Calgary, Banff, and Edmonton are meeting venues in well-known Alberta destinations that provide more than just a space to convene, they each make a difference through unique philanthropic initiatives.
Banff
At the Banff Centre, a portion of net meeting revenue annually supports thousands of young artists, creative thinkers, and thought leaders. The Centre’s three-pronged goal is to provide access through increased scholarships across its multiple arts development programs; foster excellence through renowned creative mentors to attract, develop, and continuously inspire emerging and established artists; and move the works of young minds from concept onto a world stage.
Through the initiative, the Banff Centre shares their beneficiaries’ creative works year-round by showcasing their public performances, film screenings, readings, dance recitals, and art exhibitions for public enjoyment. The artists and supporters come together to inspire and develop exceptional artistic talent and share innovative new work to creatively and economically enrich communities.
Young artists find the support and infrastructure they need to truly innovate through training and development offered at the post-graduate level in music, theatre, Indigenous, literary, visual, digital, and film and media arts.
The Banff Centre also facilitates partnerships with other arts organizations and companies to create and present new work. Banff Centre is uniquely positioned to help artists succeed on the national and international stage, largely due to their meetings and events capabilities and service offerings.
Calgary
Calgary has two convention centres, the Calgary Telus Convention Centre and the BMO Centre at the Calgary Stampede.
A meeting at the BMO Centre helps to fund a series of youth enrichment initiatives centered around the arts, local culture, and global impact. The Stampede Showband is a performance-oriented educational program for 140 young musicians and dancers who perform more than 200 times before a global audience during the annual 10-day Stampede. For the same number of youth, the Young Canadians School for the Performing Arts provides voice, musical theatre, gymnastics and dance instruction through a scholarship-based program.
The Stampede School provides week-long western heritage and values learning experiences for 800 students from 1st grade to high school. Mentor experts include members from the Treaty 7 First Nations, a professional horse trainer, cowboys, and western artists.
Lastly, every year through philanthropic initiatives, 4,300 youth learn world food sustainability through a virtual reality program that takes them to three family farms in Kenya, India, and Canada. They learn best practices and how to make decisions that positively impact society, the environment, and the local economies of these families while feeding the world and improving social performance through greater access to education, medical care and community infrastructure.
Edmonton
The Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton activates philanthropic programs as part of its regular mandate to promote the talents and artworks of local community members, showcase the city’s rich indigenous heritage, and bring relief to Edmontonians who may be experiencing hard times. Through these programs, the Centre demonstrates an unwavering commitment to social progress, art initiatives and community engagement.
Throughout the convention centre and surrounding area stands artwork of all mediums, shapes, and sizes that have deeper value than their captivating outward appearances. Each work is born from an Edmontonian from every socio-economic background, whether it’s a young child or established artist.
One example, the Shaw Centre partners with the Edmonton School boards to curate student-created pieces. Thirty works from each school board are displayed at the centre where over half a million visitors can marvel at the creativity of the city’s young and aspiring artists.
Additionally, in an effort to preserve and promote the city’s indigenous heritage, in 2015, the Centre unveiled a Community Medicine Wheel Garden on the rooftop of the Riverview Room. Throughout time, indigenous communities have worked with medicine wheels for sacred rituals, ceremonies, everyday blessings, cleansing, and visions. Overlooking Edmonton’s River Valley, the garden is designed to be universal in its teachings and be a place for people to meet, share, and connect.
Alberta is home to the eastern front of the Canadian Rocky Mountains which provide fertile ground for its ties to nature, the Treaty 7 First Nations heritage and influence, an agricultural bounty, and natural beauty that ignites creative passion and a deeper sense of humanity. Now a growing technology hub for Canada, Albertans by their birth right are natural stewards of hospitality, culminating in a meeting experience that is truly unique and awe-inspiring.
If you are interested in booking a meeting in any of Alberta’s beautiful destinations, please contact Katie Bender, Business Development Director, Midwest USA at 815-886-8899 or by email at [email protected].
