envision & PlanbookMedia Kit edmonton 09 Whenever an In 1905, Alberta 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 Art Gallery of Alberta 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 Winston Churchill 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 Canada 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 South Edmonton Common 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–West Edmonton Mall; 3–Kingsway Garden ski festival in North America. Participants ski Mall; 4–Southgate Centre; 5–Londonderry Mall; 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 Edmonton Indy 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 Galaxyland find what you are looking for.