Business in Calgary - October 2021

OCTOBER 2021 | $3.50 BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

A CULTURE OF PM41126516

GIVING

MORTGAGE CONNECTION FOUNDERS JOE JACOBS, ROBBY AURORA AND JOSH HIGGELKE REFLECT ON THEIR ORGANIZATION’S SUCCESS

CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS PAGE

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CALGARY CHAMBER SECTION

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Meet you there.

TENANT OFFICE SPACES, NOW AVAILABLE FOR LEASE Cadillac Fairview’s success can be attributed to three basic fundamentals: an unmatched commitment to building exceptional properties, the quality and dedication of its people, and an unwavering belief in the future. It is these fundamentals that tenants experience every day at our four Calgary Office Properties: Shell Centre, Calgary City Centre, Encor Place, and 635-8th Avenue. Tenants feel the pulse of community the moment they walk into the lobby. The dedicated Calgary Office Properties staff provides a comfortable work environment, so tenants can focus on their own business without any concerns. From bike parking, secure security, fitness facilities, meeting spaces and nearby convenient amenities, and much more, Calgary Properties has everything an office tenant may require when coming back into the workplace. From 1,500 square feet to 100,000 square feet, Calgary Properties has it all. Learn more by visiting cfoffice.ca or contacting Guy Priddle directly. Meet you there.

Guy Priddle Director Office Leasing, General Manager (403) 571-2528 guy.priddle@cadillacfairview.com

55 years and still growing...

It starts with you.

You perhaps need walls to divide or define space.

You could require flooring underfoot.

You may want window coverings to reduce glare and enhance privacy.

You might desire furniture, lighting & accessories that reflect your unique culture.

You probably wish for a simpler way to connect with technology.

You possibly use multifunction copiers + document management software to support your business process.

You likely rely on the expertise of service + installation, moving or warehousing professionals to manage logistics.

RGO can support you with all that; you may have an office, clinic, school, hotel or home we can help you make spaces where people want to be.

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$729,900

2 BEDROOMS + 2.5 BATHROOMS (1,566 SQFT)

4123 15 STREET SW (ALTADORE) A1112708

$1,100,000

4 BEDROOMS + 3 BATHROOMS (2,161 SQFT)

7853 8A AVENUE SW (WEST SPRINGS) A1136445

$1,349,000

4 BEDROOM + 3.5 BATHROOMS (3,229 SQFT)

2003 48 AVENUE SW (ALTADORE) A1139789

$1,495,000

4 BEDROOMS + 3.5 BATHROOMS (2,529 SQFT)

2012 29 AVENUE SW (SOUTH CALGARY) COMING SOON

$1,549,900

5 BEDROOMS + 5.5 BATHROOMS (3,508 SQFT)

415 WILDWOOD DRIVE SW (WILDWOOD) A1114663

$2,250,000

5 BEDROOMS + 3 BATHROOMS (1,954 SQFT)

“Selling Calgary's Most Beautiful Homes"

Each office is independently owned and operated.

www.tanyaeklundgroup.ca | Direct (403) 863-7434

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 31 | Number 10

REGULAR COLUMNS

12 14

A Tale of Two Elections

By Shane Wenzel

Let’s Pull Together for Prosperity’s Sake

By Cody Battershill

62 94

Calgary Chamber of Commerce Parker’s Pen

By David Parker

CONTENTS COVER FEATURE

30

A Culture of Giving

Mortgage Connection founders Joe Jacobs, Robby Aurora and Josh Higgelke reflect on their organization’s success

By Melanie Darbyshire

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: JOE JACOBS, ROBBY AURORA AND JOSH HIGGELKE. PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

FIND US ONLINE! B US I N E SS I NCALGARY.COM BUSINESS IN CALGARY

@BUSINCALGARY

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Like it never even happened.®

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 31 | Number 10

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76

CONTENTS THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

COMPANY PROFILES

81 85

Trace Associates Inc.

Celebrates 15 Years

18 37

SPAAR

Celebrates 40 Years

The Home-Away-from-Home Boom Recreational properties are post-COVID hot

By John Hardy

andemic breeds new era of P ‘experiential’ Event professionals say pent-up demand leading to a much different landscape

By Jamie Zachary

57 66

Calgary’s Small Business Success Managing the speedbumps

By John Hardy

‘Crucial’ innovation spurs PropTech boom Property technology movement reflects ongoing digital transformation in real estate industry

By Jamie Zachary

76 85 8

OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Calgary’s New Home Builds Re-thinking space

By John Hardy

ADVERTORIAL

Dustin Stirling

One of Calgary’s Exclusive Chambers Plan Advisors

Group Benefits – To pool or not to pool?

That is the question!

The good news is there are more options available for employee benefit plans than ever before. Here are some key features and differences between the two types of plans typically available today.

Traditional “Experience” Rated Plans – These are the oldest and most common plans you will find in the marketplace. Without getting too technical, the insurer will collect monthly insurance premiums and use those premiums to cover administration costs and pay claims made by employees. On renewal, the carrier will compare premiums paid to claims made by employees and will adjust premium rates accordingly for the following year.

These plans are most popular and tend to work well for mid to large size firms. Larger firms typically have a good balance of low and high claiming employees so the claim to premium ratio remains consistent and so do premium changes.

With small firms, however, there are fewer employees to balance out claims versus premiums and one or two high claiming employees can really impact a firm’s claims.

Fully or Partially “Pooled” Plans – These programs follow the same basic concept

as ‘Traditional Experience Rated Plans’, but instead of the premiums versus claims being calculated on a single firm they are “pooled” with thousands of other firms thereby reducing the potential for premium volatility at renewal.

There are ‘Fully Pooled’ plans where premiums are not directly related to an individual firm’s claims, and ‘Partially Pooled’ plans where aspects of a fully pooled and experience rated plan are combined.

Most insurers in the marketplace offer ‘Traditional Experience Rated Plans’ as they offer less risk to the insurance company as the majority of the risk is transferred to the firm in the form of higher premiums if claims get too high.

Fewer insurers offer ‘Fully or Partially Pool Plans’ as there is a higher risk to the insurer and a much lower risk to the firm as firms can’t be singled out for a premium increase due to high claims. Small to medium sized firms should certainly consider the stability and reduced risk offered by a fully or partially pooled plan.

Renewal Risks

Small Business Week is celebrated annually in October and is a fantastic time to highlight and celebrate the diverse businesses in our city.

As a business owner you understand how important your employees are to your business. Today, most employees expect a comprehensive benefit plan; in fact, a recent Canada Health survey found that 77% of employees said they would not accept a job that didn’t include benefits.

Insurer Risk Insurer Risk

Insurer Risk Client Risk

Client Risk Chambers Plan Fully Pooled

Client Risk Chambers Plan Partially Pooled

Traditional Experience Rated Plan

Chambers Plan is the largest and one of the oldest ‘pooled’ plans in the marketplace today and insures over 30,000 firms across Canada.

Over the last decade Chambers Plan has averaged a 4.2% annual premium increase.

Check out chamberbenefits.ca/bic for more information on Chambers Plan and how it can help meet your business’s group benefit needs.

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Small business.

Big peace of mind.

PUBLISHERS

Pat Ottmann & Tim Ottmann

EDITOR

Melanie Darbyshire melanie@businessincalgary.com

COPY EDITOR Nikki Mullett

ART DIRECTOR

Our benefit plans offer digital enrolment for your employees and a website that makes claiming easy.

Stay calm and collected as your employees manage their own health, dental, life and disability coverage online— on any device. Making benefits easier for them and you.

ab.bluecross.ca | 1-866-513-2555

Jessi Evetts jessi@businessincalgary.com

ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Natasha Walz natasha@businessincalgary.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Shane Wenzel Cody Battershill David Parker Scott Orban

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Melanie Darbyshire Rennay Craats Jamie Zachary John Hardy

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cover photo courtesy of EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Business in Calgary magazine’s circulation is audited twice a year by BPA International.

BBB: The “secret” is out about Your dynamic organization

‘Y

our’ in Your BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay is much more than part of a tagline.

“What many don’t realize is the wide range of activities our dedicated board of directors and staff carry out in the community year-round on behalf of consumers and business,” says Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO. “We’re laser-focused on improving the marketplace.

This translates into a dynamic nexus.”

She adds, “We’re not a government organization, we don’t take money to review businesses, you can’t buy your way into BBB. Our secret sauce, which isn’t secret at all, is our board, staff, more than 3,600 Accredited Businesses in our service area, and the hundreds of thousands of consumers who rely on us to provide them with reliable, objective information without bias.”

Provided free of charge, one method of how BBB shares knowledge to consumers is through virtual programming and presentations in concert with established community partners.

“An excellent example of community outreach occurred during a recent webinar to get the word out to newcomers to Canada about scams and cons,” says O’Sullivan-Andersen. “Participants were from 20 countries. This is BBB connecting with vulnerable consumers and providing them with practical information so they can take proactive measures to protect their personal information and money.”

Adding, “Another major component of consumer outreach happens during Fraud Prevention Month. Your BBB joins with Calgary Police Service every March to launch this event. Topics include cybersecurity, puppy scams, password protection, and fraud prevention.”

News coverage of the Fraud Prevention Month press conference resulted in more than 574,000 consumers being reached. This means Your BBB connecting with consumers and the business community so they can protect themselves from scammers.

In addition to traditional news coverage, BBB maintains a robust social media presence by reaching consumers and the business community via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. While all of these avenues allow the opportunity to further reach, the key value is their continued investment and commitment to boots on the ground.

“Our dedicated team conducts consumer education/ outreach, creates business profiles that have been vetted, provide mediation and dispute resolution services when a conflict arises between a consumer and business, investigations, and much more,” says O’Sullivan-Andersen. “We also celebrate marketplace role models through our Torch and Spark Awards, call out and address substandard marketplace behaviour and create a community of trustworthy businesses and charities. We are more than 100 years old and remain as relevant today as we ever have.”

That’s Your BBB. For more information about Your BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay please visit BBB.org.

*Trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus used under License.

A TALE OF TWO ELECTIONS // SHANE WENZEL

A Tale of Two Elections

BY SHANE WENZEL

B

y the time this goes to print the federal election will be over and Canada will either be on a new path for getting our economy back to normal or will continue a straight trajectory to where we have been going for the past six years. If the choice is wrong and the random spending continues, all the ‘handouts’ will distort the economy, unleash inflation and a possible recession.

Talk of “The Great Reset” keeps many of us awake at night, as it essentially is a rebuke of the way we have been living, suggests it has failed and things needs to change to a new way. Apparently, a wise and noble government would guide our every step and tell us what to do. This reset is touted as a world where ‘you will own nothing and be happy about it.’

Sounds like something to keep most awake at night.

The upcoming civic election is now back in the headlines.

I have lost count of how many times I have seen the slogan, ‘It’s Time for Change.’ Of course, there will be change and without much effort as there are nine vacant seats to fill. So how meaningful has that ‘time for change’ message become? It is even more noticeable when it is said by incumbent candidates who have been part of what they now say needs to change. In casual conversation I hear a common question is being asked of incumbent campaigners: “Why did they wait so long to talk change – they were there?” At the moment in council there seems to be a lack of full dimensional leadership and vison. So perhaps what is needed is a ‘new approach rather than change.’ If asked what I would see as priorities, I would answer: leadership, accountability, economic growth and

quality of life. If asked directly about overall priorities on civic policies, they might look like the following: • Freeze property taxes for up to three years while you get a grip on spending.

• Streamline bureaucracy at City Hall.

• Set performance standards and spending goals for city bureaucrats.

• End duplication of services.

• Cut the red tape to make it easier to attract new business to the city and for existing business to thrive and effectively deal with City Hall.

When I see 27 candidates vying for the one position of mayor, and up to 12 council candidates in one ward alone, I can’t help but wonder if these positions are higher paying than I thought. There seems to be a lot of interest. When I try to sort it out, I find myself missing the opportunity to call my uncle who just passed away for his insight and the threads of his program on the ‘Future of Great Cities.’

He could always connect the dots on ideas and trends and getting things done. With so many after these jobs it appears there is a need for some dots to be connected, or reconnected, at City Hall.

Shane Wenzel is president of the Shane Homes Group of Companies. Follow him @shanewenzel on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.His column is written for the Alberta Enterprise Group, @AEG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

CHANGE EQUALS OPPORTUNITY IN THE INNOVATION ECONOMY From addressing energy and climate to embracing diversity and inclusion, we are all trying to get to a better place. For Calgarians, that place is right here. And right now.

This is a city that is both changing with the world and helping to change the world.

The commitment to new ways of thinking in the economic strategy Calgary in the New Economy has enhanced our reputation as a destination for bright people and companies applying innovative ideas and advanced technology to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Disruption and digitalization are creating new economic opportunities for the companies and cities that embrace them. Calgary’s advantage is we have the business environment and entrepreneurial mindset that have always encouraged and rewarded creative problem solvers.

As a result, companies are placing their bets on Calgary. Multinational companies including NYSE-listed tech giants Infosys and Mphasis, and Royal Bank of Canada, have chosen to expand to Calgary with

major tech and innovation centres.

Top global business accelerators Endeavor and SVG Ventures | THRIVE also established operations in Calgary this year to help us build an ecosystem that will create 1,000 new tech companies by 2030.

When Calgary Economic Development hosts our 2022 Economic Outlook presented by ATB Financial on Oct. 27, change will be a major topic of conversation. The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and ushered in a new economic era.

Calgary will also have a new mayor for the first time in over a decade and most members of council will have just been elected to their first term.

As we bring new perspectives into conversations about our economy and ensure there is equity of opportunity for everyone to share in our future prosperity, there is confidence we can build on and improve what we’ve achieved.

Calgary companies are set to lead the $20 billion in spending on digital transformation in Alberta from 2021 to 2024 as clean tech drives economic and environmental

2022 Economic Outlook is Oct. 27 with Todd Hirsch, Vice President and Chief Economist, ATB Financial, and Frances Donald, Chief Economist, Manulife Financial.

progress. A headline in the Globe and Mail in August about the global XPRIZE carbon removal competition stated: “Calgary is becoming the Centre of Canada’s carbon innovation.”

Oil and gas prices have helped the economic recovery but the momentum around sustained economic growth is driven largely by innovation and digital transformation across diverse sectors.

The four sectors forecasted to lead employment in the coming years are healthcare, advanced manufacturing, interactive digital media and clean tech.

For all companies, one big advantage that Calgary offers is the low cost of doing business, from real estate to corporate taxes. That affordability means companies have the space and supportive business environment to grow and experiment with big ideas.

The ability to try, learn, iterate and adapt to make a better world is vital in today’s constantly changing world. The value proposition Calgary can offer is greater than ever and the time is now.

LET’S PULL TOGETHER FOR PROSPERITY’S SAKE // CODY BATTERSHILL

Let’s Pull Together for Prosperity’s Sake

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

T

here’s been so much debate lately, given the recent election cycle, that it might be time for a quick reminder about what’s important to the future prosperity of Canadian families.

When it’s all said and done, Canada’s natural resources support workers, families, communities and governments right across the nation. And as a consequence of Canada’s tough environmental regulations both federally and provincially, trade in Canada’s natural resources also supports the global environment when compared to other supplier nations.

Let’s take oil and gas, with its $500 billion generated for governments Canada-wide since 2000.

With global energy demand increasing steadily – including for oil and gas – and with several West Coast Indigenous communities advancing LNG projects with the goal of getting Canada’s lowest-emission LNG to global consumers, the importance of Canada’s oil and gas future can’t be overstated.

But it’s not just oil and gas that Canadians can be proud of.

In 2016, Canada was the seventh top producer of renewable energy worldwide. In fact, in the 10 years leading to 2018, more wind power capacity was built in Canada than any other form of generation, with capacity growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually.

In terms of emissions-free nuclear power, Canada is the second largest producer and exporter of uranium in the world, with 22 per cent of global production in 2017.

in 2017, produced to the highest environmental standards with low-emissions energy.

But let’s not overlook Canadian agriculture. We’re the sixthlargest global exporter of beef, accounting for 4.6 per cent of the world’s exports in 2018. And we produce more canola than any other country, contributing some $26 billion to the Canadian economy annually.

We’re the number one producer of lentils and dry peas, with pulses sent to over 120 countries in 2018. And we’re also the second largest producer and exporter of softwood lumber, at more than $10 billion in exports in 2017.

