Preserving and Promoting Western Heritage and Values The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede is a volunteer supported, not-for-profi t organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. Our organization began as an agricultural fair in 1886, but continues to grow and evolve in step with Calgary. TABLE OF CONTENTS Organizational Highlights 01 Financial Report 07 Consolidated Financial Statements 10 Stampede Leadership 24 Our Volunteers 26 Full-time Staff 40 Sponsors 42 2005 Calgary Stampede Event Champions 45 1 ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede had a remarkable 2005. It was a year of special celebration and signifi cant achievement, a year of embracing the past while pushing ahead toward a bold, new future. Our entire organization – from the 2,200 volunteers and 1,600 employees, to our many sponsors and community partners – should look back with pride, and look ahead with excitement. A MEMORABLE CENTENNIAL With the history of the Stampede so entwined with the history of Alberta, it was natural for our organization to embrace the province’s Centennial with a full year of initiatives that celebrated western heritage and values. Among our many Centennial highlights, we: established the Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Awards that honoured Dr. Frits Pannekoek, Ryan Perez, and Roy and Lenore McLean for their unique contributions to our heritage; conducted a youth essay contest that saw Alyssa Wheeler, Meredith Pritchard and Beth Anna Heslop each earn a place at the front of the 2005 Stampede Parade; unveiled a permanent display at the Calgary International Airport, featuring a stunning sculptural display that evokes the spirit of the west; launched a digital archives project, in partnership with the University of Calgary, that provides online access to the Stampede’s collection STEVE ALLAN, Chairman of the Board & President (standing) of artifacts; VERN KIMBALL, Chief Operating Offi cer 2 ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS built the fi rst of fi ve houses for Habitat for Humanity in the spirit of neighbours helping neighbours, thanks to the hard work of hundreds of volunteers and staff , and the contributions of many community partners; celebrated our long-standing partnership with the Treaty Seven First Nations through enhanced pageantry and programming at the 2005 Calgary Stampede; and, published a beautiful coff ee table book, entitled Celebrating the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede: Th e Story of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The Centennial edition of the annual Calgary Stampede more than lived up to its worldwide reputation as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Th e Calgary Stampede Trail 2005 provided wranglers with a unique opportunity to relive history by trailing horses from Stampede Ranch, near Hanna, to Stampede Park. Th is otherwise spectacular experience concluded in an unfortunate incident near the end of the ride that resulted in the deaths of nine horses. A thorough internal review concluded that it was a tragic accident. Although the Stampede has no plans for another trail ride, our board of directors has accepted the review committee’s recommendation that we should not complete any future trail rides through the city of Calgary in the same manner. THE BEST STAMPEDE EVER Th e Centennial edition of the annual Calgary Stampede more than lived up to its worldwide reputation as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Certainly a record number of visitors – more than 1.2 million from around the globe – enjoyed an unprecedented line-up of attractions. Th is included the world’s premiere rodeo and chuckwagon races, some of the world’s top entertainers, unparalleled pageantry throughout Stampede Park, spectacular stage show and fi reworks, international agriculture competitions, $1 million in free entertainment, and an enhanced midway. Th e excitement began in June with a group of Stampede cowboys and cowgirls riding down Wall Street to the New York Stock Exchange, launching our international media conference – broadcast live to the world via the Internet. Of course, the real start of the Calgary Stampede was on July 8 when parade marshals the Honourable Ralph Klein Premier of Alberta and His Honour the Honourable Norman Kwong Lieutenant Governor of Alberta led the Stampede Parade past a record crowd of 400,000 along the streets of downtown Calgary (and seen by millions more nationally via television coverage). 