How to Make Your Calgary Meeting Authentically Western
Discover six ways your attendees can celebrate the spirit of Stampede any time of the year.
BMO Centre at Stampede Park (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Colin Way)
When your attendees think of Calgary, many of them will automatically bring up one thing: the Calgary Stampede. While the city is well-known for its 10-day festival in early July, you can make attendees feel like they’re part of the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” no matter what time of year they’re here.
As you gear up to welcome your group to the city, follow these six steps to make sure they can feel the magic of the Stampede spirit.
Calgary Stampede Showband (Credit: Calgary Stampede/Kevin & Kendal Photography)
1) Turn up the volume with the Stampede Showband
Sure, the Calgary Stampede Showband may have “Stampede” in its name, but this collection of more than 150 musicians is open for business throughout the entire year.
Kick off your opening session with a parade marching down the aisles to greet your attendees or host a more intimate performance for an executive event. The seven-time winners of the “World Champion of Marching Bands” offer a customizable arrangement to meet your budget and exceed your attendees’ expectations.
Ranchman’s (Credit: Destination Canada)
2) Head to a honky tonk
Your attendees can do more than just listen to music when they’re in Calgary. As you’re planning your evening activities, consider booking a private event at a popular western watering hole and get attendees line dancing. Here are some great options:
No line dancing aficionados in the group? No problem. With Calgary’s cast of choreographers, they’ll be stepping and brushing in no time.
Caesar’s Steakhouse (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Tyler Macsemniuk)
3) Book a VIP steakhouse experience
All that dancing will work up quite the appetite, which means it’s time to give your attendees a taste of legendary Alberta beef. The province is home to more than 40% of the country’s cattle population, and Calgary has rightfully become synonymous with steak.
If you’re planning a board dinner or any other high-level evening in the city, downtown Calgary offers fine dining with frontier flavors. Start with these local institutions:
Boundary Ranch (Credit: Travel Alberta/Karl Lee @karlleephoto)
4) Saddle up, for real
Don’t just teach your attendees about the ranches that surround Calgary, though. Take your attendees to one of them and get toured around on horseback.
Boundary Ranch - Bring your group to Kananaskis and explore mountain trails with expert local guides.
DH Ranch - Immerse your group in Indigenous culture with horse-assisted team building.
Anchor D Outfitting - Take your group through the rolling foothills south of Calgary on a two or three hour guided trail ride with mountain views throughout.
Sam Centre (Credit: Travel Alberta/Dave Lieske @davey_gravy)
5) Host an offsite at Sam Centre
Sam Centre , a 30,000 sq ft museum on the Stampede grounds, features a 270-degree immersive experience that gives attendees a sense of the pulse of early July with pounding horse hooves, auctioneer cries, and interviews with riders.
The stunning venue - which opened its doors in 2024 after a $44 million investment - offers two galleries of interactive exhibits and more than a century of cowboy stories.
Alberta Boot Company (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Taylor Burk)
6) Send them home in head-to-toe western wear
Give your attendees a way to bring the Stampede spirit home with them.
Book a private tour of the Alberta Boot Company to learn about the intensive process of handcrafting boots for the Calgary Stampede Royalty , the Royal Canadian Mountain Police, and thousands of rodeo enthusiasts each year.
To make your attendees feel like they can leave a piece of their hearts in Calgary, head to Smithbilt Hats — the official maker of the iconic White Hat that gives any recipient status as an honorary member of the community.