From pork (we’re the third largest producer in the world) to farmed and wild fish (we exported $6.9 billion in fish and seafood products to 139 countries in 2018) to wheat and other grains, our products and our environmental, safety and human rights reputation are envied around the planet.

We excel in environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics, all in a way that puts food on the tables of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from Tofino, B.C. to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

It’s a record we can all be fiercely proud of. And that’s why we continue to encourage Canadians to work together to take action in support of our vital natural resource sectors and the communities and families they support.

My bottom line is this: When Canadians pull in the same constructive direction, great things happen.

Canada was also the third largest producer of primary aluminum, with more than five per cent of world production Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder / spokesperson for CanadaAction. ca, a volunteer-initiated group that supports Canadian energy development and the environmental, social and economic benefits that come with it.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Great Leadership Leaves a Lasting Legacy University of Calgary Properties group is proud to recognize change-makers in our community and will be awarding the Legacy Leadership award once again at this year’s Business in Calgary Leaders Awards on November 24, 2021. The award will be presented to a deserving alumnus that has demonstrated a sustained impact on the fabric of our city.

To be a great leader and demonstrate business excellence with changing tides requires discipline, problem-solving ingenuity, generous community commitment, ambitious spirit that inspires and an unwavering desire to collaboratively move the needle. We hope you will join us to celebrate the leaders that make Calgary a great place for all of us.

ucpg.ca

OFF

THE

Big 4 Motors and Metro Ford Break Ground at Taza Park State of the art dealerships set to open on the Tsuut’ina Nation in 2022 Taza Park, one of three major developments on the Tsuut’ina Nation, introduced its two anchor tenants during a special ground breaking ceremony in late August.

Big 4 Motors (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Ram) and Metro Ford are both relocating from their long-established Calgary locations to new state-of-the-art dealerships in Taza Park. Both dealerships are excited to be moving forward together in this step towards reconciliation and economic prosperity for the Nation.

Taza Park, located near the Grey Eagle Casino, encompasses 530 acres with a planned dynamic mixed-use community of retail, office and residential, including recreation and entertainment destinations.

“We are excited to have two great dealerships as our first anchor tenants at Taza Park,” says Bryce Starlight, vice president of development at Taza. “Metro Ford and Big Four Motors have been working diligently with the Nation to incorporate Tsuut’ina history and culture into each of their properties, setting a new standard for the Taza tenant and Nation relationship.”

Big 4 Motors, which is part of the Wood Automotive Group, is Calgary’s original Jeep store, and has been working out of its cramped quarters on MacLeod Trail for more than 40 years. The new 62,000 square-foot dealership will boast a 12car showroom and 35 service and detailing bays. It will also feature three drive-in customer service lanes for speedy and convenient drop-off.

“We feel honoured, privileged and excited about our new dealership at Taza Park,” says Gerry Wood, president of Wood Automotive Group. “We’re honoured to be working with the Tsuut’ina Nation and people, privileged that we are one of the first developments and anchor tenants at Taza Park on the Tsuut’ina Nation, and we are excited about the opportunities

to welcome customers old and new and generate business, employment and economic activity for the community.”

The new Metro Ford at Taza Park will be a 75,000-square-foot facility located on eight acres and the first with Ford’s Signature Design. Ford vehicle owners will enjoy a vastly improved service experience with an ultra-modern repair facility, expanded checkin area and comfortable customer lounge.

“We are truly honoured to be relocating Metro Ford Sales LTD to Taza Park in December 2022,” says Reg Pattemore, president of Metro Ford. “I look forward to walking together, dreaming together and prospering together in the future.

This partnership has been years in the making and we are thrilled to be the anchor tenant of Taza Park.”

Both Metro Ford and Big 4 Motors will incorporate Tsuut’ina art and culture in their design and feature technology that reduces energy and water use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Construction on both dealerships is now underway with planned completion in mid to late 2022.

ABOVE: TSUUT’INA NATION DANCERS AND DRUMMERS PERFORM AT THE BIG 4 MOTORS AND METRO FORD GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY AT TAZA PARK ON THE TSUUT’INA NATION.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

THE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME BOOM // RECREATION & INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

THE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME

BOOM

RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES ARE POST-COVID HOT

BY JOHN HARDY

T

here’s no doubt about it, and the numbers don’t lie. Recreational properties, particularly within a reasonable commute from Calgary, are booming! The prices are spiking, mostly because demand is way up and availability is often limited. But it’s good news for buyers, sellers, builders and realtors.

Some real estate insiders credit evolving consumer and lifestyle trends. Others caution that the hot market popularity is, to a large part, COVID-consequence driven and it won’t last.

Short-lived or long term, the sudden popularity of recreational properties is undeniably impacted by the lifestyle adjustments and other changes triggered by the pandemic.

“Life during the pandemic has made cottage country and country living more desirable than ever, in every part of Canada,” says Phil Soper, Royal LePage president and CEO. “In many cases, younger buyers – those between 25 and 35 – are making up an increasing share of buyers trading in the big city for country life, with nearly half of buyers in that demographic (47 per cent) saying they would choose a small town or rural living.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

“Various recent surveys and reports show that affordability remains the top buying criteria for 41 per cent of Canadians who are in the market for a recreational property, followed by proximity to water or waterfront, amenities and the vital contemporary lifestyle factor of good WiFi.” Soper adds that, given the world-class beauty found in many of the “cottage country” regions throughout Canada, not to mention pandemic-related concerns about high-density living, many are thinking about expanding their families and want their kids to grow up with a little more space to roam.

From coast to coast, the line between primary residence and recreational property is blurring. “The trend began last summer when, due to COVID, the option of traveling abroad was taken away, and continued to gain popularity as it became clear that with office lockdowns, access to high-speed internet was invaluable and many people could do their jobs from just about anywhere,” he says.

According to the most recent Royal LePage Recreational Property Report, which tracks insights, data and forecasts from 51 Canadian markets, 32 per cent of Albertans aged 25 to 35 say the pandemic has increased their desire to move to a

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THE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME BOOM // RECREATION & INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

SOPER ADDS THAT, GIVEN THE WORLDCLASS BEAUTY FOUND IN MANY OF THE “COTTAGE COUNTRY” REGIONS THROUGHOUT CANADA, NOT TO MENTION PANDEMIC-RELATED CONCERNS ABOUT HIGH-DENSITY LIVING, MANY ARE THINKING ABOUT EXPANDING THEIR FAMILIES AND WANT THEIR KIDS TO GROW UP WITH A LITTLE MORE SPACE TO ROAM. less dense area and another 60 per cent said it’s important to work for an employer that would allow them to work remotely.

“According to our research, access to high-speed internet and the ability to work remotely are among the top criteria for those seeking properties in Canada’s recreational regions, followed closely by four-season usability,” Soper adds.

Similar to conventional, urban real estate, price is not only a factor but a barometer of market trends. “The pandemic has resulted in increased demand for recreational properties. In a segment of the market that has historically low inventory, this has continued to put upward pressure on prices while inventory continues low,” explains the personable Brad Hawker, associate broker of Royal LePage Rocky Mountain Realty.

He notes that waterfront properties and access to water remain a top priority for buyers and because there is a limited amount of waterfront land available, waterfront or near-waterfront properties remain in high demand.

“The pandemic has driven a desire for all things outdoors,” Hawker says. “There is low availability for campsites, resorts.

People want to get away from the stress of city-life and enjoy the cottage lifestyle. Cottages bring families together.

As it shows in the LePage Report, this year the aggregate price of a house in Alberta’s recreational regions is forecast to increase six per cent, to $942,881. Last year, the

aggregate price of a house in the province’s recreational markets increased 9.5 per cent year-over-year to $889,510, compared to 2019.”

A sign of the times and surprising as it may be for some, the Report stats also show that the most important consideration when purchasing a recreational property, “which some buyers overlook or take for granted,” Hawker says, “is cell phone reception and internet speed. One-third of national respondents said checking the quality of cell phone reception and internet connection, both inside the cottage and around the property, is a key consideration for first-time recreational property buyers.

“As more employers confirm a hybrid work-from-home policy, new buyers are gaining the confidence to purchase a recreational property where they can work from but can still make it into the office a couple days a week,” he says.

Recreational properties within a reasonable distance to Calgary – like Canmore and Sylvan Lake, and for Edmonton, Lac St. Anne and Wabamun Lake are popular options. The Central Alberta region (areas like Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, Glennifer, Nordegg, Buck Lake and Buffalo

ABOVE: PHIL SOPER, ROYAL LEPAGE PRESIDENT AND CEO.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Do you own shares in a Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC)? If so, donating private company preferred shares in-kind has the potential to provide significant additional tax benefits.

For more information on this and other tax efficient donation options, visit abundance.ca or call 1.800.772.3257 to speak with a Gift Planning Consultant.

Generosity changes everything Abundance Canada is a public foundation, registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). We are authorized to receive charitable donations, issue official donation receipts and distribute funds to registered charities and qualified donees through our donor-advised model. Charity Registration No: 12925-3308-RR0001.

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21

THE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME BOOM // RECREATION & INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

“THE MARKET HAS STARTED TO SLOW DOWN COMPARED TO EARLIER ON IN THIS YEAR,” CARA’S LINDSAY OLVER SAYS. “IT’S TOUGH TO TELL WHAT MAY HAPPEN NEXT YEAR. RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES WILL LIKELY COOL DOWN GOING INTO 2022, ESPECIALLY IF THE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS LIFT.”

Lake) are recreational property hot spots, particularly for Calgarians and, according to Lindsay Olver, owner and broker at Coldwell Banker Ontrack Realty and chair of CARA (the Central Alberta REALTORS® Association), “Depending on the recreational property, there have been price increases from 20 per cent to double if not triple the price it was in 2019.

“The main factors driving the increase in Central Alberta recreational properties are low interest rates, the disruption in office routines caused by the pandemic and the fact that travelling this year was ground to a halt. The buyers who normally would go south for the winter or travel in the summer were unable to so they bought locally. The ability to work remote has also given people more freedom to move and work from a location that they desire.”

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

When it comes to recreational property reputation and popularity, there is agreement that Canmore in a league of its own. “Canmore is seeing unparalleled demand from people wanting to accelerate their life plans and focus on their physical and mental health,” Brad Hawker says. “A growing segment of young and middle-aged buyers seeking primary residences in the area. If they can work remotely from anywhere, they want to live in a place that caters to their active and adventurous lifestyles.”

Recreational property professionals acknowledge that the sudden shift in buyer momentum has inflated the prices of some in-demand and high-end recreational properties.

Earlier this year, one Canmore property sold for $4.2 million and by comparison, although out of range for a Calgary commute, current numbers show ABOVE: LINDSAY OLVER, OWNER AND BROKER AT COLDWELL BANKER ONTRACK REALTY AND CHAIR OF CARA.

that while the market is sizzling in Canmore, it is not a unique situation. In Whistler, the iconic mountain town outside of Vancouver with a similar population to Canmore, has experienced a 29 per cent price increase since 2019 for chalets and a 34 per cent increase in duplexes and townhouses.

The Royal LePage Report tracks that 44 per cent of realtor respondents in Alberta reported an increase in the number of buyers from other provinces, compared to previous years.

Demand and prices continue to grow in recreational regions easily accessible from Edmonton and Calgary. The Alberta summary says 78 per cent of recreational markets have had a decline in inventory compared to what is typical for their areas.

“The market has started to slow down compared to earlier on in this year,” CARA’s Lindsay Olver says.

“It’s tough to tell what may happen next year. Recreational properties will likely cool down going into 2022, especially if the travel restrictions lift.”

21 OCTOBER 2021

For every challenge there’s opportunity

As inventory sags, the clutch of COVID disruptions slow down, offices return to routine or a hybrid routine, and the new normal lifestyles set in, some recreational property professionals suggest the market will stabilize, if it hasn’t already begun to cool.

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23

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS TO YOU BY CANADIAN

Lori Pecorilli President, The Latium Group

proud to see our small team take such massive strides within the industry.”

Latium Group sees a strong link between innovation and technology, and uses that combination to drive the company, and the industry, forward.

T

he Latium Group includes Latium Fleet Management, Latium Technologies, Latlogix, and Falco Consulting.

Lori Pecorilli and her husband founded the group in 1996 to bring modernization, innovation, net-new services and novel technologies to the fleet and transportation industry.

Pecorilli shares, “The Latium Group is built on a shared passion for disruption. Combining hands-on consultancy and proprietary technologies, we challenge the status quo and inspire operational excellence. We serve as an end-toend solutions provider for the industrial and commercial sectors, combining consulting and outsourced management services with our smart job site technologies. From telemetry applications, advanced analytics, job site resourcing tools, and AI enhanced monitoring systems, Latium provides business leaders with the ultimate toolkit for ground-up transformation.

The draw to this field, for Pecorilli, was her love of problem solving. She says, “At my core, I’ve always been a problem solver. Dedicating my career to exploring new business models, technologies and services to help solve those challenges was extremely compelling to me. There is nothing more exciting for my team and I than innovating a client-driven technology and seeing it adopted by global and industry-leading companies. Personally, it makes me

“For over a decade we have been developing software, hardware, mobile apps, and platforms,” says Pecorilli. Our innovation approach and journey are fundamentally based on needing the technology and data in order to solve our clients’ challenges. The introduction and continued evolution of technology, while ‘having our eye on the horizon’ has been a significant game changer in differentiating our business.

“To date, our greatest accomplishment with our innovation has been attracting PCL Construction, Canada’s largest construction company, and merging technologies, launching a best-in-class industrial IOT platform.”

Pecorilli’s advice to other entrepreneurs and women in business is, “Always build only what clients and industry want, what they need, and what they will pay for. Never develop just because you are in love with your project or idea; just because you love it, don’t assume everyone else will as well. For women in business, the most important piece of advice I can offer is to not let other people determine your value. Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable and take those risks. It’s the only way people will be able to see what you’re truly capable of. Growing a supportive network is critical – always expand your network, outside of your normal group and really push yourself to meet new people in different industries and different countries.

LEADERS MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT BROUGHT WESTERN BANK AND PRIME CAPITAL GROUP Listen to our podcast here: primeforgrowthpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Irene Payne Leasing Executive, Ferrum

L

easing executive Irene Payne has 40 years of experience in the financing industry and has successfully closed $500 million in transactions to date. In 2018 she cofounded Ferrum with her son, Simon, to develop a blockchain enabled marketplace for all types of equipment financing.

Payne knows that adaptation is a strength in any business, and she leans into that with confidence, by developing a new and innovative platform for leasing clients that were finding the standard methods to be slow and cumbersome.

Clients praising the Ferrum platform range from retail giant Canadian Tire to new small businesses just starting out, demonstrating an 80 per cent reduction in administration time when using Ferrum over traditional processes.

among the different parties is all captured in one central place, with technology streamlining and automating the process at each step.”

Payne continues, “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Ferrum. Traditionally the equipment finance industry does not share information or business strategy. We started our journey with Ferrum in a collaborative manner, bringing in clients, lenders, equipment vendors and legal to provide input and assist in the development of our vision. I like that I am making a difference, pushing boundaries and working with good people. By doing so, I am constantly challenging myself and motivating the team, which is very rewarding from a personal perspective.

“We decided to explore how technology could be used to innovate our industry, and once we looked at technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, it didn’t take long to decide to develop our own platform.” says Payne.

“My objective is to bring people together to make a difference.

[As for Ferrum], creating an innovative platform has been very challenging, especially in an industry that hasn’t changed in 40 years, but the most rewarding aspect is when you align yourself with partners that share your vision and are willing to contribute to its success. We are a Canadian company with a global vision. That to me is very exciting.”

She continues, “Ferrum captures the end-to-end financing process in a single platform. From origination to completing a transaction to delivery of the equipment – every step in the process, each exchange of information and every interaction

What is her advice for other entrepreneurs and women in business? “Believe in yourself, believe in your vision, be tenacious, and surround yourself with the best people in the industry.”

LONGSHORE RESOURCES: A JUNIOR BUILT TO SURVIVE

L

ongshore Resources is a private oil and gas exploration and production company with a fresh, new approach on how to best operate and be profitable in North America’s volatile energy sector. Longshore takes the view that capital constraints on the oil sector requires that every company be financially secure and survivable throughout the commodity cycle. In addition to innovative operations, Longshore leads the way in environmental stewardship, safety, and community building.

President and CEO Byron Nodwell founded Longshore in 2015 and is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC).

“I wanted to take advantage of the 2014 price crash to form a company that married high-quality assets with high-quality, next-generation talent,” says Nodwell. “With the 10+ years of experience I had working with junior oil companies, I knew that only very carefully crafted companies could survive and thrive.”

