tourism calgary team

Cindy Ady appointed CEO of Tourism Calgary

Cindy Ady has been officially appointed permanent chief executive of Tourism Calgary.

You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Article content

Tourism Calgary didn’t have to go far to find its next full-time chief executive.

Cindy Ady, who has filled the position on an interim basis since mid-2013, was appointed on a permanent basis Wednesday.

Cindy Ady appointed CEO of Tourism Calgary Back to video

“Tourism has become quite a passion for me,” said Ady, a former cabinet minister who was Alberta’s tourism minister from 2008 to 2011. “I want to help to continue to shape where Calgary is heading in this area.”

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

Ady said she wants to boost Calgary tourism revenues to $2.3 billion by 2020. In 2013, the city welcomed more than 7.5 million travellers who contributed an estimated $1.6 billion to the local economy, according to city figures.

Ady said Tourism Calgary needs to “up its game” when it comes to competing against the sophisticated marketing campaigns of competiting locations fighting to attract visitors.

“We can’t rest on old methodologies. Technology is changing the industry,” she said.

In April 2013, less than a week after reporting a record year, Tourism Calgary announced it was replacing then CEO Randy Williams. A month later, the Calgary Hotel Association said it was pulling its $2.5 million annual funding for Tourism Calgary. A new deal was announced last fall between the organizations.

“Cindy will continue to build the Tourism Calgary team and deliver on the goals and objectives in our strategic plan through working with our stakeholders,” said board chairman Rod McKay.

“There have been significant achievements since Cindy joined Tourism Calgary as interim CEO in 2013, including an important new long-term agreement with the Calgary Hotel Association, a more focused organizational strategy and the award-winning ‘Calgary, our doors are open’ post-flood awareness campaign.”

[email protected]

Twitter.com/MTone123

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Braid: No matter how much they talk, single-family zoning will end in Calgary

'bittersweet:' parents of calgary man arrive in city after escaping gaza violence, fear over fate of glenbow, haskayne parks as province seeks input on bow river flood mitigation.

Bell: Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaks out and has words for Danielle Smith

Mounties charge two suspects in gleichen homicide, one of them a fugitive.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

You've reached the 20 article limit.

You can manage saved articles in your account.

and save up to 100 articles!

Looks like you've reached your saved article limit!

You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.

• Perspectives – Submission Guidelines
• Calgary’s Next Economy
• Ward Zero podcast
• LiveWire Calgary: In-house podcast
• Common Ground YYC
• Our mission
• Our operating model
• Who are we?
• Freelance Guidelines
• Privacy policy
• The Daily FLIP

Feel good about your information and become a local news champion today

Tourism Calgary eyes $2.7 billion in tourism revenue by 2026

For the first time in nearly three years, Tourism Calgary has a business plan.

Calgary’s destination marketing organization announced the strategy on Feb. 16 to members of the tourism industry, City of Calgary officials, and members of Calgary City Council.

Among the areas of focus for the areas of focus for the next three-years will be strengthening Calgary’s reputation through branding, becoming a year-round event city, elevating the city as a top convention destination, and further building community and collaboration amongst partners.

“Well, basically, we’re back,” said Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary.

“We were constantly in what I would call the midst of the crisis and then into recovery, and this is the first really great sign that we’re moving out of recovery like the bold people we are, into the future.”

The new strategy, said Ady, is meant to support the more than 970 Calgary businesses that rely on Tourism Calgary to bring visitors to the city.

In terms of the tourism industry itself, Calgary is on track to return to 2019 levels of visitation by 2024. With that, there’s the opportunity to grow from a projected $2.1 billion in tourism revenue in 2024 to $2.7 billion by 2027.

Generational opportunity

Ady said the planned opening of the BMO Centre Expansion in 2024 was a generational opportunity to increase and advance the visitor economy in Calgary.

That expansion project plays a large part in turning Calgary into a Tier 1 convention city.

“That puts us up there with Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver—kind of moves into the big kids’ table on this one,” Ady said.

Plans for the coming year involve Tourism Calgary aligning convention marketing and sales plans with partners like the Calgary Stampede, and increasing industry awareness of the upcoming convention space.

Going into 2024 and 2025, the organization said that they want to optimize the return on investment from efforts to draw conventions to the city.

Tourism Calgary is also directing part of its strategy toward supporting convention delegates, especially those that will be attending the June 2025 Rotary International Convention. That event is expected to draw between 20,000 to 40,000 visitors to the city, from more than 100 nations.

Importantly for the city’s tourism industry, those convention travellers represent both high volumes of people visiting the city, and also high levels of spending.

Gualtieri said that the addition of events like the Special Olympics and Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts to the Chinook Blast mix does more than just expand the offerings to locals.

“They also bring a lot of tourists, where we get to actually incorporate the arts and the culture of our city as well,” she said.

Leisure travel continued focus, and international visitors wanted

The strategy isn’t completely moving away from domestic travellers. That travel is expected to represent 78 per cent of the total Canadian tourism industry spend in 2023.

“It will be critical to continue to promote Calgary as a destination of choice regionally and domestically, where our largest volume of travellers come from,” wrote Tourism Calgary in their strategy.

Ady said that leisure travel in particular is back nationally, but the international leisure travel portion of the industry has been slower to recover.

Key markets for 2023 will continue to be locations within an eight-hour drive of the city, like parts of B.C., central Alberta, Saskatchewan, and parts of U.S. states like Montana, Idaho, and Washington.

“There’s going to be a lot of emphasis from a strategic perspective by ourselves, travel Alberta and Destination Canada, on the U.S,” Ady said.

“We’re going to be looking at Mexico because that’s the market that’s been the most resilient in the comeback so far… and New York, California, Texas—they tend to be the places where we get the most visitors from, so we’re very much hoping for a restoration of that traffic.”

Priority markets for Tourism Calgary for 2023, outside of the United States, are Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the U.K.

France, the Netherlands, and Japan will be focuses later in 2023 and into 2024, while South Korea and China will become priority markets in 2025.

ROI from past visitation, tour operator viability post-pandemic, ease of air access, and ease of doing business with those markets are all cited as reasons these markets were selected.

“The reason they’re important to our market is, although they only represent about 25 per cent of the visitors that come to Calgary, they represent 75 pre cent of the spend,” said Ady.

Creating a year-round eventful city

One of the goals for Tourism Calgary is to attract between one and two large signature events to the city each year. Alongside that, they plan to attract anchor events in the shoulder and winter seasons, and then assist local events by connecting them with other events and conventions.

“We’re going to, in 2024, have the Special Olympics in Calgary, which we’re pretty excited about. There’s this dream of Commonwealth Games perhaps coming, and we’re also in the mix right now for the North American Indigenous Games ,” Ady said.

“There’s lots of really great opportunities out there that the team is working on, and putting us in a bid placement so that we can actually go and access them.”

Ady said that one of the reputations Calgary has is a city that is friendly but also being great hosts. That’s something that Tourism Calgary is going to leverage as a brand.

Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer spoke to LWC about the eventful city strategy, during the launch of another major event that is due to take place in May.

“When you think of what has just happened in the city, even just recently with the Nitro RX event, what we’re witnessing is a pretty awesome diversification in terms of the kinds of offerings that we have as a city,” he said.

Plans to draw more events to the city include hosting tours in 2024 and 2025 with international event partners, leverage the Special Olympics to build awareness of the city’s capacity to have events and to expand the reach of Chinook Blast.

Chinook Blast wrapped up with eyes on future growth

Within the strategy document, the plan for Chinook Blast is to build the festival’s reputation and importance, with the possibility of breaking off the festival post 2025 into its own entity separate from Tourism Calgary.

“There are four major groups that come together to bring it, and we’re going to see as time goes on,” said Franca Gualtieri, Executive Director, Chinook Blast.

“We’re going to evaluate and see if it ends up becoming an entity on its own, but I think it needs a little help before that.”

Part of that means getting increased corporate sponsorship of the festival, and continuing to draw in partner organizations.

Despite the polar vortex in week one of the 2023 Chinook Blast, the festival saw good turnout numbers, which then became record turnout numbers for weeks two and three after the weather warmed up, said Gualtieri.

“One of my counters on Steven Avenue, said that there was 18,000 people downtown on a Saturday evening, so I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said.

Other pillar partners reported record-breaking attendance, including the inaugural Nitro RX event at the Calgary Stampede’s GMC Stadium, which was the highest attendance for rally cross races in North American history.

WHAT OTHERS ARE READING

Federal funding not specifically tied to calgary’s blanket rezoning decision, but…, underwater: dam option would flood one-third of calgary-area park, says ceo, bill 20 creates calgary worries over potential provincial overreach, calgary under water use advisory, permanent water use schedule coming this june, taps shut off: calgary lake communities can’t top up with city water after may 31, latest articles, photos: parade of wonders puts the pop in culture, calgary expo helping fans find their communities, more articles.

