It’s more than 10 days. 2008 Report to the Community Our 10 days in July are just the beginning. The Calgary Stampede is known the world over as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. But before and after our famous 10 days in July, the Calgary Stampede is working to improve our community, and preserve the western heritage and values that make us truly unique. This Report to the Community will give you a better understanding of our organization and of what goes on behind the scenes Here. All year. 1 Organizational Highlights 5 Leadership 8 Volunteers 24 Employees 26 Sponsors 30 Stampede Champions 31 2008 Royal Ambassadors 32 Government Partners 33 Financial Reporting 35 Auditors’ Report 36 Consolidated Financial Statements 39 Notes to Financials 2 CALGARY STAMPEDE organIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 2008 Stampede, 2008 will be remembered for a number of significant milestones that both celebrated our heritage and signaled renewal. Once again, Calgarians and visitors from around the world renewed their love affair with The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. In near-record numbers, people accepted our invitation to Come Down and Get Away. Thanks to new programs and displays, along with time-tested favourites, all served up with our world-famous western hospitality, we created a guest experience that remains the envy of festivals, fairs and expositions everywhere in the world. (L to R) Vern Kimball, Chief Executive Officer; Proudly leading the way was our parade marshal Calgary Stampede George Brookman, President and Chairman of the Board Patsy Rodgers, the first-ever Stampede Queen, joined by Rodeo was 100 other past queens, princesses and Indian princesses. inducted into Past, present and future came together Patsy wore the iconic white hat just as she did in 1948, American symbolizing the timeless spirit of the Stampede. It was at the 2008 Calgary Stampede. a moving tribute to Patsy and the Royalty program. ProRodeo Hall One of the most telling achievements in the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, already known as the of Fame. remarkable history of the Calgary Stampede has been sport’s most prestigious rodeo, was inducted into the its ability to renew and remain relevant to its community. American ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008, and last year’s That’s because the Stampede is more than an event competition more than lived up to its reputation. The it is a culture. Western hospitality, community involvement, finale featured dramatic tie-breakers and outstanding integrity and pride of place aren’t fashion items our performances, prompting one rodeo observer to write, citizens wear only 10 days a year. These values reflect “Excitement, tension, exceptional drama. Every dictionary the special nature of our community and remain vitally contains hundreds of superlatives and every one would important to our citizens. That Stampede spirit is a big describe $1-million Sunday at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo.” reason why Calgary is considered one of the greatest The rodeo attracted the very best cowboys and cities in the world in which to live and work. cowgirls on the planet, riding the world’s top stock, In the rich and wonderful history of the Calgary including the star of Stampede Ranch’s Born-to-Buck 2008 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 1 organIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS program, five-time world champion Grated Coconut. in the GMC Rangeland Derby. We also announced a new It’s no wonder that the Jody Skinner oil painting for the aggregate format for 2009 ensuring our chuckwagon poster, July Explosion: Grated Coconut set a new record championship continues to be the premier showcase for of $105,000 at last year’s Western Art Auction. the world’s top drivers. Another remarkable event unfolded on the final Friday when we hosted Parlez-vous Yahoo? Day on Stampede Park Our diverse youth programs inspire a as a salute to Québec City’s 400th anniversary. On that unforgettable day we celebrated Québec’s wonderful variety of skills most of all, citizenship. heritage and culture with many friends from that city and This past year, The Young Canadians School of province. It was a follow-up to our amazing trip to Québec Performing Arts celebrated its 40th anniversary. Funded by the Calgary Stampede “Each year, more than four million people visit Foundation, the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts offers The Young Stampede Park, attending events that range from trade year-round training in voice, musical Canadians School theatre, gymnastics and dance. of Performing and consumer shows to sporting and social events.” Over its history, the school has Arts celebrated provided world-class performing in February, when 100 Stampede volunteers and employees arts experience for thousands of young Albertans. its 40th visited soldiers and families at CFB Valcartier and shared The school is