Longshore raised capital from ARC Financial and opened in 2015. Growth was immediate and rapid. Between May and October of that year, Nodwell was able to hire the founding team members.

He continues, “We acquired assets in June 2016, chasing a new exploration target in Alberta and drilled initial wells with success. In 2017 Longshore accumulated large acreage blocks, and further drilling with technological improvements increased productivity of the lower Charlie Lake.”

The pace continued. In 2018 Longshore acquired Shiningstar Energy. In 2020 there was a four-way merger with Rife Shot Oil Corp., Steelhead Petroleum Ltd., and Primavera Resources Corp.

Nodwell explains, “In 2015 I was a 38-year-old first-time CEO attempting a startup. I was introduced to ARC Financial by our independent director and it has been a very fruitful relationship ever since. Despite my lack of experience, they saw something they liked in me and have been very supportive. The four other companies we merged with were also backed by ARC, which to me, shows their high level of trust in myself and the Longshore team.

TOP: DRILLING OPERATIONS ON A CHARLIE LAKE WELL NEAR GRANDE PRAIRIE. LONGSHORE MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM UNLOCKING ALBERTA’S RESOURCES AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMY. MIDDLE: LONGSHORE’S FIELD TEAMS ARE A KEY COMPONENT TO OUR SUCCESS AND ARE THE FACE OF THE COMPANY IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE OPERATE. BOTTOM: LONGSHORE’S HEAD OFFICE TEAM BUILDING A SCHOOL PLAYGROUND IN 2017. SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES WHERE WE WORK AND LIVE IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE COMPANY.

ARC Financial is Canada’s largest energy-focused private equity manager; working with their team has been a great benefit to the success of Longshore.”

Innovative operations and environmental sustainability are two things that set Longshore apart; Nodwell also credits the team.

The innovation in how Longshore does business has carried them through the dark days of the oil crash and pandemic.

“We have great people! I know this sounds cliché, but we deliberately ensure we have a high-performing and collaborative work culture.”

“Many junior oil companies have a tendency to only look at the upside and seek investment capital in the event of difficulties.

Longshore is different in that we strive to ensure that we thrive during good times but also are protected in case of bad times.

Our balance sheet is clean, and our revenues are protected by a rigorous hedging program. This served us very well over the last 18 months,” says Nodwell. “The last year has brought unprecedented challenges to energy companies, but this sector has been very challenging for years, I would argue since around 2008 or 2009. I got into start-up junior oil companies at around that time, so I have only ever lived in difficult times.

This is why we set up Longshore to survive. We had a clean balance sheet and were well hedged going into the COVID pandemic. That served to protect the company for the duration of the crisis. Over the past year we have seen oil prices range from $30 to $70. During that time period our assets, team and financial strength ensured the company was never at risk, even during the darkest days.”

Longshore was able to use its financial strength to assist the communities where they operate during the depths of the pandemic. “With so many people out of work across western Canada we felt it was our duty to provide financial assistance to various crisis and community assistance organizations that support our local communities. All members of our head office and field teams were asked to help prioritize our donations and we gave charitable support to over 30 organizations across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

For everyone at Longshore, environmental responsibility is a top priority.

“We take environmental responsibility very seriously,” confirms Nodwell. “Our operations have an impact on the environment and we ensure that when operations on a Longshore site cease that the land is returned to its original state. During the pandemic, Longshore stopped all development capital activity but we did not stop our well abandonment and site reclamation activity.

“Longshore is actively reducing our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity during all of our activities. Our financial sponsor (ARC Financial) has been tracking the GHG intensity of all of their investments for over 15 years and requires that their investment companies reduce emissions. This is something that I think most quality oil companies do, and yet may be overlooked by the general public. The Canadian oil and gas industry is the number one spender on environmental initiatives and technology in the country.”

ATB is also a part of Longshore’s success story.

“ATB has banked Longshore since our founding,” says Nodwell.

“We have had a great relationship with Clayton Martin since 2015 and he has worked closely with Longshore to understand our business, our capital needs and the services that will contribute to our success. We do all of our day-to-day banking through ATB, and ATB has contributed capital to the business through a reserve-based-lending product.”

He continues, “ATB is local to Alberta and this means that it is strongly incented to ensure the success of Alberta-based businesses. More than that, the people at ATB understand the local business environment intimately. Alberta has its own style and business culture and having that local knowledge is very helpful. Good business is about good relationships.”

The future is bright for Longshore Resources and Nodwell is excited about what comes next for his company, and for the industry.

“Longshore is profitable at $40/barrel, so at $70 we are thriving. We are currently executing a growth plan to get our production to 20,000 BOEPD by early 2022. After that growth phase, the company will be well positioned with abundant free cash flow and a clean balance sheet. At that time, we will likely start returning capital to our shareholders to make good on our promise to them, when they entrusted us with their money, that we would make them a return.”

Nodwell concludes, “Canadian oil and gas is the best regulated, most environmentally sound oil industry in the world.

Amongst oil exporting countries in the world, we (along with Norway) are considered the gold-standard in this regard.

Canadians should know that they have a world champion industry right here at home.”

ATB is pleased to present a 2021 profile series on the businesses and people who are facing challenges head-on to build a strong Alberta.

A CULTURE OF GIVING // COVER

A CULTURE OF

GIVING

MORTGAGE CONNECTION FOUNDERS JOE JACOBS, ROBBY AURORA AND JOSH HIGGELKE REFLECT ON THEIR ORGANIZATION’S SUCCESS

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

W

hen Robby Aurora, Josh Higgelke and Joe Jacobs launched Mortgage Connection in May of 2018, their collective vision was to build a brokerage firm committed to all of its stakeholders; one that is not only profit focused, but focused on the greater good. A firm that creates better work environments, empowers and builds up all, and helps to make positive impacts for those directly and indirectly connected to it.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the partners and their team, at just three-and-a-half years old, Mortgage Connection embodies that vision is every way possible. Its three pillars of Culture, Collaboration and Community have fostered a strong connection to its employees and team, clients, shareholders and the community, and provided the foundation for a rich and unique culture.

“Awesome attracts awesome when it comes to the reason for our growth,” Aurora says proudly. “It really has been just trying to do the right thing when it comes to brokering mortgages. Having the best and brightest mortgage brokers

in the industry allows us to do that and to be impactful within our community efforts as well.”

The three men, while relatively young (Aurora is 33, Jacobs is 37 and Higgelke is 40), have a combined total of 43 years of experience in the industry. They met several years ago while working at the same brokerage house.

They decided strike out together in order to do things differently, in a bid to fortify the independent mortgage broker position vis-a-vis the ‘Big Five’ banks, who enjoy approximately 75 per cent of the Canadian residential mortgage market share.

“We felt that, as brokers, we have better solutions for consumers to help them save money throughout the life of their mortgage, but getting this message across as individuals is quite tough,” Aurora explains. “We wanted to come together with a collaborative effort to get this message out to the consumer. Together, as the best and brightest, with a collective vision when it comes to marketing, we can earn our consumer’s choice.”

RIGHT: JOE JACOBS, ROBBY AURORA AND JOSH HIGGELKE. PHOTO SOURCE: EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

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A CULTURE OF GIVING // COVER

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A CULTURE OF GIVING // COVER

“EVERYBODY WANTS TO HELP EACH OTHER,” AURORA CONTINUES, REFERRING TO THE ORGANIZATION’S Marketing a single brand benefits all the brokers within the organization. “We’re all working together to build it up, get the Google reviews, get out there in front of the public,” Higgelke continues. “When potential clients come through we share them evenly throughout the team so everybody benefits from those efforts – this is not common in our industry.”

Mortgage Connection’s brokers connect their consumers with the appropriate lender. “That could be a big bank, a credit union or a non-bank lender,” Jacobs says. “It’s really about the power of choice and making sure our consumers are fully educated on it.”

The approach has been a major success: today the brokerage has 70 individuals including brokers, staff, underwriters and administrators. It completes over 3,000 transactions annually and by the end of this year will have transacted just over a billion dollars in mortgage originations in 2021. Steep growth when compared to the first year in business – 2018 – when it did just under 400 million.

“The growth has been pretty substantial,” Jacobs acknowledges. “And with where we’re going, we’ll probably be closer to a billion and a half dollars by the end of 2022.”

He says it’s a combination of a few things: “We’ve grown in the number of brokers. We’ve attracted some of the top mortgage professionals, especially in the Calgary and Alberta markets.”

“Many of our agents are also having significant growth in their numbers,” Higgelke adds. “Many are having record years with the hot real estate market that we’re seeing now.

We’re very fortunate that our industry is one that’s been busy through these tough times.”

Part of the partners’ commitment to their team is to stay active and engaged as mortgage brokers, beyond their roles as managing partners. This ensures they remain in touch with what’s going on in their industry. “There was a loss of leadership in the industry,” Higgelke explains. “If you own the brokerage but you’re not doing the mortgages, you may not know what’s going on. How can one help your brokers if you don’t know what’s going? Part of our commitment to our brokers is that we would stay active, engaged and current, so that we’re relevant and we know how to get deals done.”

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

CULTURE. “OUR BROKERS ARE ALWAYS SHARING IDEAS AND WHERE TO BEST PLACE A PARTICULAR MORTGAGE. THERE’S A LOT OF COLLABORATION. WE’RE A TREMENDOUS GROUP OF ABOUT 70 FRIENDS WHERE EVERYONE LIKES SPENDING TIME TOGETHER, SHARING IDEAS AND GETTING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.” “Everybody wants to help each other,” Aurora continues, referring to the organization’s culture. “Our brokers are always sharing ideas and where to best place a particular mortgage. There’s a lot of collaboration. We’re a tremendous group of about 70 friends where everyone likes spending time together, sharing ideas and getting involved in the community together.”

A focus on internal growth, through the efforts of a team dedicated to this responsibility, is also key. “[Operations lead] Tara Beattie is hyper-focused on our internal team, making sure they have all the tools and ability to grow,” Jacobs says. “So that we don’t just have the best, we remain the best. It’s allowed for significant growth and attracted great people to us, because most brokerages don’t offer that kind of internal support.”

While the majority of Mortgage Connection’s business is prime residential financing, it does have substantial private financing, construction and commercial mortgage divisions.

Aurora heads up the commercial division, which has become a comfortable niche market for the firm.

Mortgage Connection’s residential mortgage consumers run the gamut. “Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned real estate investor, someone that doesn’t have perfect credit or someone that has A+ credit, we’re going to have a solution for you,” Jacobs says. “Our average-sized mortgage is around $350,000, though again there are no parameters.”

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A CULTURE OF GIVING // COVER

Calgary focused, the firm has expanded into other regions, particularly B.C. and Ontario.

“Thunder Bay is probably our biggest Ontario market,” Jacobs says. “Josh [Higgelke] is actually from there. We have a fantastic broker and lead there who’s really doing a remarkable job in a market that was very underserved in this industry.”

The growth strategy is to emulate what has been accomplished in Calgary in smaller, underserved markets. “Thunder Bay is a prime example of that,” Higgelke explains.

“We’ve been able to provide the perks from the volumes we do in Calgary to a broker in a smaller market: preferential treatment from some of the banks with dedicated underwriting, better pricing, better interest rates. It makes our brokers in Thunder Bay very competitive.”

A major factor in developing the brokerage’s strong culture and in attracting new talent has been its Connected to the Community Fund: a portion of the broker commission from every single mortgage transacted – that’s over 3,000 this year – is mandated into a community fund. This fund is then given back to the community, in a variety of ways, at the direction of the entire organization.

“That’s $150,000 a year that Mortgage Connection and the brokers are contributing back into the community,” Jacobs marvels, “that’s a lot of money.

And when we get together and talk about what we want to do with those funds, it’s incredible. It’s not just the brokers that get involved, it’s the entire team and their families. It’s been huge for our culture and we’re pretty proud of it.”

Since 2018, Mortgage Connection has donated significant funds, ranging in values from $1,000 to

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TOP: DONATING BLOOD AT EAU CLAIRE CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES. JOE JACOBS, LEAH HIGGELKE, TARA BEATTIE, GREG FOSS, JOSH HIGGELKE, COLIN WARD AND ROBBY AURORA. BOTTOM: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SKILLS CENTRE (YES) CENTRE CHROMEBOOK DONATION LEFT TO RIGHT: TRACY GLOVER, SKYE MCLEAN, GAR GAR, TRISTON SCOTT, TARA BEATTIE AND DOREEN NG.

A CULTURE OF GIVING // COVER

SINCE 2018, MORTGAGE CONNECTION HAS DONATED SIGNIFICANT FUNDS, RANGING IN VALUES FROM $1,000 TO $25,000, to 13 different charitable organizations (the latter amount was given to each of the Small + Mighty Project Inc., the Salvation Army - Day of a Thousand Lunches, and Field of Crosses).

“We don’t direct anything from the top down, that’s not our leadership style,” Jacobs says. “Our team comes together to decide what we’re interested in.” Such was the case with their contribution to Small + Mighty Project, an organization that helps families in the neonatal intensive care units in Calgary and across Canada.

The $25,000 donation by Mortgage Connection was lifechanging for the charity which, thanks to the funds, was able to formalize its charitable status and do a lot more work across Canada. “Our people really realized the impact that our fund could have as a group,” Jacobs continues. “As an individual, are you going to make that difference? Probably not. But collectively, even if you just contributed a small amount, you have a major impact.”

Another cause the Mortgage Connection team supports is Sheriff King Home, a domestic violence shelter in Calgary.

The team purchases Christmas gifts (based on lists given to them by the mothers at the shelter during Christmas) for the families staying there. “So the mom can provide a Christmas morning for her kids,” Jacobs says. “The shelter staff called us after to say they had nothing for the moms before we became involved. We provided a full Christmas for every family. We just thought we were doing something good.”

A connection with George Brookman – the well-known Calgary businessman and philanthropist – has lead to other significant contributions. “We view him as a bit of a mentor and feel blessed that we connected with him,” Jacobs says.

“He led us to the Field of Crosses and the Day of a Thousand Lunches. There wasn’t a single person in our team who wasn’t 100 per cent in. It was -30 degrees and we were all out there, with the kids, putting flags on the crosses. Everybody shows up, everybody’s all in. When you’re doing good it feels good and breeds the culture.”

Seeing the effect COVID has had on so many families, the organization is now putting together a community COVID relief fund. “To provide a helping hand for about 20

$25,000, TO 13 DIFFERENT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS (THE LATTER AMOUNT WAS GIVEN TO EACH OF THE SMALL + MIGHTY PROJECT INC., THE SALVATION ARMY - DAY OF A THOUSAND LUNCHES, AND FIELD OF CROSSES). families. It’s around a $50,000 giveaway,” says Aurora. “We’re searching for the families now.”

Looking to the future, the partners are optimistic about Calgary’s housing market, given it’s relative affordability compared to other major Canadian centres. “An interesting trend we’ve seen this year is migration from those larger centres to Calgary, because of affordability,” Higgelke explains. “And with the ability to now work remotely, a move to Calgary is more feasible.”

They expect a continued cooling of the hot real estate market, though note a robust market remains across the country, particularly in Calgary which is fairly balanced.

“The power of really low interest rates is real,” Jacobs points out. “And COVID has highlighted the importance of home.

So I don’t think we’re going to see a significant change in our market.”

Beyond Calgary, they will continue to aim to grow in other centres through organic growth. “We’re looking for brokers who want to be leaders within those centres,” Aurora explains. “In order to be impactful in a centre, you need to have a decent amount of brokers and volume there. So we’re looking for partners who can be leaders that provide that same sort of community impact, and the same culture that we have here in Calgary.”

Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Kelowna are all future locales for expansion.

With its unique culture, Mortgage Connection will continue to have a significant positive impact on its consumers, team, and larger community. It is the type of business that Calgary needs.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2021

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COKE CANADA BOTTLING

CALGARY’S LOCAL BOTTLER: NEW FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS WITH SMALL COMPANY FEEL

by Rennay Craats

A

s Calgarians lift ice cold Coca-Colas to their lips, they can thank a dedicated team at Coke Canada Bottling’s facility on 23rd Street NE for providing them with their favourite product. That’s home to the company’s Western Canada headquarters and a proud, local team of 400 dedicated employees who make, distribute, merchandise and sell Canadians’ most loved beverages.

What many people don’t realize is that Coke Canada Bottling is a new, family-owned business.