Connecting Calgarians

LiveWire Calgary , simply put, is telling the stories Calgary cares about. No, the ones they really care about. And we’re going to do it in a way that’s fair and agenda-free.

Stay Connected

©LiveWire Calgary. All rights reserved.

Discover more from LiveWire Calgary

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• E-News Sign Up
• E-News Archives
• Meeting Community
• Breaking News
• Industry Research
• Meeting Facts & Stats
• Meeting Industry Links
• Special Events & Conferences
• The Business of Meetings
• Top 5 Lists
• Event Operations
• A/V & Special Effects
• Accessibility
• Contingency/Disaster Planning
• Event Branding & Marketing
• Event Budgeting
• Event Registration
• Food & Beverage
• Green/Sustainable Meetings
• Meeting Checklists
• Meeting Venue Overview
• Site Selection
• Social Media & Technology
• Speakers & Entertainment
• Special Events
• Standard Templates
• Virtual Events
• People & Profiles
• Award Recognition
• Career Development
• Destination Profiles
• Industry Profiles
• Moves & Changes
• Corporate Travel & Incentives
• Employee Incentives
• Incentive Product Spotlight
• Special Offers & Deals
• Travel Tips & News

Tourism Calgary CEO Retiring

Tourism Calgary chief executive officer Cindy Ady is retiring after 10 years of successfully elevating Calgary’s  profile as a year-round global tourism destination. Ady’s retirement marks the end of an astonishing era of growth and change for tourism in  Calgary  and signals the beginning of Tourism Calgary’s next remarkable phase and a comprehensive search process for a new CEO.

The organization has undergone significant positive changes under Ady’s leadership, expanding its focus from just marketing to long-term industry development – growing its contribution to the local economy from  $1.6 billion  in spend in our market to nearly  $3.1 billion  in 2023. As part of her tenure, Ady also helped to grow the organization’s membership by nearly 60 per cent, to more than 1,000 local business partners working collaboratively with the organization to ensure the industry’s success.

Ady’s significant achievements include effectively navigating a once in a century flood and a global pandemic; creating a new long-term funding agreement with the Calgary Hotel Association early in her tenure, which has proven to be a strong model for the industry; integrating the attraction of meetings and conventions back under Tourism Calgary’s mandate; and, working with The  City of Calgary to create a special events fund to attract a variety of signature events.

“From the moment she stepped into the role as CEO 10 years ago, Cindy’s leadership was defined by relentless energy, innovation and creativity, and our organization, the  City of Calgary  and millions of visitors have benefited from her vision and dedication,” said  Mark Wilson , chair of the board of directors at Tourism Calgary. “We are grateful for her leadership and wish her the best in the next phase of her life.”

Tourism  Calgary  and its next CEO will embark on a new 10-year strategy for the destination with an incredible array of new projects to leverage, such as the BMO Convention Centre expansion, the new Event Centre and  Calgary’s  Culture + Entertainment district, the redevelopment of Arts Commons and Glenbow Museum, and the development of  Calgary’s winter festival, Chinook Blast.

“I am proud of the work we’ve done, the goals we’ve achieved and the strategic vision we’ve set for the years ahead, which we believe will be  Calgary’s  brightest ever,” said Ady. “I’m grateful to our Tourism Calgary team and our partners at the three levels of government, all of whom have pulled together to help create the city  Calgary  has become. I am thrilled to watch a new  Calgary  emerge in the future under new leadership.”

Ady’s last day as CEO will be  December 31, 2023 , and she will stay on as interim CEO until the new CEO is in place.

Industry Insights

• Add a Little Magic to your Meeting: Inspire on Prince Edward Island April 24, 2024
• Making it Meaningful in Tofino: Where a Little Goes a Long Way April 10, 2024
• Elevate Your Corporate Events: Embrace Creativity and Wellness at Oak Bay Beach Hotel April 10, 2024
• The Power to Wow – Whistler Packs Purpose September 25, 2023

Venue & Supplier Profiles

• Breaking News
• International News
• Checking In
• Decor & Design
• Equipment & Technology
• Segment Reports
• Special Reports
• Supply Side
• Digital Issue
• Digital Issue Archives
• HotelierLive
• Icons & Innovators Videos
• Pinnacle Awards Videos
• Pinnacle Awards Winners
• Event Calendar
• Pinnacle Awards
• Top 30-Under-30
• Housekeeping Forum and Hotel Summit
• Icons & Innovators
• Green Leadership Awards
• Women in Tourism and Hospitality Summit
• Anti-Racism Framework
• Ambassadors of Change
• Anti-Racism Commitment
• The Black North Initiative
• 50-30 Initiative
• Bridging The Gap
• Championing Change
• Web Exclusives
• Hotelier Subscription
• Print Subscription
• Digital Subscription
• E-Newsletter Sign Up
• Buyer’s Guide
• Privacy Policy

Kimpton Saint George Hotel Appoints New Director of Sales and Marketing

Global Hotel Industry Mourns the Passing of Simon Cooper

Coast Hotels Announces Leadership Transition

Coming Soon: TOOR Hotel

A defined exit strategy is vital for hotel investment

Investors consider operational aspects of a hotel

Apartment-style hotel concepts are gaining traction

Demand for meetings and events at hotels shows a significant uptick

E47. Driving Success 

April 2024 Digital Issue

E45. Shaping the Minds of Future Leaders 

E45. Making it Happen

Tourism calgary ceo cindy ady to retire after 10-year tenure.

CALGARY — Tourism Calgary’s CEO Cindy Ady has announced her retirement after a 10-year tenure. Ady’s last day as CEO will be December 31, 2023, but she will stay on as interim CEO to work closely with the Board of Directors and Tourism Calgary’s executive team to ensure a seamless handover to the new leadership. Tourism Calgary has engaged executive search firm Pekarsky & Co. to assist in the selection process.

The organization underwent significant positive changes under Ady’s leadership, expanding its focus from marketing to long-term industry development and growing its contribution to the local economy from $1.6 billion to nearly $3.1 billion in 2023.

Ady’s achievements include effectively navigating a once-in-a-century flood and a global pandemic; growing the organization’s membership by nearly 60 per cent to more than 1,000 local business partners; creating a new long-term funding agreement with the Calgary Hotel Association; integrating the attraction of meetings and conventions back under Tourism Calgary’s mandate; and working with The City of Calgary to create a Special Events fund.  

Tourism Calgary and its new CEO will embark on a different 10-year strategy with an array of new projects to leverage such as the BMO Convention Centre expansion; the new Event Centre and Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment district; the re-development of Arts Commons and Glenbow Museum; and the development of Calgary’s winter festival, Chinook Blast.

“From the moment she stepped into the role as CEO, Cindy’s leadership was defined by relentless energy, innovation and creativity, and our organization, the City of Calgary and millions of visitors have benefited from her vision and dedication,” says Mark Wilson, Chair of the Board of Directors at Tourism Calgary. “We’re grateful for her leadership and wish her the best in the next phase of her life.”  

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done, the goals we’ve achieved and the strategic vision we’ve set for the years ahead, which we believe will be Calgary’s brightest ever,” says Ady. “I’m grateful to our Tourism Calgary team and our partners at the three levels of government, all of whom have pulled together to help create the city Calgary has become. I’m thrilled to watch a new Calgary emerge in the future under new leadership.” 

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The Art and Science of Hotel Valuation

25 Hotel Trends of the Past 25 Years

Segment Report: Luxury, Full-Service, Boutique and Lifestyle Segments

Popular category.

• Breaking News 4296
• Magazine 1095
• COVID-19 278
• International News 273
• Operations 229
• Features 137

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My Portfolio
• Latest news
• Stock market
• Premium news
• Biden economy
• EV Deep Dive
• Stocks: Most Actives
• Stocks: Gainers
• Stocks: Losers
• Trending Tickers
• World Indices
• US Treasury Bonds
• Top Mutual Funds
• Highest Open Interest
• Highest Implied Volatility
• Stock Comparison
• Advanced Charts
• Currency Converter
• Investment Ideas
• Research Reports
• Basic Materials
• Communication Services
• Consumer Cyclical
• Consumer Defensive
• Financial Services
• Industrials
• Real Estate
• Mutual Funds
• Analyst Rating
• Technical Events
• Smart Money
• Top Holdings
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash-back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Morning Brief
• Market Domination
• Market Domination Overtime
• Opening Bid
• Stocks in Translation
• Lead This Way
• Good Buy or Goodbye?
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• CA Privacy Notice

Yahoo Finance

Tourism calgary ceo cindy ady to retire after 10-year tenure.

