Your guide to fundraisers, events and more.
Stampede Networking and Business Development Tips and Tricks - By Ellen Parker
It’s all about grace and elegance:
Stampede is a great time to build your business and connect with the local and international community. The unique part of Stampede is that you have the opportunity to meet and network with your future clients and partners. A great reminder is that good business moves as quickly as good relationships, so show up, do your best and have a great genuine time.
1. Determine what your business goals are ahead of time. Like now - in June - and make a list - develop some key messages you want to share based on what you're looking to accomplish:
Looking to scale?
Looking to expand your business?
Looking to attract new markets / target audiences?
Looking to network with media contacts?
Looking for vendors/event spaces/food/booze partners outside of Calgary?
Looking for national international brands to sponsor your charity organizations?
What do your clients need and how can you align them with the people you are networking with?
Now you can tailor your approach to BD during Stampede.
2. Pick your events wisely and do your homework/research with respect to who will be there. Are they the folks you want to connect with?
3. Plan the supplies you need:
Business cards for yourself
Business cards for your team
Company pins/anything unique that you want to tuck in your wallet/bag in case you meet someone important
Be prepared to elevate the opportunity for you to leave an impression
4. Networking tips - It's all about elegance and grace:
There is an art to networking - it's more about showing the kind of person you are - genuine/kind/ interesting and not talking shop right away. It's great to ask lots of questions. This is the perfect opportunity to remember the five key messages that you want to share based on the business goals you identified - so you are not wasting time.
Now it's critical to follow up with an email - saying it was great to meet you
set up coffee dates, connect on LinkedIn, social platforms and invite them to other events you are attending.
Stampede is a great opportunity to elevate your relationship with your Clients:
1. Show your clients some love by hosting them at a concert/at the rodeo/at the chucks/other existing events
2. Find out if you are attending any of the same events as your client, if so plan to meet up when you are there
3. Host a client appreciation Stampede event - on the invite you have what's happening - band/buffet/dress code/also important to put a timeline because often there are so many events in one day we don't want our guests to miss the important announcement/band/etc.
4. Make sure there is a takeaway gift/always a follow-up thank you
Stampede is a time to ensure your team is mindful of representing your brand appropriately:
1. This is a good time to remind your staff that they represent not only themselves but also the company. Act professionally and socially appropriate.
2. Arrive on time (what I recommend) or fashionably late (15 minutes) and leave early and have a designated driver or use a rideshare if drinking. Always be professional.
3. Stampede swag - invest in a cool cowboy shirt with your company logo on it - now your brand can be around town - however let your team know that if they are going out on their own time, please do not wear company swag.
In summary -
Remember you are representing your business when you are at events. You want to send “Thank you” letters, not apology letters.
Eat before you go, hydrate, avoid over drinking and being inappropriate in any way (dress appropriately), avoid political conversations as that is always a volatile playground.
Make sure you leave a positive impression and if possible acknowledge and thank your hosts for the invite before leaving.
The next day always send thank you notes for the invite and the fantastic time that you and your team enjoyed. Send pictures of the event as well.
Alberta Ballet - Ballet & Bourbon Dance Party
July 6 | Alberta Ballet 141 18 Ave SW
Get ready for an unforgettable night of elegance and energy as Alberta Ballet presents the Ballet & Bourbon Dance Party! Enjoy an evening filled with delicious food, craft cocktails, live music, captivating ballet performances and an exciting auction — all in support of one of Alberta’s premier arts organizations. Mingle, dance and celebrate the arts in style.
Come for the bourbon, stay for the ballet- donations are welcome, but not required! Reserve your spot HERE
Interested in supporting Alberta Ballet in a bigger way? Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information on sponsorships, please contact sierra@parkerpr.ca.
Contemporary Calgary - Pancake Breakfast
July 10 | 206 10A St. NW
With the help of the Calgary Stampede Batter Boys and Western Welcome, we invite you to join us for a free pancake breakfast, featuring live music by local musician Melody Stang and drop-in art activities and line dancing with the team at Outlaw Dance.
All those cowpokes joining us are encouraged to step inside and explore our Stampede exhibition, Kenneth Tam: Silent Spikes, available to view for free from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Donations are welcome to support the art of community building, which we bring to life year-round here at Contemporary Calgary. To learn more, visit Contemporary Calgary.
Free to the public—while supplies last.
Kensington - Norfolk House Stampede Breakfast
July 11 | 1118 Kensington Road NW
Norfolk House in Kensington is hosting its annual Stampede breakfast! On July 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., head on down to enjoy some live bands, raffles, fun for the kids and more!
