Latest news with #RotaryInternationalConvention
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
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.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Automotive
- Calgary Herald
New curbside pillars are under construction at Calgary Airport, doorway closures are expected throughout the summer
Construction began Monday, June 16, on new anti-ramming curbside columns at Calgary International Airport — joining locations around the city renewing focus on pedestrian safety. Article content The waist-high pillars are called bollards and will be placed in front of every door on both the arrival and departure levels. The Calgary Airport Authority described the construction in a statement as a proactive attempt to boost security, rather than a reactive response to any particular incident. They described the barriers as 'part of a multi-year initiative to further safeguard public-facing areas and align with evolving industry best practices.' Article content Article content Article content The Calgary Airport Authority did not answer when asked about the projected cost of the bollard construction, nor reveal details about future elements of the multi-year plan. Article content Article content The development will take place in phases, as an attempt to 'minimize disruption while work is underway.' Those travelling to the airport can expect reduced curb space in the domestic arrivals zone and 'higher-than-normal volumes,' during peak hours. Article content The airport previously estimated an average of 67,000 visitors each day over the course of the summer. While the construction just missed those travelling for the G7 summit in Kananaskis, it will be ongoing through both the Rotary International Convention and the Calgary Stampede. By the end of the summer, the airport expects to have seen more than 5.8 million visitors. Article content With less curb to share while construction is ongoing, the airport is attempting to mitigate the time drivers spend near doorways waiting for passengers. Signage will be posted to navigate any lane closures, and they suggest vehicles work their way to the 'cellphone lot', where drivers can stay up to 60 minutes, described as a great location for 'a bit of extra time to play Candy Crush.' Article content Article content Protection measures against vehicles have been a focus around the city in recent months. Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian asked what precautions the city was taking during a council meeting days after the deadly vehicle attack in Vancouver. The incident led to increased security during Calgary's Lilac Festival, with police cars blocking additional roadways beyond the usual signage. Article content The Calgary Stampede has also become home to its own anti-vehicle equipment, opting for portable barriers over in-ground bollards. Six barriers are currently deployed in anticipation of this weekend's Rotary convention, emblazoned with custom Calgary Stampede Logos. Article content 'Each one weighs 695 lbs, so you can't push them around,' said Brad McCabe, Meridian's director for Western Canada.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Peace pole, House of Friendship and more: What to know about the Rotary International Convention in Calgary
Article content Rotarians and community leaders from around the world will assemble in Calgary this weekend for Rotary's largest annual gathering. Article content The annual Rotary International Convention is returning to Calgary for the first time in nearly 30 years, taking place at the BMO Centre from Saturday to Wednesday. Article content Article content More than 15,000 Rotary members and participants from more than 120 countries will unite to celebrate humanitarian service, cultural exchange and global peacebuilding. Article content Article content As Rotary members take in the city, Calgarians should expect a vibrant wave of visitors in traditional dress exploring the city centre. Article content Article content To accommodate the event, CTrain service will be increased for the length of the convention, running every seven minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes outside of peak hours. Article content Calgarians can also expect heavier traffic downtown, at Calgary International Airport and along the city's key routes. Article content To mark the occasion, the Calgary Tower will glow red and yellow on Saturday and Sunday to honour Rotary's fight to eradicate polio worldwide. Article content Then, the tower will be blue and gold from Monday to Wednesday in honour of the organization's broader mission to promote health, peace and prosperity. Article content Article content Established by Chicago attorney Paul P. Harris in 1905, its worldwide membership now exceeds 1.4 million. Article content According to its website, Rotary International's mission is to 'provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.' Article content Calgary falls under Rotary District 5360, which comprises 13 clubs in the city and more than 40 across the wider region. Founded in 1914, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown was one of its first clubs in the country. Article content Clubs in Calgary have contributed to projects such as the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway, a 138-kilometre urban pathway that encircles the city, Calgary Rotary Challenger Park and the Rotary Flames House.
