From the Editor
THE CITY OF MANY FACES
Calgary is currently at a cultural crossroads. On one side lies our identity as Cowtown, a
Wild West outpost dominated by oil, denim and a friendly small-town hospitality. On the
other, a fresh take on Calgary as a hub of technology and innovation, a city of limitless
possibilities and artisanal coffee bars.
For example, ask a Calgarian about steak and you’ll often hear protestations that Calgary
is more than just the old stereotype of a meat ‘n’ potatoes kind of place. While it’s true that
there’s incredibly diverse options available on the city’s menus—including outstanding
vegetarian cuisine—our reputation as a steak town is certainly not unfounded. But why
should we have to choose one or the other? If ever there was a city in which an old-school
steakhouse (Vintage Chophouse) and a veggie-focused tapas bar (Ten Foot Henry) can
stand side-by-side and both prosper, Calgary is it.
The same principle applies to the Calgary Stampede
and the Calgary Folk Music Festival, or downtown’s
skyscrapers and the natural beauty of the city’s
parkland.
The truth is, Calgary can have it both ways. The key
to maintaining and evolving our identity lies in our
ability to celebrate what makes us unique. That’s
what this issue of Essential is for—unlocking the door
to our city’s exclusive treasures so visitors can get a
true taste of what Calgary life is really all about.
Whether your time here is long or short, I welcome
you into our home and our lives and encourage you
to seek out the parts of Calgary that can be found
nowhere else in the world.
RACHAEL FREY, Editor
From Les Clefs d’Or
On behalf of Les Clefs d’Or Canada and the concierge of the Alberta Region, it is my pleasure
to welcome you to Calgary and to this issue of Essential magazine.
Les Clefs d’Or is an international association of more than 4,000 concierge professionals
in over 50 countries worldwide. We are dedicated to achieving exceptional service by
connecting, educating and inspiring members to constantly exceed expectations. Our
purpose is to be an ambassador for you and ensure you have a memorable experience
within our hotel, our city and our region.
A Les Clefs d’Or concierge does not just have a job, we have a lifestyle. Every day we live our
motto “In Service through Friendship” and work tirelessly to create lasting relationships
with local vendors, chefs, boutique shops and attractions. As you travel, look for our “Golden
Keys”; we can be found in many of Alberta’s best hotels located in Calgary, Kananaskis,
Banff, Jasper and Edmonton.
Calgary is a vibrant city and famous for its world-class hospitality. Being the gateway to the
Canadian Rockies, it is also a very popular and busy city. Whether you need the best table
in a full restaurant, a pair of tickets to a sold-out show, a special gift arranged or an urgent
errand run, a Les Clefs d’Or concierge is here to help you. In partnership with the publishers
of Where, our concierge can open doors and help you find the very best of Calgary. We are
your key to everything!
To learn more about Les Clefs d’Or, or to find the nearest member concierge, please check
out our website at www.lesclefsdorcanada.org or
follow us on social media on Twitter
and Instagram at @ABlesclefsdor or
Facebook.com/ABlesclefsdor
In Service Through Friendship,
DON MOONEY,
Vice President, Les Clefs d’Or Canada
Guest Relations Manager & VIP Concierge,
The Fairmont Banff Springs
10
THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2018
EDITOR Rachael Frey
ART DIRECTOR + PRODUCTION MANAGER
Veronica Cowan
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Silvia Pikal
FASHION EDITOR Leah Van Loon
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Hanna Deeves, Michaela Ritchie
PUBLISHER Brian French
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Nadine Benoit, Andy Robinson
SALES + CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Kipling West
ESSENTIAL Calgary is published by
St. Joseph Media
206, 1201 - 5 St SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 0Y6
T: 403-299-1888 F: 403-299-1899
E: [email protected]
www.where.ca
WHERE CANADA
GROUP PUBLISHER Jonathan Harris
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER
Catherine Lenihan
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL OPERATIONS
Sheldon Sawchuk
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGER
Eugene Brukson
PROJECT + SALES COORDINATOR
Lindsay Thomson
HR AND PAYROLL COORDINATOR Lisa Alli
CREDIT MANAGER Carmen Greene
COLLECTION SPECIALISTS
Ruth Muirhead, Patricia Tsoporis
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Chris Douglas
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNICATIONS,
MEDIA GROUP
CHAIRMAN Tony Gagliano
PRESIDENT Douglas Kelly
GENERAL MANAGER + VP FINANCE Karl Percy
VP STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT Duncan Clark
VP PRODUCTION + CONSUMER MARKETING
Darlene Storey
VP RESEARCH Clarence Poirier
CONTROLLER Dora Brenndorfer
SENIOR MANAGER, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
JP Timmerman
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