When you announce your next annual meeting, attendees will immediately look to see where it’s going to be held. And even if Calgary isn’t on someone’s radar now, once they see what it has to offer, they’re going to want to attend.
Whether coming early, staying late, or just enjoying a few hours of downtime, here are five reasons why Calgary makes blended travel better than other spots on the map.
Knowing exactly where to visit in a country as big as Canada might sound overwhelming, but in Calgary, it’s simple: start in Inglewood. Named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the country by The Globe and Mail, Inglewood’s collection of craft breweries, fashion-forward boutiques, and independent bookstores is just a 25-minute walk from either the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre or BMO Centre.
Don’t stop there, though. Attendees can hop on a bike or catch the C-Train to explore more of the city’s creative corners in bustling neighbourhoods like Kensington, Bridgeland, and the Beltline.
Grab a coffee and explore the shops in Inglewood (Photo Credit: Stay & Wander)
Blackfoot Crossing is an incredible place to learn about the Indigenous cultures of the area (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie).
Research from American Express shows that 58% of travelers value learning about different cultures while on vacation, and there’s no better source of education and inspiration than the Indigenous community in and around Calgary. Head to Dodging Horse Ranch for trail rides and archery lessons with the Tsuut’ina people; take a guided hike with Buffalo Stone Woman; stay overnight in a tipi at Blackfoot Crossing — when your attendees leave Calgary, they’ll return home with a deeper connection to the customs that define the local land.
A lot of people refer to Calgary as the gateway to the Rockies, much like Denver is in the United States. The main draw is Banff National Park, which delivers jaw-dropping beauty with easy-to-get-there convenience. Just 90 minutes west of the city, there’s never a bad time to soak in the stunning mountain views and crystal-clear waters of Lake Louise. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking and biking in summer, attending a conference in Calgary is the entry point to an awe-inspiring adventure.
The view down Banff Avenue is iconic (Photo Credit: Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka)
Get wherever you want to go in Calgary on two wheels (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Mike Seehagel)
Some attendees won’t have room in their schedules to stick around for a scenic journey out west, but that doesn’t mean they’ll miss out on the opportunity to bask in the beauty of Alberta. With over 1,000 km (621 mi) of pathways, Calgary has the most extensive urban pathway network in North America.
Most pathways connect with or follow the Bow River, which flows right through the city centre. It provides endless opportunities to connect with nature – everything from strolling along the RiverWalk to fly fishing, floating, and even surfing.
For a daring day beneath Calgary’s blue skies, head to WinSport — one of the legacy facilities from the 1988 Winter Olympics — for skiing and tubing in the winter or mountain biking in the summer.
For attendees with kids, Calgary will be a big win for the whole family. In just a few days, children can become rock stars at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, rocket scientists at the TELUS Spark Science Centre, or paleontologists at Dinosaur Provincial Park. Here, a conference for mom or dad becomes the trip of a lifetime for the little members of the family.
Ready to learn more about how your attendees can take advantage of more personal time during a meeting in Calgary? Connect with us for all the local insight.