While there have been operations in Calgary for 42 years, new owners took over the business across Canada three years ago and have focused on embedding a high-performing and inclusive culture, enabling a close-knit team.

Bryan Reynolds

“We’re a family-owned business that is focused on delivering optimism and creating a better future for our customers, consumers and local, Canadian communities,” says Todd Parsons, President & CEO, Coke Canada Bottling.

The future for its team is bright. Employees are proud to represent the Coca-Cola brand, whether they’re behind the wheel of an iconic Red Fleet delivery truck, on the production lines, or forging relationships with and stocking shelves for local customers. Most of the Coca-Cola products that Calgarians buy have been made locally.

The company recently launched the “Your Local Bottler” campaign, highlighting the diverse people and tight-knit team that make the Calgary operations a great place to work.

One member of that team is the General Manager for Southern Alberta, Bryan Reynolds. Since starting in 2002, Reynolds has worked in almost a dozen areas of the organization, from stocking shelves as a merchandiser to managing national accounts. He uses his career journey to inspire others about their potential.

“Finding new opportunities for employees eager to progress their careers and try different roles in our organization is something I find very rewarding,” says Reynolds. “We’re Calgary’s Local Bottler and we’re looking for drivers, distribution and production employees, merchandisers and sales and key accounts specialists to join us as we build this business for the future.”

Reynolds is as passionate about the organization, the product, and his role today as he was when he started almost 20 years ago. He knows Coke Canada Bottling is creating something special – a business with a family atmosphere where people are passionate about the work that they do and the people they do it with.

For more information or to find out about career opportunities in Calgary, please visit cokecanada.com.

www.cokecanada.com

PANDEMIC BREEDS NEW ERA OF ‘EXPERIENTIAL’ // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

PANDEMIC BREEDS NEW ERA OF ‘EXPERIENTIAL’ EVENT PROFESSIONALS SAY PENT-UP DEMAND LEADING TO A MUCH DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE

BY JAMIE ZACHARY

T

he lifting of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a sense of tempered optimism within Calgary’s corporate event community heading into what has traditionally been the busiest season of the year.

Yet with uncertainties brought on by the pandemic’s fourth wave and some delegates still tepid to attending large public gatherings, event professionals say it’s less a matter of returning to the old normal and instead ushering in a new generation of the experiential industry.

“There’s definitely a desire on the corporate side to continue to use events and experiences as a means to do their business. There’s definitely pent-up demand,” says Lisa Marks, owner of Brand Alive, a local event management company that specializes in employer brand events, executive meetings and experiential marketing.

“THERE’S DEFINITELY A DESIRE ON

“However, there is a whole mixed bag of comfort levels; or desire to connect with those who you don’t know.

So I believe we are entering the next generation of the experiential industry where organizations will need to communicate consistency and with empathy and curiosity with their invited guests in order to co-create opportunities to get-together.

THERE’S DEFINITELY PENT-UP

“It could be as simple as … asking what would make guests the most comfortable. Or whether it’s important to hold a hybrid solution. This is an opportunity connect in advance of bringing people into a room. There are only opportunities for wins there.”

THE CORPORATE SIDE TO CONTINUE TO USE EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES AS A MEANS TO DO THEIR BUSINESS. DEMAND,” SAYS MARKS. The idea of this tectonic shift within the meeting and event industry is echoed Kurby Court, president and CEO of Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. He’s seeing noticeable changes in the events planned at the downtown location for this fall and into 2022 that include additional square footage to allow for “more elbow room,” and a push for more hybrid events.

“We have a client right now that would typically be a 3,500-person convention in the U.S. who has instead

ABOVE: LISA MARKS, OWNER OF BRAND ALIVE.

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2021

37

PANDEMIC BREEDS NEW ERA OF ‘EXPERIENTIAL’ // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

decided to go to a hub model. Delegates attend in their respective country and then remote into the main convention. That’s something slightly new to our space since COVID-19,” he says.

“The event planner used to plan for one event. Now, they’re often planning two: the in-person and the hybrid version of that.”

He notes companies planning events post-COVID are likely going to see this hybrid model continue, leading to questions about everything from how to keep online delegates engaged to how many different camera angles they’ll need of the keynote speaker.

“The production square footage we used to use at an event has quadrupled,” says Court. “Every aspect of the event system has been impacted and changed due to COVID. And as we move forward, that will continue to evolve and morph into this new world. What will this new world look like? Get me four hours and the story will change.”

The desire to get together again is what led EnergyLink International back to in-person events. The Calgary-based supplier of air emission and noise management solutions was eager to pump on board as title sponsor for the firstof-its-kind appreciation event for the oil and gas industry earlier this fall, says Robert Reddekopp, director of marketing and company processes and systems.

Yet he also acknowledged the event looked slightly different than anything EnergyLink had participated in pre-pandemic.

For one, they chose an outdoor venue – the rooftop patio at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel – to give attendees what Reddekopp says was the safest venue for an event of this size.

“We saw it as if there was any hope to do anything in the midst of this fourth wave, it had to be in an outdoor venue – especially for a large group,” he says.

Strict safety protocols were also put in place that included temperature checks at the entrance, contact tracing, mandatory masks and sanitation stations. The venue also provided EnergyLink with the flexibility of cancelling right up to the event if restrictions changed.

“We found venues were more accommodating than ever, as well as focused on creating the safest environments possible so everyone can be successful,” says Reddekopp.

“For us, we felt getting people together was really needed, especially for the oil and gas sector. The great thing about events is they are an opportunity to introduce yourself and build those relationships for down the road. It’s something we’ve built our business around.”* After having to shut the doors to The Hanger Flight Museum for the better part of two years, executive director Brian Desjardins says his staff was eager to welcome people back to hosting events again at its unique space in northeast Calgary.

“We’ve lived in this world, together, for the last year and a half now. Most are now a bit better prepared and generally feel more comfortable. Just since re-opening in June, we’ve seen the same, if not more, number of people and events come to The Hangar as we did pre-pandemic,” he says.

“There are the usual questions around safety, including sanitation standards, availability of masks, floor plans that accommodate social distancing and such. But we are getting more excitement than anything that they can finally go ahead and book something.”

Desjardins notes events booking this fall so far have ranged in size from 30 to 100 people – with capacity at the museum around 200 – that ranged from off-site meetings to weddings and holiday parties.

ABOVE: THE HANGAR FLIGHT MUSEUM HAS SEEN RENEWED INTEREST FROM THE CORPORATE MEETING INDUSTRY SINCE RE-OPENING ITS DOORS THIS PAST SUMMER.

*Subsequent to this interview, the event was postponed due to rising COVID case numbers.

38

OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

“In fact, we’ve had bookings for corporate Christmas parties that start as early as October,” he says. “We’re not out of the woods with this pandemic, but we’re welcoming back these in-person meetings.”

Deborah Yedlin, the new president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, is not surprised to see the local corporate event scene heating up again. She notes the Chamber’s members have been clamouring for opportunities to get back face-to-face safely with their clients, or to toast their employees after a turbulent past two years “We are social human beings. We learn from one another.

We get energy from one another. It’s just not the same otherwise,” says Yedlin, noting the Chamber is also planning on hosting in-person events this fall with increased safety protocols in place such as on-site rapid testing.

Yedlin believes recent events such as the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Stampeders home games have demonstrated that people want to get together again, and that it’s possible to do safely when the right parameters are in place.

“We’re going to continue to see more measures such as vaccine passports and negative testing requirements deployed and people responding as they need to,” she says.

“More than 20,000 people showed up to the Calgary Stampeders’ home opener. That told me people wanted to be together and experience an event like that again.

There’s a desire to do it.”

For Marks, after going through what she says was her lightest event schedule in more than a decade last fall, she’s happy with a good mix of client-hosted and employee-focused events this year. However, she notes there’s a heightened narrative that we need to, once again, be careful.

Make your Christmas party a “natural” wonder amongst the flora and fauna at the Calgary Zoo. Visit calgaryzoo.com for more information calgaryzoo.com/events/corporate-events

“My first and foremost message to companies that are considering using experiential as a tactic is, now more than ever, consider using a trained event professional,” she says. “It’s now not just a matter of great experiential design, it’s a matter of public safety. It’s a matter of managing brand reputational risk.”

BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2021

39

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

THE EMPTY NESTER EDITION WHEN SHOULD YOU DOWN-SIZE? take our quiz to find out

LAKEFRONT LUXURY feature property inside

GALLERY OF FINE HOMES

for sale in your neighbourhood

OCTOBER 2021

ASK SAM

TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT IF ITS TIME TO DOWNSIZE

Q

Q: My kids are adults now and I don’t need as much square footage.

Is it time to down-size?

I’m often asked this by clients who suddenly find themselves with a big empty house when their kids become adults and move out. But downsizing isn’t just for empty nesters. There are many reasons that living in less square footage is a good decision for home owners.

The timing to sell a larger house in favour of something smaller couldn’t be better. Currently, there is an increase in demand in houses with more square feet because of the pandemic. Additionally, there is a lot of inventory of townhouses and condos available for sale and prices have remained stable. These two factors are very beneficial for those wanting to downsize. Right now is the perfect timing!

Before you decide that downsizing is the right option for you, take this quiz. If you answer mostly “yes” then it’s likely time you should downsize.

Yes

No

Do you have multiple rooms in your home that you are not using?

Yes

No

Has the maintenance and cleaning of your home become challenging?

Yes

No

Do you rarely have overnight out-of-town guests?

Yes

No

Would you prefer to spend your time travelling?

Yes

No

Are you unable to manage your mortgage, taxes, home maintenance fees?

Yes

No

Are you looking for a more simple lifestyle without all the stuff in your storage rooms, closets and garage?

Yes

No

Is your yard too hard to manage?

Yes

No

Do you want financial freedom and the ability to use the proceeds from selling your home on something else?

Yes

No

Do you want to spend less time on the mundane tasks of home maintenance?

Yes

No

Are the kids unlikely to move back in with you?

Yes

No

Do you spend a lot of time living or working in another city or at your vacation property?

WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS AND DOWNSIZE THIS FALL?

LET’S CONNECT!

Not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale nor intended to cause a breach of any existing agency relationship.

FEATURED PROPERTIES A GALLERY OF FINE PROPERTIES FOR SALE

65

Unparalleled luxury and refinement! After a 2 year renovation by Gallagher Homes and with a beautifully designed interior by McIntyre Bills, this 5 bedroom seven bathroom home boasts over 7,000 SF of opulent living space. Any discerning buyer will appreciate the high quality finishings such as exotic marbles, semi precious stones, custom millwork detailing, ceiling coffering and antique lighting reproductions featuring raw crystals. You’ll find this home to be extremely inviting while still offering lots of intimate gathering spaces. In the luxurious French style kitchen there is everything you could ever need with two massive islands, marble counters & the ultimate appliance package. The enclosed patio is the spot for entertaining guests in front of the fireplace while you BBQ. Upstairs offers three bedrooms, including the stunning master retreat with a spa inspired ensuite and massive walk-in closet. The lower level features a spa-like heated indoor pool which helps make Calgary winters a breeze, exercise room, theatre room, bar and wine room. The level of detail and craftsmanship is second to none and truly is a must see!

MAJ E STIC P OI NT

SAM COREA RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE 403.870.8811 SAM@SAMCOREA.COM OCTOBER 17, 2019

65 MAJESTIC POINT, CALGARY

UPPER - 2320.52 Sq.ft. / 215.58 m2 RMS TOTAL - 5239.63 Sq.ft. / 486.76 m2

E L B OW VA L L E Y

DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY

*RECA RMS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO EXTERIOR FOUNDATION

$3 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

SAM COREA RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE 403.870.8811 SAM@SAMCOREA.COM OCTOBER 17, 2019

65 MAJESTIC POINT, CALGARY

BASEMENT - 3234.91 Sq.ft. / 300.52 m2 *FINISHED TOTAL - 2671.42 Sq.ft. / 248.17 m2 DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY

SAM COREA RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE 403.870.8811 SAM@SAMCOREA.COM OCTOBER 17, 2019

65 MAJESTIC POINT, CALGARY MAIN - 2919.11 Sq.ft. / 271.19 m2 RMS TOTAL - 5239.63 Sq.ft. / 486.76 m2 DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY *RECA RMS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO EXTERIOR FOUNDATION

*BASEMENT MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO INTERIOR PAINT

DECK 20'0" X 12'0"

KITCHEN NOOK 13'0" X 13'0"

MASTER BEDROOM 21'7" X 20'8"

ENCLOSED PATIO 22'3" X 18'8"

LIBRARY / DEN 13'0" X 11'0"

PATIO 31'6" X 19'6"

ENSUITE BATH POOL ROOM 23'9" X 18'6"

WALK IN CLOSET

KITCHEN 28'0" X 16'0"

LIVING ROOM 24'2" X 16'0"

PANTRY

BEDROOM FOUR 16'0" X 15'4"

ENSUITE BATH

WALK IN CLOSET

STORAGE ROOM

FOYER 12'0" X 9'10"

DINING ROOM 16'0" X 13'0"

MUD / LAUNDRY 16'3" X 10'5"

DOG WASH

BEDROOM FIVE 21'0" X 15'9"

W.I.C.

BATH

OFFICE 16'0" X 13'0"

EXERCISE ROOM 24'5" X 13'0"

ENSUITE BATH

GARAGE 26'0" X 21'10"

BEDROOM TWO 16'0" X 14'6"

ENSUITE BATH

BILLIARDS ROOM 19'6" X 16'0"

STORAGE / UTILITY

ENSUITE BATH

MEDIA ROOM 21'4" X 15'5"

UTILITY

BATH

PORCH 10'0" X 8'6"

W.I.C.

WH

WH

VAC

UTILITY ROOM 23'0" X 15'4"

WET BAR 16'2" X 11'5"

THEATRE ROOM 16'3" X 11'5"

GARAGE 24'2" X 22'3"

BEDROOM THREE 30'8" X 12'0"

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711 IMPERIAL WAY SW BRITANNIA $2 , 595 , 0 0 0

This contemporary home has a breezy, California style that accommodates everyday living and entertaining. From the entry you are greeted by an impressive floating glass staircase.

The living room has plenty of space for a grand piano but maintains a sense of intimacy.

Host dinners in the dining room (currently used as an office). At the back of the house, a wall of windows spans from the family room to the kitchen and overlooks a tiered deck and south backyard. A combination of wood and high gloss cabinets give warmth to the clean-lined, modernist kitchen. An adjacent flex room is perfectly sized for a home office or playroom. Escape the demands of a fast-paced life in the expansive master bedroom and luxurious ensuite. 3 additional bedrooms each with their own ensuite are also upstairs. A sunny recreation room, 5th bedroom and mudroom connecting to the under drive garage complete the lower level. This home offers loads of square footage and current design details in one of the city’s best neighbourhoods.

CONTACT US TO BOOK A PERSONAL TOUR

FEATURED PROPERTIES A GALLERY OF FINE HOMES FOR SALE

#202 17 M AHOGANY C I RC LE S E MAHOGANY $1, 795 , 0 0 0

This luxury lakefront unit offers resort-like living, stunning views, spacious layout, contemporary design details, soaring ceilings and over 540 SF of outdoor living spaces.

Entertain friends easily in the open-concept living and dining room. Serve cocktails from the beverage bar and whip up gourmet meals from the chefs kitchen. Sub Zero and Wolf appliances, ample storage, and an expansive quartz topped island are just a few of the many features of the modern kitchen. Enjoy coffee on the sunny south balcony or dine al fresco on the the north patio overlooking the lake. The master is a serene retreat, with a luxe ensuite and large walk-in closet. Use the den as a home office or TV room. The 2nd bedroom is ideal for guests with its own ensuite. A laundry room, powder room, foyer with bench, and a convenient private 2 car garage complete this unit. Concierge, 24/7 security, pool, hobby rooms, and golf simulator are just some of the extensive amenities catering to every interest. Live in the lap of luxury!

BALCONY 32'6" X 11'2"

PRIMARY BEDROOM 14'2" X 12'10"

DINING AREA

LIVING ROOM

15'8" X 13'4"

17'0" X 15'2"

5 PC. ENSUITE

GARAGE 21'6" X 19'2"

FOYER

WET BAR

KITCHEN

5'6" X 4'0"

17'0" X 10'2"

W.I.C.

LAUNDRY 11'4" X 5'6"

DEN 11'10" X 11'4"

2 PC. PWDR.

3 PC. ENSUITE

BEDROOM 2 16'6" X 12'0"

W.I.C.

