Calgary, AB

Key Highlights

Hotels	75
Total Sleeping Rooms	12,392
Committable Meeting Rooms*	36
Largest Exhibit Space	47,047 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	19,234 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	CAD $149
Average Daily Meal Cost	CAD $115
Average Weekly Car Rental	CAD $232
*Maximum for a single hotel

Calgary, AB Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to the Calgary Meeting and Event Planning Guide – a city guide for Calgary meeting professionals. As the first Canadian city to host the Olympic Winter Games, and as the annual host of the famous Calgary Stampede, Calgary is no stranger to large events. Only blocks apart, two major Calgary event venues, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre and the Roundup Centre, offer a combined total of 520,000 square feet of meeting and event space, complete with on-site catering services, advanced audio-visual equipment, business services and more. Moreover, Calgarians are renowned for their hospitality, generosity and enthusiasm, all of which provide a welcoming environment for any event, from small meetings to large trade shows.

There are plenty of Calgary meeting hotels and more than 11,000 hotel rooms, one third of which are located in the downtown core and three of which are attached to the Calgary TELUS Centre: the 384-room Calgary Marriott Hotel, 355-room Hyatt Regency Calgary and 405-room Fairmont Palliser Hotel. Not just home to larger chains, Calgary also offers several smaller establishments that offer accommodations in the scenic mountains but are still minutes from the city, such as the Calgary Historic Bed and Breakfast at Twin Gables and Kensington Riverside Inn.

Many of Calgary's prominent attractions have meeting space and event facilities as well so it can be easy to incorporate some leisure into Calgary meeting planning. The Whiskey nightclub's rooftop patio and $2 million sound system give an edge to cocktail receptions. Spruce Meadows, one of the top- ranked equestrian facilities in world, offers several scenic facilities for larger meetings. The Devonian Gardens is a perfect way for up to 400 people to experience Calgary's countryside.

Dominated by the oil and gas industry, Calgary's largest companies are BP, EnCana, Petro-Canada and Shell Canada. The University of Calgary is the city's largest college.

About Calgary, AB / Additional Info

Affectionately known as "Cowtown," Calgary is considered the heart of the new West in Canada, a reputation stemming greatly from the city's world-famous Calgary Stampede. An annual event turning city slickers into cowboys since 1923, the stampede is a 10-day city-wide festival of rodeo competitions, concerts, amusement rides and more. The celebration of its Western heritage hearkens back to not long after the city was founded as a post for the North-West Mounted Police in 1875. A small rural settlement, the city began to grow after the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The discovery of huge oil reserves in the 1970s brought about the true economic and population boom, strengthened in 1988 when Calgary truly made a name for itself on the world's stage as site of the Winter Olympics. Today, it is home to nearly 1.1 million people and is one of the fastest growing populations in Canada. No longer a small prairie town, the city skyline is dominated by skyscrapers, 10 of which are above 400 feet, including the Pengrowth Saddledome, Petro-Canada Centre and the iconic Calgary Tower. Visitors can rest assured that despite the important role of oil in the city's economy, Calgary was ranked the world's cleanest city by FORBES magazine in 2007.

Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is recognized as a winter sports haven. Visitors can enjoy numerous ski destinations less than an hour away from the city, including Canmore, Lake Louise and Banff, location of one of most visited national parks in North America and reputed as one of the most popular downhill ski destinations in the world. Or, for ski enthusiasts not looking to stray so far from the city, the Canada Olympic Park, site of the Winter Olympics, eliminates the need to drive to the mountains before hitting the slopes.

Visitors adverse to the chill need not be put off by its mountain location, as Calgary's cool winter temperatures are mellowed by the warm Chinook winds that blow through southern Alberta, ushering in milder temperatures ideal for enjoying Calgary's numerous other attractions. Indulge in some retail therapy at Eau Claire Market, a specialty shopping area full of unique gifts and even a wine market. Visit over 1,000 animals at the Calgary Zoo, rated as one of the top 10 in North America. Take a step back into Calgary's past at the Heritage Park Historical Village, a re-creation of a 19th century Alberta town. A modern metropolis that's lovingly embraced its cow-herding past, Calgary is an entertaining stop for any visitor.

