CEMA Newsletter: March 2025

Executive Spotlight: Alisha Reynolds

This month we spotlight a friend from the north, Alisha Reynolds, the President and CEO of Tourism Calgary.   Alisha recently joined Tourism Calgary from Northland Properties Corporation where she held senior leadership roles in restaurant and hotel operations, as well as development throughout North America. She was part of the executive teams responsible for Sandman Hotel Group & The Sutton Place Hotels, Moxies, Chop, Shark Club, and Denny’s. At one point, she oversaw a portfolio of 23 hotels in Western Canada, including all facets from operations to sales, HR, marketing, and revenue management.

Alisha’s professional background includes golf and country clubs, banking, and law but her passion lies in hospitality. Alisha holds Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University. She is the Past-Board Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta.

We had the opportunity to ask Alisha a few questions about the event industry and what makes Calgary so special…

What brought you to Calgary?

I originally came to Calgary for my career, but soon it became home and that has a lot to do with the warmth of the people here.

Calgary is known as Blue Sky City, and what that means to us is that this is a place where everyone is welcome, ideas come together and people gather – regardless of where you are from – under our great big blue skies. We often say that there are limitless possibilities here, and I’ve truly felt that from the minute I moved to Calgary.

It’s a city that I’m really proud to lead a business in and also to raise my kids.

I’m from a prairie community, so the Western heritage that Calgary is historically known for felt like a piece of my roots were already here, but I’ve been really amazed at what I’ve learned and experienced from Calgary’s diversity and multiculturalism. There is something happening all the time, and it’s not hard to find ways to explore new places and have new experiences that make this such a wonderful place to be.

What would you say are the top 3 reasons corporate event planners should consider Calgary for their event?

Big city perks meet small town charm – Calgary has all the amenities of a world-class destination, but we’ve kept our small-town charm and warm, welcoming hospitality. A smile from a stranger? That’s normal here. A local offering you insider tips on the best hidden gems? Also normal.

Big ideas converge here – You can feel the entrepreneurial energy that is pioneering ideas and opportunity in many sectors, including technology, life sciences, aviation, agriculture, creative industries and so much more. Our business community is so collaborative and truly embrace our “Blue Sky thinking.”

A basecamp for every kind of experience – Calgary is the third most diverse city in Canada, and that shows up in everything from our culinary scene to our incredible arts and culture experiences, and world-class attractions. They provide unforgettable moments and a chance to experience our western heritage and our multicultural roots. Whether your delegates are explorers, culture seekers, or adventure junkies – Calgary is the perfect place to go from boardroom to basecamp as we are surrounded by five UNESCO world-heritage sites, including the world-renowned Rocky Mountains!

What unique venues does Calgary offer organizations?

Whether you’re planning an intimate retreat or a citywide convention, Calgary’s got you covered! We boast the largest convention hub in Western Canada, the BMO Centre, recently completing a $500 million expansion bringing their total amount of space to over 1 million sq. ft. In addition, Canada’s first purpose-built convention center, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) has 122,000 sq. ft. of dedicated convention space, 47,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.

Calgary also prides itself in unique offsite venues that make an impression, including Studio Bell – home of Canada’s National Music Centre, TELUS Spark Science Centre, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park Historical Village, Arts Commons and WinSport, where Canada Olympic Park and world-class training facilities are also located.

When is the best time to host events?

I cannot emphasize this enough: don’t let our Canadian winter deter you! Calgary embraces all four seasons enthusiastically, and we’re here to help offer recommendations that are customized to offer unique experiences for your delegates.

How does Calgary tackle sustainability in their venues?

We approach sustainability by asking how we can leave our city better every day – from environmental actions to economic opportunities and strong partnerships with our community initiatives.

Our venues are leading this with BMO Centre’s “Grown Right. Here.” program, Calgary Telus Convention Centre’s use of solar panels, low-flow water fixtures, and renewable green power initiatives, and many of our hotel partners implementing green programs and focusing on waste reduction through partnerships with food donation programs.

Calgary is also training the next generation of hospitality employees to think differently, and our SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism is integrating more sustainable teachings to ensure that our future leaders are well prepared.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have helped companies overcome?

Our team really puts a lot of focus on making sure that planning an event in Calgary is smooth. We’re a connected city, with over 100 direct flight routes to make getting here easy. Once you decide to host your meeting here our visitor services team works closely with you on any challenge you may have. One example of a service our team offers for larger events is wayfinding support. We want to make sure that your delegates navigate the city seamlessly, so our team works with you to customize wayfinding and provide any extra touches that will ensure your event in Calgary is the most memorable one yet.

Discover why Calgary is the perfect place to bring people together, spark ideas, and create unforgettable experiences!