Greetings!

In this issue of the Calgary Insider, read about the Q2 Destination Report, mobile information team, upcoming events, Travel Alberta's Industry Conference and our featured Calgary White Hat Award winners, Norie Herradura and Darrel Suddaby.
Q2 Destination Report
Download the full report to learn about:

Marketing
In Q2, marketing efforts included a move towards a 365 days a year approach for the regional co-op program in order to showcase Calgary year-round, create ongoing consumer conversations and include partners not serviced by seasonal campaigns.

Travel Trade
In Q2, the Travel Trade team attended a sales mission to Mexico, hosted nine FAMs to promote Alberta as a year-round destination, and promoted Calgary and Alberta experiences at Rendez-vous Canada, the largest tourism market place in Canada. 

In-Destination Services
In Q2, the In-Destination Services team created experience passes showcasing Calgary tour offers, attractions and restaurants for frontline employees and Rendez-vous Canada delegates. The mobile information team was expanded and experienced a successful quarter of counsels and referrals.

Sport, Culture & Major Events
In Q2, Luge Canada, with support from the Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, successfully bid for the 2021 FIL Luge World Championship, which will be hosted at WinSport in late January. Room nights are tracking ahead of pace by a total of 3,253 definite room nights compared to the same time frame in 2016.

Stakeholder Engagement & Destination Development
In Q2, Calgary’s stakeholder-led Destination Strategy was shared to stakeholders and partners through a series of events in May. This engagement sparked new relationships between partners and opportunities for the implementation of the Destination Strategy.
Tourism Calgary’s Mobile
Information Strategy Supports
Visitors and Calgarians
Tourism Calgary's mobile information team has been having another successful year offering itinerary planning and experience suggestions for travellers and Calgarians. Preliminary numbers show an increase in referrals and counsels, with 20,770 referrals, and 6,615 counsels from May 19 to July 1st, 2017, in comparison with 16,386 referrals and 5,476 counsels from July to September of 2016.

The mobile information team will be offering counselling at multiple locations throughout Calgary until Aug. 27th. Search #askmeyyc on Twitter to see where they'll be for their final weekend and bid them adieu for the season.

Read the August Business in Calgary article here .
Four festivals and a tourney
Aug. 25 - Sept. 4 : Calgary Pride : Join the 27th annual festival and parade on Sept. 3 and check out these 10 Pride must-dos

Aug. 30 to Sept. 13 : Shaw Charity Classic :
See some of the greatest names in the game of golf in Calgary at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.

Sept. 7-10 : Honen's Festival : In honour of Canada 150, this year's festival features Canadian classical music stars and Honens Laureates in various performances around the city.

Sept. 9Circle the wagons : Don't miss BassBus, YYC Food Trucks and Village Brewery at Calgary's travelling carnival of local music, art and food. 

Sept. 13-17 : Beakerhead : An annual program that brings together the arts, sciences, and engineering sectors to build, engage, compete, and exhibit interactive works of art, engineered creativity and entertainment.

Travel Alberta Industry Conference - Oct. 22 - 24, 2017
The 17th annual Travel Alberta Industry Conference in Banff offers Alberta tourism industry members with an opportunity to network, learn and celebrate the tourism industry.

The 2017 line-up features three dynamic speakers that will help Alberta's tourism industry think differently about the way they operate.

Register before Sept. 22 and save $100 on registration.
Featured Calgary White Hat Award winners

We recognize Norie Herradura and Darrel Suddaby, Calgary White Hat Award winners, for creating memorable visitor experiences. Here are their stories:
Norie Herradura, Delta Calgary Airport In-Terminal Hotel
Exceptional Service: Housekeeping

Even after 20 years in the hospitality industry, Norie never misses an opportunity to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. When astronaut Chris Hadfield was booked into her hotel, Norie created a rocket ship out of towels and put a picture of Hadfield in the “window” of the craft. In response, Hadfield gave Norie a shout out on Twitter, calling it the best hotel welcome ever! From training and mentoring her colleagues to helping make “wow” moments for guests, Norie is an essential part of her team. Well done, Norie! We love your western hospitality to the moon and back! 
Category sponsor:
Darrel Suddaby, Heritage Park Historical Village
Exceptional Service: Attraction

There isn’t much at Heritage Park Historical Village that Darrel can’t do. He drives a team of horses to carry guests on wagon tours of the park, but he’s also pitched in to help with almost every attraction. Heritage Park is a second home to Darrel, who says the schools there are just like the one he went to – walking two and a half miles, uphill both ways! In his off hours, he is also a park volunteer. He particularly enjoys dressing up in his tuxedo, top hat and white gloves to act as doorman for fundraising functions. Thank you, Darrel, for your white glove and White Hat service to Calgary. 
Category sponsor: 
Did you know that until Aug. 30 if you buy one Oktoberfest ticket,
you get a second one free?
See offer details, industry news, job postings and event information at:
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