The unveiling could mark the unofficial countdown to Calgary hosting a conference in an area in which we’re globally famoose.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Denis Painchaud, president and CEO of the 24th World Petroleum Congress, unveiled a popular Canadian icon used at previous international energy events.
Nearly life-sized, Canada-red-coloured moose, Rocky – don’t worry, not a live moose – shed the bright red cape that covered it on Wednesday, making a temporary home in Calgary’s municipal building.
“He was the centerpiece of the Canadian exhibit at the Congress in Houston a couple of years ago. People flocked to have their picture taken with Rocky and it brought a bit of Canadiana to Houston, and a smile to everyone’s face,” Mayor Gondek said.
They thought it would be great for Rocky to make his way to the municipal building in Calgary to help share some smiles and raise awareness for the event coming up from Sept. 17 to 21.
More than 5,000 delegates and 15,000 visitors from more than 100 countries are expected in Calgary for the week-long conference. An estimated $87 million in economic benefits will be derived from hosting the conference, Mayor Gondek said.
“This presents an incredible opportunity for Calgary to affirm ourselves as both the global leader in energy transformation and an unrivaled host,” the mayor said.
Painchaud thanked City of Calgary facilities workers that fixed Rocky up for public showing, hoping he can become the same focal point as he did in Houston.
“I was so successful that we’ve now run out and signed Rocky’s father Bullwinkle, who’s actually a full-size moose,” he said.
Painchaud will be down on the Congress grounds for the duration of the event.
Energy transition is a focus of the event
Painchaud said the congress will be having a very important conversation about the realistic path to net zero for the world’s energy companies.
“The event we had in 2000 is still recognized as the best congress ever, and we intend to replicate that,” Painchaud said.
It’s a conversation that comes at a time in Calgary’s history when there’s a push for economic diversification. Mayor Gondek said, however, Calgary’s energy industry has been under constant change and transition.
“You get to the point now is that we are at a time of absolute transformation. That’s what we’re hearing from global leaders everywhere,” she said.
“We have an opportunity to showcase the transformation change that’s happening in the energy sector.”
The Calgary Police Service is expected to provide a high-level look at the cost to ensure safety of delegates and visitors to the city during the event.
When Calgary hosted the WPC in 2000, it closed down streets and there were protests that popped up around the city.