BALCONY 23'6" X 6'2"

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45 S PRI NG WI LLOW TE RR AC E S W SPRINGBANK H I L L $1, 75 0 , 0 0 0

This stately home with 4641 SF of living space offers unobstructed mountain views, refined design and a tranquil setting. From the foyer, you’ll be immediately impressed with the spacious formal dining room. There is a welcoming living room with a grand fireplace and wood beamed ceiling. A large classic kitchen features granite, 6 burner gas cooktop and walk thru pantry. The generous master suite has an elegantly appointed ensuite with a claw foot tub. In the upper loft an office with a fireplace and a library with built-ins provides the perfect place to work from home. Downstairs, the walk out basement contains 2 additional bedrooms. There is also a fitness room, home theatre, wine cellar and bar. The family room is the perfect spot to gather around the fireplace or watch the game. Outside, the masterfully landscaped yard takes full advantage of the mature trees and serene surrounding. A remote controlled screened upper deck and protected lower patio allow for extended outdoor enjoyment. This refined property is spectacular.

CALL TODAY TO GET YOUR HOME IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

FEATURED PROPERTIES A GALLERY OF FINE HOMES FOR SALE

159 P U M PM E ADOW PL AC E S W PUMP HILL $1,495 , 0 0 0

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A hidden gem tucked away on a quiet crescent backing onto a treed park! The sprawling rooms and smart layout is ideal for raising a family or entertaining a crowd. The kitchen features windows overlooking the large backyard, granite counters and professional grade appliances. A sunny flex room accessible from the kitchen is perfect as a homework room, artist’s studio, or could be converted into a butler’s pantry. Watch movies with the kids in the ample family room. Work quietly from home in the private office. Upstairs, the huge master suite includes a fireplace, sitting area, ensuite, and his/hers closets. 2 additional bedrooms share a bathroom while the 3rd contains an ensuite. The walkout level is perfect for teens who need some space of their own with a snack bar, rec room and games area. A 5th bedroom provides privacy for a live in nanny or guest. Outside, the property is bordered by mature landscaping and a large yard. This home has lots of potential and will grow with your family over the years.

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111 WE NT WORTH L AN E S W WEST SPRINGS $1,4 5 0 , 0 0 0

This impeccably maintained home is situated on one of the most sought after streets in the district. Timeless details, crown mouldings, coffered ceilings and hardwood floors provide an air of classic sophistication. An office which could easily be utilized as a dining room greets you at the front entry. The large living room features a fireplace flanked by book cases. Chefs will appreciate the extensive storage and pantry, the central island and the 6 burner Wolf range. The sunny dining area looks out towards the professionally landscaped yard. Upstairs, you’ll find a bonus room ideal for movie night.

The large owner’s suite includes a serene ensuite and walk in closet. In the basement there are 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and recreation room. A beautifully landscaped south facing yard contains a deck, patio, fire pit, water feature, flower beds and large lawn surrounded by trees. Kids can walk to school and local shops and restaurants are close by. You’ll make many happy memories in this lovely family home!

GET OUR MARKETING DOLLARS WORKING FOR YOU

FEATURED PROPERTIES A GALLERY OF FINE HOMES FOR SALE

2136

Luxurious living in the heart in Marda Loop! This stylish and modern home by Maillot Homes features the finest in finishings and is made for entertaining. The family room is highlighted by large windows, maple hardwood and a stunning fireplace where conversation can freely flow. The gourmet chefs kitchen boasts quartz countertops, custom walnut cabinetry, top of the line stainless steel appliances and a massive island with breakfast bar. A dining area effortlessly flows from the kitchen making it ideal for hosting dinner parties. Upstairs you will find the superb main suite that includes a glamorous 5 piece ensuite with soaker tub and a spacious walk in closet. There are two additional bedrooms with walk in closets and a Jack and Jill ensuite on this level. Walk down to the SAM COREA 2136 32 AVENUE SW, CALGARY comfortable basement which includes a2136 32 AVENUE SW, CALGARY wet bar, wine room and a media room where you SAM COREA RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE UPPER - 1262.09 Sq.ft. / 117.25 m2 RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE 403.870.8811 BASEMENT - 1144.42 Sq.ft. / 106.32 m2 RMS TOTAL - 2566.09 Sq.ft. / 238.39 m2 SAM COREA canDETACHED SINGLE FAMILY cozy up and watch your favourite films.

Enjoy the close proximity to the amazing 403.870.8811 *FINISHED TOTAL - 1073.42 Sq.ft. / 99.72 m2 SAM@SAMCOREA.COM RE/MAX HOUSE OF REAL ESTATE SAM@SAMCOREA.COM OCTOBER 23, 2019 403.870.8811 shops, restaurants and amenities of theDETACHED SINGLE FAMILY neighbourhood!

OCTOBER 23, 2019 SAM@SAMCOREA.COM

32ND AVENUE SW RICHMOND $1, 32 5 , 0 0 0

2136 32 AVENUE SW, CALGARY MAIN - 1304.00 Sq.ft. / 121.14 m2 RMS TOTAL - 2566.09 Sq.ft. / 238.39 m2

*RECA RMS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO EXTERIOR FOUNDATION

DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY

*BASEMENT MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO INTERIOR PAINT

OCTOBER 23, 2019

*RECA RMS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN TO EXTERIOR FOUNDATION

PATIO 25'0" X 12'0" WALK IN CLOSET

ENSUITE BATH

BEDROOM THREE 12'0" X 11'9"

MEDIA ROOM 21'0" X 16'4"

MUD ROOM 12'0" X 6'0"

STORAGE ROOM 12'0" X 6'2"

FAMILY ROOM 17'6" X 15'4"

WALK IN CLOSET

BEDROOM TWO 12'2" X 12'0"

LAUNDRY ROOM 7'10" X 6'0"

WET BAR 12'0" X 8'2"

BATH

ENSUITE BATH STORAGE

WALK IN CLOSET

WINE ROOM 6'2" X 4'8"

DINING AREA 17'6" X 11'6" UTILITY

BATH

KITCHEN 15'6" X 12'9" FOYER 10'0" X 7'0"

WH

OPEN TO BELOW

LIVING ROOM 14'0" X 13'4"

BEDROOM FOUR 12'10" X 12'0"

MASTER BEDROOM 15'0" X 14'0"

PORCH 9'4" X 4'0"

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220

A S PE N M E ADOWS PL AC E S W A S P E N WO O D S $1, 295 , 0 0 0

The inspiration of this warm, welcoming home comes from the architecture and design elements found in mountain chalets and Canmore retreats. A spectacular living room features a wood clad vaulted ceiling, river rock fireplace and views of the treed green space beyond the yard. Entertain formally in the dining room or serve casual home cooked meals in the sunny dining nook. The open concept kitchen has wood cabinets that stretch to the ceiling, a large walk-in pantry and a built-in desk. The conveniently located main floor master suite makes this an ideal home for a family with older children. Enjoy a soak in the ensuite’s claw foot tub. There are 3 bedrooms upstairs, one that could be easily used as a family room or playroom. The fully developed walk-out basement contains a rec room, bar, games area, and 2 more bedrooms. Outside, aspen and spruce line the yard providing privacy for the upper deck, covered patio and fire pit. This unique home, its coveted location and spectacular setting are a rare find.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE PHOTOS, VIDEOS, FLOOR PLANS AND 3D TOURS

FEATURED PROPERTIES A GALLERY OF FINE HOMES FOR SALE

218 MYSTIC RIDGE PARK SW

SPRINGBANK HILL $1, 2 5 0 , 0 0 0

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A spectacular spot to build your dream home! This half acre lot backs on to a natural ravine lined by a grove of mature spruce trees. The unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains are absolutely breathtaking. It is an ideal lot for a home with a walk-out basement. The backyard would have sunny southern exposure and the reserved land behind offers a beautiful backdrop and privacy from neighbours. There is no building timeline or commitment so you are able to select the builder of your choice and take your time in the design phase. This affluent cul-de-sac is just moments from the Aspen Landing and Westhills shopping districts. Some of the best schools in Calgary are nearby. This is a rare piece of land where you can build a spectacular home to your own specifications. It’s country living within the city limits!

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6

PAT TE R SON C LOS E S W PATTERSON $1, 0 9 8 , 0 0 0

This bungalow backing the ravine sits on a coveted cul-de-sac. Hardwood, white cabinets, luxurious granite counters and vaulted ceilings lend this home a sophisticated elegance.

The study at the entry is the perfect home office or library. Host the whole family for dinner in the large dining room. The kitchen has a walk-in pantry, wall oven and microwave, French door fridge, and huge island with 5 burner gas cooktop. The sunny breakfast nook looks out onto the lush greenery and has access to the deck. Thanks to the open concept floor plan the chef won’t be left out of the conversation going on in the family room. The main floor master shares views of the ravine and features a freestanding tub, dual sinks and large shower in the ensuite. An additional bedroom and a bathroom are ideal for families or guests. Downstairs, is the family room and space for a games area, 2 additional bedrooms and bath. Outside a covered patio leads to the level southwest yard overlooking the mature trees. This home is beautifully updated!

BOOK YOUR SHOWING TODAY

FEATURED PROPERTIES SELECT PROPERTIES UNDER $1MILLION

SPRINGBANK HILL | $995,000

244

SPRINGBLUFF HEIGHTS SW

Absolutely majestic unobstructed Rocky Mountain views! This walkout bungalow offers more than 2800 SF of developed living space. The open concept living, dining room and kitchen have soaring ceilings and large windows overlooking the stunning mountain vistas. Granite counters, stainless appliances (including a French door fridge and warming drawer), a walk in pantry and breakfast bar can be found in the kitchen. The adjacent dining area contains a built-in credenza with glass display cabinets and in the living room a gas fireplace is flanked by bookcases. Also on the main floor is the master bedroom with its own fireplace, ensuite and walk-in closet as well as a quiet home office. Downstairs, you will find a family room with a bar, a media area and lots of space for a pool table or gym. There are also 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and storage.

Outside, the upper deck and lower covered patio offer plenty of space for al fresco dining or watching the sunset with a glass of wine. The view from here is spectacular!

PATTERSON | $575,000

#1

12 2 0 P R O M I N E N C E WAY S W

This two bedroom corner unit in a sought after complex in Patterson has been tastefully updated. Highlights of the open concept living and dining area include a stone clad fireplace, a vaulted ceilings and big south facing windows. The sunny kitchen has ample storage, granite counters, a large central island with seating and stainless appliances including a French door fridge and a wine fridge. The owner’s bedroom contains two closets, an ensuite finished in limestone and deck access. A second bedroom and bathroom complete the main floor. French doors from the foyer lead into the lower level family room which features skylight windows and a built-in Murphy bed ideal for guests. The laundry room offers additional storage and the double attached garage makes running errands a breeze. Outside, the deck is edged with mature landscaping providing privacy and a green space. The park across the street make this a perfect option for pet owners. This low maintenance, tastefully renovated townhouse is a standout!

RENFREW | $425,000

#434

721 4T H S T R E E T N E

This quiet, top floor, two bedroom unit has soaring ceilings, contemporary design details and views of the sunrise over the city skyline. A neutral colour palette has been used throughout making it easy to add your own personal style. The kitchen features a 5-burner gas cooktop, quartz counters, a breakfast bar, sleek cabinets and floating display shelves as well as ample under cabinet and pendant lighting. The dining area adjoins the living space which has doors opening out to the balcony. This is the best spot to enjoy the city lights from the hilltop position. Light pours through the large master bedroom window and there is a private ensuite and walk through closet. A second bedroom, bathroom, laundry closet and two storage closets complete this well laid out unit. Two underground parking stalls are included and the building offers a gym and a dog/car wash. Walk into work or visit one of the many local eateries or boutiques. All you need to do is move in and enjoy everything this location has to offer!

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SPRINGBANK HILL | $389,000

#26

74 01 S P R I N G B A N K B LV D S W

This air-conditioned, well laid out semi-detached townhome provides a great opportunity for empty-nesters. It has 9’ ceilings, big windows and a neutral palette with broad appeal. The kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and an eat-in breakfast nook. The large living area has access to the balcony and features a gas fireplace.

Hosting dinner parties is a breeze with the large dining area with west-facing windows. The bedroom includes a walk through closet which leads into the four-piece bathroom. Downstairs, the walkout level features a second bathroom and a large flex space that can be used as a bedroom when guests come to stay. The double attached garage provides ample space for parking and storage. This location provides easy access to Stoney Trail making getting around the city or heading out to the mountains a breeze. Both the Signal Hill and Aspen Landing Shopping centres are a short distance away. Enjoy carefree condo living without sacrificing any living space!

ALTADORE | $359,900

#612

3 410 2 0 T H S T R E E T S W

This top floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit is desirable because of its 2 titled underground parking stalls. This is an ideal property for a couple or a busy professional who wants to live in a vibrant community with everything at their fingertips. Local restaurants, coffee shops, markets, and boutiques are right at your doorstep. Light pours through the many windows making this condo bright and airy. An open concept living room and dining area have views of the city skyline. The kitchen features granite counters, a breakfast bar, contemporary tiles and a large pantry that accommodates a stackable washer/dryer. The master bedroom overlooks the balcony and contains its own ensuite and walk in closet.

A second bedroom is perfect for guests, a roommate, or could be used as an office. The quiet top floor location, neutral finishes and laminate flooring have broad appeal. Grab a coffee at Phil and Sebastian’s, buy organic veggies at Blush Lane, or get pampered at Distilled Beauty Bar. This location has it all!

DOWNTOWN WEST END | $209,000

#1017

1111 6T H AV E N U E S W

Sold over asking price in 2 days

Enjoy amazing accessibly from this downtown west end location. The river pathways, parks, great restaurants, and shopping are in close proximity. Getting around town is easy thanks to the nearby LRT station. This one-bedroom southwest corner unit is an ideal property for a first time buyer or an investor looking to add to their rental portfolio.

The Bow River, the old science center, and a spectacular art mural make these west facing views truly one-of-a-kind! Sip a cocktail on the balcony after work while the sun sets over the river valley. An efficient kitchen has an an island, ceramic tile floor and opens onto the living room. A stackable washer/dryer is conveniently tucked away between the bedroom and four-piece bathroom.

The building full-time security, a concierge desk, exercise room, and bike storage. This Sold at 98.71% of listhas price Sold at 97.26% of list price unit also includes a titled, oversized, heated underground parking stall. Everything you need is right at your fingertips and a quick possession is available!

HOW MUCH IS YOUR HOME WORTH? ASK US!

MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH®

Jacqueline Corea

Chris Fullerton

Sam Corea

Alison Kallstrom

MOVING FORWARD Marketing Director

Sales Partner, Agent

Team Leader, Agent

Sales Partner, Agent

Your real estate needs change as life takes its many twists and turns. We’re here to help whether you are buying your first property, searching for a home to accommodate a growing family or selling your large home in favour of something with less square feet. Looking for a vacation property or moving out of town? We can connect you with an agent we recommend to make the process smoother. We’re your go-to source for all things real estate!

As we enter the final chapter of 2021, we want to give thanks for the support, loyalty and trust of our clients. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent them and recognize that they are the reason for our success.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Sam Corea, Chris Fullerton, Alison Kallstrom and Jacqueline Corea SAM Team Re/Max House of Real Estate

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CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS MANAGING THE SPEEDBUMPS

BY JOHN HARDY

T

here is no official textbook definition, although there are lots of misleading and faulty clichés and mom-and-pop stereotypes. But it is informally and widely acknowledged that “small business” is often misunderstood.

It’s not so much about cash flows, revenues and branding. Although small business is tough to categorize, there’s unanimous consensus that it’s a vital thread in the fabric of Canadian business.

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CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

“THE IMPACT OF SMALL BUSINESS IN OUR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES IS OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED,” SAYS BROWN. “WHILE A BUSINESS MAY SEEM RELATIVELY SMALL, THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF THEIR OPERATIONS, AND THOSE OF OTHER NEARBY SMALL BUSINESSES, REALLY DOES HAVE A BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT. Recent Canadian stats show that there are no generalities.

Small business is no longer the mom-and-pop cliché as much as a vital fact of almost every business sector, especially in a dynamic and entrepreneurial business community like Calgary. Small business could be IT and cybersecurity firms, personal trainers, oilfield services, mobile dog grooming, brick and mortar or online retail, in-home contractors, landscapers and more.