CALGARY, AB , Nov. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - Tourism Calgary today announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Cindy Ady , a dedicated leader and community builder who, over the past 10 years, successfully elevated Calgary's profile as a year-round global tourism destination. Ady's retirement marks the end of an astonishing era of growth and change for tourism in Calgary and signals the beginning of Tourism Calgary's next remarkable phase and a comprehensive search process for a new CEO.

The organization has undergone significant positive changes under Ady's leadership, expanding its focus from just marketing to long-term industry development - growing its contribution to the local economy from $1.6 billion in spend in our market to nearly $3.1 billion in 2023. As part of her tenure, Ady also helped to grow the organization's membership by nearly 60 per cent, to more than 1,000 local business partners working collaboratively with the organization to ensure the industry's success.

Ady's significant achievements include effectively navigating a once in a century flood and a global pandemic; creating a new long-term funding agreement with the Calgary Hotel Association early in her tenure, which has proven to be a strong model for the industry; integrating the attraction of meetings and conventions back under Tourism Calgary's mandate; and, working with The City of Calgary to create a Special Events fund to attract a variety of signature events to our destination.

"From the moment she stepped into the role as CEO 10 years ago, Cindy's leadership was defined by relentless energy, innovation and creativity, and our organization, the City of Calgary and millions of visitors have benefited from her vision and dedication," said Mark Wilson , Chair of the Board of Directors at Tourism Calgary. "We are grateful for her leadership and wish her the best in the next phase of her life."

Tourism Calgary and its next CEO will embark on a new 10-year strategy for the destination with an incredible array of new projects to leverage, such as the BMO Convention Centre expansion, the new Event Centre and Calgary's Culture + Entertainment district, the redevelopment of Arts Commons and Glenbow Museum, and the development of Calgary's winter festival, Chinook Blast – all of which will continue to enrich the lives of Calgarians and attract visitors for decades to come.

"I am proud of the work we've done, the goals we've achieved and the strategic vision we've set for the years ahead, which we believe will be Calgary's brightest ever," said Ady. "I'm grateful to our Tourism Calgary team and our partners at the three levels of government, all of whom have pulled together to help create the city Calgary has become. I am thrilled to watch a new Calgary emerge in the future under new leadership."

The Board of Directors at Tourism Calgary is committed to ensuring a seamless transition and has initiated a search for a new CEO. The search process will be comprehensive and national, with a focus on finding a leader who can build on Tourism Calgary's strong foundation and drive the organization forward for the benefit of visitors, Calgarians, the Province of Alberta and all Canadians.

Ady's last day as CEO will be December 31, 2023 , and she will stay on as interim CEO until the new CEO is in place.

"We are dedicated to finding a new CEO who possesses the vision, experience, and leadership needed to execute on Tourism Calgary's 10-year strategy," Wilson said. "We have begun a comprehensive search to identify the right leader for this exciting time in the organization's – and the city's – evolution."

Tourism Calgary has engaged an executive search firm to assist in the selection process. Headquartered in Calgary , Pekarsky & Co. has a proven track record for landing the right leader for the right role, and will work closely with the Board to identify and evaluate potential candidates.

During this transition period, Ady will continue working closely with the Board of Directors and Tourism Calgary's executive team to ensure a seamless handover to the new leadership. Following her retirement, she will continue to be an ambassador for the tourism industry.

"Cindy has set a very high bar for our next leader to clear, but, thankfully, she has also built a springboard for Tourism Calgary to achieve even greater heights," Wilson said.

About Tourism Calgary:

Tourism Calgary is the official destination management organization for Calgary's tourism industry. For more than 60 years, the organization's primary purpose has been to promote Calgary and area as the destination of choice. With a vision of making Calgary the ultimate host city, Tourism Calgary markets the city locally, nationally, and internationally and advocates for its ongoing development as a destination. The organization hosts and attracts visitors, conventions and events, and activates the city by fostering the growth of shareable, memorable experiences. Pre-pandemic, Calgary's tourism industry contributed approximately $2.1 billion in visitor spending by over 8 million visitors annually. The city is currently on track for $3.1 billion in visitor spend in 2023 with an estimated 8.2 million visitors by year end.

For more information about Tourism Calgary: Twitter:  @TourismCalgary Facebook:  Tourism Calgary LinkedIn: @TourismCalgary

SOURCE Tourism Calgary

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2023/08/c8171.html

Recommended Stories

Forget nvidia: members of congress are scooping up shares of its core rival instead.

There's a much more popular AI stock on Capitol Hill than the leading AI chip maker.

Trump to set interest rates himself under secret presidential plan

Donald Trump’s aides have drawn up secret plans to oust the chairman of the Federal Reserve and allow the president to set interest rates, according to reports.

Nvidia Owns a 3.4% Stake in This Innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Cathie Wood Loves

The $50 million purchase could turn into Nvidia's biggest investment.

Generative AI Software Sales Could Soar 6,260%: My Pick for the Best AI Stock to Buy Now (Hint: Not Nvidia)

This little-known software stock could soar as businesses spend more on generative artificial intelligence.

2 Incredibly Cheap Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

These two dividend payers have historically high yields and attractive businesses, even though there are some headwinds to deal with.

2 Stock-Split Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist Right Now

These proven wealth builders could be exactly what you're searching for right now.

Want $1 Million In Retirement? Invest $250,000 in These 3 Stocks and Wait a Decade.

These three tech stocks look like reliable long-term winners.

My late aunt gave her husband a life tenancy in her home — but her attorney won’t even let us see the will. Is this a bad sign?

“When she died, we were told by her attorney that we were responsible for the taxes and property insurance during the time when the life tennant lives in the home.”

In 4 Days, Philip Morris Stock Becomes an Even Better Investment

The tobacco giant will soon be allowed to sell a proven product in a proven market.

Dow Jones Futures: Nvidia Leads 7 New Buys As Market Roars; Fed, Apple, Super Micro Loom

Nvidia and several other leaders flashed buy signals as the market roared. Investors should take advantage, but it's a jungle out there.

• Get in touch
• Visit our blog

Working in isolation is risky. Here’s why Tourism Calgary built strategy and brand with a team-wide, collaborative process.

Destination marketing strategy + strategic planning.

• Recent Posts

• The allyship journey: Gathering settler support for Indigenous-led tourism - 9 April 2024
• Sustainable solutions: The net-positive-energy lodge inspiring Queenstown Lakes to reach carbon zero - 23 January 2024
• Changemakers live here: Lessons from 3 more places that inspired us this year - 12 December 2023

9 February 2018

0 comments(s).

Destination marketers who develop strategy and brand in isolation risk not reaching their full potential.

Successful destination marketing requires alignment and support. When teams work independently in silos, resources are squandered, years of hard work sit in someone’s drawer collecting dust, and the risk of ideas falling flat at implementation is high.

Community and industry support is also critical. Organizations that ignore the locals may find themselves in crisis; The City of Vancouver learned this the hard way when it released a wordmark without consulting its local creative design community.

• Don’t fear democracy: Learn from Vancouver’s logo woes
• Step out of silos and into the matrix

All this is avoidable.

The winning play is to use a collaborative planning process that invites team members and stakeholders to participate.

Success story: Tourism Calgary defines brand and builds strategy with team-wide collaboration

Tourism Calgary has earned buy-in from its team and stakeholders that has helped it complete major brand and strategy projects. In 2017, the destination marketing organization (DMO) launched a Destination Strategy that served as the foundation for:

• Brand Strategy and Evolution : A project that would articulate Calgary’s identity by using Destination Think’s Place DNA ™ process, and define how the destination’s brand would evolve as a result.
• Marketing Strategy : A new three-year marketing plan.
• National Campaign : A significant campaign for the coming year. Elements of the new strategies would be tested here.

To be successful, these interrelated projects required a collaborative effort. Our team at Destination Think worked closely with Tourism Calgary to lead planning that engaged the relevant stakeholders, and the entire Tourism Calgary team.

This planning process was new to the Tourism Calgary team, but it has received plenty of positive feedback. So we asked Tourism Calgary project leads what they hoped to achieve, what the new process allowed them to do, and what the response has been like so far.

What are the differences between the planning process we’re using and the way you’ve planned in the past?

Brand Strategy

The Brand Evolution / Place DNA®project is new for Tourism Calgary, which means we don’t have a previous planning process to compare. That said, one of the reasons Destination Think was selected as our partner for this project was because they provided team members with global place branding expertise. This level of expertise has been invaluable in the planning process of our Brand Evolution project.

Marketing Strategy

Destination Think proposed that we go through this planning process organically as partners with our teams, truly working together to problem solve, develop strategies, build the marketing plan, and most importantly challenge each other’s thinking. There were no boundaries between where our team ended and theirs began – this meant that we both truly shared ownership of process.