one of several youth and education programs anniversary. our western hospitality at Winter Carnival in Québec City. funded by the Calgary Stampede Foundation, including the Finally, at this Stampede we said good-bye to a Stampede Showband, Stampede School, Youth Speech and chuckwagon icon. After a 45-year career as the voice of the Debate, 4-H on Parade, 4-H Rodeo and Stampede Talent Search. GMC Rangeland Derby, Joe Carbury called his last race. The These important programs are helping transform outpouring of emotion from the 20,000 fans that final night today’s youth into the leaders of tomorrow. Over the past at Joe’s tribute will not soon be forgotten. There’ll be a new six decades the young ambassadors in our Royalty program voice calling the races next year for a sport that continues to have been outstanding representatives for the Stampede renew itself thanks to the leadership of the Calgary Stampede. and the city of Calgary. In 2008, we took new steps, such A chuckwagon safety commission was created in 2008 to as introducing scholarships and enhancing public speaking enforce new rules and a new code of conduct for participants training, to ensure the Royalty program continues to groom future generations of community leaders. 2 CALGARY STAMPEDE Agriculture remains at the and the impact it has on both the environment and the local economy, we are providing our customers new options heart of the Calgary Stampede. to incorporate local food products into their events. For more than a century, Stampede Park has served as one of the most important gathering places for agriculture in southern Alberta, and in 2008 we unveiled plans to We host visitors year round revitalize this unique agriculture showcase. We announced as we transform Stampede Park. our intention to invest $65 million to build a state-of-the- Each year, more than four million people visit art agriculture facility and redevelop the southeast corner Stampede Park, attending events that range from trade of Stampede Park. Work began in mid-2008 on the new and consumer shows to sporting and social events. bridge and tunnel to enhance access to the area. Our venues are recognized as the best in Calgary. The 20th This long-term plan ensures we can continue to showcase In 2008, the Roundup Centre received the Consumers’ Global Petroleum the best of agriculture programs and western events in a Choice Award for business excellence in the banquet/ Show attracted manner that appeals to new and diverse audiences. reception hall category for an unprecedented fourth 60,000 attendees, In 2008, our year-round agriculture activities included year in a row. creating an more than 60 education, youth development, sports, Construction on the Roundup Centre expansion economic entertainment and business events. Among the 2008 remained on schedule throughout 2008, and the expanded highlights was the 32nd annual 4-H on Parade, the largest facility will open in the summer of 2009 in time to host spin-off of up stand-alone 4-H event in Canada, which drew more than the international WorldSkills competition. This expansion to $100 1,000 young people from across Alberta. And last year our ensures Calgary can continue to attract major events that million for Agriculture Education committee was awarded a special benefit the local economy. For instance, this past year the local business. Growing Alberta award for its programming of Aggie Days, 20th Global Petroleum Show attracted 60,000 attendees for recognizing the value of providing today’s urban children the world’s largest oil and gas show, creating an economic with opportunities to learn about the original sources of spin-off of up to $100 million for local businesses. their food and how agriculture touches their lives. Next to the expanded Roundup Centre is the new Our support for the industry was further enhanced in Stampede Casino, which we completed in February and 2008 with the introduction of Grown right. Here. This subsequently sold to a third party. We are also now innovative program showcases Alberta food products with the working with Alberta Development Partners to explore millions of consumers who visit Stampede Park throughout the development of a Main Street retail zone and create the year. With people now conscious about buying locally a new north entrance to Stampede Park. In addition, 2008 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 3 organIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS last year we completed the design work and submitted a This increase came largely from the one-time gain from development permit for our plan to revitalize the park on the sale of the Stampede Casino. the east side of the Elbow River. Our transition out of casino and horse racing In 2008, we also unveiled the first of several major last year also allowed us to realign our organizational public art projects that will celebrate our heritage in a way structure, strengthen integration across departments that will inspire people for generations to come.