3 ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Distinctive among the world’s great festivals, the fun spilled across the city into virtually every neighbourhood and workplace, creating a community-wide celebration. And as always, our Stampede volunteers were busy fanning the fl ames of public enthusiasm and involvement. Th anks to the support of a generous community leader, we recaptured the spirit of Stampede founder Guy Weadick’s famous eff orts to encourage citizens to dress western. Th rough our Get Your Head in a Hat campaign, volunteers gave away 14,000 cowboy hats and 100,000 prizes to promote pride and participation. Th e heart of the action was at Stampede Park. Our eff orts to off er “something for everyone” – from Western Showcase to Indian Village, from Ag-tivity in the City to the exciting midway – attracted more visitors than ever. Th is also resulted in a record number of Stampede Rodeo tickets sold and an unprecedented 10 sell-outs of the GMC Rangeland Derby and Grandstand Show package. Our diverse agricultural programs continue to connect young people to their agricultural heritage, introduce producers to consumers, and serve as a bridge between rural and urban communities. Th anks to our new Stampede Entertainment Inc. (SEI) partnership with White Iron Productions, we brought some of the world’s top entertainers to the 2005 Calgary Stampede, including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Michael W. Smith. SEI also produced the subsequent national television special, A Day Inside: Th e Calgary Stampede, which was later nominated for a Gemini Award. By virtually every measure, the 2005 Calgary Stampede was an outstanding success: the level of community involvement, on-Park attendance, a record chuckwagon canvas auction, entertainment sell-outs, overall customer satisfaction ratings, and the smiles on everyone’s faces. Every year we endeavour to improve the annual Calgary Stampede and this year will be no diff erent. In 2006 we’re introducing an exciting new format for the Stampede Rodeo, enhancements for the GMC Rangeland Derby, and a new level of big name entertainment. REINFORCING OUR ROOTS Agriculture has been the backbone of the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede since our formation in 1886 as the Calgary Agricultural Society. Our diverse agricultural programs continue to connect young people to their agricultural heritage, introduce producers to consumers, and serve as a bridge between rural and urban communities. 4 ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Among the more than 60 programs spread across 100 days last year was Aggie Days. Th is popular program featured dozens of key industry exhibitors and provided thousands of students and families with a hands-on opportunity to learn about agriculture. In addition, the innovative presentation of displays, shows and competitions at the Calgary Stampede were honoured with the International Association of Fairs and Exposition’s 2005 Best of Show – Agriculture Award for fairs that host over one million visitors. Th is is a wonderful testament to the eff orts of our staff and volunteers. Like the industry itself, our agriculture programming continues to evolve. Looking to the future, our plans include a new agriculture arena complex, and a fresh approach to programming to be developed by our agricultural staff , volunteer committees and industry partners. For example, we expect to signifi cantly expand our innovative Calgary Campus partnership with Olds College to distribute agriculture learning across all 193 acres of Stampede Park. OUR CONTRIBUTION IS 365 DAYS STRONG Stampede Park is the gathering place for Calgary, welcoming over four million visitors each year. Stampede Park hosts more than 1,300 events ranging from commerce, trade, sports and entertainment, celebration and learning, aside from the many activities held at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Although our biggest connection to the community remains the Calgary Stampede each July, we are working hard to attract Calgarians and visitors every day of the year. In 2005, the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede was honoured with the Consumers Choice Award for business excellence in the Banquet/Reception Hall category. Th is award is a tribute to our employees’ dedication to A gathering place for Calgary and the world: the proposed 2020 full build- delivering outstanding customer out for Stampede Park expansion and development. service. Our hospitality also 5 ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS won universal praise following the May luncheon at which Premier Ralph Klein hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with His Royal Highness Th e Duke of Edinburgh and 600 other special guests. Th e success of many of our year-round activities, such as Sales, Facilities & Event Services, Food & Beverage, Stampede Racing and Stampede Casino, provide a vital source of revenue that we put right back into the community. Stampede Casino, for example, is the only not- for-profi t casino in Calgary: all revenue goes either to the 173 participating community charities or into Stampede programming and facilities. Th ese revenues enable the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, as one of Canada’s most respected not-for-profi t organizations, to contribute to the community