It’s inescapable. For 10 days every July hundreds of thousands of people descend upon the Stampede Grounds in Victoria Park. "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth" hits town and everywhere you look it’s denim jeans and cowboy hats. Since 1886, when Calgary hosted its first agricultural fair, things have grown into what you see today. The Stampede provides something for everyone, whether you are a thrill seeker looking to ride the rides, enjoy partaking in an annual corn dog or root beer and bag (or three) of mini donuts. You can to see some good old fashioned rodeo, or check out the guys and gals all dolled up, it is truly a memorable experience. From concerts to hypnotists, shopping to superdogs, Calgary’s biggest event is guaranteed to entertain. Brenda Hanchar, Media & Publicity Manager for the Calgary Stampede took a few moments from her busy schedule to talk to GayCalgary.com magazine.
What is the Stampede Board?
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede has a Board of Directors that is made up of 25 leaders from the Calgary community. This group of volunteers guides the direction of the not-for-profit Calgary Exhibition & Stampede organization.
What is the Stampede Board’s involvement with the Stampede?
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede operates on a year-round basis, providing facilities and outstanding event staff who help the community host a variety of commerce, entertainment, sporting, and social activities. The organization also operates a working ranch that raises bucking stock for the Calgary Stampede, as well as other rodeos throughout North America. Horse racing is available throughout the year and the province’s only non-privately owned Casino contributes $10 million a year to 173 local charities.
What is your selection process for members?
We are governed by a 25 member Board of Directors, including 20 members elected from shareholders, three appointed by the City of Calgary, one appointed by the Province of Alberta and the immediate Past-President. The Board also has the discretion to appoint up to four Directors from the community for one-year terms. Directors are not paid for their service to the organization. Shareholders are volunteers who cannot receive any dividends, nor can their shares appreciate. Volunteers are eligible to become shareholders after four years of service within the organization. Currently, over 2000 community members volunteer with the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede.
How can someone become involved with the Stampede Board?
We welcome employment and volunteer interest throughout the year.
You are a non-profit organization. Explain how that applies to the board.
Being a not-for-profit organization, the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede invests all revenues back into the community. The Board of Directors helps the organization determine how best to make those investments.
Explain what it takes to put together "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth." To many, the Stampede is simply 10 days of rides, cowboy hats and rodeo, but obviously there is much more to it than the average person sees. From booking acts for concerts at the Coca-Cola Stage and Nashville North to coordinating the rides and concessions. I suspect it requires a great deal of effort. How far ahead do you plan each year’s stampede, and tell me about what the board does.
We successfully operate this organization 365 days a year because of the dedication of more than 1,500 part and full time professional staff that work year round and the additional 3,000 staff that are hired for the Calgary Stampede each July. Additionally, more than 2,200 enthusiastic Stampede volunteers work to educate, celebrate, entertain and welcome fellow Albertans and new friends from around the globe. Our volunteer program is one of the largest in Canada, with over 50 committees dedicated to organizing events and promoting agriculture, Western Heritage and the Stampede throughout the year.
What does the Stampede mean to the city of Calgary?
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede is a community asset. In 1901, the Calgary Agricultural Society sold Victoria Park back to the City of Calgary. We now lease this property from the city of Calgary and are committed to managing and protecting this historic site on behalf of all Calgarians. Revenue is also used for improvement and additions to the Park and its facilities.
How does the Stampede affect Calgary’s tourism industry?
Each year the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede generates more than $270 million dollars in economic activity.
The Stampede could be considered by many to be a "straight" event. What sort of activities do you feel the Gay & Lesbian community can be involved with and enjoy?
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede is an organization that celebrates diversity in our community. We welcome people of all backgrounds and we commit every year to fulfill the "needs of Calgary and Southern Alberta". We wish to be inclusive to anyone that encounters us – at any time of the year. The Calgary Stampede has shown its commitment to this by becoming a partner in the "Everyone Belongs" initiative led by the DDRC.
What is new with this year’s event?
Eye Reckon Freedom Ride – Texan, James E. (Hoot) Gibson and his three companions, Mark Andrews (assistant), Kevin Juno (cook) and Mary Schenk (trip manager) started an epic 4,000-kilometre trail ride on January 20th. Just like so many great cattle drives of the 1880s, they started from Bandera, Texas, a town that has been called "the cowboy capital of the world". After crossing the American / Canadian Border on Sunday, June 20th, Hoot and his group will arrive in Calgary on Thursday, July 8 – Sneak A Peek. Look for them in the Calgary Stampede Parade the following morning (July 9th).
New York Stock Exchange, Closing of the day – On Friday, July 9th, the New York Stock Exchange, the Calgary Stampede and our superstar bull "Outlaw" will close the day at the exchange in a way the financial world will never forget! During a live simulcast from the Stampede Rodeo, we will salute the 19 Alberta companies listed on the NYSE. Then, at 2 pm sharp, a chute will burst open, releasing Outlaw, which will trigger the closing bell on the trading floor in New York. It gives a whole new meaning to the term "bull market"!
Burnco Calgary Marathon – On Sunday July 10th, the Calgary Stampede will host 7,000 participants in the Burnco Calgary Marathon. It is our pleasure to welcome participants who will run through Stampede Park as well as Downtown Calgary and the Calgary Zoo along their 42.2 kilometer course.
$1 Million Rodeo – This year, the Calgary Stampede will take professional rodeo to a new level as we offer the first million-dollar regular rodeo season purse. The world’s top cowboys will be competing for prize money second only to the National Finals Rodeo.
World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition – A record number of contestants from close to 25 countries will be at the Calgary Stampede to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the World Championship Blacksmiths’ competition. We are welcoming blacksmiths from Denmark, South Africa, Venezuela, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and other corners of the globe.
What other activities is the Stampede involved with throughout the year?
The park welcomes another 1 million visitors to over 450 agricultural, social, sporting and corporate-related events throughout the year. These include 66 trade and consumer shows that bring Calgary consumers and businesses together with local, national, and international exhibitors and buyers to generate a significant economic benefit.
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede remains a steadfast partner to Alberta’s agriculture community in celebrating and supporting that industry’s remarkable and enduring economic and cultural contribution. More than 500 were showcased at our cattle shows that attracted 56,000 visitors from across Southern Alberta.
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Jason Clevett |
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Calgary |
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Calgary Stampede |
Travel |
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Calgary Stampede |