A number of things have been different this time around. Firstly, in terms of working with vendors or groups, it’s been a really collaborative process between us and Destination Think. We’ve been seeing the planning in a very raw stage, but it’s given us the opportunity to really steer it in the process. A lot of times, vendors like to take the work back and put it all together in a really nice package to give to us almost complete.

But this has been a valuable back and forth at every stage of the process, so that we can be extremely nimble and take advantage of all the best and biggest ideas that have come forward.

We’ve also been able to empower different team members to lead key components of the marketing plan. They’ve brought back some really great work. We’ve been able to utilize the best skills from team members in order to make the plan stronger.

Lastly, I don’t think we’ve [previously] had as many great minds working on our plan at once. We’ve got access to a variety of minds at Destination Think. Different people from around the globe with different experiences have been able to weigh in with their perspectives on the planning, and that’s been really valuable.

National Campaign

The National Campaign involved a large amount of research into photography as a product, as a travel motivator, and for us as a potential destination that could own the photography vertical (similar to Visit Flanders’ cycling niche ).

The research phase was extremely collaborative. We conducted ethnographic research, social monitoring, and individual consultation with three key stakeholders: local photographers, photographers in our target audience (photographers in Vancouver-Lower Mainland), and Calgary stakeholders who could offer something to photographers (e.g. restaurants who could offer space, festivals who could offer access).

Following the strategy, the second phase of the campaign has been extremely collaborative in all forms. Destination Think and Tourism Calgary have worked in tandem to plan various tactics, such as Surprise & Delight , Instameets , and social listening . On Tourism Calgary’s side, many departments have been involved in campaign components (e.g. visitor counsellors helped create an FAQ document for the social listening component) and partners have also contributed to the planning of various components (e.g. Prairie Sprinter Shuttle Inc. is a tour company that provided a tour to Dinosaur Provincial Park, but also worked with Tourism Calgary to provide an exceptional photography experience).

Previously, planning and execution would be done in silos. While this program is an excellent reflection of how roles can be assigned and clarity of work can be created, the collaborative process at the heart of the campaign’s culture is new.

What do you think are / will be the benefits of planning in this way, based on what you’ve seen so far?

Brand Strategy 

Vanessa Gagnon, Manager, Brand : The benefits of planning the Brand Evolution project this way is that we now have:

• a robust set of data,
• insights into our reputation that are rooted in research, and
• hyper-engaged partners.

Jeff Hessel, Vice President, Marketing : Even though it’s been highly supported by Destination Think and it’s their process, we feel we really have ownership on the plan. This is because we’ve been engaged through the entire way and everything’s been agreed to from the start. Much of the feedback from team members or anyone who’s been involved in the planning has been that they have felt very engaged and informed. We’re not spending a lot of time explaining and re-explaining the strategy to our team members because they’ve been a part of the process.

Kyle Russell, Manager, Content Marketing : This is an edgy National Campaign for us, and it takes a lot of confidence in Tourism Calgary for partners to buy into things like Instameets and Surprise & Delight tactics. I think the collaborative aspect of the campaign has helped everyone feel more engaged and willing to participate.

Sarah Prud’homme,   Director, Marketing : This process has really built strong connections between two internal departments that previously operated as separate entities. They’ve expressed their optimism and excitement for the new direction we are charting and, most importantly, really feel as though they have a clear line of sight on how their work contributes to the overall goals and objectives for the destination.

The executive and team members we have shared it with see a very thorough and thoughtful plan. They can see all the various input that we collected at the beginning and they’re seeing that incorporated into the work. The work makes sense and it’s laid out in a way that’s very easy to communicate to other stakeholders and our team members as we go forward.

Successful DMOs lead collaborative planning to invest all stakeholders in the outcome. This is what we do. Destination Think’s proven process has helped DMOs like Tourism Calgary lead their destinations into the future. Contact our team .

Read the rest of the interview below for more information about the specific projects listed above, and why they are important to Tourism Calgary.

Destination Think: What are you aiming to achieve with these strategy projects? Who are the stakeholders? Why is this project important for Calgary?

Vanessa Gagnon, Manager, Brand : One of five recommendations in Tourism Calgary’s Destination Strategy is to articulate and emotionalize Calgary’s unique personality to align with our brand team’s recommendations. This way, the pride Calgarians feel for their home will be brought to life, helping to tell a deeper layer of Calgary’s story. Our Brand Evolution project endeavours to articulate a distinct brand voice that firmly positions Calgary as one of North America’s top destinations. It will help create advocates for Calgary, both locally and beyond. Having Calgarians connect with and proudly share Calgary’s story en masse will be key to the success of this project, as the work from this project will be woven into the fabric of who Calgary is, what it offers, what it values, and how it expresses itself.

Brand stakeholders are the citizens of Calgary, the City of Calgary and various industry sectors such as tourism, economic development and arts.

Marketing Strategy 

Jeff Hessel, Vice President, Marketing : We developed a brand new three-year strategic marketing plan for Tourism Calgary. We need to connect this plan to all of the various documents, departments, and activities currently taking place.

For example, we built a Destination Strategy in 2016 that was launched in 2017, and this was our first opportunity to really incorporate that thinking into our annual business planning. It was crucial that we get it right.

There have been many different pieces in play, including DNA work (the Place DNA®work with Destination Think) and the new ability to incorporate that work into this Marketing Strategy document.

That’s why we really needed help. There were so many inputs into this process and we needed help to collect our thoughts, think this through and figure out what were the best pieces – what was relevant, what wasn’t relevant – and how we can put the best plan together, one that doesn’t contradict itself but works as a cohesive, holistic plan.

Sarah Prud’homme, Director, Marketing : With this Marketing Strategy, we were hoping to achieve alignment and evolution. A lot of great work has been done in the formation of Calgary’s Destination Strategy 2017 and Organizational Strategy, but if we are going to achieve the vision and goals that have been cast, we need to ensure the marketing team’s work is aligned and driving toward the identified outcomes.

Beyond that, we wanted to evolve the work we do to ensure that it is impactful and relevant by grounding it in a deep understanding of the complexities of today’s consumer and how critical it is for us to deliver a compelling experience at every touchpoint of their journey.

The primary stakeholders for Marketing Strategy were the marketing team, executive, and board. Two departments (marketing & in-destination teams) merged at the end of last year, and this was the first opportunity for us to integrate our planning and mark an evolution of our work from primarily promotional to focus on the critical importance of experience and advocacy.

National Campaign 

Kyle Russell, Manager, Content Marketing : The National Campaign targets long-haul Canadian travellers, with a focus on coastal B.C. audiences, to inspire them to travel to Calgary as either their base camp to the Rockies, or as part of a trip to the Rockies. Surrounding day trip locations include Banff, Canmore, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Dinosaur Provincial Park, and Drumheller.

The original intent was to intercept travellers considering a trip to Banff with a prompt to include Calgary as a complementary cosmopolitan city, or to provide an option as a location to stay during a Banff trip.

The project has evolved beyond this to focus on advocacy that works within 4 core themes: urban adventure, nature/mountains, dinosaurs/prairies/badlands, and photography opportunities.

Photography opportunities are at the heart of every activity within this campaign. Photographers are both a niche group to target, as well as a vehicle to promote the city (i.e., by using user-generated images ).

The goals have now expanded to include advocacy, conversion, and reputation building. We use local influencers, the general public, and in-market travellers to provide their opinions on why Calgary is an exceptional destination as a city and a basecamp to adventure.

There are a few groups of stakeholders. First, those who are trying to showcase Calgary as a great destination via photography and other advocacy tools. Then, the visitors we are trying to bring to Calgary. Tourism Calgary partners (tourism operators) make up another group of stakeholders that we’ve been heavily relying on to help us facilitate things like Instameets and Postcard distribution.

The project is important to Calgary so that the city can be seen as a destination that is complementary to the experiences travellers are already drawn to (e.g. our day trip neighbours, notably Banff) as opposed to just an entry point.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Featured image credit: Tourism Calgary

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

RELATED POSTS

Corporate sustainability isn’t working: Here’s what the travel industry needs to do next

Mar 5, 2024

“You have a huge, powerful constituency that visits you. You can educate them and mobilize them, not to tell you not...

Cultivating connection: the role of Indigenous tourism in sustainability

Feb 20, 2024

“For me, the value, the sustainability and the value of Indigenous tourism is about my culture, my language, my...

Fighting “impact fatigue” to lead rural innovations: stories from Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Feb 13, 2024

“One of the challenges that we've had in articulating sustainability and the values from the region is that those type...

You’ve found your partner for destination marketing

We work with the most innovative tourism boards in the world to create a vision for each of their destinations, solve business challenges and execute brilliant, integrated campaigns. The expertise we apply to that work is shared in the articles published here and in our DMO Matters newsletter.

