envision & PlanbookMedia Kit 09 Whenever an In 1905, was proclaimed a province and Edmonton individual or business was named its capital city. Early settlers in the province were mainly ranch- decides that success ers and farmers who found the foothills of Alberta to be ideal ranching country. But all of that changed in 1947. A major oil discovery at Leduc, near Edmonton, sparked an economic has been attained, change to the city of Edmonton and moreover, to the entire province of Alberta. More and progress stops. more oil and gas discoveries throughout the province led to development in the petrochemi- cal industry, construction, surveying and transportation, all to supplement the growth of the energy industry. Today, the energy industry continues to play a major role in the growth and — Thomas J. Watson prosperity of Alberta and in the city of Edmonton. Contributing to this growth are a variety of industry players such as agriculture, forestry, innovative research and development, and manufacturing. “Powerhouse” is a term that truly captures the strength and diversity of our economic advantage.

the arts Fringe Festival is North America’s largest and Vibrant. Creative. Eclectic. Three words that oldest Fringe Festival. For 11 days, more than capture the sights and sounds of Edmonton’s 500,000 visitors come to check out over 1,200 arts community. shows and performances from 207 companies In 2010, the will open in 27 venues. The Fringe allows people to ex- the doors to its new state-of-the art facility. perience bizarre and outrageous live theatre: Located in the heart of Edmonton’s Arts Dis- it is human creativity at its finest. It is second trict, Sir Square, the venue only to the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival 4 will be a true masterpiece and a centre of ex- in Scotland. 1–Art Gallery of Alberta; 2–Gallery Walk Association of Ed- cellence. Showcasing international, Canadian monton; 3- Blues International; 4–fringetheatreadventures.ca and aboriginal art, the new Art Gallery of Alberta will offer visitors a grand experience. tourism Featured will be almost 30,000 square feet of Alberta boasts a $5-billion-plus* tourism exhibition space, dedicated gallery space for sector. People travel from all over the world over 6,000 works of art, an expanded educa- to see its beauty and visit the extraordinary tion centre, a 150-seat theatre, plus unique attractions first-hand. facility rental opportunities.1 The EIA (Edmonton International Airport) is Edmonton was the first city in to the fastest growing major airport in Canada introduce the Gallery Walk in 1981. Located in terms of passenger growth rate over the just west of the downtown core, the Gallery past two years. EIA has served over 4.8-million Walk takes art enthusiasts on a 12-block tour passengers year-to-date (September 2008), an of over 60 galleries and specialty businesses. increase of 6.4 per cent over the same period The Gallery Walk promotes both art and in 2007. It offers non-stop service to more artists of merit, with a focus on Canadian than 50 destinations worldwide, so you can be artists.2 sure to get where you need to go. Edmonton is Every August, Edmonton sings the “blues... served three times per week by VIA Rail Can- and nothin’ but the blues.” The Labatt Blues ada’s “The Canadian” route. Situated near the Festival brings blues lovers together for three centre of Alberta geographically, two major days to hear music from many of the world’s highway routes run right through Edmonton. greatest blues artists. In February 2008, The Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway (#16) Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival was the runs west to east bringing in visitors from B.C., recipient of the 2008 “Keeping the Blues Alive Saskatchewan and eastern Canada, while the Award” for festivals in Memphis. Edmonton Queen Elizabeth II Highway (#2) is the route Did you know? Edmonton has one of the lowest population densities of any major North American is the only Canadian festival to ever win this for those travelling from the north and south. city - about 67 times less than the population density of New York City. award.3 * Edmonton Journal, August 2, 2008; EIA (Edmonton International Airport) When summer rolls around, the Fringe comes to town. The Edmonton International

4 EDMONTON JOURNAL · The Face of Edmonton 09 Media Kit & Plan Book 5 envision & PlanbookMedia Kit edmonton 09 attractions (National Hockey League). Also celebrating a history, is a one-stop shop with 125 retailers Profit in business comes milestone year are the Edmonton Eskimos of and services, including Edmonton’s largest from repeat customers, Edmonton provides visitors and residents the CFL (Canadian Football League). The year Bay store. It is currently undergoing a major customers that boast with an abundance of things to see and do 2008 marked 60 seasons of green and gold expansion that will be complete in summer throughout the year. It is guaranteed that for football fans. Edmonton is also home to 2009, and will feature 30-40 new stores.4 Lon- about your project or there is something for everyone in Edmonton. the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL-Western Hockey donderry Mall offers a diverse mix of over 150 service, and that bring Are you wanting to learn about the