Calgary kicks off #ExploreDowntownYYC
To support local businesses and showcase the exciting events and activations happening downtown, The City of Calgary, along with its partners is launching #ExploreDowntownYYC. This is to encourage Calgarians and visitors to discover new places, businesses and opportunities for connection in the heart of our city.
“Downtown is where it all happens – it’s the pulse of our city and no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here,” says Thom Mahler, Director of Downtown Strategy with The City of Calgary. “Throughout this campaign, we’re excited to show Calgarians that downtown is a vibrant, diverse and exciting destination with festivals, events and activations happening year round.”
The #ExploreDowntownYYC campaign encourages people to start their journey downtown, while providing sample itineraries to help guide their adventure. Our ask of Calgarians and visitors is when they come downtown, they share their favourite experiences and support their beloved downtown businesses by using #ExploreDowntownYYC and spread the word.
“Downtown vibrancy is critical to attract companies, capital and talent to Calgary,” says Brad Parry, President & CEO, Calgary Economic Development. “We know people come here for jobs and opportunities, but then stay for everything else the city has to offer. The #ExploreDowntownYYC campaign will highlight the many ways Calgarians and visitors can experience the city and build a meaningful life here.”
Whether it be a quest for dim sum in Chinatown, bar hopping in the Beltline’s Blox (the area's business improvement district), finding the perfect outfit on 17th Avenue or checking out new street art in the Beltline, downtown Calgary is the place you can explore, find new experiences and make new memories. Calgary’s downtown business improvement areas – Downtown Calgary, Chinatown, the Beltline, Victoria Park, Fourth Street, and 17th Avenue – all offer unique experiences through community restaurants, pubs, shops, personal services, parks and outdoor spaces.
We are focused on supporting downtown revitalization as a thriving downtown means a thriving Calgary. The Downtown Strategy team, along with our partners, are working to create a more vibrant downtown community that moves beyond the traditional 9 to 5 business district towards a lively city centre people enjoy 24/7.
“Downtown is the economic and cultural heart of Calgary,” says Thom Mahler. “It’s our central hub for business, innovation and creativity. What happens downtown has a direct impact on all Calgarians and in order to achieve our collective goal of a vibrant core, we need to support our local businesses, work with our downtown partners and encourage Calgarians to come downtown and experience all that it has to offer.”
Our Downtown Strategy team is leveraging the collective efforts of The City and its public and private sector partners to respond to prolonged economic challenges, and capitalize on opportunities that will create jobs, drive economic recovery, and revitalize and transform the downtown. To learn more about #ExploreDowntownYYC and how you can get involved, visit calgary.ca/exploredowntown.