They are important and they matter! National stats show there are more than 1.2 million small businesses in Canada and it is a business sector which contributes more than 30 per cent of Alberta’s GDP. This month’s (October 17 to 23) Calgary Small Business Week events and awards are an opportunity for small business to network, underscoring the importance and value of small businesses to the Calgary economy.

“The impact of small business in our individual communities is often underestimated,” says Tyler Brown, regional manager, Prairie Region of TD Bank Group and a judge for Calgary’s 2021 Small Business Awards. “While a business may seem relatively small, the cumulative impact of their operations, and those of other nearby small businesses, really does have a big economic impact. Small businesses reflect the different backgrounds of their owners and employees, with unique approaches, ambitions and goals.

They help shape the culture of a community and create shared experiences that bring people together. It’s important

for local communities to recognize the diversity these businesses bring to our economies and neighbourhoods.”

Mohammad Keyhani, associate professor and area chair in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business explains that “The ‘small’ in small business is often judged by the number of employees. Small businesses (under 100 employees) are lumped in with medium-sized businesses (100-500 employees) as Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs). About 98 per cent of businesses in Canada are SMEs. Almost 90 per cent of jobs, especially private sector jobs, are in SMEs and a majority of new jobs that are created in the economy are created by SMEs.” It’s well known that there are business advantages and disadvantages to being a small business.

While small businesses took the brunt of the lockdowns and business disruptions over the last 18 months, because small businesses are usually hands-on operations, they also have the ability of immediacy and rapidly responding to business broadsides. “COVID-19 has shown that small businesses need to be flexible, resilient and sometimes a bit creative to be successful in today’s environment,” Brown notes. “They should have a solid business plan and strategy, know their market, reflect the values of the communities in which they

ABOVE: TYLER BROWN, REGIONAL MANAGER, PRAIRIE REGION OF TD BANK GROUP.

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CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

work, and have a strong relationship with those supporters that want them to succeed.”

“Small businesses generally suffered more during the pandemic,” Haskayne’s Keyhani says. “But many of them also found interesting ways to adapt to the new conditions.”

Brown emphasizes the value of small businesses in the Calgary market. “They are crucial to the Calgary economy.

They create jobs, generate wealth and contribute to the creation of culture and community. They create shared experiences that bring people together, and they are committed to excellence in both their business practices and their contributions to our communities.

This year, Calgary’s Small Business Awards will recognize ConnectFirst Small Business of the Year Award for the Calgary small business that has demonstrated significant

business achievement and sustained growth; the Surecall Community Champion Award for a business who, through the pandemic broadsides, has pivoted operations and supported their community; the TD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for the business leader in progressing principles of diversity, equity and inclusion; the Helcim Emerging Growth Award for the new emerging small business that has shown rapid growth and profitability in its first 1to 3 years of operations; the MNP Innovation Award for the Calgary small business that is pushing conventional boundaries through ground breaking innovation and achievements; the Servus People’s Choice Award (determined by a public vote) for the small business that demonstrates engaging the loyal support of the community; the RBC Resilient Business Award for showing resiliency, compassion and dedication throughout the pandemic; and the CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award for the business

Calgary, we have exclusive internet offers for business owners.

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BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // OCTOBER 2021

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CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

“AS A THIRD-GENERATION SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, THE MOST VALUABLE LESSONS ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS ARE: TAKE THE TIME TO DILIGENTLY WATCH AND LISTEN BEFORE YOU SPEAK, YOUR MARKET WILL SHOW AND TELL YOU WHAT IT WANTS,” SAYS WILLIAMS. which finds ways of doing business while doing good for the community and environment.

“The judges carefully reviewed the many applications to better understand each organization’s commitment at all levels and the work being done to make meaningful change,” he says. “The judges made the selections based on the organization’s demonstrated commitment and impact.”

Two examples of Calgary’s small business excellence and recent winners of Small Business Awards are: • Leap Studios – the popular Calgary dance studio committed to happy, healthy and safe dance education • Showpass – Canada’s unique, innovative and Calgary-based event management platform “As a third-generation small business owner, the most valuable lessons about small business are: take the time to diligently watch and listen before you speak, your market will show and tell you what it wants; don’t waste time comparing yourself to others and build your business to be so unique that it’s incomparable; save for rainy days; and hire well,” says the upbeat Jill Williams, president of Leap Studios.

According to Lucas McCarthy, CEO of Showpass, small businesses have advantages over big businesses. “The smaller the business the fewer resources there are to control the narrative, while the bigger the business often clouds messaging due to the layers of people. Small businesses have less ability to correct the market through ABOVE: JILL WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF LEAP STUDIOS. BELOW: IN-CLASS AT LEAP STUDIOS.

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CALGARY’S SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

MANAGING THE BUSINESS DISRUPTIONS OF COVID-19 WAS A PARTICULAR SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGE. “IT WAS, BY FAR, THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ANYONE INSIDE OF SHOWPASS HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH ON A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL,” LUCAS MCCARTHY SAYS. “OUR TEAM MEMBERS, INVESTORS, PARTNERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS VIEW THE SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RECOGNITION AS EXTERNAL VALIDATION THAT THE EFFORT, THE GRIT AND THE TEARS WERE WORTH IT.” hiring communications teams but, the positive is that the stakeholders are generally much closer to the heart of the business – the owner. You can talk directly with the owner of a small business, something that you can’t do with any Fortune 500 conglomerate.

“Relentlessness, discipline and passion are the key drivers to turning your small business into a large business,” McCarthy says. “Passion drives dedication and energy and it impacts key touchpoints like customer service.”

Williams acknowledges the valuable timing of the award.

“It boosted the confidence and pride of our small business in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Gaining recognition as a resilient small business, especially during a crisis, helped us drop our shoulders and deeply reflect on the gratitude we hold for our customers, employees and suppliers for standing by us, and to the greater business community for endorsing our efforts.”

Williams points out that financing is the most common speedbump of most small businesses. “When it comes to innovation and job creation, we hear ‘small businesses are great!’ When we talk about risk or traditional financing and investment, small businesses have a much harder haul. Small businesses bet on themselves every day, and then do the work to make it pay!”

Managing the business disruptions of COVID-19 was a particular small business challenge. “It was, by far, the most difficult thing anyone inside of Showpass has had to deal with on a professional level,” Lucas McCarthy says. “Our team members, investors, partners and other stakeholders view the Small Business Award recognition as external validation that the effort, the grit and the tears were worth it.”

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The Calgary Chamber is the voice of the business community.

We double down on commerce and work with businesses to create catalysts for growth.

CALGARY SMALL BUSINESS WEEK October 18-22, 2021

S

mall Business Week is back! One of Canada’s largest gatherings of small businesses is ready to support, grow and celebrate small business in our community. Whether you are a business owner looking to grow your business with new clients or find your next talented team member or a larger company ready to support and grow small businesses in Calgary, there is something for everyone, including: • A workshop space with key learning opportunities and curated networking •A local marketplace highlighting Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit •An expo floor with every resource your business needs Go to CalgaryChamber.com/Small-Business-Week to learn more about the week and sign up for events.

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Small Business Week Expo – There’s nothing small about it!

The highlight of the week is the Small Business Week Expo, a full day event at BMO Centre on Thursday, October, 21, 2021. This is your chance to gain insights, takeaways, and resources for your business.

An inspiring line-up of speakers will take the main stage throughout the day. These speakers are a mix of local business leaders and global thought leaders. Nic Beique, Founder and CEO, Helcim will take the stage to share Helcim’s growth story and how they have overcome many hurdles while building a staple in Calgary’s tech community.

Two panels will also take the stage, diving deep into two important topics: 1. Diversity and Inclusion and 2. Tech community in Calgary. During these panels you will hear real

world experiences from people on the ground building industry leading companies.

Whether you are coming to Small Business Week to hear a speaker, find and attract new talent, or learn about a new business resource, you will find it at the Small Business Week Expo!

You can learn more about the Small Business Week Expo at CalgaryChamber.com/SmallBusiness-Week.

Calgary Small Business Awards Gala – Celebrate the hard working business leaders in our community The Calgary Small Business Awards pay tribute to the small business owners and builders who tirelessly work to create a better city for all of us. These businesses have faced

insurmountable hurdles over the past two years and the Calgary Small Business Awards Gala is one way to recognize them. Join us on Friday, October 22, 2021 when we announce the winners of the Calgary Small Business Awards.

See the finalists and register for the awards gala at CalgaryChamber.com/Small-Business-Week.

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BEYOND YOUR WILL

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o you have a Will, an up to date Will? If not, you are not alone. According to a survey done by Angus Reid, 51% of Canadians do not have a Will and of the ones that do have a Will, 75% of them claim it is out of date[1]. Some of the reasons why people do not have Wills are they think are too young, they don’t have enough assets, or it is too costly.

Are you aware of the implications of dying intestate, without a Will? Have you considered the costs and the impact this might have on your spouse and/or family? The Will is the legal document that explains your wishes about your assets but not necessarily your personal intentions and wishes for your loved ones. Completing an estate plan is more a process that is selfless and directed towards having compassion for the next generation or your named beneficiaries. At the end of the day, your wealth is their wealth. Are you ready to empower and prepare the beneficiaries of your wealth to become engaged stewards and contributing individuals to society who really appreciate family values and have personal purpose?

This is the Estate Planning process.

For some families, the Estate planning process might start out of need for tax planning or the family business was sold. However, tax planning is very different from intergenerational wealth planning. The most important starting point should likely NOT be tax. It should be driven by intentions and values. What is the purpose of your wealth? Why does it exist, what can it provide,

who is a part of it, what will it stand for? There are several reasons and benefits to completing the planning process; such include family cohesion, risk management, plan optimization, clarity on goals, empowerment, etc. It can lead to higher functioning individuals and families, better communication skills and engagement to help the family thrive for generations to come. This article is geared towards families that will outlive their wealth and therefore require a plan beyond perhaps just the next generation and one for many generations to come. Inclusive planning, meaning involving all family members, will help to increase your family’s chances of success; defined as wealth transferred from one generation to the next without contention and wasteful expenditures, but rather with stewardship and continued desire for growth.

The planning process is dynamic and iterative. It should also build in flexibility and malleability to be able to adjust to new systems, new people, new technologies, and new discoveries that the future will inevitably hold. A rigid plan handcuffs and stifles innovation and ambition. There are ways to protect and prepare for the “what if” scenarios without ruling from the grave. Have you considered what might happen if there is an out of order death, a relationship breakdown, and/or a child with a disability or addiction issue? All of these scenarios require flexibility within the plan providing the ability to adapt and change to meet the needs of the family and to help live out the long term intention/ purpose of the wealth. Thoughtful preparation and planning as a collaborative group, including family members and professionals, is the key to the success of such plan.

Are you ready to engage and start the process?

Lets start the conversation and we can share with you the next steps.

Please reach out to our team at perronteam@cpwm.ca or call us at 403-705-1200 to discuss.

Cumberland Private Wealth Management Inc. Perron & Partners [1]

Source: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/51-of-canadians-don-t-have-a-will-in-place-poll-finds-1.976147

‘CRUCIAL’ INNOVATION SPURS PROPTECH BOOM // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

‘CRUCIAL’ INNOVATION SPURS PROPTECH BOOM PROPERTY TECHNOLOGY MOVEMENT REFLECTS ONGOING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

BY JAMIE ZACHARY

I

t’s been a long road to digital maturity for Canada’s construction sector – not that you need to remind Mogens Smed.

“In this digital by default era, technology is absolutely crucial for the future of the construction industry, traditionally a tech laggard,” says the familiar face within the Calgary business community.

Former founder of both Smed International and DIRTT, Smed’s most recent venture, Falkbuilt Technologies, specializes in the design, manufacturing and building of digital component construction systems for interior construction.

Smed describes Falkbuilt as a “technology company” that is digitizing the conventional construction industry with an off-site manufacturing solution that involves pre-fabricating “digital” components – super studs, horizontals and cladding – and then installing them on site to build everything from reception areas to cubicles and board rooms to corner offices.

ABOVE: MOGENS SMED, CEO, FALKBUILT TECHNOLOGIES.

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Now that’s smart In a digital society, we should be working smarter — not harder. But what exactly does “smart” entail here? What does digital talent look like?

How do organizations find the right people to move their businesses forward? And on the other side, how do people know what to learn?

Where to invest their time?

Digital Talent. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most scarce resources in our city, and fundamental for future success.

To remain relevant and competitive in a digital talent ecosystem, people and organizations are compelled to keep up. “That doesn’t mean we need to work at it every hour of every day, or that embracing tech should be stressful,” said Lee Ackerman, Director of Strategy at SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology. “Advanced technology should make our lives easier.”

Solving Calgary’s digital talent gap requires sweeping change to how we think and act. This includes developing a shared framework for how we define “digital” in a changing world.

“If everybody is saying digital is something different, or has different ideas about what digital literacy, digital readiness, or digital skills look like, it becomes a really inefficient marketplace,” says Ackerman.

SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology is bringing multiple perspectives together to co-define and co-create tomorrow’s talent — today. A global framework can help accelerate progress by establishing

a shared vernacular around digital aptitude and common standards of measure, and that’s where Digital Intelligence (DQ) comes into play.

This robust international standard, the first and only of its kind, is designed to help all of us on the digital frontier align our understanding of the requisite skills, knowledge, attitudes and values that underpin a healthy digital ecosystem. Among other things, it organizes, analyzes and prioritizes these traits and competencies within three levels of digital maturity — helping employers map the DQ of employees and path the way to continually level-up digital skills.

DQ’s base maturity level targets the digital Citizen, and what it takes to engage safely, responsibly and ethically for healthy participation in the digital arena. One step up is the Creator. Creators build upon what’s already out there. They grow knowledge, and introduce and leverage new technologies to bring ideas to life.

On the top tier of digital maturity is the Competitor. These ambitious innovators are focused on problem solving at the enterprise, community or global level.

They are having impact on the world.

“It’s tough to build these digital skills because everything changes so quickly,” says Ackerman. “The more we can get to that aligned language, the faster we can make sure there’s the right learning opportunities, the right engagement, the right mentoring, and the right work experiences to benefit everybody as Calgary transitions into a digital society.”

Honing in on where we’re at in terms of our DQ maturity — or where we need to be — will allow us to EFFECTIVELY MAP SKILLS and COMPETENCIES to accelerate LEARNING and GROWTH.

In keeping with our mandate to teach and empower people to thrive, create and lead in our digital society, SAIT’s School for Advanced Digital Technology recently launched a DIGITAL TALENT ECOSYSTEM 2021 PLAYBOOK .

The Playbook is meant to drive discussion, innovation, experimentation and rapid learning, and is published under a Creative Commons licence — making it free to edit, revise and customize. We invite you to explore the Playbook and get involved — together, let’s co-create tomorrow’s talent and a competitive, thriving society and economy.

DOWNLOAD THE PLAYBOOK TO LEVEL-UP YOUR TEAM’S DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE.

‘CRUCIAL’ INNOVATION SPURS PROPTECH BOOM // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

“NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE IN THE WORLD, ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, END USERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS USE THEIR MOBILE DEVICES OR DESKTOP TO MEET INSIDE THE REVIT MODEL, EXPERIENCE THE SPACE AND MAKE REAL TIME DESIGN CHANGES,” SAYS SMED. “Because digital components ... are designed for disassembly, they are easily and quickly reconfigured when a client’s needs change,” he says, noting the company is working within industries such as health care, financial services, retail and commercial offices.

“It shortens the construction schedule, is far more sustainable than conventional construction and our prefab process increases the efficiency of labour on-site.”

Meanwhile, the company’s cloud-based platform, Echo, provides a new, productive way for stakeholders to meet in the cloud to discuss and make real time design changes.

“No matter where they are in the world, architects, designers, end users and other stakeholders use their mobile devices or desktop to meet inside the Revit model, experience the space and make real time design changes,” says Smed.

Falkbuilt is not alone in efforts to digitally transform the real estate industry. The growing tech ecosystem in Canada, combined with a thriving construction industry, has given birth to a massive movement dubbed PropTech that is meant to capture the massive innovation taking place across the country.

Short for property technology, PropTech covers a gamut of applications in both commercial and residential real estate, from digital construction collaboration to property management, home improvement to building automation, storage and logistics to energy management and listings services to planning and design.

A first-of-its-kind report by the Proptech Collective released earlier this year painted a picture of the Canadian

landscape by examining 300 PropTech start-ups in Canada in commercial and residential real estate, as well as construction technology.

