cementing the centre as one of the largest convention venues in all of Alberta.
Over the last 50 years, the CTCC has hosted thousands of events — from local galas and meetings to large international conventions such as the World Petroleum Congress. In the last year alone, the centre has held over 160 successful events.
“We are the most connected convention destination in Alberta,” affirms Court.
The CTCC boasts 1,100 connected hotel rooms, an LRT station located off its north building and world-class art facilities that can be accessed without going outside. Also, the CTCC is minutes away from award-winning culinary experiences and sophisticated cocktail lounges located on Stephen Avenue. “Our location provides our guests with a variety of experiences only steps away from our doors,” Court adds.
The CTCC team also ensures that the people who walk through the doors do more than just attend an event. The goal is for attendees to have an experience that’s memorable for all the right reasons. The team works closely with every client to anticipate their needs and elevate their events to exceed expectations.
“Our people are experts at what they do,” says Erin Dawson, the CTCC’s director of sales and events. “They are not just setting up tables; it’s about making it perfect and taking pride in their work to execute our clients’ vision. We are not just a building; the CTCC is about the people in the building who make things happen.”
A big part of what Dawson describes starts with creating a safe space for each person who sets foot into the building. The CTCC leadership team has made tremendous strides to foster an inclusive and welcoming workplace. The CTCC is a Rainbow Registered business, which means it’s a nationally recognized by the CGLCC as a 2SLGBTQI+ friendly workplace and business.
The CTCC is also recognized by the Alberta Living Wage Network as a living wage employer. This allows employees of the CTCC to feel confident and comfortable when they come to work, knowing they are empowered to be successful and deliver their best.
And last year, members of the team took part in a walking land acknowledgement tour and workshop with a local Indigenous leader and Blackfoot Elder to better understand the stories, histories and truths of the Indigenous peoples from Treaty 7 territory, the land on which the centre sits.
“We’re in the business of creating brave and safe spaces to host impactful conversations,” says Court. “Our overall goal is to not only improve our knowledge but to have a positive impact on the communities we serve.”
To learn more, visit calgary-convention.com.
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