Local Businesses see Up-Surge of Corporate Spending
Is it the enchantment cast by the recent visit of the Duke and Duchess, which sadly ends today, or an indication that the City of Calgary is enjoying better economic times? According to yesterday’s Calgary Herald, the answer lies in the latter.
The Herald highlights the fact that this year’s food and drink haunts have seen a marked increase in business these days over the same period passed in 2010 and 2009.
“What we’re seeing now is heading back towards the direction of traditional Stampede, which means people are investing and decorating their storefronts; larger corporate parties; the home builders are back putting on parties with reasonable budgets,” the owner of Alliance Entertainment Services, Bill Tuffs, told the daily paper.
“It’s not the boom era, but what it definitely is saying is that budgets have clearly been reinstated, and anyone that is in the corporate arena is going to be experiencing and seeing that their clients are coming back and corporate parties are back in play.”
The paper interviewed several business owners in the downtown sector that seemed to concur: parties and activities that all but disappeared the last two summers are back in swing, and individual spending is up too.
On June 21 Calgary Economic Development launched a campaign entitled Calgary; Be Part of the Energy. The mandate of the campaign states: “There’s opportunity here – to start a business, start a new life, or start an adventure. And everyone is welcome to be part of the energy.”
The movement offers Calgarians and those abroad an innovative opportunity to network and exchange ideas. You can follow their action on Facebook and Twitter.
Calgarians definitely seem to be exhibiting hope and optimism, and what better indications that 2011 is a better year.