Modern Steak - Rooftop Day Club
Saturdays all summer long | Modern Steak Stephen Avenue 100, 8 Ave S.E.
Saturdays just got a little bit more dangerous and a lot more fun with the Modern Steak rooftop day club! Party from noon until 4:00 p.m. and be home by 5! Head to Modern Steak Stephen Ave for their Day Club for the 30+ crowd where they are spinning 90s + early 2000s club anthems under the sun, day party vibes, no minors, drink specials and full kitchen. For more information and to book a table, visit Modern Steak.
Contemporary Calgary - PRESENCE, Curated by Kanika Anand
June 26 - November 9 | 701 11 St S.W.
Featuring: Abbas Akhavan, Ghazaleh Avarzamani, Tamara Lee-Anne Cardinal, Christine Howard Sandoval, Jayce Salloum, Linda Sormin and Badlands Art Department x Lindsay Sutton
How do we find our place in space?
Presence explores how we occupy and shape the spaces around us. It asks why some spaces feel welcoming and others don’t. The artists reflect on space as something constantly made, challenged and changed. They consider how we build community and how shared spaces create a sense of belonging. This exhibition looks at everyday spaces and practices. It highlights storytelling, memory and lived experience as tools of connection. Presence is about showing up. It’s about how we relate to one another and the land. And it’s an invitation to think differently about what makes a community.
For more information, visit Contemporary Calgary.
Youth Singers of Calgary - Fringe Festival
August 1 - 10 | ATCO Performing Arts Centre - 1371 Hastings Crescent S.E.
Get ready for a dynamic showcase of live entertainment with Shine Collective performing SongStruck, an electrifying variety show featuring hits from Broadway, Pop, Rock, Country and beyond! From powerful solo performances to dazzling duets and energetic group numbers, every performance is designed to captivate and thrill. This high-energy show is perfect for all ages, promising an unforgettable experience that will leave you on your feet, cheering for more.
Don’t miss the chance to support Calgary’s rising stars and celebrate the vibrant arts scene that makes this city truly special. Grab your tickets now and be part of the excitement!
For tickets and more information, visit the Youth Singers of Calgary website HERE.
Parachute for Pets - 11|52 Gala
September 6 | Telus Convention Centre Hall E - 136 8 Ave SE
Support Parachute for Pets at their second annual fundraising gala!
The 11|52 & Friends Formal is named for Ambassadors Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames. This year, they welcome new ambassadors Dustin Wolf, Devin Cooley and friends and look forward to having guests join on the red carpet for a night of fun and surprises. Dress to impress for a night of cocktails, delicious dinner, games of chance, dancing, silent and live auctions and so much more! Procceds from the event will go to supporting the great work that Parachute for Pets does in the community.
Purchase a VIP ticket to participate in a private cocktail hour and meet & greet with our ambassadors! Purchase tickets and find out more about Parachute for Pets 11|52 Gala HERE
Client Spotlight: My Everything Store
My Everything Store is a Canadian e-commerce platform which makes it easier for people with disabilities to get essential products like catheters, ostomy bags and wound care items, quickly and reliably.
Access to medical supplies isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. My Everything Store is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of where they live or the challenges they face, can access the products they need to live with dignity, comfort and independence.
ICYMI: CEO James Teague recently spoke to CTV News about supply disruptions and why reliable delivery matters more than ever.
Learn more at www.myeverythingstore.ca
Client Spotlight: Barclay Street Real Estate
Prairie Gateway: Transformative Industrial Land Opportunity Positioned to Drive Economic Growth in Calgary
A new industrial development opportunity is poised to reshape Calgary’s commercial landscape. Prairie Gateway offers more than 100.86 acres of prime, strategically located land in Rocky View County. The listing is ideal for large-scale logistics, warehousing and industrial users.
This project is expected to generate significant long-term economic value through job creation, infrastructure investment and enhanced regional connectivity. At the forefront of this opportunity is Barclay Street Real Estate, proudly representing this listing and supporting Calgary’s continued growth as a logistics and industrial hub.
“This project is expected to create $7 billion in economic growth over the next 10 years and 30,000 jobs,” said Luke Stiles, senior associate with Barclay Street Real Estate in Calgary. “It’s a major development that will solidify Calgary’s position as Canada’s leading inland port.
Read the full article on RENX . View the listing details: www.barclaystreet.com/property/1588
