Canadian Finals Rodeo

[David A]

In fairness, it is probably way easier to get a lot of people to go outside on a nice day in July instead of a cool windy day in November. Because of the time of the year this is more of an indoor event and so anything will not have as much visibility as an outdoor event is. Of course that is no excuse of our noticeable lack of community enthusiasm or a parade in July for our own exhibition, but that's veering off to another topic.

 

[Gronk!]

Notice how I wasn't specific and said some? Everyone has their own views of Stampede, including myself, but some of the event management strategies could be replicated here, such as hosting different events at various locations to support the overall event. Not everything needs to be a political debate.

I don't think I'm alone when stating that the Stampede is vastly over-rated. I know quite a few Calgarians who steer clear of that city or of anything related to the Stampede.

That said, I do agree that the Edmonton tourism industry needs to promote this on a higher scale than the miniscule crumbs currently being served by them.

 

[David A]

I don't think I'm alone when stating that the Stampede is vastly over-rated. I know quite a few Calgarians who steer clear of that city or of anything related to the Stampede.

That said, I do agree that the Edmonton tourism industry needs to promote this on a higher scale than the miniscule crumbs currently being served by them.

Yes, I have heard the ambivalent feedback from some Calgarians too, so it is also not all it is hyped up to be. However, it does seem to succeed in drawing in many tourists and visitors so we could learn something from that.

 

[northlands]

The no 1 thing about the Stampede that Edmonton needs to (or wishes it could) replicate is the corporate presence and involvement. Stampede is exceptionally well supported in that manner. We do not see much if anything similar here in Edmonton for our major events and festivals.

 

[ChazYEG]

The Stampede as entertainment is highly questionable, at least for me, but from an operational and marketing point of view, they are one of the most successful events in Canada (and honestly, one of the best Canadian events at it, globally. I know people in South America who can't point Canada on a map, but know about the Stampede).

 

[David A]

The no 1 thing about the Stampede that Edmonton needs to (or wishes it could) replicate is the corporate presence and involvement. Stampede is exceptionally well supported in that manner. We do not see much if anything similar here in Edmonton for our major events and festivals.

Short of moving a dozen or so sizeable head offices to Edmonton, we are not going to ever have that corporate presence and involvement. Unfortunately, our city is chock full of branch plant offices for eastern companies some that could barely find Edmonton on a map and many smaller local businesses which do not have to resources to financially support something like this on large scale.

 

[ChazYEG]

Short of moving a dozen or so sizeable head offices to Edmonton, we are not going to ever have that corporate presence and involvement. Unfortunately, our city is chock full of branch plant offices for eastern companies some that could barely find Edmonton on a map and many smaller local businesses which do not have to resources to financially support something like this on large scale.

The few companies that are, technically, still headquartered in Edmonton could make more of an effort, however. We have some big ones, too.
One was the last time anyone saw Stantec, PCL, CWB (now National Bank, but still...), The Brick, ATB, Earl's Boston Pizza, Booster Juice, have huge and flashy corporate presence in city events? And even companies that have strong ties with the Edmonton Area, despite not being headquartered here, such as TELUS, Shaw, Ledcor...

 

[David A]

The few companies that are, technically, still headquartered in Edmonton could make more of an effort, however. We have some big ones, too.
One was the last time anyone saw Stantec, PCL, CWB (now National Bank, but still...), The Brick, ATB, Earl's Boston Pizza, Booster Juice, have huge and flashy corporate presence in city events? And even companies that have strong ties with the Edmonton Area, despite not being headquartered here, such as TELUS, Shaw, Ledcor...

Yes, you are right, there are some and that is a good question. IMO the extent of community involvement for a lot of our corporate sector seems to be going to Chamber of Commerce events and complaining about the city. Perhaps that is too harsh, but it might be fair to say they doesn't seem to visibly boost our city as much as companies elsewhere do for the cities they are located in.

 

[Oilguy]

All they have to do is look south and replicate some of what cowtown does.

The only reason the stampede is what it is is the oil and gas companies and their vendors still willing to turn it into a week long drunk fest. Almost impossible to replicate, and we shouldn’t try.

Could we do more with the pbr here, maybe, but right now they are packing the house and setting records. Still a strong showing,