Where in the world was Calgary Economic Development?

For years, Calgary’s economic story was often told through a single industry. Today, a much broader story is taking shape. 

The same city that became a global energy leader is attracting attention for artificial intelligence, defence and dual-use technology, agribusiness innovation, advanced manufacturing and screen production. The common thread is no longer one sector — it’s Calgary’s ability to solve complex problems, commercialize ideas and scale businesses. 

Taking that story to the world matters. 

Through trade missions, investment attraction, industry events and inbound programs, Calgary Economic Development (CED) works to connect local companies with global opportunities while building relationships with businesses and decision-makers considering Calgary for their next investment or expansion. 

From Hannover to Chicago, London to Los Angeles — and back home during Stampede — here’s where Calgary showed up from April through June 2026, with a little bit of July thrown in. 

Technology and innovation  

Calgary’s technology ecosystem is gaining global attention, with strengths in artificial intelligence, enterprise technology, clean technology and digital infrastructure — and a growing talent base helping companies build and scale. 

CED’s Trade team on the ground with Canadian partners at VivaTech in Paris. Photo: Calgary Economic Development

Paris | VivaTech 

At one of Europe’s biggest technology events, Calgary was positioned as a North American destination for companies working across AI, SaaS, digital infrastructure, cleantech and enterprise technology. 

Conversations with technology companies, investors and innovation leaders helped build relationships with businesses exploring their next stage of international expansion. 

London | London Tech Week + AI Summit 

For companies looking at North American growth, Calgary’s combination of talent, cost competitiveness and expertise across technology, life sciences, energy and financial services was part of the conversation in London. 

More than 25 targeted meetings, delivered alongside the Trade Commissioner Service and Invest Alberta, helped deepen relationships with prospective investors, with multiple companies expressing interest in expanding into Calgary. 

Chicago | AI 2030 

Calgary’s growing AI ecosystem generated new investment interest at the AI 2030 Chicago FDI B2B program. 

Targeted discussions with companies including Expert.ai, Tredence, TinyFish, Infleqtion and LanzaTech opened new opportunities to showcase Calgary as a place to invest, innovate and scale. 

Vancouver | Web Summit Vancouver 

Calgary companies had a strong presence at one of Canada’s largest technology gatherings, connecting with customers, partners and investors through a Calgary-branded presence, networking opportunities and targeted B2B meetings. A delegation of local businesses brought the city’s growing innovation ecosystem directly to an international audience. 

Hannover | Hannover Messe 

Calgary’s advanced manufacturing capabilities were part of Alberta’s presence at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial transformation and advanced manufacturing trade show. 

Alongside the Government of Alberta, NGen, the Trade Commissioner Service and other partners, the Alberta delegation brought 19 organizations across three Canadian pavilions, connecting the province’s industrial strengths with a global audience. 

Defence  

Calgary’s defence and dual-use sector brings together aerospace, advanced manufacturing, digital systems and MRO, backed by the talent, testing infrastructure and industrial capability to build, test and scale mission-ready solutions. 

CED with the Alberta delegation at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. Photo: Calgary Economic Development

Paris | Eurosatory 

At one of the world’s leading defence and security events, Calgary’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, technology and dual-use innovation were put in front of global primes and industry leaders. 

Across Eurosatory and VivaTech, CED’s Investment and Trade teams conducted more than 30 targeted meetings alongside 38 Alberta companies, supporting millions of dollars in trade deals and generating new investment opportunities. 

Ottawa | CANSEC 

Ten Calgary companies brought the city’s defence capabilities to Canada’s largest defence industry event, creating opportunities to connect with major contractors, industry associations and government partners. 

Those conversations focused on where Calgary companies can fit into national and international supply chains while opening doors for business development and future investment. 

Agribusiness 

Calgary sits at the intersection of agricultural production and innovation, bringing together ag-tech, crop science, animal health and food processing with direct access to producers, research expertise and global markets. 

Ottawa | Agri-Food Innovation Council Conference 

Calgary’s growing agri-food ecosystem was part of national conversations around research, commercialization and the future of food production. 

Engagement at the Agri-Food Innovation Council Conference helped identify new commercialization opportunities, advance two commercial leads and strengthen connections across Canada’s agricultural innovation ecosystem. 

Creative industries 

Calgary’s screen sector competes globally for productions, talent and investment, backed by diverse locations, experienced crews, competitive incentives and a growing base of production infrastructure. 

Cannes | Marché du Film 

Calgary maintained a presence alongside the world’s leading film and television markets through industry programming, networking and engagement at the Canadian Pavilion. 

The city also earned international recognition during the Cannes Film Festival as a City of Film finalist at the Global Production Awards — another signal of Calgary’s growing reputation as a global production destination. 

Los Angeles | Alberta LA Trade Mission + Produced By Conference 

Calgary’s production capabilities were taken directly to the heart of the global screen industry through conversations with major studios and streaming companies including HBO/Warner Bros., Sony, Netflix, Apple, Amazon and Paramount. 

Those relationships are critical to keeping Calgary in consideration as studios make decisions about where to locate future productions and investment. 

Banff | Banff World Media Festival 

The Banff World Media Festival brought producers, studios and streamers together with Alberta’s screen sector. 

Conversations throughout the festival strengthened industry relationships and advanced discussions around potential filming locations, productions and partnerships — keeping Calgary connected to the decision-makers shaping what gets made and where. 

Bringing the world to Calgary: Stampede 2026 

International guests get a Calgary welcome during CED’s 2026 Stampede activations. Photo: Calgary Economic Development

Calgary doesn’t always have to take its story abroad. Stampede is one of the city’s biggest opportunities to bring global decision-makers here and let them experience the Blue Sky City firsthand. In Calgary, economic development happens in cowboy boots. 

Together with Invest Greater Calgary, Invest Alberta and Invest in Canada, CED welcomed clients and consultants from around the world for curated programming across the Calgary region. 

A “Why Calgary” Stampede Breakfast, B2B meetings, ecosystem panels, industry events and Stampede experiences gave prospective investors and advisors a closer look at what it means to build and grow a business here — and the people and partnerships that can help make it happen. 

Some of the biggest names in film and television came to Calgary too. Senior representatives from Paramount, Lionsgate, Amazon, HBO and Picket Fence Pictures experienced Calgary’s production ecosystem firsthand, strengthening relationships with the studios and decision-makers behind future projects. 

Why Calgary shows up 

These are just some of the places and ways CED showed up this quarter. Across these and other missions, meetings, events and inbound programs, the work continues to connect Calgary companies with global opportunities and keep the city in front of investors and decision-makers. 

Whether we’re taking Calgary into global markets or bringing global decision-makers here, the objective is the same: build relationships before opportunities become obvious and turn those relationships into investment, trade, partnerships and jobs. 

It’s core to Uplook: An Action Plan for Our Economy — strengthening Calgary’s position as an outward-looking, globally connected city that competes and collaborates on the world stage.