Calgary Herald
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Brookman: Put your best foot forward Calgary, as we welcome the world
Article content The old saying goes that 'nobody does it better.' Starting today, lucky Friday the 13th, we need all Calgarians to prove that's true of us. Article content Next week, having just welcomed the G7 and the Global Energy Show, the Rotarians will arrive — more than 15,000 of them from every corner of the world. This is the second time the Rotary International Convention has been held in Calgary, and there are still attendees from 1996 who say, 'Calgary was the best Rotary convention ever.' Article content Article content Let's prove that just like love, it can be better the second time around. Article content Article content Locals have been working for years now to make this a great show. The new BMO Centre will be hosting its biggest convention since it opened, and every hotel, taxi, restaurant and rental car company has been warned, trained, encouraged, etc., to put on the best face we can for this massive convention. Article content As a proud Rotarian, there has to be major congratulations to many groups, including Tourism Calgary, the Calgary Stampede, the Calgary Hotel Association, the Downtown Business Association and, of course, the folks behind the Saddledome and the BMO Centre. Local Rotarians will be out in full force to welcome everyone, but thousands of hours have already been spent putting a shine on our city. Article content The loss of the downtown Bay could not have come at a worse time, and we all know that Stephen Avenue Walk needs more than a bit of lipstick, but if paint, flowers, extra police and dozens of local Calgarians can put a shine on the street, then we are going to do exactly that. Article content Article content This will be a diverse convention, and we can expect visitors from more than 120 countries to be in Calgary, starting on June 21. This means a lot of confused travellers, a lot of uncertain drivers and lots of questions. We are calling on all Calgarians to open your hearts and minds to all of the people who are going to see the city, many for the very first time. Article content Article content The Rotary International Convention is often described as a mini-United Nations, and Stampede Park will become the centre of an incredible mosaic of people, cultural experiences and a showcase for more than 100 Rotary Humanitarian projects happening around the world. Article content What can you do to make this an amazing experience? Bring your patience and your biggest smiles wherever you are in the city. Put on your best look, and if you have a business that could use a bit of weeding or trimming or just a cleanup, this is the time to do it. There will be 50 extra police officers downtown to help keep things calm, but most Rotarians will be focused on having a great time and experiencing all that Calgary has to offer.
Calgary Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Calgary International Airport prepares to receive 67,000 travellers daily this summer
Article content The Calgary Airport Authority is ramping up operations for the summer rush, with plans to host more than 5.8 million travellers in the Calgary International Airport between June and August. Article content From the 51st G7 summit in Kananaskis, 15,000 delegates for the 2025 Rotary International Convention, and the Calgary Stampede, approximately 67,000 passengers will be making their way through YYC every day. Article content Article content According to airport authority's chief operating officer Chris Miles, that's an average of 3½ Saddledomes worth of people making their way through their terminals this coming season. Article content 'No matter the event, our job is to make sure those journeys start and end on the right foot,' Miles said. 'That means anticipating pressure points during peak travel times and co-ordinating with partners to keep things moving seamlessly for guests.' Article content With planning and preparations for summer 2025 season starting back in November 2024, Miles said the Calgary Airport Authority works with its partners, including Canada Border Service Agency, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, and NAV Canada, to ensure that they understand the flow of people through the airport. Article content Summer will also serve as a busy time for construction and maintenance for the Calgary International Airport, as new projects like the new domestic screening project in the domestic terminal, and by December of this year, seven new lanes will be opened for travellers. Article content Article content 'That will represent a 40 per cent capacity improvement currently underway at the domestic terminal,' Miles said. Article content Article content With Calgary serving as the entry point for the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, one of the most apparent impacts will be an increased security presence at the airport before, during, and after the event, YYC officials said. Article content This includes a visible increase in police, no stopping on airport roads, and the airport tunnel being closed from June 15 to 18 to support G7 activities. Article content With the border services agency processing 3.3 million people moving through Calgary airport last year, CBSA Chief Deanna Manson suggested having travel documents ready and being ready to declare all goods that are purchased abroad. CBSA director Lisa White also advised travellers to visit the CBSA website to stay better informed on passing crossing Canada's borders.