Consent* Destination Think may store my data and contact me by email.*

Thank you! You will receive an email to confirm your subscription.

We value and respect your privacy. Click to read our privacy policy.

Pillar Partners

Member perks program, member directory, chambers plan.

About our events

Sponsorship, apply to speak, alberta next, small business week, current initiatives, our priorities, thought leadership, attend an event, media centre, 2023 annual report, march 31 2021, navigating an unpredictable journey: the future of the tourism industry.

Calgarians are exceptionally proud to call our city home – our friendliness, Chinooks, river pathways, and strong sense of community have created a truly remarkable place. But Calgary is not just loved by its residents, it’s also a tourist destination for people across the world. With unbeatable proximity to the mountains, the greatest outdoor show on earth, and outdoor festivals year-round, Calgary attracts 7.7 million people from around the world each year.

In an ordinary year, tourism employs one in ten Calgarians , is the foundation of 20,000 businesses in Alberta, and supports Calgary’s economy to the tune of $2 billion . However, as we know, tourism has been one of the industries hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – and there’s a long road ahead before the sector sees a full recovery.

After seeing declines in everything from hotel occupancy rates to food and beverage purchases over the past year, Calgary’s tourism sector has a unique opportunity to reimagine its future, leveraging our strong history as a destination while rethinking the possibilities that lie ahead for the sector.

Join us on April 21, 2021, when the Calgary Chamber will convene a virtual conversation with leaders in Calgary’s tourism sector to discuss the recovery and long-term potential of the industry. In advance of the conversation, we’ve outlined some key highlights about the industry so you can join the conversation to dive even deeper into the trends shaping the future of the tourism industry.

With Calgary as a gateway destination to the Rocky Mountains, the sector comprises a critical part of our economy, supporting hotels, restaurants and cafes, sport and recreation, and arts and culture businesses across the City. Despite a challenging year, during which tourism has ground to halt, much of the City’s tourism infrastructure remains in place and will continue to be fundamental to the Calgary’s long-term success.

Calgary and Alberta’s tourism sector, including hotels, restaurants and cafes, sport and recreation, and arts and culture, are all focused on welcoming people and ensuring we are a destination of choice. However, each of these have seen major challenges this past year – an indication of the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the numbers: the impact of COVID-19 on the sector

Alberta has seen an 82.4 per cent decrease in air passenger travel, year over year.

The sector’s unemployment rate is 16.2 per cent as of February 2021.

Hotel occupancy has decreased by 21.6 per cent, year over year.

Bright lights at the end of the runway: the future of the industry

With the past year shaking the industry to its core, the tourism sector has the opportunity to reimagine its future. With rapid change affecting every part of the economy, we outline some of the key trends that industry experts close to home and around the world were focussed on before the pandemic, and how tourism might change after too.

Experts in Calgary and elsewhere over the last few years have focused on key trends in the sector:

Long-term trends in the tourism sector

China continues to have the most outbound tourists.

There is an increased demand for experienced-based tourism.

Technology continues to disrupt how travel is planned and experienced.

We see a trend towards ‘slow travel’ that prioritizes rest over sightseeing.

Canadians are increasingly looking to add self-improvement to their trips – often through yoga & meditation or charitable work.

Sustainability is top-of-mind for many Canadians, planning trips or choosing travel products that minimize their carbon footprint.

What the pandemic might mean for recovery

The pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives and analysts predict the pandemic will have lasting impacts, some of which may alter the trajectory of the trends outlined above.

a. A continued focus on social distancing

Our current need to maintain a safe distance from others during the pandemic may become a staple of travel. Crowded places, and even entire cities, may now induce anxiety for some travellers instead of the excitement they once did. Tour operators may have to shift their programming to accommodate smaller groups and social distancing, even as the pandemic ramps down. An added challenge will be providing this space for travellers sustainably as we combat climate change and transition to the low carbon economy of the future.

b. Shifting transportation and market expectations

The pandemic may influence where people want to travel and how they want to get there. Destinations that controlled outbreaks well during the pandemic may see a boost in popularity given a new association with safety. At the same time, the means of getting to a particular destination might change, too, as travellers may now demand increased cleanliness and safety precautions before travelling by road, rail, or plane.

c. A focus on reunion travel

For so many, the pandemic has meant time away from friends and family – birthdays, celebrations, and special moments have been missed. The loss of these moments may catalyze a new focus on reunion travel when pandemic restrictions make it safe to do so. This emerging trend will likely require less planning of in-country activities, and greater focus on providing safe transportation and accommodation plans to-and-from a reunion destination for tourists.

Come on this journey with us

Dive further into these trends and much more by joining us on April 21, 2021 for a virtual conversation with leaders from the tourism sector, including experts from Travel Alberta, the Calgary Hotel Association, the Calgary Stampede, and Tourism Calgary.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Future of Industry

A four part digital event series on technology and innovation across four key sectors of alberta's economy., stay up to date with the calgary chamber..

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Work With Us

Join us in growing Alberta's visitor economy.

Travel Alberta Careers

Want to be part of an award-winning organization with strong corporate values, energetic team members and a great culture? Travel Alberta may be right for you.

Working at Travel Alberta Browse current job openings

Freelancers

Creator community.

A community of passionate Albertans built to capture, share, and amplify amazing content.

Supplier opportunities

Travel Alberta is committed to a fair and open procurement process. Opportunities to work with us are posted publicly on the websites linked below. We invite creators and vendors wishing to work with us to register through these links to be notified of posted opportunities.

Travel Alberta Procurement Portal

Travel Alberta careers

Work with us

Modal Heading

Board of Directors

Allyson Tonelli (she/her)

Director of Sales & Partnerships, BPE Hospitality

Allyson Tonelli is an accomplished sales leader with a diverse background in film, sports, hospitality, and tourism. Currently, she serves as the Director of Sales & Partnerships for BPE Hospitality, where she drives revenue growth and enhances guest experiences. As an ambassador for the group, Allyson creates awareness for all the hospitality brands and establishes the parent company, Benjamin Hotels, as a key player in the Kingston community. In recognition of her significant contributions to the industry, Allyson was named TIAC’s Tourism Champion of the Year for 2023. Her career is defined by her passion for sales and her talent for building relationships.

Janet Guthrie (she/her)

City of Leduc, AB

Janet Guthrie is the Sport Tourism Coordinator for the City of Leduc, a community recognized by the GSI Canada Index as one of the country’s top sport hosting communities with a population under 50,000. Involved in sport hosting throughout her life, Janet’s passion for sport tourism took hold in university when she had the opportunity to host the World Junior Luge Championships during her practicum experience. Ever since, she has strived to deliver a stand out experience for all events, leading to consistent recognition at the STC Prestige award.

Zanth Jarvis (he/him)

Tourism London, ON

Zanth Jarvis is an experienced sport tourism professional who currently serves as the Director of Sport Tourism with Tourism London. Over the past decade, Zanth has played a large role in helping to attract numerous national and international sporting events to London, Ontario. This includes the 2023 Tim Hortons Brier, 2022 Vanier Cup, 2018 Para Hockey World Cup, and 2018 Ontario Summer Games, which have helped drive significant visitations and economic impact to the city. A graduate of Western University’s Sport Management program, Zanth’s connection to London and sports run deep. He’s also spent many years working with Sport Tourism Canada and their clients on the STEAM program, overseeing data collection for economic impact projects. Zanth’s unique experience working with Sport Tourism Canada, along with his perspective as a host city, will provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors

Kathleen Trainor (she/her)

Tourism Barrie, ON

Kathleen Trainor is the Executive Director of Tourism Barrie. Kathleen Trainor has over twenty-five years of experience in business in both the private and non-profit sectors. Kathleen is entrepreneurial by nature, and she combines her wide range of skills, knowledge, experiences, and creative big-picture strategic project management skills with her business performance.

For the past five years, Kathleen’s Board of Directors experience has been as Treasurer and President of the Destination Marketing Association of Canada (DMAC). During her tenure with DMAC, she facilitated the evolution of the organization to become the Canadian Destinations Leadership Council (CDLC).  The CDLC is a standing committee of Destinations International, which is a forum for Canadian destination organization executives to meet regularly throughout the year to coordinate key industry issues, including advocacy, resourcing, policy, and marketing.

Kathleen is committed to growing and strengthening the tourism sector as a leading economic driver for communities across Canada. 

Kathleen has lived and travelled extensively around the world. Her world travels and cross-cultural experiences have given her the ability to relate to people of different cultures and circumstances and skills in conducting business in this multicultural country and the global economy. And, most importantly, seeing Canada’s strengths as a world-class destination.