stars, the League), the Edmonton Cracker-Cats (GBL- shops and services, giving shoppers a great friends with them. human body and the environment all under Golden Baseball League) and the Edmonton selection for all their family needs.5 If you are one roof? The TELUS World of Science™ offers Rush (NLL-National Lacrosse League). looking for a different shopping experience, excitement for kids and adults of all ages. then is the place to — W. Edwards Deming Besides having the opportunity to cheer in Featuring the first Imax theatre in Western the stands for their favourite team, sports go. It is a retail power centre that when fully Canada and home to the largest planetarium enthusiasts in Edmonton can enjoy a number developed will spread over 320 acres and will dome theatre across the country, TELUS World of events throughout the year. The Canadian contain approximately 2.3 million square feet of Science™ strives to inspire and motivate Birkebeiner Ski Festival brings thousands of of retail space. It is the largest open-air retail 6 people to learn more about science and skiers to Canada’s premiere cross country ski development in North America. technology. Feature exhibits are showcased festival, and the largest classical cross country 1–Conference Board of Canada – Metropolitan Outlook throughout the year and change continually. Autumn 2008; 2–; 3– Garden ski festival in North America. Participants ski Mall; 4–; 5–; 6–South Over 600,000* visitors take the voyage of a 55-km course while carrying a 5.5-kg or 12- Edmonton Common discovery each year.1 lb. pack over their shoulders. The Birkebeiner education In 1974, the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) rode Ski Festival commemorates the historic Founded a century ago, the University of into Edmonton and 35 years later, it just keeps legend of the original Birkebeiners over 800 1 Alberta (U of A) is one of the top 100 teaching getting bigger and better. Billed as one of the years ago. and research universities in the world. Over largest indoor rodeo events in the world, over Alberta was chosen to host the 2012 IIHF 36,000 students and 11,000 faculty and staff 92,000 fans come each November to see who World Junior Championship in Calgary (Pen- grace the campus halls and enjoy top-ranked will be awarded part of the over $1 million in growth Saddledome) and Edmonton (Rexall programs and unique degree opportunities. prize money.2 Place), to take place in late December 2011 U of A features close to 400 undergraduate, Start your engines! Rexall to early January 2012. It is projected to have graduate and professional programs in 18 pushes the pedal to the metal giving race fans an attendance record of more than 475,000 faculties.1 three action-filled days of speed and adrena- and an estimated economic impact to the 2 MacEwan College, established in 1971, was line. Thousands of visitors are drawn to the province of over $45-million. named after Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan, a former city to see the action live. This fast-paced race 1–canadianbirkie.com; 2–tsn.ca lieutenant governor of Alberta. It has grown to features many of the race industry’s elite vying become the largest college in Western Canada, for the crown of Indy Champion. shopping with close to 40,000 students enrolled each Often called the “8th Wonder of the World,” With retail sales forecast to rise by six per year in over 70 programs. MacEwan College West Edmonton Mall (WEM) offers visitors a cent in 2009, there is no better place to hit has gained an international reputation for place to play, shop and stay. With over 800 the malls and shop ’til you drop.1 Edmonton programs in the arts, business and communi- stores and services, and 100-plus eating es- offers shoppers an unbelievable selection of cations, health care and the human services.2 tablishments, there promises to be something products and services. From popular brand Educated, skilled, and successful learners: for everyone in your family. WEM features names to rare, exclusive items, you are sure to that is NAIT’s mission. NAIT (Northern Alberta Events Sports Teams Attractions Valley Zoo world-class attractions such as find what you are looking for. Institute of Technology) is Alberta’s third larg- Canadian Finals Rodeo Edmonton Cracker-Cats West Edmonton Mall , the world’s largest indoor There are a number of major malls and com- est post-secondary institute and is the largest Capital EX (Golden Baseball League) Art Gallery of Alberta amusement park, the Ice Palace and the Winspear Centre munity shopping areas around Edmonton. apprenticeship trainer in Canada. Offering stu- , the world’s largest indoor Edmonton Folk Music Festival Edmonton Eskimos Educational Institutions West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is Edmonton’s dents 250 programs to choose from, including wave pool.3 Edmonton Heritage Festival (Canadian Football League) University of Alberta largest and most recognized mall, featuring 35 apprenticeship trades and more than 1,400 2 Edmonton International Edmonton Oilers NAIT (Northern Alberta 1–TELUS World of Science™; 2–Canadian Finals Roder; over 800 stores and services. Kingsway Gar- continuing education courses, NAIT recognizes Fringe Theatre Festival 3–West Edmonton Mall; *Alberta Tourism 2006 (National Hockey League) Northern