Calgary begins welcoming first of thousands of Rotary International Convention delegates

Andre and Walter Marria can't resist a good Rotary International Convention.
Article content
They arrived in Calgary Thursday as some of the earlier arrivals of the 15,500 out-of-town delegates who will attend the June 21-25 event.
Article content
Article content
'Last year we were in Singapore and next year we'll be in Taiwan,' said a beaming Walter Marria, 78, who hails from Thomasville, Ga.
Article content
'I'm expecting to be inspired to meet new people and make new connections.'
Article content
Article content
Pushing a cart crammed nigh with luggage at the Calgary International Airport, his wife said there was little reason to skip Calgary.
Article content
Article content
'We heard about this and the Stampede,' she said.
Article content
Delegates from more than 120 countries began arriving last week for the gathering to be held at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park.
Article content
The massive convention is expected to pump $81 million into the city's economy and follows closely on the heels of another international event that put the Calgary area in the global spotlight — the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, which wrapped up Tuesday.
Article content
It's been a record late spring-early summer season for Calgary's hospitality industry, said Alisha Reynolds, president of Tourism Calgary.
Article content
'This is an opportunity to put Calgary on the world map and put Calgary on the world stage . . . this is an opportunity to share with the world that Calgary has its arms open,' she said.
Article content
Article content
May was already a record-setting month for hotel occupancy in Calgary, up 7.7 per cent over the same month in 2024 due to the early impacts of G7 and the Rotary convention, said Reynolds.
Article content
She noted the last time Calgary hosted the convention was in 1996 and drew 25,000 people, which set a high bar in delegate satisfaction.
Article content
'Pressure makes diamonds, we're ready,' said Reynolds, adding the city began lobbying to hold the event a decade ago.
Article content
Article content
It's expected to be rainy and cool through Sunday, with the sun returning amid below-average temperatures on Monday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Cision Canada

2 hours ago

• Cision Canada

CIB closes $50 million loan with Dream Industrial REIT to fund large-scale commercial building upgrades Français

Disponible en français Dream Industrial to retrofit 34 industrial buildings in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec Building upgrades include: solar photovoltaics; mechanical, electrical and air-handling systems; and building envelopes Expected to create approximately 630 jobs and generate 14,500 MWh of clean electricity from solar panels TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: have finalized a $50 million loan to fund commercial property retrofits related to energy efficiency savings and emissions reductions at 34 warehouses in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. With buildings currently accounting for 18% of Canada's total emissions, investments from the CIB help to prioritize and accelerate building upgrades to help meet Canada's energy use goals. The CIB's investment will support upgrades to mid- and large-bay warehouses used for urban logistics, light industrial and distribution. Building upgrades include: mechanical and electrical systems, renewable energy generation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, fuel switching, energy management technology, building envelope and electric vehicle charging. The projects are expected to create approximately 630 jobs and generate 14,500 MWh of clean electricity from installed renewable power generation such as solar panels. Dream Industrial REIT is part of the Dream Group of Companies, which was the first real estate group in Canada to receive a loan in 2022 as part of the CIB's Building Retrofits Initiative. Endorsements: Dream Industrial's new initiative is proof that our building retrofits program is succeeding in helping Canada's building owners to upgrade their properties and reduce energy use, at scale. By working with leaders in the Canadian real estate sector, we are supporting forward thinking companies interested in improving the communities within which they own properties through more efficient use of energy resources. Ehre n Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank The CIB's partnership with Dream Industrial will cut emissions and lower energy costs of commercial buildings across Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. As a nation of builders, our government is making the needed investments in infrastructure that strengthens businesses and creates more jobs, so that we can build the strongest economy in the G7. Hon. Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Canada "We are excited to partner with the CIB to complete large-scale energy efficiency improvements across our Canadian industrial portfolio. Investing in high-impact retrofits, including solar installations, aligns with Dream Industrial's strategy to invest in opportunities that produce attractive returns while improving the sustainability and resiliency of our assets, and help reduce emissions to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon built environment." Alexander Sannikov, President & Chief Executive Officer, Dream Industrial REIT

Toronto Star

3 hours ago

• Toronto Star

Sikhs uneasy after Mark Carney meets with India's Narendra Modi at G7 summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands during a meeting at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on June 17, 2025. Darryl Dyck/ The Canadian Press

Japan Forward

13 hours ago

• Japan Forward

Ishiba Must Not Allow Prolonged Japan-US Trade Negotiations

このページを 日本語 で読む As Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba flails and Japanese diplomacy deteriorates, we cannot help but feel disheartened. Ishiba managed to meet with United States President Donald Trump for about 30 minutes in Kananaskis, western Canada, host site of the 2025 Group of Seven Summit. However, their failure to reach an agreement on tariffs on the sidelines of the G7 was disappointing. At the same time, it was hardly unexpected. There is one issue that should not be overlooked but went unmentioned. Didn't the two leaders discuss the Middle East crisis and the fierce ongoing fighting between Israel and Iran? Japan relies on the Middle East for over 90% of its crude oil. Also, many tankers bound for Japan sail through the Persian Gulf. Therefore, the conflict threatens to disrupt oil shipment routes. For Japan, responding to the situation in the Middle East should be a major issue on a par with tariff negotiations. The summit discussions clearly fell short. After all, why would you meet with the president of your ally and not discuss the Middle East? G7 working session on the global economy. (©Canada G7 website) For the Prime Minister not to disclose what was actually discussed would also be strange. Japan could be viewed as sidelined in the Middle East situation. Either way, hasn't the Prime Minister demonstrated a lack of resolve in shouldering responsibility for the nation's destiny? Ishiba did comment on the failure to reach an agreement in the tariff negotiations, however. "We are exploring the possibility of reaching an agreement in line with the national interest," said the Prime Minister. Ishiba is right not to be so eager to achieve results that he makes easy concessions on issues vital to Japan. Poor outcomes on issues such as US tariffs on Japanese automobiles could undermine the national interest. It was already apparent that only the two leaders would be able to break the deadlock in negotiations. Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa has already participated in a total of six Cabinet-level meetings with his US counterparts. However, they failed to reach an agreement. So, why is there no target date for when an agreement will be reached, even after the Ishiba-Trump meeting? There is also concern that the Trump administration's emphasis on negotiations with China may dampen momentum for an agreement with Japan. Initially, the administration said Japan-US negotiations were its top priority. We should not let this situation prolong the Japan-US trade negotiations. Moreover, we cannot allow the negative impact of Trump's tariffs on the Japanese economy to spread. The US administration's high tariff policy approach is fluid. Trump has declared that there may be further increases in tariffs on motor vehicles. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated the American side may extend the current reciprocal tariffs suspension. What we need from the Ishiba administration is a strategic and proactive approach to pursuing national interests. It cannot allow Japan to be constantly at the mercy of the US side. Likewise, there is no need to be passive or to think that the outcome of any agreement depends on Trump. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む