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Bruce Graham is Calgary’s biggest fan, promoter
and spokesperson.
After pioneering huge advances for the
city over the last five years as president and CEO of
Calgary Economic Development (CED), he couldn’t
be happier with his position — or more optimistic
for the future.
“I am immensely proud of how far the city has
come in recent years and take great honour in helping
Calgary continue this forward momentum,” he says.
Graham came to Calgary in 2003 to head CED,
bringing with him 18 years of experience in economic
development.
Calgary’s potential and Graham’s experience and
expertise resulted in great leaps for CED and the city
of Calgary.
“At the start of this decade, Calgary was looking
to position itself as Western Canada’s business centre,”
he says.
“Today, we’re that and so much more. We are a
diverse, global business centre, attracting people and
business from all corners of the globe.”
One of Graham’s first initiatives was to establish a
performance-based business development approach,
instrumental in bringing the corporate headquarters
for Encana — The Bow — and Imperial Oil to the
city.
Graham also launched CalgaryWorks in 2006, a
unique initiative aimed at addressing the labour shortage
in the city, by bringing together a diverse group
of the community’s business stakeholders to come up
with creative and effective solutions for the attraction
and retention of talent.
“Calgary continues to lead the country’s growth, so
we’ve had to address the tight labour markets before
anyone else,” he says.
But for all the progressive work he’s done for the
city, Graham’s inspiration came from Calgarians
themselves.
“There’s an engaged and civic-minded community
here that aspires to do great things,” he says.
“The can-do attitude is different than anywhere
else I’ve ever worked.”
And he sees these differences every day, starting
with his own staff.
“It’s a reflection of the city — they’re dynamic,
community-minded and hardworking,” he says. “I’m
amazed by the people in this city who take a great
deal of pride in its growth and development.”
Graham and his team are now focused on expanding
Calgary’s dynamic profile and tremendous opportunities
internationally.
In 2006, CED helped establish Building Connections,
an ambitious, industry-led initiative aimed to
create greater opportunities for Canadian businesses
through developing and fostering East-West relations.
Following the success of the project, Graham and a
team of Calgary representatives recently made a trip
to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar to foster investment
and partnership opportunities with the Middle East.
“We’re in the process of establishing a global business
centre and opening the eyes of business here to
the global opportunities,” Graham says.
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“It makes me extremely proud to be representing
the city, locally, nationally and internationally.”
But business opportunities aren’t Calgary’s only
appeal, Graham says. The city has a lot to offer in
terms of its diversity, lifestyle choices, culture, entertainment
and community living, and part of CED’s
responsibility is to highlight the exceptional quality
of life in Calgary.
“Our community assets are a means of attracting
and retaining people as well,” he says. “We package
that all together in marketing Calgary as a great place
to live, work and play.”
And Graham knows this from experience. Since
moving here, his wife and two children have laid
down their roots and consider the city home, he
says.
With plans for a major digital communications
campaign to market the city, the recent release of
the city’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy,
a global business centre opening on Stephen Avenue
and exciting new developments for the film industry,
Graham couldn’t be more fulfilled and excited
about leading Calgary Economic Development into
the future.
“The work we do creates a more vibrant city and
generates a lot of the services the residents of this
community enjoy,” he says.
“That’s why we’re in the business we’re in.”
For more information, visit www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com