Carson Ackroyd

BOARD MEMBER

Tourism Calgary, AB

Carson Ackroyd is a Sales, Marketing and Communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in a number of industry sectors.

He started his career with the Sun Media organization where he worked for 13 years in a number of roles that included running the marketing, promotions and circulation sales for both the Edmonton Sun and the Calgary Sun before transitioning to lead the advertising sales team at the Calgary Sun. He transitioned to become the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ATCO for more than a decade. In this role, he had a 100+ person team responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications for a multi national conglomerate in the energy, utility and structures and logistics business.

In 2018, Carson became the Sr. Vice President of Sales at Tourism Calgary where he leads a team responsible for attracting sport & major cultural events to the city as well as meetings & conventions.

In addition to his professional background, Carson has served on the Board of Tourism Calgary, Ag For Life, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club and Silver Springs Golf Club.

Scott Pritchard (he/him)

PGA TOUR Americas

A sports industry professional with nearly 20 years of experience in business development, Scott Pritchard is currently the Executive Director – PGA TOUR Canada. He is passionate about building and fostering new relationships as well as finding new and innovative ways to grow personally and professionally. His current focus is on building effective sponsorship / partnership programs, strategic planning and event management.  

A graduate of the University of Ottawa with a B.A. in Communications/Political Science, he also has a Professional Certificate in Public Sector and Non-Profit Marketing from Carleton University and is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism program at Humber College. He is also a Certified Association Executive, the internationally recognized designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.  

Cindy Medynski (she/her)

Explore Edmonton

As the Director of Sport and Culture Events at Explore Edmonton, Cindy Medynski aims to bring once in a lifetime experiences to Alberta’s vibrant capital.

While working to elevate Edmonton’s profile internationally as a leading sport hosting destination, she guides a motivated and enthusiastic team as they curate a wide array of sports and cultural events that celebrate the spirit of Edmonton. In her role, Cindy collaborates within the unique and dynamic City of Edmonton/Explore Edmonton partnership, working since 2017 to bring significant economic and social impacts to Edmonton.

Her dedication to sport and events began as a young multi-sport athlete and event volunteer, eventually working her way on to some notable local organizing committees in Edmonton, like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the ITU World Cup Triathlon.

A firm believer in the transformative power of sport tourism, Cindy sees events as catalysts for human connection, community enrichment and destination development. Having been born and raised here, Cindy has proudly chosen to raise her young family in this extraordinary city.

Michelle Collens (she/her)

Sport Hosting Vancouver, BC

Michelle Collens is a senior leader working closely with all levels of government, tourism partners, and community organizations driving economic and social development opportunities in the City of Vancouver. A graduate of UBC playing varsity volleyball for the Thunderbirds, Collens has made a career of her passion for sport. Focused on the area of sport events, she has worked with great organizations such as UBC Athletics, Sport Kelowna, 2010 Legacies Now, and BC PavCo.

Colby Pridham (he/him)

Events East Group, NS

Colby Pridham is a strategic leader in the sports, entertainment, and events industry, known for his expertise in driving growth and fostering valuable partnerships. With a wealth of experience in sales strategy, relationship management, stakeholder partnerships, and event management, Colby brings a diverse skill set to the field. As the Senior Manager of Partnerships & Event Development at Events East Group, his visionary leadership at Scotiabank Centre has been instrumental in propelling growth and achieving remarkable outcomes. Additionally, his commitment to community development is evident through his involvement on the board of Kids Up Front – Atlantic. Colby’s dedication to advancing sport tourism in Canada, combined with his ability to deliver results, makes him an invaluable asset in his role as a board member.

Lori Talling (she/her)

Sport Durham, ON

Lori Talling has led the Region of Durham’s sport tourism program (Sport Durham) since 2015. She has collaborated with national and provincial sport organizations and community partners to host multiple sport events in Durham Region, with a focus on providing memorable participant experiences and generating lasting sport and social legacies. Lori has a passion for leading initiatives that champion inclusion and accessibility, such as the award-winning 2019 Ontario Parasport Games. Her first role with the Region of Durham was as a project and risk management consultant for the first region-wide festival. She also held increasingly progressive information technology, project, internal audit, and risk management roles during her 20-year career at Rogers Communications.

Nolan Thiessen (he/him)

Curling Canada

Nolan Thiessen is in the unique position today of playing a leading role in organizing some of the biggest sporting events in Canada, events that in his past life as an athlete he we was trying to win, and on three occasions actually did.

Nolan, earned his CPA, CA designation in 2006 while articling at a national accounting firm before moving into a managerial role with a big four firm for five years.

Nolan, then took a hiatus from corporate life while competing internationally in curling, winning three Brier Championships as well as one gold and one bronze at the World Championships.

Post playing career Nolan started working in various areas of Curling Canada’s business operations where he now leads the events team to help drive exceptional experiences for athletes, ticket purchasers, broadcast viewers, sponsors as well as funding agencies who help deliver Curling Canada’s Season of Champions.

Nolan, has served in the past as Chair of the World Curling Federation’s Athlete Commission and currently serves on the World Curling Federation Competition & Rules Commission.

Kevin Eshkawkogan

Indigenous Tourism Ontario

Kevin is an Anishnabek and is a member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Kevin has been a key player in the development of Indigenous cultural tourism in Ontario since 2003. Kevin was an integral part of the development and growth of the Great Sprit Circle Trail (GSCT) on Manitoulin Island, one of the country’s most renowned Indigenous tourism organizations that provides culturally authentic Indigenous experiences to visitors along with marketing support to Indigenous operators.

He has provided leadership to GSCT for over 15 years and has imparted his guidance to countless individuals throughout Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada, and beyond. Kevin works tirelessly to unite Indigenous tourism providers, grow market reach and bring meaningful employment opportunities to the region. Kevin is a mentor and visionary who works closely with his community to ensure sustainable and organic growth within the Indigenous tourism industry. In 2015, Kevin was named the Tourism Champion of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. He has also been recognized by numerous media outlets for his accomplishments within the industry.

Kevin sits on a variety of boards including the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). He has also helped establish ITO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Destination Northern Ontario, the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, and many other tourism organizations and businesses. He also sits on the Destination Ontario Sector Advisory Committee, Tourism Skillsnet Ontario Council, and the Trans Canada Trail Indigenous Advisory Committee.

Linden Leung

Volleyball Canada

Linden Leung is the Chief Operating Officer for Volleyball Canada and has been with the organization for over fifteen years. He is involved with various business areas including , sport event planning, strategic planning, human resources, and financial management. Linden is a strong believer in sport tourism being beneficial to communities and sport organizations. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his MBA from Queens University.

Pam Lacroix

Richmond Sport Hosting

Pam Lacroix is currently serving as the Manager for Richmond Sport Hosting in the City of Richmond. Her journey in this field began in 2008 with her role at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where she was able to support in the Oval’s preparations to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and was offered a firsthand look at the intricacies of event hosting on an international scale. Since then, Pam has played a key role in developing the event hosting program at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Her collaborative efforts with numerous provincial, national, and international sport partners underscore her commitment to excellence and innovation in the field. Pam possesses a profound understanding of the unique qualities each sport brings to an event, ensuring tailored and memorable experiences for participants and spectators alike. Pam is passionate about creating impactful and inclusive events and is committed to fostering a vibrant and dynamic sport culture in Richmond.

All-Calgary trivia night puts locals to the test

A look back at pub trivia with cbc's this is calgary podcast.

This is Calgary trivia night

Social sharing.

Just how well do Calgarians know their city? CBC's This is Calgary podcast put on a trivia night with all-Calgary questions to find out.

On April 10, host Anis Heydari and producer Josh Pagé stepped out of the CBC Calgary studio and onto the stage at Ship & Anchor — one of the city's most iconic pubs.

Sixteen teams stepped up to the challenge, ready to be quizzed on their local expertise. They leaned into the theme with team names like Beltline Boys, Forest Lawn Gnomies and Bow River Brats.

To prepare for the questions, some attendees had even been bingeing podcast episodes. Listeners of the episodes on influencers  and Costco were able to put faces to the names and voices of Chinenye Mary Otakpor and Tina Chow — former podcast guests who joined in on the fun with their own trivia team.

After sharing the prizes up for grabs, Anis and Josh got the rounds underway. The Calgary-themed questions, developed by Talespin Trivia, were broken into four categories: history, geography, sports and entertainment, and miscellaneous.

"What is the blue ring sculpture actually called?" "Which park is Canada's second largest urban park?" "At which restaurant was ginger beef invented?"

To make things interesting, a couple of subjective questions were included in the rounds, with bonus points awarded to the teams whose answers appealed to the hosts' senses of humour or personal preferences. When teams were asked to name the coolest celebrity to come through Calgary while shooting a film or TV show, two bonus points were awarded to the Bow River Brats for answering 'Colm Meaney,' as Anis is a fan of the Star Trek franchise for which the actor is known.

