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Edmonton Branding and Tourism strategy

As much as I like to think I’m a committed Edmontonian and a long time Edmonton booster, if someone from almost anywhere else in the world were to ask me where they should go in Canada for a short winter vacation, it would probably be Vancouver/Whistler or Quebec City/Montreal or Toronto/Ottawa and not Edmonton. For what it’s worth, I think Edmonton is a much better city to live/work in than it is to holiday in.
I would generally agree with you, Edmonton is a better living city than tourist city. Except I do think Edmonton would be in my top 3/4 cities to visit in the winter in Canada, we do winter pretty well. Our mixture of real winter and sunshine plus a huge number of outdoor activities and festivals make it pretty great, my favorite season in the city.

Quebec City then Montreal would be my top Winter tourist cities by far. Ottawa would be right in with Edmonton. Toronto seems to shut down and hibernate for the winter, no fun. Winnipeg and Regina have nasty prairie winters. Calgary is warmer but dusty, windy, and boring if you take out Banff/Kananaskis. Vancouver winter is rainy and depressing with a bone chilling wet cold, I hated winter when I lived there, much better during their long summer. I haven't been to Victoria in the winter or the Maritimes so maybe some of those would be good winter cities. So overall, I think Edmonton deserves to be right up there.
 
^

If you want to see snow, Montreal gets almost twice as much as we do and Quebec City almost two and a half times what we do… :)
I haven't been there in the winter, but get the feeling it might be an over abundance! Although Quebec City has their great Winter Carnival, which draws a lot of visitors and has been an inspiration here and elsewhere for more winter festivals and events.
 
An Edmonton delegation went to Washington DC this past week to put a bid in on the 2030 Gay Game. Short video in the link.


 
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An Edmonton delegation went to Washington DC this past week to put a bid in on the 2030 Gay Game. Short video in the link.


Yegwave comments section is gonna have a field day with this one.
 
An Edmonton delegation went to Washington DC this past week to put a bid in on the 2030 Gay Game. Short video in the link.


Looks like the generally pick supportive environments. I imagine Alberta's recent international attention will nix the bid pretty quick.
 
2024 CCMA Awards Presented by TD Fuel a $16 Million Economic Boost for Edmonton

Edmonton, AB – November 14, 2024
— Edmonton welcomed a surge of vibrancy and growth this year as the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Country Music Week 2024 and the 2024 CCMA Awards presented by TD generated a remarkable economic impact of $16 million in total for the city. The broadcast awards at Rogers Place arena drew a sold-out crowd of 14,000 attendees — the biggest show to date in CCMA history — underscoring the tremendous value of hosting large-scale cultural events for local businesses and the downtown core.

Over several days, Edmonton became a hotspot for country music enthusiasts, drawing fans, artists, and industry professionals from across Canada and beyond. Hotels, restaurants, shops, and venues across the city enjoyed a significant boost in business, with downtown establishments reporting one of the busiest weeks of the year. This surge in visitors injected millions directly into local businesses, creating a palpable sense of energy throughout Edmonton’s central districts. The energy spread through iconic locations as over 46 events, including 30 Country Crawl shows were hosted at venues throughout Edmonton, showcasing more than 200 talented artists. Additionally, the Prairie West Pop-Up Market attracted over 300 attendees and featured 10 Indigenous vendors, further highlighting the diversity and talent of the region.

“Events like the CCMAs don’t just entertain – they elevate our economy, support local businesses, and amplify Edmonton’s cultural presence,” said Cindy Medynski, Director, Sport and Culture Events at Explore Edmonton. “The economic vibrancy brought to our downtown and local businesses by this event is a powerful testament to how Edmonton thrives when we welcome world class events to our region. This impact reverberates through every corner of our community, supporting jobs, driving growth, and creating memorable experiences that draw visitors back time and time again. Thank you to all our partners, and a special thanks to the City of Edmonton for their support in bringing the CCMAs to Edmonton and helping make it the biggest show ever.”

“Returning to Edmonton after ten years has been incredibly special,” shares Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “The way fans showed up this year, embracing every moment of Country Music Week, speaks volumes about the deep bond Alberta has with country music. The energy from the fans, the contributions from local artists, and the support from the entire arts community created an unforgettable experience that resonated culturally and economically. The boost to local businesses and the vibrancy felt throughout Edmonton is a testament to the power of country music to bring people together and make a lasting impact. We’re grateful for the warm welcome and excited for what the future holds as we continue to build these connections.”
 
I think its amazing that: "There are nearly 200 industrial construction projects worth about $96 billion currently underway or nearing construction in the Edmonton Region."

 

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