ABOVE: FALKBUILT USES DIGITAL COMPONENT CONSTRUCTION TO CREATE SPACES SUCH AS OFFICES, BOARD ROOMS AND COMMON AREAS IN INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM MEDICAL CLINICS TO COMMERCIAL OFFICES.

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‘CRUCIAL’ INNOVATION SPURS PROPTECH BOOM // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO SAM PILLAR DESCRIBES JOBBER AS AN OPERATING SYSTEM THAT THE SUB-20 EMPLOYEE BUSINESS SEGMENT CAN USE TO STAY ORGANIZED AND DO THEIR WORK ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, INCLUDING JOB SCHEDULING, CUSTOMER TRACKING AND BILLING. Eighty per cent of these companies were located in five hubs that included Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Kitchener-Waterloo, with the top three categories being viewing and imagery, building automation and IoTs and digital construction collaboration.

Some of the top funded PropTechs in Canada include Properly (residential brokerage and financing), Borrowell (online lending platform) and Avidbots (cleaning robots), as well as Falkbuilt (pre-fab interior construction), which raised $35 million through a Series A in 2018.

Of note, the report identified several trends, notably that access to talent, generous funding and a thriving real estate

industry is providing strong foundations for PropTech growth.

It also noted the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of tech adoption.

“What was previous good-to-have is now essential,” said authors Courtney Cooper, Alice Guo and Stephanie Wood of the Proptech Collective. “PropTech firms have the opportunity to simplify and digitize existing processes, facilitate remote work and help firms re-imagine indoor space for tenants.”

The authors added that, with major real estate markets and leaders, as well as a deep tech talent pool, Canada as “the foundations for unparalleled opportunities in PropTech.”

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The report pointed to more than a dozen startups in Alberta as leaders in the PropTech space, including Edmonton-founded Jobber, a cloud-based job-tracking and customer management software platform for small businesses such as cleaning, painting, HVAC and lawn care.

Co-founder and CEO Sam Pillar describes Jobber as an operating system that the sub-20 employee business segment can use to stay organized and do their work on a day-to-day basis, including job scheduling, customer tracking and billing.

“We span over about 50 different industries … and there are new ones that we’re discovering all the time,” he says, noting they generally fall into three categories: green, cleaning and contractors.

“The common denominator is that these are industry segments

where the work is done at a customer’s property, whether that be at their home or in some cases their commercial property – that’s usually how we get lumped in at the edges of PropTech.”

Founded in 2010, Jobber raised $87 million as part of its Series C. Today, more than 100,000 service professionals in 47 countries use Jobber, with more than $10 billion of services billed annually.

Despite just recently celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary, Pillar says it’s still early days for Jobber – and technology adoption in home and commercial services, in general.

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“We spend a lot of time talking to businesses about technology adoption, and many of them are still coming from a pen-andpaper environment,” he says. “The conversations are not about them coming over from a competitive service. Instead, it’s about them realizing they need to get out of these notebooks, push-pin boards and mass-tab spreadsheets.”

Why the push to digital now? Pillar believes it’s two-fold.

“A lot of small businesses in the past 18 months have pulled forward their adoption timeline for integrating technology into their businesses, if only to be better equipped in dealing with those challenges associated with the pandemic,” he says, pointing specifically to commercial and residential cleaning services as one of the largest growing segments

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‘CRUCIAL’ INNOVATION SPURS PROPTECH BOOM // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

for Jobber in the last 18 months. “While that technology adoption was always going to happen, it was just a matter of when.”

The other influencing factor is changing demographics – both within the industry itself, as well as with their customers.

“There is a younger generation of business owners who are taking over family businesses or starting new businesses, and they come from a younger generation that is more intuitively comfortable dealing with technology,” says Pillar.

“They are looking for technology to help run parts of their businesses that they know should be run by technology. To do that, they end up being more efficient, more effective and they deliver a better quality of service to customers. That is pulling forward the technology adoption timeline for the older generation of business owners who see that happening

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and realize that, in order to remain competitive, they need to adopt technology as well.”

Pillar says while Jobber does fit into the overall PropTech picture, he sees it as more of a platform company that is concerned, first and foremost, with the small business service provider and not necessarily the property owner.

“For us, one of the things that’s unique about Jobber that is relative to some of the companies that are in the PropTech space is we’re a platform business. We exist solely to support small business entrepreneurs,” he says.

“We have no interest in getting between our customers and theirs. We just want to do as good of a job as we can propping up and standing behind small businesses that we view as being incredibly important in modern economies.”

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Why BRAD FIELD for Mayor?

For Calgary to get its confidence back, we must focus on prosperity, sound management, and leadership •

Brad Field has a detailed plan to help current and new businesses thrive, and create a growth environment to support 21st century companies

•

Brad’s plan includes a strategy for keeping skilled young people in Calgary, and attracting knowledge based workers and businesses to our city

•

Brad is committed to providing good front line services in return for reasonable and predictable taxes

•

Brad has collaborative leadership and executive management skills

“If we want real change in Calgary, we have to choose someone new to lead the way.” — Brad Field

Vote Monday October 18 To read Brad’s complete plan for Calgary, and for information on how to vote: VoteBradField.ca

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• Membership is open to ALL businesses • Transferable Corporate Memberships • 15 meeting & event spaces, with physical distancing capabilities • Exclusive Member networking events • Business Centre & Brew 319 workspaces to get you out of the office • Connected to the +15 for easy access to and from business towers • Award winning Chef and wine cellar • 70+ Affiliated clubs to access You Belong Here “I have been a member of the CPC since 1990. For me the club has been an excellent source for business networking, a sophisticated venue for hosting meeting and events, and a place where I can enjoy a dinner with my family. I also really enjoy the fact that I can host a breakfast or lunch on short notice in a private club atmosphere. Every time I walk in, I am guaranteed to run into someone working in our industry. I think it is important to note that staff still practice the lost art of customer service and are always willing to go the extra mile.”

- Stephen D. Smith, President and CEO of Strike Group

CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS // REAL ESTATE

CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS RE-THINKING SPACE

BY JOHN HARDY

N

ow more than ever, new home builds are a unique juggle.

Traditionally, Calgary builders focus, plan and strategize. This time it’s about the Alberta economy, some subtle and common COVID disruptions like workingand-school-from-home have already altered lifestyles, affordability, the cost of raw materials – from lumber, concrete, copper plumbing and shingles – unpredictable consumer confidence and the shifting wants, needs, musthaves and consumer trends.

Calgary new home builders weathered the recent business ups and downs triggered by the pandemic. They are now innovatively adjusting to the new normal: a house is not just a home – it’s a flexible space. “The pandemic did have everyone rethinking their space,” explains Stephanie Myers, vice president with Calgary’s Jayman BUILT. “We all realized quickly that our homes could not adapt to become the home office, home school, entertainment and gym spaces that we now need them to be. There is a significant

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

CALGARY NEW HOME BUILDERS WEATHERED THE RECENT BUSINESS UPS AND DOWNS TRIGGERED BY THE PANDEMIC. THEY ARE NOW INNOVATIVELY ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL: A HOUSE IS NOT JUST A HOME – IT’S A FLEXIBLE SPACE. shift in what the consumer is looking for and builders are introducing new home designs to accommodate. It’s not just about needing more square footage. It’s how effectively the space is used.”

While strategizing for consumer trends has always been a vital factor for new home builders, the sudden and ongoing pandemic disruptions have fast-tracked the new home

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CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS // REAL ESTATE

STEPHANIE MYERS IS UPBEAT THAT, ACCORDING TO JAYMAN BUILT STATS, “2021 HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY ACTIVE YEAR, WITH PERMIT COUNTS EXCEEDING 2019 BY OVER 1,200 UNITS IN THE FIRST HALF.” planning and building process. “Home features and designs are always being developed and implemented,” says Scott Janis, president of Alberta for Land and Housing Operations with Brookfield Properties. “Technology and environmental impacts are continuing to evolve and cause change in new homes. COVID has forced us to think differently, not only about our housing design but also in the value we deliver in Brookfield Master Planned Communities.

“Connectivity, greater consideration for work-live features and separate spaces for multiple family members to work are examples of emerging priorities in housing design. The past 18 months has had a large and potentially permanent impact on how we do business,” he points out. “Especially the relationship with our customers. We are set up to be more agile and flexible, open to engaging with our customers differently and through more varied channels. The pandemic

forced a rapid acceleration of many areas that are changing how we work, interact and sell.”

Despite the positive of low mortgage rates and competition from Calgary’s unexpected hot resale market, the new home build sector has been dealing with some challenging negative speedbumps: the Alberta economy, tough federal mortgage rules, affordability, the lockdowns and a mid-year spike in the cost of building materials.

Stephanie Myers is upbeat that, according to Jayman BUILT stats, “2021 has been an incredibly active year, with permit counts exceeding 2019 by over 1,200 units in the first half.”

She acknowledges the surprise of this summer’s booming resale market but adds that it didn’t really work out to competition for the new home sector.

“The activity on the resale market (MLS) has actually resulted in increased volume for new builds, primarily because there is such little product available on the used market. Resale selection is limited and moves quickly. The pricing on resale may be comparable to a new home, but resales require renovations and updates. With a new home, people choose to build exactly what they need.”

Many of Calgary’s new homes feature hardwood flooring, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, media rooms, ensuite bathrooms, in-floor heating and multi-car garages.

Industry professionals point out that new houses also have ABOVE: STEPHANIE MYERS, VICE PRESIDENT WITH CALGARY’S JAYMAN BUILT.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

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CALGARY’S NEW HOME BUILDS // REAL ESTATE

“CANADA REMAINS A HIGHLY SOUGHTAFTER DESTINATION GLOBALLY,” JANIS NOTES WITH ENTHUSIASM. “AND ALBERTA OFFERS THE BEST BALANCE OF AFFORDABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY IN CANADA. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE THESE STRENGTHS AS WE REBUILD AND DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.” the benefit of being more affordable over the long term than older homes, particularly the improved construction methods and materials, which make today’s new homes much more energy efficient than in the past.

COVID or no COVID, Scott Janis forecasts that on a new home volume basis, 2021 will likely wind up relatively consistent with 2018 and 2019 volumes. He also points out that two 2021 factors have impacted hew home builds. “Due to high demand for housing materials across North America, housing costs rose at record rates, peaking in summer. It

resulted in a rapid increase in home prices which has had a cooling effect on the market. Supply challenges also slowed the construction schedule of many large projects and singlefamily homes. “Although housing demand and sales were far greater than the industry expected for the first part of the year, due to the federal CERB payments that constrained supply of labour, overall industry capacity was challenged.

“No matter what, affordability is still key,” he says. “Home builders are watching building input costs, financing costs and land development costs very closely. The Calgary new home market is driven in large part by employment, inmigration and affordability.

“Canada remains a highly sought-after destination globally,” Janis notes with enthusiasm. “And Alberta offers the best balance of affordability and opportunity in Canada. We need to continue to leverage these strengths as we rebuild and diversify our economy.”

The outlook for 2022 new home builds is encouraging.

“Calgary is going to continue to grow and change,” Myers says with positivity. “There is optimism now around our economy and opportunity to bring business back. Family and lifestyle became more evident during the pandemic.

People are investing more – time and money – in those areas, and it starts with where you live. It starts at home.”

ABOVE: SCOTT JANIS, PRESIDENT OF ALBERTA FOR LAND AND HOUSING OPERATIONS WITH BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES.

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OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

Environmental Science and Engineering Advisory

PEOPLE COME FIRST AT TRACE ASSOCIATES INC.

W

by Rennay Craats

hen Darrell Haight and Rhonda Smith founded their environmental consulting firm in 2006, they wanted a meaningful name that reflected not only what they do but also who they are. They landed on “Trace” for its scientific definitions paired with their responsibility to trace the history of the land to understand contamination. The rest of the name speaks to who the company is. Rather than limiting the future scope of the firm by calling themselves Trace Environmental, Haight and Smith instead wanted it to be all about the people. Trace Associates Inc.’s (Trace) focus on people has been a major factor in its success and growth over the past 15 years.

“The thing that stands out about us is the people we have,” says Darrell Haight, CEO and co-founder of Trace Associates. “We’re employee-owned, and we want people to get involved in the business.

Some of our best ideas come from every corner of the organization.”

First as colleagues then as co-founders, the two dreamed of establishing a firm that did things differently and have attracted a group of likeminded and diverse people to join them.

“For me, it was about having a bit more control over my own destiny and choosing who I work

TRACE ASSOCIATES INC. • 15 YEARS • 1

81

with from a colleague perspective and also a client perspective,” says Rhonda Smith, COO and cofounder of Trace.

The colleagues came easily. Ryan Bull was Trace’s first employee and partner, and he and the founders approached others in the industry about the opportunity to build a new firm from the ground up.

Carlene Meeks had been considering a move from a large engineering company and was drawn to Trace’s small-company culture and joined the fold early in 2007. Jason Hampson worked with Darrell, Rhonda and Ryan previously, so when Bull and Haight reached out the timing was perfect, and he joined Trace shortly after.

The five original employees quickly grew to 17 people by 2008. Just as Trace gathered steam, the world plunged into a recession, and the fledgling firm’s clients began putting projects on hold to try to ride it out. Trace had to let five staff go, and that decision weighed heavily on the partners. They vowed that they would never be in that position again, and they’ve been true to their word.

“We’ve hit two or three recessions since, and we haven’t laid people off,” says Haight. “We take a 10 per cent salary cut across the board, put the RRSP program on hold, cut expenses, tighten up spending everywhere and we focus on being positive, keeping the team together and coming out of it stronger.”

While other firms scrambled to hire and replace the people they let go during downturns, Trace’s team remained intact and positioned to ramp up quickly and effectively when the economy improved. Trace avoided layoffs throughout the major recessions, as well as COVID-19, through flexibility, adaptability and diversification.

“There have been some ups, but we’ve hit some of the biggest downs in history over the past 15 years without cutting staff, and that’s what I’m most proud of. It’s amazing what we did coming out of a COVID year, the size we were and still we made it through without layoffs. To me, that’s the biggest accomplishment we’ve had,” says Jason Hampson, principal scientist and partner at Trace.

When Trace started, it focused primarily on assessment and remediation projects for upstream oil and gas clients. After the 2008 crash, the founders continued to serve those clients while looking at other markets into which they could expand.

“We’ve done everything from small oil and gas well sites to some of the largest municipal developments in Alberta to the largest major pipeline projects in Canada. We hear from clients

that they appreciate that we can provide the service of a boutique firm with the capacity of a large firm,” says Darrell.

Today’s Trace is prominent in the agriculture, oil and gas, renewable energy, real estate development, industrial, mining and government services markets and offers expertise in emergency management, sustainability/ social responsibility, remediation, reclamation, risk assessment and hydrogeology, as well as information services and GIS mapping, natural science and regulatory and inspection services. If the project is in Canada and has an environmental component, it is likely that Trace can help.

“We diversified geographically as well. Within the first year Darrell moved to St. Albert and started an office there which helped us have more capability to do northern work,” says Carlene Meeks, director of quality and partner at Trace.

“We grew in our services and market sectors. We would focus on a new service or market, and then build the next.”

TRACE ASSOCIATES INC. • 15 YEARS • 2

Congratulations Trace Associates Inc. for 15 Years of Success!

We thank Trace for their unparalleled dedication to environmental practice.

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Thank you to our funders for making these programs possible.

Co-founders Rhonda Smith and Darrell Haight.

Since the beginning, Trace pushed staff to be involved and not only invited input from all areas but also implemented many of those ideas. The leadership allowed remote work long before the technology made it easy and has remained flexible with hours to help staff live balanced, fulfilling lives.

It also supported relocation which often led to new branches of Trace. The company has a staff of more than 100 with 22 partners and a presence in eight Western Canadian cities – Kamloops, St. Albert, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Regina, Davidson, Stettler, Meadow Lake and Didsbury field offices and the headquarters in Calgary. The founders are exploring future opportunities to push east to become a national operation as clients are already pulling them into Ontario.

Trace’s goal has always been to be the best place to work and this desire attracts the best professionals in their fields. Once people join Trace, management works hard to build a company at which staff want to retire.

This is the highest praise, and the founders are proud of the team they have assembled and the incredible culture Trace has created. The culture stems from its core values – Safety, Excellence, Balance – and the purpose statement of the company: “Helping you have a great life.” Trace works hard to live that purpose daily.

“We realized that we are a purpose driven company and we truly want our people, clients and suppliers to have a great life – whatever ‘great’ means to them,” says Smith.