Alberta Jubilee Institute of Technology) den Mall offers more than 200 shops and ser- the need to educate and train students to Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival Auditorium Edmonton Oil Kings MacEwan College vices and hosts 10 million shoppers annually. meet the growth and demand for Alberta’s Edmonton International Jazz Festival Upon completion of its current $60-million 3 (Western Hockey League) Concordia University College of Alberta sports industries. Farmfair International renovation and redevelopment, Kingsway Norquest College Edmonton is home to a number of teams that 1–University of Alberta; 2–MacEwan College; NAIT Edmonton Rush Garden Mall will be designed to attract new Rexall Edmonton Indy Shaw Conference Centre provide sports fans with action all year round. (National Lacrosse League) Athabasca University and exciting retailers, increase consumer TELUS World of Science™ University of Lethbridge The 2008/2009 season marks the 30th an- appeal, and improve customer circulation.3 The Works Art & Design Festival niversary for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Southgate Centre, with over 37 years of

6 EDMONTON JOURNAL · The Face of Edmonton 09 Media Kit & Plan Book 7 moving & PlanbookMedia Kit forward 09 I welcome & seek People in Edmonton have manufacturing Healthy employment and income growth main campus, $1 billion worth of projects are your ideas, but do not good reason to smile. Though With the price of oil forecast to stay relatively have made consumer spending in Edmonton being built or planned, including the flagship 2008 has been a bumpy year on local, nation- high in the near term, energy-related invest- a bright spot of the economy in the past few initiative Centennial Centre for Interdisciplin- years, with a 25.9 per cent increase in retail ary Science,14 on top of the $300 million bring me small ideas; al, and global fronts, the people of this fair ment in Alberta is expected to be vibrant. sales since 2005 alone. In 2008, Edmonton’s completed over the past five years. city continue to enjoy the stability that comes Around $72.4 billion worth of energy-related bring me big ideas to retail sales accounted for 4.5 per cent of all with Alberta’s prosperity. The past few years projects are now underway in the province. In EPCOR utilities is constructing Edmonton’s retail sales across Canada; more than the match our future. have seen dramatic increases in spending, addition, roughly $9.5 billion in projects are first high-rise office building in two decades. slated to begin soon, while about $98.3 billion entire provincial retail sales for Saskatchewan, Slated to open in 2012, this $250-million housing, employment, manufacturing and Manitoba, or any of the Maritime provinces.7 population. Now the momentum has slowed, in energy development is proposed for the 28-storey building on EPCOR’s Station Lands future. Since Edmonton is the manufacturing Consumer confidence is a little lower going — Arnold Schwarzenegger giving us all a chance to finally stop and property located northwest of the CN Tower. hub of Alberta’s energy sector, all this activity into 2009, thanks to fewer housing starts and smell the roses. As the political, intellectual It will be certified to a Leadership in Energy will boost medium-term growth in the city’s a weakening U.S. market, but as a relatively and cultural heart of Alberta, Edmonton has and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver stan- manufacturing sector to an average 3.4 per stable market, retail sales in Edmonton are dard or higher, reducing energy, water and much to look forward to in 2009. still forecast to rise to six per cent in 2009.2 cent per year from 2009 to 2012.2 resource use.15 Development has begun on the highly antici- housing projects pated Currents of Windermere, Edmonton’s income newest retail mega-development, which will 2008 saw a drop in new housing starts, More than just oil and gas, Edmonton’s econ- cover about 43 hectares in southwest Edmon- The pace of economic growth in Alberta from and the booming Edmonton seller’s market omy and 100-year history as one of Canada’s ton and offer more than one million square 2004 to 2006 has been frenetic, with annual moving toward a more balanced market premier research, technology and education feet of retail, office, entertainment and resi- increases in GDP of more than 12 per cent.1 with year-over-year price growth slowing,5 centres has created a dynamic and thriving dential space. Hailed as the “much preferred An economy trying to maintain this level of 8 inevitable given the rapid growth in recent environment of opportunity. A major centre evolution of the current big-box format,” it is growth over an extended period of time is for nanotechnology, information and commu- years. Non-residential activity is expected to scheduled to open in 2010.16 neither feasible nor desirable, and Alberta has stay robust, but overall construction output is nications technology, life sciences, software now reached a normal, sustainable growth Expecting 50 per cent more passengers by projected to decrease by 0.5 per cent in 2008 development and biomedical advancement, rate of 2.6 per cent in 2008, with a forecast 3.3 2012, Edmonton Airports is spending $1 bil- before bouncing back with a 3.7 per cent gain Edmonton’s