Where Calgary Comes Together: Building Momentum in The Culture + Entertainment District

About This Event

With over $2B invested in transforming Calgary's emerging Culture + Entertainment District (C+E), progress towards the master-planned vision for the vibrant, connected downtown neighbourhood is gaining momentum.

Join CMLC – master developer of The C+E – and our partners at the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) for a panel discussion that explores our shared vision for The C+E and how the recently expanded BMO Centre and forthcoming Scotia Place will build community, drive economic growth for Calgary, and catalyze more than four million square feet of mixed-use development for the neighbourhood.

Speakers:

Joel Cowley – CEO, Calgary Stampede

Susan Darrington – VP Building Operations, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation

Robert Hayes – President & CEO, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation

Kate Thompson – President & CEO, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (Moderator)

Space is limited.

Speaker Bios:

Joel Cowley – CEO, Calgary Stampede

Joel Cowley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible to the Board of Directors for leading the organization.
Before taking on the role of CEO, Joel was most recently the president of Angus Genetics Incorporated, following 15 years with the internationally renowned Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

As president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Cowley oversaw 135 full time employees and 35,000 volunteers and brings considerable strengths in leadership, communication, administration and business to the Calgary Stampede.

Joel has had a longstanding relationship with the Calgary Stampede and the Calgary community through his involvement in the agriculture industry over the past 30 years. Joel holds an M.B.A. from Michigan State University, a M.Sc. in Animal Science from Texas A&M University and a B.Sc. in Animal Science from Colorado State University.

Robert Hayes – President & CEO, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation

Robert Hayes is President and CEO of Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation, assuming this position in June 2024. A native of Halifax, Mr. Hayes prior to his current role had a 35+ year career in the financial sector, working throughout Canada and the US. He held numerous Senior Executive positions that included leading client facing teams focused on areas such as mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, sports & entertainment, private banking, risk management, and international. This has allowed him to gain a deep understanding across multiple industries and assist Canadian clients in growing their business operations. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University, FCMA, FCPA, and ICD.D designations. He has completed Executive Leadership & Strategic Management programs at Northwestern University, University of Western Ontario, and University of Toronto.

In the community Mr. Hayes presently sits on the Calgary Flames Foundation, Calgary Stampeders Foundation, Calgary Economic Development, Calgary Film Centre, and Prostate Cancer Centre Boards. Historically he has served on the Calgary Stampede Foundation $100 million capital campaign committee, served three terms on the United Way Executive Campaign Cabinet, Chaired the Wood’s Homes Foundation Board and assisted with a Capital Campaign and CEO search, was a Westside Recreation Centre board member where he Chaired the Human Resources Committee, and was a member of the Peter Lougheed Centre Development Council for over 10 years. In 2013 Mr. Hayes was recognized as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People.

Kate Thompson – President & CEO, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (Moderator)

Kate Thompson is the President & CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC). She is responsible for the overall direction, business strategy, and operations of the organization. Thanks in large part to Kate’s exceptional leadership and foresight, CMLC is now overseeing more than $1 billion in development projects in East Calgary—including the BMO Centre expansion, 17th Avenue SE Extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station rebuild, Arts Commons Transformation, and the redevelopment of East Victoria Park into Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District. Kate has held numerous positions of leadership since she joined CMLC in 2013, including Director of Development, Vice President of Projects, and Vice President of Development.

Holding a Master’s in Architecture, Kate is a registered member of the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (FRAIC). She has extensive experience in design and development, having worked for private firms in Calgary and Europe. Kate shares her vast knowledge of architecture by teaching at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design as an Adjunct Professor. Additionally, she is passionate about developing new talent and provides mentorship for many young professionals in the field.

Kate has always been active in the community. She joined the YWCA Board in 2014 and became Board Chair in 2018, serving until 2021. Kate currently sits on the Boards of Ignite Calgary and Calgary Economic Development. She is a member of the Real Estate Sector Advisory Committee and chairs the Downtown Vibrancy Committee. She is also part of the Dean’s Circle and the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design.

Kate's unwavering dedication to her work has undoubtedly enhanced the culture of design appreciation in the city. She has been awarded the Certificate of Merit by the American Institute of Architects, was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, and one of YWCA’s 150 women to shape Calgary in the last 150. Most recently, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.

Susan Darrington – VP Building Operations, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation

Susan joined Calgary Sports and Entertainment in September of 2021, as Vice-President, Building and Event Operations.She is responsible for all aspects of venue operations at the Scotiabank Saddledome, including programming, budgeting, fan experience and staffing.She is also an integral part of the Project Team for the new Scotia Place, slated to open in fall of 2027.

Susan’s expertise in the facility and event operations field is vast.Susan served as Vice-President of Facility Operations & Services from 2004 to 2012 at Lumen Field (nee Qwest Field), the 68,000-seat outdoor Stadium and Event Center. The active multi-use venue is home to the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders in Seattle, Washington.In addition to successfully launching CenturyLink Field, she oversaw all aspects of operations that included stadium expansion, facility use guidelines, venue operations for the Seahawks and Sounders games, as well as working with top entertainment Industry promoters.

After working in Seattle, she served as the General Manager of Allianz Parque, South America’s first multi-use stadium in Sao Paulo, Bazil.There she was responsible for all activities in the lead-up and opening of the facility in 2014, which saw more than 170,000 guests in the first 20 days of operation.After opening Susan oversaw all aspects of the venue operations.During her tenure, Allianz Parque was nominated in 2015 for New Stadium of the Year at the International Stadium Business Awards in Barcelona.

Susan then returned to her birthplace, Edmonton, Alberta to work as the Vice-President, General Manager for Rogers Place, whose responsibilities include bringing the venue to life, overseeing the overall management and day-to-day operations during the pre- and post-opening periods. She developed and implemented the overall business and operation culture for the building, ensuring the highest levels of service for the fans, employees and partners.

This event is presented in partnership between Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, The Culture + Entertainment District, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and Calgary Stampede

How to Get Here

By Car

Park in Lot 3. License plate registration and payment will be required at a ParkPlus pay machine or through the ParkPlus app. There are machines located in several different areas of the lot.

By Train

The Victoria Park/Stampede Station is located right beside the BMO Centre.

By Bike

Bike racks are located outside the BMO Centre along Flores LaDue Parade.

Directions to Room 225

Enter the BMO Centre through the Plaza Entrance, located across from the Saddledome. Upon entering the building, a guest ambassador will be available to direct you upstairs to the Level 2 meeting rooms. Rooms 225-226 are located past the Exchange Bar and fireplace, to the right.

Venue Accessibility

Accessible drop off is available at the Plaza Entrance, located across from the Saddledome. The BMO Centre offers service dog relief areas, universal washrooms with barrier free adult changerooms, elevators, tactile cues on handrails and visual aids.

An elevator is located just inside the Plaza Entrance, across from the Saddledome, to the right of Hall A1. Take the elevator to Level 2, where Guest Ambassadors will be stationed at all main entrances to provide further direction and answer any questions.

Please find additional accessibility information here.

Event Accessibility

Captioning will be provided. If there are other considerations that would make the event more accessible or comfortable for you, please send an email to rsvp@calgarymlc.ca