Thousands of delegates from around the world are expected to descend upon Calgary in the coming days, transforming parts of the city into a hub for international activity. As these visitors arrive, they will not only experience the local culture but also contribute their own perspectives on pressing global issues.
A Platform for Discussion
The city’s streets will likely become a platform for discussing some of the most critical topics facing humanity today. People from diverse nations and backgrounds will gather to advocate for causes close to their hearts, creating an atmosphere that is both vibrant and thought-provoking.
Impact on Local Businesses
For those who live and work in Calgary, this influx of international visitors may bring about some changes to daily life:
- Increased Foot Traffic: Some businesses may see an increase in foot traffic or even book reservations with visiting delegations.
- Mixed Experiences: Not all establishments have received visits from security officials or been asked about accommodating potential new customers.
Local Business Perspective
One restaurant owner, Chevonne Centini of Centini Restaurant near the Telus Convention Centre, expressed her optimism about welcoming new customers. She stated:
"Every Saturday there’s a protest. Even when we had a patio, we didn’t have any problem with any of the protests."
Centini noted that these rallies do not disrupt her business, and people generally pass by without causing any issues.
Police Preparedness
In preparation for the expected crowds and demonstrations this weekend, the Calgary Police Service has issued guidance regarding policing behavior versus beliefs during events like G7 conferences or other large gatherings.
- Policing Statement: The police stated, "Larger crowds & demonstrations are expected over this weekend," emphasizing that they would "police behavior & not beliefs."
- Reporting Instructions: They provided contact information for reporting specific situations such as hate speech or weapons being carried on public transit or at event sites. However, some found these instructions less comprehensive than those given during previous security preparations.
Security Measures
Centini received personal visits from security officials who informed her that staff needed special passes to continue working at the restaurant after hours due to increased demand. In contrast, hundreds of military personnel were stationed behind the Telus Convention Centre, armed with riot gear during previous events like the G7 conference in 2002.
Centini remarked:
"It seems much more relaxed this time."
Miles Meredith, the head service manager, noted that no delegation from the G7 has booked reservations yet at Centini Restaurant. However, Chevonne remains optimistic about potential new customers arriving soon, saying:
"I’m sure they’ll come."
As thousands descend upon Calgary over the coming days, the city is poised to embrace the influx of international visitors and the discussions that will unfold.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