diversification ranks as one of the per cent for 20092 – well above the national 2 lion to expand and upgrade the International in 2009.2 best in Canada. average. Though the end of 2008 saw much Airport.9 The $217 million Mazankowski Alberta Heart turmoil in the world markets, Edmonton’s In fact, in a recently released report on the Institute officially opened on May 1, 2008. own GDP growth has been even higher than Top 10 Alberta Towns for Real Estate Invest- The first of its kind in Western Canada, this Alberta’s, coming in at 3.1 per cent for 2008 ment, Edmonton tops the list. “While the 132-bed facility will combine cardiac care with and increasing to 3.5 per cent into 2009, with years of skyrocketing prices may be over for innovation, research and education. And, as per capita personal income forecast to be 17 now, Edmonton’s economic fundamentals are a major research centre and training ground per cent above the national average in 20092 poised for greatness, and continue to make for the heart specialists of the future, the 1 Alberta Report 2008 Q1 – Edmonton investment - evidence of the fundamental strength of our this city our top pick for long-term real estate 2 Conference Board of Canada, Metropolitan Outlook heart institute will put Edmonton on the map ownership and rental housing investment,” Autumn 2008 economy. 10 says Real Estate Investment Network report as a cardiac centre of excellence. 3 Statistics Canada, The Daily “Canada’s Population lead author and president Don Campbell.6 The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Estimates,” Sept. 29, 2008 population (NAIT) recently expanded with a $40-million 4 Statistics Canada, Population Forecast training centre – Spartan Centre for Instru- 5 City of Edmonton City Trends Report, July/August 2008 Alberta led the rest of Canada in rates of 6 Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), October 8, 2008 retail mentation Technology and Petro-Canada natural increase (the difference between 7 Retail Sales Outlook Canada Q3 2008, Kubas Consultants Centre for Millwright Technology – as part of births and deaths), international migration 8 Edmonton Economic Development Corporation a $1-billion, 10-year expansion project.11 This and interprovincial migration in 2008.3 With 9 Edmonton Journal, Oct 12, 2007 state-of-the-art facility was recognized with wages eight per cent higher than the national 10 Capital Health an Award of Merit at the 2008 Prairie Design average, and one of the lowest unemployment 11 Edmonton Journal, Sept 12, 2007 Awards.12 12 Journal of Commerce, June 16, 2008 rates in the country (3.7 per cent in 2008 and 13 University of Alberta Media Release, January 18, 2008 a forecast 3.5 per cent in 2009), more than The $85.5-million Enterprise Square, an exten- 14 Edmonton Journal, May 31, 2007, U of A 410,000 people have migrated to Alberta in sion of the University of Alberta, opened its Faculty of Science the last five years. Alberta’s population growth doors in 2008, featuring high-tech classrooms 15 EPCOR, Edmonton Journal, Dec 7, 2007 Edmonton is home to the world’s is expected to sustain at 80,000 migrants per and specialized instructors catering to the 16 Edmonton Journal, August 26, 2008 Did you know? largest cowboy boot. year until at least 2012.1 The Edmonton metro learning needs of business students, managers area is estimated to have increased more than and executives.13 At the University of Alberta six per cent in 2008 to over 1.1 million people, a trend set to continue into 2009.4

8 EDMONTON JOURNAL · The Face of Edmonton 09 Media Kit & Plan Book 9 going further

the metro Edmonton region The Edmonton Census Metropolitan Population Stats Area (CMA) is a unique region in TOTAL If commerce is the engine CITY POPULATION HOUSEHOLDS of our economy, then Canada due to the expanse of geography that surrounds the city’s advertising is the spark. Edmonton (CMA) 1,034,945 426,132 boundary. Edmonton’s metro area Responsible advertisers are Edmonton 730,372 314,362 encompasses 35 towns, villages Beaumont 8,961 2,858 the drivers who keep us on the and rural municipalities up to 80 Bon Accord 1,534 550 right track, leading to a richer, kilometres from the downtown core. Bruderheim 1,215 483 more benevolent society. Calmar 1,959 741 Edmonton’s unique geography Devon 6,256 2,342 — Brian Philcox has created an attractive lifestyle Fort Saskatchewan 14,957 5,825 advantage for the residents of Gibbons 2,642 993 the region by combining the Leduc 16,967 6,718 sophistication of a major city Leduc County 12,730 4,915 with the warmth of western, rural Legal 1,192 424 hospitality. Morinville 6,775 2,401 Parkland County 29,265 11,064 Redwater 2,192 898 our northern Spruce Grove 19,496 7,293 Alberta market St. Albert 57,719 20,938 Edmonton, near the geographic Stony Plain/Stony Plain 135 13,781 5,201 centre of Western Canada, is known Strathcona County 82,511 29,293 as the Gateway to the North. The Sturgeon County 18,621 6,302 city is strategically positioned to Wabamun/Wabamun 133A 1,689 459 provide the most cost-effective SOURCE: 2006 Census of Population – Released March 13, 2007 location for businesses, with access (Stats Canada – Community Profiles) to consumers in the northern territories, the western provinces and the northwestern United States.

10 EDMONTON JOURNAL · The Face of Edmonton