The world’s biggest rodeo event isn’t all barrel racing and politicians flipping pancakes but a once-a-year opportunity for Calgary to lure potential residents and investors to the city.
Catch-up: The first Calgary Stampede went ahead in 1912 after the city’s “Big Four” businessmen and ranchers agreed to bankroll the event for $100,000 (worth almost $3 million today). Since then, the rodeo has become a 10-day moneymaker for the city.
So, why should you care about a rodeo?
Canada’s provinces are battling it to attract top talent and new investment to their major cities. Alberta, in particular, has rolled out the welcome mat for new residents by way of a recruitment campaign promising lower taxes, high wages, and a better quality of life.
Bottom line: An event like the Stampede is an opportunity for a city to impress over a million attendees from across the country and the world. Get the right tech executive fired up at the chuckwagon race and they might just think: “This place is awesome. Should I invest?!”
- That’s the kind of energy the province needs as Alberta continues to lead in net interprovincial migration growth—hitting 11,000 people in the last quarter of 2022.
- All those new people are going to need more housing, more services, and most importantly, a supply of high-paying jobs to live the dream they’ve been promised.
As western parties draw to a close and food vendors start brainstorming wacky combinations for next year (ketchup ice cream, anyone?), we’re just glad everyone had fun.—SB