After four rounds of questions and two onstage mini-games, Street Smartz was crowned the winning team of trivia night, narrowly beating out Radical Downtown Urbanites by just one point.

While trivia-goers walked away with some great prizes and local factoids, This is Calgary continues to share the curiosities and constants that make our city a wonderful — and sometimes frustrating — place to call home. 

From our hunger for deals at Costco, Calgary's defining role in the history of pro-wrestling, and how to make it in our city's growing tech sector, This is Calgary explores the unique topics that make Calgary, Calgary.

For more events from CBC Calgary, visit cbc.ca/mycalgary  or sign up for our community newsletter .

André Tourigny named Team Canada coach for men’s world championships

Hockey Canada named André Tourigny its coach for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Czechia next month.

Tourigny accepted the assignment amid a chaotic and hectic stretch that saw him suddenly switch NHL cities. He had been coaching the Arizona Coyotes for the past three seasons, but earlier this month, the NHL’s board of governors approved a plan that would see all of Arizona’s hockey-related personnel move to Utah for the upcoming season.

Advertisement

Tourigny will be joined by assistant coaches Dean Evason, Jay Woodcroft and Steve Ott for the tournament.

When asked by The Athletic if he considered passing on this opportunity given the tumultuous state of things on the NHL side, Tourigny said he simply jumped on the invitation from Team Canada without any hesitation.

“They asked me if I wanted to think about it. And my answer was, ‘I’ve thought about it. I’m in,'” Tourigny said. “It’s such a privilege and an honor to be the national coach of your team. Every time I have a chance to be in an environment where I have a chance to win, a chance to compete for a championship, you don’t pass on that.”

Mammoth? Yetis? Ranking 8 possible names for Utah NHL's team

The 49-year-old Tourigny guided Canada to a gold medal as the coach in last year’s event staged in Tampere, Finland. Team Canada captured gold with a 5-2 win over Germany, capping off a run in which they outscored their opposition 13-4 in the knockout stage.

“Last year was the proof for me that commitment is stronger than anything else,” Tourigny said. “We’re extremely proud of that team, extremely proud of the leadership and the way we played in that tournament. We want to build on that and carry on.”

Last year’s roster for Team Canada included a handful of solid NHL players such as Mackenzie Weegar, Tyler Toffoli and Scott Laughton , but did not include any legitimate superstar power. That is expected to change for this year’s tournament, considering it could be an opportunity for players to get on the radar for upcoming best-on-best tournaments such as the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics. Team USA’s initial roster of 15 players for next month’s IIHF event includes bigger names like Johnny Gaudreau , Dylan Larkin , Brady Tkachuk , Cole Caufield , Trevor Zegras and Zach Werenski .

It’s expected Team Canada’s roster could feature a handful of prominent young stars who are hoping to use the event to springboard their way into roles for those upcoming tournaments.

“For Canada, there’s a lot of good players and at some point, there will be a really tough decision to make for the 4 Nations and the Olympics ,” said Tourigny. “It’s not my job as coach to pick the team, but we believe that when a player has familiarity with the program, it helps down the road. It can help create a familiarity and that can be an advantage down the road.”

In his three seasons as head coach of the Coyotes, Tourigny has compiled an 89-131-36 record in 246 games for a .415 points percentage. But the club has improved its win total in each season under Tourigny’s guidance and finished the 2023-24 NHL campaign with 36 wins and a .470 points percentage.

Required reading

• André Tourigny’s lifetime of labour shines as Canada’s world junior coach

(Photo: Chris Gardner / Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Ian Mendes is a senior writer covering the NHL. Prior to joining The Athletic in 2021, he spent seven years as an afternoon talk show host for TSN 1200 in Ottawa and as a contributing writer for TSN.ca. He also worked as a television reporter and host with Rogers Sportsnet for 12 years and has served as a feature columnist for both The Ottawa Citizen and Today’s Parent magazine. Follow Ian on Twitter @ ian_mendes

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry share lead in team event at TPC of Louisiana

Rory McIlroy, right, of Northern Ireland, and teammate Shane Lowry, of Ireland, walk down the first fairway during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hits of the second tee during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy, right, of Northern Ireland, reacts to the crowd after making a birdie putt on the second green during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hits off the first fairway during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Collin Morikawa hits off the second tee during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, changes clubs on the second green during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Collin Morikawa hits off the fourth tee during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Kurt Kitayama reacts on the this green during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A baby alligator peers from the water along the ninth green during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Kurt Kitayama, foreground, and Shane Lowry, of Ireland, behind, wipe their heads after finishing their day on the 18th hole during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Billy Horschel reacts after making his putt on the ninth green during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

• Copy Link copied

AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Rory McIlroy is enjoying his first visit to New Orleans — on and off the course.

McIlroy and Shane Lowry shot an 11-under 61 in fourball play Thursday for a share of the first-round lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour’s only team event.

The Irish duo shared the lead with the teams of Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles-Patton Kizzire and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky.

Davis Thompson-Andrew Novak, Thomas Detry-Robert MacIntyre and Cameron Champ-M.J. Daffue were at 62 Twenty teams were 9 under or better on a crowded leaderboard at TPC of Louisiana.

McIlroy’s introduction to New Orleans included a sampling of crab beignets from popular restaurant La Petite Grocery on Wednesday night, a meal he shared with Lowry. On Thursday, they feasted on the Pete Dye layout, birdieing their first four holes.

“I’ve had a wonderful time so far,” McIlroy said. “I’ve only been here a couple of days but we’re staying downtown. It’s a cool city, great food scene.”

McIlroy had the team’s first three birdies, although on the par-5 second Lowry was inches away but watched as his teammate knocked in a putt of about 4 feet. After a pair of pedestrian pars, they birdied four of the next six holes before closing out with a birdie on the par-5 18th to gain a share of the lead.

“We both played nice golf,” Lowry said, emphasizing the importance getting off to a fast start. “We both made some nice birdies and contributed to the team, and I think we’re very happy with the day.”

Brehm and Hubbard mirrored McIlroy and Lowry with four opening birdies. The team made the turn in 6-under par 30 and bookended birdies on the 10th and 11th and 17th and 18th holes on the back nine.

“Just like usual, we ham-and-egged it,” Brehm said. “I don’t think either of us were feeling amazing about our games coming into the day, but we just feed off each other really well. “I was doing a lot of spectating today.”

Russ Cochran, the oldest player in the field at 65, made his first PGA Tour star since 2013, teaming with Eric Cole for a 69 that left them tied for 73rd. Cochran’s son, Reed Cochran, is Cole’s caddie. Cole had a hole-in-one on No. 14.

On Friday, they will play alternative shot.

“Looking forward to getting out in foursomes tomorrow,” Lowry said. “It’s a format that’s tougher, but it is an enjoyable format.

McIlroy was noncommittal Thursday when asked if he and Lowry would attend the popular New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday afternoon. The duo have an 8:53 a.m. tee time Friday.

“Who’s playing tomorrow night, do you know?” McIlroy asked his good friend.

“No, I’m not going out anywhere,” Lowry said with a laugh. “I’m staying out of trouble.”

Jazz Fest notwithstanding, McIlroy joked he hopes the pairing has a late tee time Saturday, meaning they will be close to the lead.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry share lead in team event at TPC of Louisiana

AVONDALE, La. — Rory McIlroy is enjoying his first visit to New Orleans — on and off the course.

McIlroy and Shane Lowry shot an 11-under 61 in fourball play Thursday for a share of the first-round lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour’s only team event.

The Irish duo shared the lead with the teams of Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles-Patton Kizzire and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky.

Davis Thompson-Andrew Novak, Thomas Detry-Robert MacIntyre and Cameron Champ-M.J. Daffue were at 62 Twenty teams were 9 under or better on a crowded leaderboard at TPC of Louisiana.

McIlroy’s introduction to New Orleans included a sampling of crab beignets from popular restaurant La Petite Grocery on Wednesday night, a meal he shared with Lowry. On Thursday, they feasted on the Pete Dye layout, birdieing their first four holes.

“I’ve had a wonderful time so far,” McIlroy said. “I’ve only been here a couple of days but we’re staying downtown. It’s a cool city, great food scene.”

McIlroy had the team’s first three birdies, although on the par-5 second Lowry was inches away but watched as his teammate knocked in a putt of about 4 feet. After a pair of pedestrian pars, they birdied four of the next six holes before closing out with a birdie on the par-5 18th to gain a share of the lead.

“We both played nice golf,” Lowry said, emphasizing the importance getting off to a fast start. “We both made some nice birdies and contributed to the team, and I think we’re very happy with the day.”

