There was a time when Calgary was thought of in stereotypical terms—as part of the frozen Canadian landscape, home to choice Alberta beef and the Calgary Stampede. And while Calgary still bears the nickname “Cowtown” for its annual rodeo, this once mild-mannered city has come into its own in a big way, now laying claim to being Canada’s largest metropolitan area between Vancouver and Toronto. Mixing a cosmopolitan landscape with the best that wilderness has to offer just an hour’s drive away, it’s no wonder that this Canadian city is experiencing a boom of epic proportions.
    Calgary’s four-years-and-counting growth spurt can be traced back over a century ago, when settlers first set up shop. But it was the discovery of oil in 1914 that would change Calgary’s landscape forever. Many ranchers found themselves instantly wealthy, and Calgary found itself on a relatively permanent upswing. Over the years the city has had other claims to fame, such as the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, but as the oil and gas sector’s explosion signaled a real estate boom, before they knew it, the city soon boasted over a million residents and saw over 12.2 million passengers travel through the Calgary International Airport. It’s that kind of volume that inspired British Airways, Lufthansa, and Mexicana to expand their routes to include Calgary as one of their destinations.
    “We approach things somewhat differently than other airports by building a business case to present to an airline, showing them where shortages are and how they can make money doing what they do,” explains Julien DeSchutter, the VP of marketing for the Calgary Airport Authority. “We’ve been very successful in convincing carriers that it’s a good business opportunity. All three of the new carriers are flying through us regularly and doing very well.”
    Though British Airways started service in December of 2006, Lufthansa in spring of 2008, and Mexicana in June, the Calgary International Airport offered service to London and Frankfurt through Air Canada. However, the addition of the new airlines has opened up a host of networks for business travelers all over the world. As a result, the airport is not only lobbying for more airlines, but they’re also currently in the design process for a large expansion project, expected to roll out over a 10-year period. The Calgary Airport Authority is investing over $3 billion on new construction that includes a new international facility and a new parallel runway.
    In addition to this massive undertaking, the Calgary Airport Authority is dedicated to upgrading its range of facilities. Says Jody Moseley, the Authority’s manager of corporate communications, “We’re continually looking to have the best utilities, best retail, best services, food courts and restaurants. We always listen to our customers’ requests and aim to respond as quickly as we can.”
    Which is the same kind of approach that the hospitality industry has taken. Known as a heavy hitter on the Calgary hotel scene, the Sheraton Eau Claire’s recent  major refurbishment includes upgraded guest suites, 12 meeting rooms comprising 9,915 square feet of space, and the latest in telecommunications, including videoconferencing and high-speed Internet access.
    Upscale mainstays include the Fairmont Palliser, Hyatt Regency, and Delta Bow Valley, but the new kid on the block, Hotel Arts, became Calgary’s first premiere boutique hotel after a $10 million renovation project. With 185 rooms and 25 suites, it’s conveniently located in the downtown core and is within walking distance to many corporate offices and convention facilities, not to mention shopping, theater, and dining options.
    Says Fraser Abbott, the director of sales and marketing for Hotel Arts Group, “We have an array of function rooms ideal for corporate meetings, training sessions, and gala fundraisers, and in the summer months we spend a lot of time hosting poolside receptions for corporate clients looking to escape their glass towers and have their people mingle in a unique setting.”
    Additionally, Hotel Arts’ new 6500-square-foot ballroom is scheduled to open in early November 2008, to adjoin with the existing 3300-square-foot ballroom. Several breakout rooms also provide corporate clients with other meeting options, and a state-of-the-art banquet kitchen supports the larger demands of the new ballroom. A new underground parking garage enables meeting planners to better lure attendees to their events with heated, secure parking during Calgary’s cooler winter days.
    Not all of Calgary’s corporate hotel offerings reside downtown, however. Located in Kensington, a charming neighborhood just across the Bow River and overlooking downtown, the Kensington Riverside Inn is a four-diamond, four-star 19-room premiere luxury inn that caters to corporate travelers looking for upscale accommodations with a personalized experience. The Inn also has a small boardroom for corporate retreats of 10 or less, while larger groups can be accommodated in the fireplace lounge or in the 40-seat Chef’s Table restaurant—which, along with the Inn, can be booked for exclusive buyouts. It’s something to consider, as Chef’s Table has become quite the dining hot ticket.
    “Chef’s Table was opened this past winter to great acclaim,” Abbot says proudly. “It specializes in seven-course tasting menus, prepared by executive chef Theo Yeaman, and is ideal for ‘closing dinners’ in Calgary’s bustling corporate finance and energy markets. But it’s also a popular choice for the discerning food and wine lover.”
Some of the specialties include Dungeness crab bisque, poached arctic char, sous vide saddle of lamb, and elk tourtière, all of which are paired with wine from smaller eclectic producers. Menus change regularly, with weekly updates for the tasting menus and express corporate lunches.
    Not to be outdone, Hotel Arts lays claim to two world-class dining experiences in Raw Bar and Saint Germain. The former features a Pacific Rim-influenced menu, while the latter shares bistro-inspired cuisine with a French twist. But it’s the newly-opened Olives that has diners lining up around the block. With a 180-seat dining room, a 40-seat lounge, an open show kitchen, and a 20-seat deli market, Olives specializes in innovative Italian cuisine with a focus on contemporary presentations. The wine list’s diverse varietals are drawn solely from the Italian countryside. Plus, Olives is located close to corporate offices for several creative agencies, as well as within three blocks of the Calgary Stampede and Pengrowth Saddledome, making it ideal for meals for groups attending concerts, sporting events, consumer shows, conventions, and the Stampede itself.
    But focusing a trip to Calgary solely on business would be a travesty. The city boasts fabulous theater and shopping options, but with the Rocky Mountains so close, it would be foolish not to take the short drive out to Banff. While Lake Louise features incredible skiing, one of the best ways to experience the mountains is courtesy of Icefield Helicopter Tours, which features both Heli-Hike and Heli-Yoga options for the more adventurous traveler, or sightseeing tours for those who like a bird’s-eye view. Overnighting in the majestic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an absolute must, especially in newly-renovated rooms that face a lake so still that it perfectly mirrors the landscape around it. Don’t miss the benefits of RnR Wellness Spa upon your return from the mountains, because in this instance, the spa comes to you with premiere in-room treatments.
    It’s unlikely that Calgary’s growth is going to slow down any time soon. Historical theme park Heritage Park just underwent a $60 million makeover, while the Calgary Stampede is well into an expansion that will see the launch of a new casino, a 100,000-square-foot entertainment center with restaurants and shops, and new exhibition halls set to launch in 2009. Rural shopper’s paradise Southcenter Mall is in the midst of a $102 million makeover, while November marks Calgary’s hosting duties of the 21st annual Canada’s West Marketplace trade show, where tourism specialists meet with international tour operators and wholesalers from all over the world, which will be quickly followed by the 40th annual International WorldSkills Competition. Whether you’re a skiing cowboy beefeater or not, Calgary has undoubtedly come of age and proven it has something for everyone.