Calgary business gets thrown a lifeline from the return of the Stampede
It’s been a tricky 17 months for the owners of Smithbilt Hats, after the Calgary Stampede, the catalyst of a large chunk of the company's business, was cancelled completely in 2020.
This year however, with the event getting the green light from the provincial health authorities, sales of the famed wild western hatters spiked.
“It wasn’t quite what it has been in past years but it was definitely an improvement over the months before that,” said Brian Hanson, master hatter with Smithbilt Hats.
Hanson said he noticed a lot more foot traffic and people inquiring about corporate events.
The Calgary Stampede announced Monday 528,998 people walked through the gates this year. That is a little more than 40 per cent of the 1, 275, 465 people who attended in 2019.
The Stampede said previously that success of the 2021 event shouldn't be measured in attendance but rather how the municipal mindset changed this year.
“Above all else we learned this year that our experiences are the truest measure of success,” said CEO Dana Peers.
“As we celebrate the success, we are now seeing our national events begin to open in their own ways. Only weeks ago, they would not have considered it.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2022
Peers said the ball is rolling on plans for next year.
“With the 2021 Stampede behind us, we’ll begin to look at how 2022 can be even bigger and better than ever,” he said.
“We’ll take valued learnings from this year and build upon them.”
For Hanson's iconic Smithbilt brand, the Stampede is a major catalyst for business, and now it’s time to create more supply.
“We spend all year building up stock to get ready for this, so we’re going to start again,” said Hanson.
HOTELS BUSIER
Tourism Calgary said Calgary hotels saw a massive jump in reservations, although not pre-pandemic levels, enough to keep them afloat.
“In winter they were at three and six percent occupancy, so to go to 50 to 65 per cent occupancy, that is just life changing for them,” said Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce said businesses did receive a boost from the Stampede being held this year.
“Realistically, businesses were not expecting a Stampede that reflected a full return to normal,” said Deborah Yedlin, CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
“What they prepared for, and were able to deliver, was an experience that included increased safety measures, reduced capacities, and a commitment to reopening safely and permanently so the economic potential of future events can be fully realized.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Local MP, MLA call on federal government to remove sunken vessel in Saint John River
An MP and an MLA are calling for the removal of a sunken vessel in the Saint John River.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.