Calgary, AB Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Mountain Time (MT)
Convention Center(s):

Hotel at Convention Center? No
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 0

Airport(s):

Calgary International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Mountain / Skiing Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
142
Population
1,162,100
Restaurants
250
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
5.00%
Currency
Canadian Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
15%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English, French

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Calgary, AB

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Banff, AB	126 mi	1 hr 20 min	n/a	N/A
Red Deer, AB	145 mi	1 hr 26 min	n/a	N/A
Edmonton, AB	296 mi	2 hr 56 min	49 min	CAD $219+
Vancouver, BC	972 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 28 min	CAD $305+
Seattle, WA	1,084 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 34 min	CAD $254+
Winnipeg, MB	1,324 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 53 min	CAD $366+

Calgary, AB Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	28	31	39	51	61	68	72	71	63	54	37	29
Avg. Low (°F)	9	10	20	30	39	47	51	49	40	31	18	11
Rec. High (°F)	61	73	67	81	88	92	93	93	90	84	72	64
Rec. Low (°F)	-31	-33	-24	-4	18	32	38	27	17	-11	-27	-33
Rainfall (in)	0.5	0.6	0.8	1.0	2.1	3.2	2.6	2.2	1.6	0.7	0.6	0.6

Calgary's highland continental climate results in long winters and shorter, mild summers. Average winter temperature is a cold -9°C. However, the city is known for the warm, dry Chinook winds off the Pacific Ocean that blow in during the cold weather, giving residents a day or week-long reprieve from the chill, boosting temperatures up to an average of 15°C. Summers are generally mild with an average temperature of 23°C, though highs sometimes reach a warm 30°C.

Once of the sunniest cities in Canada, Calgary sees an average of 16.3 inches of precipitation annually, the majority of which is rain. The best time to visit the city is late spring or early fall, when temperatures are not too cold and precipitation is low.

Meeting Planning in Calgary, AB

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre combines a picturesque outdoor backdrop of the Canadian Rocky Mountains with urban amenities. Easily recognizable by its light-catching glass window faade, the facility comprised of the original South Building and the North Building was built in 2000. It boasts 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, 122,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 34 meeting rooms. A 20,000-square-foot ballroom and five pre-function areas for informal gatherings, displays or registration provide extra space sure to meet the needs of any event.

Within the South Building, Macleod Hall can be divided into seven soundproof areas, each with independent audio-visual, lighting and temperature controls. Ideal for large receptions, Macleod Hall has room for 1,200 guests. For smaller gatherings, Glen Meeting Rooms on the upper floor can host 20 to 44 guests in various configurations.

As host to 1,000 events annually, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre knows what it takes to execute a successful event. Its full-service business center provides photocopying, faxing and laminating services as well as office supplies and accessories. High-speed Internet access is easily utilized with the help of the on-site telecommunication service provider. Calgary Marriott Hotel provides exclusive catering, from morning breaks of grilled local sausages and freshly-baked croissants to dinners of slow-roasted prime rib and herb-coated chicken supreme with saffron shrimp.

Attached to three hotels, including the 384-room Calgary Marriott Hotel, guests can easily access accommodations from the centre. For those staying a bit farther way, parking is available in the centre's underground parking garage.

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Other Convention Centers in Calgary, AB

Name	Address	Total Meeting Space
MacEwan Conference & Event Centre	Room 210, Macewan Student Centre 2500 University Drive Northwest Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4	40,000 Sq. Ft.