To support the purpose, the partners introduced annual themes like “Simplify,” “Open our Minds” and “Positivity” to empower and guide the team.

They also give back to the communities. In the early days, money was tight so the firm donated

their time, and the staff continues to volunteer for a variety of causes across locations. Trace donates one per cent of its profits to a variety of different charities every year and gives staff a dollar amount to donate to causes that are meaningful to them. Staff can also participate in the annual social media contest by creating fun and creative YouTube videos about their work, and the team receiving the most views wins $1,000 for their chosen charity.

As it’s grown and matured as a company, so has its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and Indigenous engagement. Trace is committed to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action and has recently joined the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program as a step in reconciliation.

“We believe we have the responsibility to learn and do better,” says Haight.

Through holiday and theme parties, team building events, philanthropy and the engagement of staff in the company’s direction, Trace has created a culture that puts people first.

“We’re 15 years in business now and feel like we are just getting started,“ says Haight. “We are still enjoying what we do and can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the next 15 years.”

Suite 300, 37 Richard Way SW Calgary, AB www.traceassociates.ca

TRACE ASSOCIATES INC. • 15 YEARS • 4

Marko Holdt, Steffen Holdt, Cliff Francis, Skylar, Chris Francis and Kyle Follett.

Photo by Zev Vitaly Abosh.

SPAAR OFFERS ONE-STOP SHOP

BY RENNAY CRAATS

SPAAR || Celebrating 40 years

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Photo by Zev Vitaly Abosh

I

t all started with one man, a pick-up truck and a basement office running a drywall business. When Harald Holdt started Viking Drywall in 1981, he could never have imagined what his small business would grow into in the hands of his sons Marko and Steffen and ownership partner Cliff Francis.

Viking’s first client was Cardel Homes and as the drywaller gained a reputation for quality and service, it continued to grow in size and scope. In 1990, that expansion was aided by the acquisition of Elktone Contracting to enter the multifamily commercial market and Elktone Interiors to augment the residential drywall business. The following year, Holdt and his two partners started Prophit Management to handle the accounting for the growing group of businesses.

“Each business was operating separately but owned as a conglomerate. This created unintended isolation of various business units, creating siloes throughout the company,” says Cliff Francis, president and CEO of SPAAR. The company’s scope widened again in 2008 when SPAAR, then Prophit Management, started Midgaard Spray Foam Systems, adding loose fill and spray foam insulation application to the companies offerings. In 2010, a distribution company called SPAAR Drywall Supplies was added as the organization explored inhouse procurement and distribution. It was during

this time that Steffen and Marko acquired their father’s shares and Cliff bought another partner’s shares to become equal owners of SPAAR. In 2017 the company introduced a painting division called Colour Spec Coatings which offered interior and exterior painting services to their builders and business partners.

Most recently, at the beginning of 2020 Westgaard Exteriors was born, which made SPAAR one of the first organizations in their industry to integrate roofing and exterior services with drywall. This move push SPAAR closer to achieving their goal of “owning the wall.”

“It was then we knew we needed to make a change, each business operating separately yet together, too many different companies and business names, so we decided to rebrand and bring everything under one roof,” says Steffen Holdt, vice president of Business Development and Estimating for SPAAR. In a nod to the founder’s Danish heritage, the team chose the name SPAAR, which is Danish for “to save” (with an extra “a” for a unique moniker). The companies that previously existed separately came together to form the divisions of the new SPAAR: SPAAR Residential, SPAAR Multifamily and Commercial, SPAAR Spray Systems, SPAAR Colours and SPAAR Exteriors. The divisions clearly show clients the wide range of services SPAAR has to offer.

SPAAR || Celebrating 40 years || 2

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We appreciate our partnership and look forward to many more years.

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The company has grown beyond drywalling, and the team is proud to be a one-stop shop offering the gamut of services to an expanding client base. SPAAR simplifies the building process for clients by providing a full-service approach that allows the team to better manage the schedule and deliver quickly.

“Some of the feedback that we’re getting is that our customers like having us take on multiple scopes as it simplifies the building process for them. We take on a big chunk of the project that they don’t have to stress about,” says Chris Francis, vice president of Operations.

That segment of the project is the last phase before finishing and adhering to the schedule is critical. Many other trades are timing their jobs to SPAAR’s so missing dates isn’t an option. This is part of the reason for the expanded scope of offerings — the more parts of the job they control, the better they are able to manage quality and the schedule efficiently so they can turn the project over to the next crew on time.

“We want to be able to own the wall, so insulation, spray foam, drywall, taping, texturing, painting, roofing and attic insulation,” says Francis. “It’s a vertical integration piece — it’s a natural progression because we’re already there on site, so what more can we do for you? It only makes sense for us to do that.”

Photos by Brent Mykytyshyn Photography (brentmphoto.com)

It makes sense to the clients as well. While the company started out providing drywall services to the top home builders first in Calgary and then in Edmonton, it is now able to bundle a variety of envelope services to make it more convenient for clients. More and more, long-time clients and business partners are utilizing SPAAR to handle multiple aspects of their new-home envelopes.

While it has greatly expanded its residential offerings, SPAAR has also started growing its industrial and commercial divisions. Not only can the team apply its menu of residential offerings to commercial jobs, but it also has unique services for industrial and commercial clients seeking anything from pipeline protection and erosion breakers to steel stud framing and industrial coatings.

“As we grow, we’re continuing to explore more on how we can make an impact on the commercial and industrial markets. We have the equipment, we have the ability, it’s just a matter of tweaking our processes and the way that we apply ourselves to be able to access and tap into new markets,” says Kyle Follett, vice president of Finance and Administration.

SPAAR has changed significantly over the past 40 years but its dedication to quality and high standards of service have remained constant. The team prides itself on delivering a superior product and in the process has become an industry leader that other companies try to emulate. None are successful at replicating SPAAR’s winning formula — superior knowledge and expertise,

SPAAR || Celebrating 40 years || 4

CONGRATULATIONS TO SPAAR INC. ON THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY! Honoured to have been part of your past, excited about the present, and optimistic about the future. Thank you for allowing us to become apart of your family and your success!

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unparalleled business partners and relationships plus the best employees equals four decades of satisfied repeat customers.

For the owners, the most important part of that equation is the staff. There are 86 full-time employees between the Calgary and Edmonton locations along with a stable of carefully selected, loyal subcontractors that represent SPAAR in the field. The family business seeks out people who are skilled professionals but who like to have fun at work too, and the owners even built a cigar lounge, fire table and barbeque in a turfed area at the back of the shop to promote work-family bonds. Between the competitive wages and the positive atmosphere, the company enjoys impressive staff retention. Many employees have been with SPAAR for decades, and recent retirees Georgie and Orville had been with the company since the beginning.

“If you fit into the family, we don’t really want you to go anywhere,” says Cliff Francis. “We think it’s a pretty good spot to be.”

Management values the employees and does all it can to protect them. Safety is the primary focus at SPAAR and it was one of the first COR-certified drywall companies in Alberta. It’s an important part of the culture and SPAAR takes its safety responsibilities seriously.

Congratulations Spaar!

Proud to be a partner with such a strong brand and fantastic people.

Wendy Giuffre - wendy@wendyelleninc.ca | www.wendyelleninc.ca

Photos by Brent Mykytyshyn Photography (brentmphoto.com)

CONGRATULATIONS SPAAR Inc. on 40 Years!

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It also takes innovation seriously, and SPAAR has utilized technology to improve estimating, scheduling, production and financial accounting. With the help of its in-house software engineer, the company integrated software solutions to facilitate efficiencies and to bolster SPAAR’s tech plans moving forward.

“We’re selling a solution to our clients and by embracing technology and thinking differently than our competition, we create less stress on our equipment, less stress on our people and improve our overall efficiency as an organization,” says Follett.

SPAAR || Celebrating 40 years || 6

• Commercial Van & Truck Up-fitting • Box Liners • Running Boards • Equipment Racks • Accessory Lighting • Van Shelving And Racks • Suspension Lifts And Air Bags • AND MORE!

Toys For Trucks is very proud of our long time association with Cliff and his entire staff.

Congratulations Spaar.

We are excited for the next 40.

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2:31 PM

Steffen Holdt, Marko Holdt, Chris Francis, Kyle Follett, Cliff Francis and Skylar.

Photo by Zev Vitaly Abosh.

SPAAR’s efficiency and quality has led to a significant volume of work but the team still has an appetite to grow. They aim to be Western Canada’s leading service provider, and they are open to suitable opportunities to expand geographically. In the meantime, the team will continue to improve and expand its product and service offerings, foster relationships with valued long-time clients, and lead the industry by example with quality standards and safety protocols.

Congratulations to SPAAR Inc. on their 40th Anniversary C

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SPAAR has come a long way since Harald Holdt’s oneman operation, and the team couldn’t be prouder to carry his legacy of quality and service into the next 40 years.

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It all started 40 years ago. One man, a truck, a garage, and a commitment to quality.

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CALGARY OFFICE 12222 44 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4A2 (403) 640-0200 | info@spaar.ca www.spaar.ca

Proudly Canadian Providing Quality Paints & Coatings and Expert Advise to Canadian Communities since 1933 22 store locations in Alberta to serve you. www.cloverdalepaint.com

SPAAR || Celebrating 40 years || 7

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP INCREASES EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

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uccessful public companies and entrepreneurs are celebrated in the business world. However, employee ownership is not celebrated in the same way and does not get the attention it deserves. In Alberta, there are some great examples of companies where employee ownership is part of their structure. Those companies include, PCL Construction, Chandos Construction, Peavy Mart and Banff Lodging Company to name a few. Canadian and US studies have shown employee ownership increases employee retention, accountability, profitability and productivity. All companies, including small business, should consider a broad-based form of employee ownership to increase employee engagement.

Engaged employees think like owners, not like employees.

Designing an employee share ownership plan (ESOP) is the first step in putting an effective ESOP in place. As part of the

design process, companies need to consider taxation and the legal structure. Structured properly, an ESOP can provide some significant tax deferral advantages to the participating employees. There are consultants that specialize in the design of ESOPs that can help businesses develop the right ESOP that fits their business. There is definitely no one size fits all when it comes to ESOPs. In addition, there are legal and accounting firms that have specialized knowledge and experience in the legal and tax structure of an ESOP. Valuation is also an important aspect of an ESOP for private companies. Ensuring that you have a valuation mechanism for when an employee starts participating in the ESOP and when an employee retires or sells their shares is very important.

Depending on the shareholder structure, an outside valuation of the company may be required. There are firms that specialize in valuations.

Other key considerations in an effective ESOP include determining which employees are eligible to participate and when, how the ESOP shares vest to the employee, what happens if an employee resigns from the company or is terminated, etc. A consultant that is knowledgeable about ESOPs can be a big help in determining these factors for your ESOP.

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For broad-based ESOPs, financing for the employees can also be an option. Several large financial institutions specialize in this type of financing. Typically, the institution will finance the purchase of the ESOP shares with the ESOP shares themselves being the security for the loan.

After designing an effective ESOP, the next step is ensuring the ESOP is properly implemented. Effective communication is the key to a successful ESOP implementation. One of the main pitfalls of unsuccessful ESOPs is not effectively communicating the benefits of the ESOP to the employees. Employees need to fully understand how they will benefit in the future from an ESOP. To do this, employees also need to develop a basic level of financial knowledge so they understand what drives the success of the business and what metrics improves their share price. An outside consultant that specializes in ESOPs can be very beneficial to ensuring a successful implementation.

In Canada, there is a non-profit association called ESOP Association Canada that is focused on promoting ESOPs for businesses in Canada. The Association hosts several educational events as well as an annual conference.

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and Executive Our extensive, knowledge and skills appliedStrategic to your business willPlanning ensure you achieveEmployee ShareCoaching Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Strategic Planning and Executive Coaching your goals. Implementing an Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) will improve the Our strategic planning approach is asimple focused on performance of your business through increased employee engagement.

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planning approach isis simple and completely focused on creating real value for Our our strategic clients.

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400, 520 5th Ave SW, Calgary , AB, T2P 3R7 • Ph: 587-352-2500 Phone:CFO, 780-720-4064 Co–Founder,Phone: President 780-991-8930 Senior Vice Presidentexecutives (CEO, COO and all managers) who want to increase 10088 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 2Z1 • Ph: 780-633-5200 theirCo-Founder, performance and be held accountable,2250, Phone: 780-991-8930 Phone: 780-720-4064 Email: Jstevens@camillagroup.com Jvandenberg@camillagroup.com What is Predictive Index?

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Predictive index increases employee retention as implementation of ESOPs in both Canada and the United States. well as allows you to hire the right individual for the right position.

What is Predictive Index?

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Predictive Index is a scientifically backed program that uses AI to John Stevens, CPA, CMA Jason Vandenberg, CPA, Predictive a scientifically backed program thatCA uses AI to help organizations understand theirIndex people.is When your employees Co–Founder, President Co-Founder, Senior Vice President help organizations understand their people.

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Rock! well as allows you to hire the right individual for the right position.

For 25 years, we have worked with over 160 Canadian makeCMA the transition to Johncompanies Stevens, toCPA, Employee Ownership.

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Jason Vandenberg, CPA, CA firm purpose built We are a Canadian CPA, CMA Jason Vandenberg, CPA, CA Co-Founder,for Senior Vice President entrepreneurs and enterprise.

Co-Founder, Senior Vice President Phone: 780-720-4064 Phone: 780-991-8930 Phone: 780-720-4064 Email: Jstevens@camillagroup.com Email: Jvandenberg@camillagroup.com Our tax and business law professionals Email: Jvandenberg@camillagroup.com R E C E I V E Y O UEmail: R F RJstevens@camillagroup.com EE can help you achieve your business

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esopcanada.ca

PARKER’S PEN // DAVID PARKER

Parker’s Pen

BY DAVID PARKER

A

s I write it is only the beginning of September but we are already being overloaded with election promises.

By publishing time, the federal unwanted election will be over, and my only comment is that Prime Minister Trudeau was so confident in the “thank you for all you’ve given us” support from Quebec, his party gave up on Alberta.

I have been receiving at least two emails each day from the Conservative party; but to date nary a one asking for my Liberal – or any other – party vote.

And no one has knocked at my door even for the civic election.

I’m also surprised at the lack of signs put up by candidates hoping to be our new mayor or council member. Only spotted four around my house for different mayoral hopefuls, unless they are hidden between those promoting classes in Spanish, saving our parks, Karate lessons or maid services.

Many of my emails are also concerned about our provincial politics. How come our government is making so many decisions that upset even its hard-core supporters?

I scratch my head wondering who makes up pandemic rules.

They love upsetting restaurants and bars that have surely had a rough time, so why put the towel over the beer pumps at 10:00 p.m.? Why not 9:50 p.m. or later? Even the fabled gold coach didn’t turn into a pumpkin until midnight.

The latest in a long string of frustrations was the offer of $100 to persuade the misinformed minority to get a COVID vaccination. Too bad I got mine so soon – I could do with the money. It’s an insult to those of us who have taken the advice of health experts. The only thing dafter was the promise by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh in offering “$1 billion in targeted support to ramp up vaccinations.”

Politicians love giving our money away.

94

OCTOBER 2021 // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM

In a lighter vane, how come wherever you travel, house sparrows are invading outdoor patios at restaurants and cafes to grab any crumb that’s dropped? Milan to Maui they are always thankful for a piece of bread, yet the ones in my backyard insist on expensive bags of clean seed.

Companies spend fortunes on advertising and marketing but it’s often the little things that make the biggest impression.

Confronted with a new teller at our local connectFirst branch, after an introduction my wife was offered a business card to which was attached a chocolate Hershey kiss. Nice idea.

Congratulations to Concorde Group on the opening of another successful operation. The launch of Major Tom on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place – formerly Scotia Centre – has become an instant, hugely popular evening dining spot. Good service, great food, atmosphere – it has them all. Too bad that due to lack of qualified staff they are not able to open at lunchtime.

Same problem for its Sky 360 on top of the Calgary Tower that remains closed until it can find staff.

Final Words I’d give my right hand to be ambidextrous.

Calgary is

CANADA’S MOST ADVENTUROUS TECH CITY Home to bright minds and gamechanging companies with a signature entrepreneurial spirit, Calgary is where doing industrydisrupting work and enjoying an amazing quality of life go hand in hand. Whether it’s fueling, feeding, healing or moving, Calgary is home to innovators thinking outside the box to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.

This is a city that is both changing with the world and helping to change the world.

Learn why at livetechlovelife.com/stories