Brehm and Hubbard mirrored McIlroy and Lowry with four opening birdies. The team made the turn in 6-under par 30 and bookended birdies on the 10th and 11th and 17th and 18th holes on the back nine.

“Just like usual, we ham-and-egged it,” Brehm said. “I don’t think either of us were feeling amazing about our games coming into the day, but we just feed off each other really well. “I was doing a lot of spectating today.”

Russ Cochran, the oldest player in the field at 65, made his first PGA Tour star since 2013, teaming with Eric Cole for a 69 that left them tied for 73rd. Cochran’s son, Reed Cochran, is Cole’s caddie. Cole had a hole-in-one on No. 14.

On Friday, they will play alternative shot.

“Looking forward to getting out in foursomes tomorrow,” Lowry said. “It’s a format that’s tougher, but it is an enjoyable format.

McIlroy was noncommittal Thursday when asked if he and Lowry would attend the popular New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday afternoon. The duo have an 8:53 a.m. tee time Friday.

“Who’s playing tomorrow night, do you know?” McIlroy asked his good friend.

“No, I’m not going out anywhere,” Lowry said with a laugh. “I’m staying out of trouble.”

Jazz Fest notwithstanding, McIlroy joked he hopes the pairing has a late tee time Saturday, meaning they will be close to the lead.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Denver Broncos NFL draft picks 2024: Full list of team's round-by-round selections

Here is a 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the Denver Broncos :

Round 1 (No. 12 overall) — Bo Nix, QB, Oregon : If you need a quarterback to start immediately – as the Broncos basically do – this could be your guy , Nix making an FBS record 61 starts behind center between his time at Auburn and Oregon. However he truly flourished with the Ducks, completing an NCAA record 77.4% of his passes last season – though it must be noted that quite a few occurred at or near the line of scrimmage as dictated by the Ducks’ offense.

Nix (6-2, 214) doesn’t have an elite arm, but he does take care of the ball and makes quick decisions in addition to his accuracy, valued traits by Denver head coach Sean Payton. The Pac-12 offensive player of the year in 2023, Nix threw for 4,508 yards and 45 TDs against just four picks. And he can also make plays with his legs, scoring 20 TDs on the ground over the past two seasons. Already 24, Nix carries some scars from his time with Auburn, but being no stranger to adversity should help him take the reins with fairly low expectations in 2024. Draft tracker

From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

Round 3 (76) — Jonah Elliss, DE, Utah : If he can stay healthy, should juice a pass rush that hasn't been the same since OLB Von Miller's departure. Elliss had a dozen sacks in 2023. Draft tracker

Round 4 (102, from Commanders through Seahawks) — Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon : Franklin has all the tools to become a playmaker in the NFL . He has height, 4.4 speed, reliable hands and is an impressive route runner. Draft tracker

Round 5 (145, from Jets) — Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri : Denver gets a ballhawking cornerback in Round 5 with this selection. Abrams-Draine led the SEC in passes defensed with 16 in 2023. His thin frame is concern against bigger wide receivers but his competitive streak and positioning makes him at least a rotational corner for the Broncos early on. Draft tracker

Round 5 (147) — Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame : Estime was a workhorse for Notre Dame but comes to a Broncos team already featuring Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine in the backfield. Estime posted a 4.71 40-yard dash, one of the worst at the combine, but the tape shows a better downhill runner . He could become an RB1 but that may be hard to do in such a crowded backfield. Draft tracker

Round 7 (235, from Seahawks) — Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah : Denver gets another field-stretching wide receiver in Vele at No. 235 overall. At 6-foot-4, Vele's height and wingspan give him a standout catch radius despite average jumps. He needs to improve in creating separation given all of his speed but he'll turn 27 in December, making him one of the oldest draftees of the weekend. Draft tracker

Round 7 (256, compensatory selection from Jets) — Nick Gargiulo, C, South Carolina : Gargiulo started at both center and left guard for the Gamecocks in 2023. He's a great mover but doesn't have the power to control defenders in the run game. He works best in a zone scheme and offers versatility in a backup role for the Broncos. Draft tracker

Denver Broncos' recent top draft picks

• 2023 (No. 65:): Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Oklahoma
• 2022 (No. 64 overall): Nik Bonitto, LB, Oklahoma
• 2021 (No. 9 overall): Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
• 2020 (No. 15 overall): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
• 2019 (No. 20 overall): Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Previous drafts: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2024 NFL draft: Every team's picks

• AFC East:   Bills  |  Dolphins  |  Jets  |  Patriots
• AFC North:   Bengals  |  Browns  |  Ravens  |  Steelers
• AFC South:   Colts  |  Jaguars  |  Texans  |  Titans
• AFC West:   Broncos  |  Chargers  |  Chiefs  |  Raiders
• NFC East:   Commanders  |  Cowboys  |  Eagles  |  Giants
• NFC North:   Bears  |  Lions  |  Packers  |  Vikings
• NFC South:   Buccaneers  |  Falcons  |  Panthers  |  Saints
• NFC West:   49ers  |  Cardinals  |  Rams  |  Seahawks

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denver Broncos NFL draft picks 2024: Full list of team's round-by-round selections

Climber dies after 2 fall on mountain in Denali National Park in Alaska

One climber died and another was seriously injured after the two-person team fell around 1,000 feet while climbing a mountain in Alaska’s Denali National Park, officials said Friday,

The fall off Mount Johnson occurred Thursday night, the National Park Service said in a statement .

The climbers were roped together and climbing the 5,000-foot route known as “the Escalator” when they fell, the park officials said.

Their names were not released. The second climber suffered "serious traumatic injuries," the park service said.

Another climbing party witnessed the fall, called it in at around 10:45 p.m. local time, and then went down to help, officials said.

They built a snow cave to help the surviving climber until a rescue helicopter and mountaineering rangers reached them at around 7 a.m. Friday, the park service said.

Mount Johnson is around 8,400 feet tall. The route the climbers were on is a steep technical alpine climb on the mountain’s southeast face, officials said.

The injured climber was flown to Talkeetna, south of the national park, for medical care and a helicopter later Friday retrieved the dead climber's body, the park service said.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

• FanNation FanNation FanNation
• Swimsuit SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit
• Sportsbook SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook
• Tickets SI Tickets SI Tickets
• Shop SI Shop SI Shop
• What's on TV
• NFL NFL NFL
• Home Home Home
• Free Agency Free Agency Free Agency
• Scores Scores Scores
• Schedule Schedule Schedule
• Standings Standings Standings

• Stats Stats Statistics
• Odds Odds Odds
• Futures Futures Futures
• Injuries Injuries Injuries
• Transactions Transactions Transactions
• Teams Teams Teams

Here's Why the Falcons Drafting Michael Penix Jr. Was Even More Surprising

The quarterback did not take a top-30 visit with the team.

• Author: Kyle Koster

In this story:

The Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the NFL draft was the most surprising decision of Thursday night's first round, considering that the ink is barely dry on Kirk Cousins' expensive new contract. Which is not a knock on Penix, who was otherwordly for Washington last season and throws one of the prettiest deep balls a person could ever hope to see. It's going to be incredibly interesting to watch that quarterback dynamic and eventually find out if stashing a future signalcaller away until he's 26 or 27 years-old proves to be beneficial.

Search far and wide and you'd still be hard-pressed to find any mock drafter out there who foresaw this possibility. The Cousins situation is the main reason, but another thing that made it so unexpected was that Penix did not take a top-30 visit to the Falcons' facility and the team's contact with him was not particularly extensive.

Michael Penix Jr. did not take a top-30 visit to Flowery Branch. The Falcons only attended a 45 minute workout and met with him at the Combine. It’s almost unheard of for a QB taken in the 1st to NOT be on a teams top-30. In the end, ATL felt comfortable with the work they did. — Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2024

There's already some very boring discussion about ethics in top-30 visiting afoot because it does seem weird that the team taking the biggest leap on Day 1 didn't even have their desired target among its list of casual interests. But honestly, it doesn't seem all that crazy.

Penix has been one of the most exciting quarterback prospects since he was playing at Indiana and he had a Heisman campaign last season that brought him into the College Football Playoff. So it's not like one individual workout should sway years and years of tape too much. On the other hand, it's the draft and there does seem to be tendency for all involved to lean into recency bias.

So we just have to sit back and wait, in all likelihood for multiple years, for the doubters or the Falcons to claim vindication.

Latest NFL News

Chargers Named Best Team Fit For Star WR Free Agent

BREAKING: Eagles Sign Giants Ex Parris Campbell

Former Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady's Raiders Bid Will Have To Wait A Little Longer

WATCH: Steelers QB Russell Wilson Sends Message Through Hype Video

Next Steps for Chiefs After First Wave of Free Agency