Calgary, AB Meeting Venue Spotlight

Calgary Stampede

A versatile venue in Calgary's downtown district, the Roundup Centre is the city's largest event location at 389,000 square feet. Almost half of the total space is divided into four exhibit halls, each at 50,000 square feet. The Roundup Centre also features 17,000-square-foot Corral Arena, the Boyce theatre and 50,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space. Meeting rooms range in size from 400 to 12,000 square feet and can be altered to accommodate groups of any size.

Guests are sure to feel comfortable at any place in the centre, from being served coffee in china amongst the dark wood and plush carpeting of a classically decorated meeting room, to relaxing on the comfortable sofas and chairs in the quiet of the reception area between sessions. In addition to magnificent decor, the Roundup Centre offers numerous amenities for the comfort of both its guests and planners, including full audio-visual services, a business center, concierge service and a full-service kitchen for on-site catering.

Located just off of Macleod Trail, one of the city's main thoroughfares, the Roundup Centre is easily accessible by Calgary Transit's light rail system and is only a short 20-minute drive from the Calgary International Airport. Paid parking on the grounds is available on the north and south sides of the Roundup Centre and can accommodate over a thousand vehicles.

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Calgary, AB Airport Information

Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Approximate taxi fare: $38 USD

The 3rd busiest airport in Canada by aircraft traffic, the Calgary International Airport, because of its central location in western Canada, is one of the country's fastest growing cargo airports. Daily non-stop flights to Canada, Europe and the U.S. operate on 26 airlines through 46 gates and three runways, one of which is the largest in the country.

Calgary International Airport is renowned for having some of the best shopping and services in the city including high-end retailers and spa services to entertain travelers while waiting for flights.

Airline carriers serving Calgary International Airport

Air Canada/Jazz
Air North
Air Transat
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
British Airways
Canadian North
Central Mountain Air
Condor

Continental Airlines
Delta Connection
Fly Globe Span
Frontier Airlines
Horizon Air
Lufthansa
Martinair
Mexicana
Monarch

Northwest Airlines
Pacific Coastal
Skyservice
Sunwing Airlines
Thomas Cook
U.S. Airways
United Airlines
WestJet
Zoom

Calgary, AB Public Transportation

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit has serviced the city's travelers since 1909, beginning with the electric street car to present-day bus and light rail systems.

Buses

With more than 160 routes throughout the city, the Calgary Transit bus system supplements the light rail system in Calgary. Buses connect passengers to and from all neighborhoods to light rail transit stations throughout the city. Buses run daily from 5:30 to 1:30 AM. Adult fare, which includes both the bus and light rail system fares, is C$2.50 for adults and C$1.50 for youths. Fare for children under 4 with a paying customer is free.

CTrain

Known as the CTrain, the light rail system has an annual ridership of more than 90 million people. Making stops at a total of 38 stations, trains connect the south end of the city to both the northwest and the northeast quadrants. Trains have a five-minute frequency rate during rush hour and a 10- to 15-minute frequency rate during off-peak hours. Adult fare, which includes both the bus and light rail system fares, is C$2.50 for adults and C$1.50 for youths. Fare for children under 4 with a paying customer is free.

Rental Cars

Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Alamo service the Calgary area and the Calgary International Airport. The airport rental center is located on the departures level across the roadway from the main terminal.

Taxis

Calgary is supported by numerous taxi services, the largest being Mayfair Taxi, Checker and Black Top. Many taxis can be hailed 24-7 at the airport. Rate structures are C$3 for the first 150 meters and C$0.20 for each additional 150 meters or portion thereof. A surcharge of C$5 is applied to passengers picked up from the main terminal at the Calgary International Airport.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Banff, AB	126 mi	1 hr 20 min	n/a	N/A
Red Deer, AB	145 mi	1 hr 26 min	n/a	N/A
Edmonton, AB	296 mi	2 hr 56 min	49 min	CAD $219+
Vancouver, BC	972 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 28 min	CAD $305+
Seattle, WA	1,084 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 34 min	CAD $254+
Winnipeg, MB	1,324 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 53 min	CAD $366+