Inject creativity and energy into your conference agenda with local entertainers who feel right at home at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre and the BMO Centre.
No matter what type of group you’re hosting, these entertainers will take your event to the next level.
The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth may only last for 10 days in July, but the soundtrack plays all year long thanks to the Calgary Stampede Showband. This collection of 150 performers — all between the ages of 16 and 22 — is flexible enough to meet any program needs. Kick off your opening reception with a full-scale marching band parade or welcome a choreographed colour guard performance during a coffee break.
It’s also a perfect way to weave in the city’s history as The Showband has been a staple here since 1971.
The Exchange area at the BMO Centre is the perfect spot for a Calgary Stampede Showband performance (Photo Credit: Calgary Stampede/Kevin & Kendal Photography).
Give your attendees a truly unexpected experience with performers from PM Gigs (Photo Credit: Colin Way)
Entertainment isn’t merely about what’s happening on a main stage in front of a captive audience.
To infuse a sense of surprise and delight into your experience, take a cue from one of the leaders of Calgary’s convention scene. When the BMO Centre opened its doors to unveil its state-of-the-art expansion in 2024, the venue worked with PM Gigs to welcome roving stilt walkers, jugglers, and street artists.
Your attendees will be learning plenty of valuable material with your education program, but here’s an arguably more important lesson: how to laugh at yourself.
Veteran comedian Brian Stollery is the subject matter expert who can make it happen. When Stollery isn’t touring the country, he’s at home in Calgary turning corporate retreats into hilarious, make-attendees-laugh-until-they-cry gatherings for clients such as Intuit, Coca-Cola and the Alberta Medical Association.
Is that Queen on stage for the closing reception?
Nope, that’s Dwayne Gretzky, a 10-piece band that knows every song your attendees love from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Is that Sam & Dave playing the classic “Soul Man”? It’s the Mocking Shadows, Calgary’s soul and R&B powerhouse. Is that Miranda Lambert belting out your favorite song? It may sound close, but it’s actually FOXX Worthee, winner of Country Music Alberta’s Fan’s Choice Award. No matter what genre feels like an appropriate fit for your attendees, Calgary’s music scene has you covered.
Your attendees might recognize Chris Funk from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” or CW’s “Penn & Teller: Fool Us.” Now, they can get a second chance at trying to unlock the secrets behind his art of illusion. He’s not just a magician, either: Funk’s ability to combine music with his performance — he uses a violin concerto and a guitar loop — has wowed audiences from Ford, Boeing, and Disney.
Dave Kelly speaking during the YWhisper Gala 2023 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (Photo Credit: Colin Way)
Entertainment doesn’t have to be a distinct experience from the educational portion of your meeting. With award-winning host, writer and moderator Dave Kelly, learning will feel more like being part of a live studio audience. Kelly — who has decades of experience interviewing CEOs, heads of state and celebrities — has a unique ability to find the most meaningful pieces of stories and turn keynote speeches into compelling conversations.
These are just a few of the people who can elevate your program in Calgary. As you look ahead to your next meeting, connect with the Tourism Calgary team to learn more about the Calgarians who can keep your attendees singing, dancing, and blue sky thinking.