After cocktails, the members were seated for the Call to Order and Welcome by President Rob Brookwell. O Canada was followed by our Invocation from Vern Kimball. President Rob thanked the volunteers who are so vital to the smooth administration of the meeting.
Carmen Goss announced the visitors and guests as well as our Rotarians with birthdays this month.
George Brookman took the podium to present our prestigious Paul Harris Award to our guest of honor, Bill Gray, President of the Calgary Stampede. Steve Allan in his role as Chair of Calgary Economic Development brought us up to date on the $35.5M Rotary Challenger Park: Phase 4-The Centre for All Abilities. After our soup course, the main presentation on the future plans for the Calgary Stampede were presented.
Following this, with his legendary enthusiasm and in his role of Director of the Calgary Stampede Foundation, George Brookman introduced the dignitaries of the Calgary Stampede in attendance at the dinner. Many past Presidents were asked to stand and be recognized. Also introduced was Stampede Life Time Member Terry McDonough. Our featured speakers were Bill Gray, current President and Warren Connell, CEO of the Calgary Stampede.
Stampede President Bill Gray took the podium. Reporting on the Annual General Meeting which attracted 900 shareholders, he reflected on the terrific year that was the 2015 Stampede. Kaillie Humphries was an outstanding Parade Marshall opening the Stampede which attracted 1.1 Million visitors. This showcases the Stampede's ability to "engage the community", a founding principal of the organization. Bill paid special tribute to the generous donation from Don Taylor that will help build the $30 million SAM Centre just north of the Saddledome, which will house a youth campus and the exhibition's archives and museum.
Located on the banks of the Elbow River, across from Riverfront Park, the Youth Campus will provide indoor and outdoor classrooms for training and performing. The Stampede School, The Young Canadians School of the Performing Arts, and the Calgary Stampede Showband will share the facilities. Young people will also benefit from the programs at the fabled OH Ranch located on the Highwood River west of Longview. This working ranch allows the Calgary Stampede to connect with the western heritage and values that the Stampede promotes and preserves.
With the current difficulties in the local economy, Bill was very pleased with the results of the annual Tarp Auction for the Chuckwagon Committee. Revenues were $2.4 million and stronger than predicted. In closing, Bill was enthusiastic about this year's event. "We will celebrate Stampede", he said. With a tag line of "It's a Stampede Thing", many of the aspects that we love about Stampede, from Rotary Dream Home lottery tickets to mini donuts will be part of our celebration.
Warren Connell, the CEO of the Calgary Stampede opened his presentation with his tribute to the Past Presidents in the room and also to Vern Kimball who recently retired as CEO. After 33 years of "championing the brand", Vern makes Warren feel as if he were "First Mate on the Titanic". Building on his legacy will be the goal. As in the early '80's, these are challenging times and will require resiliency. "We will survive this", said Warren.
Essential to the on going growth of the Stampede is the Strategic Plan approved in December. The theme is "We are Greater Together". For over 100 years the Calgary Stampede has been the heart and soul of our city.
"Delivering exceptional experiences that entertain and creating inspired spaces to bring the community together to celebrate will further energize the brand that has come to define our city",Warren told us. The plan has five strategic goals:
- Aligning with the community
- Connecting through our brand recognized around the world
- Supporting youth achievement
- Building new entertainment, education and celebration experiences
- Building the Vision through expansion of Stampede Park
- Building the team with exceptional events.
Warren feels that there is an exceptional opportunity for the Stampede offered through the strength of the volunteer effort, the development of EnMax Park, and the Indian Village with our First Nations partners. Expansion of the BMO Centre will contribute to building a Tier 1 convention space for Calgary. The construction will bring employment, add $87M to GDP and create $500M revenue on going. He is very excited at the opportunity.
Former Stampede President Steve Allan thanked our speakers. "These are two community organizations that are very closely connected, the Rotary Club and the Calgary Stampede. No one else has this." On behalf of our Club, Steve presented certificates of donations made on behalf of our speakers to the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation (CAWST).
Carmen Goss announcing the visitors and guests
Manon Mitchell and 2016 Stampede Princess Vanessa Stiffarm
