[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

It might attract more tourists but that number would have to be through the roof to compete with the economic impact the Stampede brings to Calgary.

The Montreal Jazz Festival is the biggest Festival in Canada in terms of attendance, bringing in 2.5 million people. The economic impact is an impressive 100 million dollars for the event.

The Calgary Stampede is the 7th largest in terms of attendance and sees 1.2 million through the gate (2nd is Ottawa's Interlude at 1.6). The economic impact for those ten days is an astounding 172 million. So go to the Stampede board and try explaining that to them. "Hey, I'm a guy and I have an idea how to lose 72 million dollars for you"

The idea that we need to scrap one to have the other is pretty stupid too, it takes a long time to build up a Festival, instead of wishing Stampede changes get out and support Sled Island and let's continue to see that grow.

The Rodeo, well yeah thats a separate issue and I wish we could do away with that, or at least some events somehow.

Went on a rant there but it always seems to be the born and breed Calgarians that get stuffy about the Stampede. Oh dear, the rides don't change. The rides rarely change at any of these events. The Midway crews unpack in Calgary, do this event, pack back up and do 100+ other events across North America.

It's just a big dress up costume party for ten days, and as someone us doesn't up costume parties, especially Halloween, I've managed to get over it.

Long to know how they calculate those economic impact numbers. They strike me as outlandish and similar to the numbers that get thrown around when talking about when someone wants a stadium/arena build.