The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede is a celebration of our western heritage and values. Values like hard work, hospitality, friendliness and entrepreneurship. That's why over 2,200 dedicated volunteers and 1,600 committed staff work year-round to look after this historic property and host the community to outstanding events, activities and programs.
2004 Report to the Community
2004 Financial Report
Youth Programs
Environmental Programs
Stampede Ranch
Stampede Park: A Gathering Place
Stampede Year-Round Economic Impact
Environmental Programs
Stampede Park has been the Stampede's home for over a century, and we are committed to protecting its natural beauty. With the Environmental Protection Committee's expertise, we've identified initiatives to preserve the earth, air and river ways in our community. We've expanded our beverage-recycling program during the 10 days of the 2004 Stampede, making it easier for guests to recycle while at Stampede Park. Many environmental initiatives are being investigated for future development, including plans to use geothermal technology to heat and cool the new agriculture facilities.
Stampede Park - A Gathering Place
The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede is a gathering place for the community. Stampede Park is available for agriculture, trade and commerce, education and entertainment activities 365 days a year. In 2004, approximately 1.4 million people visited Stampede Park before or after the annual Calgary Stampede festival.
In 2004, the CE&S; generated $345 million in economic revenue for Alberta, almost $300 million of which was spent in Calgary. More than 750,000 people came to over 1,300 events at Stampede Park. They came to:
In 2004, we supported our neighbors, the Calgary Flames, all the way to Game 7 of the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Finals. As playoff excitement grew, Stampede Park was proud to serve as the link joining the Flames' home rink, the Pengrowth Saddledome, with celebrations along the now-famous Red Mile. The Stampede's Promotion Committee set up their mobile stage at the west side of the Saddledome before each playoff game, and it quickly became the key spot for announcements, entertainment, and joyous tail gate parties --- even during away games!
Calgary Stampede Ranch and the Born to Buck Program
A key year-round operation occurs many miles away from Stampede Park. Nestled in the rich grasslands near Hanna, Alberta, the 22,000-acre Calgary Stampede Ranch is home to some of the world's greatest rodeo livestock. With over 450 horses and 70 bulls, the Ranch's Born to Buck program has produced three generations of rodeo superstars. In addition to thrilling crowds at the Calgary Stampede, these animal athletes perform at the Stampede's spring Roughstock rodeo - Rodeo Royal, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the National Finals Rodeo and numerous other professional rodeos across Alberta, Idaho and Washington.
Every year, the world's best cowboys vote for the stock on which they'll ride in their bids to win Canadian and World championships. In 2004, they once again chose 35 head of Calgary Stampede stock to compete at the 2004 Canadian Finals and 15 head of the Stampede's finest were selected for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
For the second year in a row, members of the Canadian and U.S. professional rodeo associations named our seven year-old Superstar Stallion, Grated Coconut, as both the Canadian Champion Bareback Horse of the Year and the World Champion Bareback Horse. This very rare feat was turned into a hat trick when Grated Coconut was named Bareback Bronc at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
In 2004 five frisky foals were born on the ranch and all were conceived through its Embryo Transfer Program. In this joint project with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Grated Coconut was bred to the Stampede's top bucking horse mares, with the embryos being transferred to surrogate mares eight days later. Thanks to this program, veterinary students are receiving experience in a leading edge technology; champion stock are able to keep performing, and a new generation will carry on the Ranch's historic bucking lines.
Stampede Year Round Economic Impact
Today, Stampede Park is busy virtually 365 days a year, with a wide range of activities.
In fact, more people visit Stampede Park from August through to June, than do during those 10 days in July. Aside from the nearly 1 million people who attend the Calgary Flames home games, 2.6 million people visit Stampede Park on an annual basis.
Overall, our annual Park visitors spend an estimated $345 million in Alberta, including $300 million spent in Calgary alone - the bulk of which supports local hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other businesses.
We generate millions in uncalculated economic value during events such as trade and consumer shows and the major oil show we host every second year. Anecdotally, we have been told that the Oil Show generates billions of dollars in sales within the global marketplace.
Fundamentally, we are a major tourism and economic driver for this city, the Province of Alberta and for all of Canada.