Calgary Stampede's Theory

Based on a theory by Canadian Ecologist Buzz Holling on adaptive/resilient ecosystems, the life cycle of an organization is said to be in one of four phases: Reorganization, Conservation, Exploration, or Release. It could be argued that the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Ltd. (“Calgary Stampede”) currently resides in the Conservation Phase of its development because it is strongly connected with Calgary’s community spirit, it helps to define western cultures, and it has been around for over 100 years. A business in the Conservation phase is in a state of maturity, having more certainty and stability in the marketplace.

The Calgary Stampede is deeply involved within the Calgary and Alberta communities and consistently promotes the Western culture. People from around the world are drawn to the City of Calgary for the Stampede ten-day event, which has a dramatic impact on local businesses with a surge in tourism and spending across all sectors. The entire city is transformed during this time with local businesses embracing the western theme for their storefronts and promotions, and often employees are encouraged to dress in western attire.
Most people only think about the Calgary Stampede as the ten-day outdoor entertainment event with parades, concerts, rodeos, midway rides, and various deep fried foods.
This is only one small aspect of what makes up the Calgary Stampede organization. In fact, it is very active year round and is involved in other events locally, regionally, and internationally. During the rest of the year the Stampede Park is home to various sports teams as well as numerous concerts and trade shows. The Calgary Stampede Foundation is the charitable organization working directly with the Calgary Stampede organization. The foundation focuses on developing youth within the Calgary community through performing arts and agriculture programs, including the Young Canadians and Stampede
School.

For over 100 years the Calgary Stampede has kept true to its core values and continues to promote the agricultural and Western heritage on which it was founded. From it’s inception through to modern times the organization has gone through many transformations as it strives to keep up with the boom and busts of the economy and the demands of the surrounding communities. It has been a balancing act trying to keep the traditions of the Old West alive, while attempting to engage with new generations with social media and constantly evolving and innovating their entertainment and activities. The Alberta floods of 2013 showcased how the entire city rallied together through volunteering and cleanup efforts on the Stampede grounds to enable the Calgary Stampede ten-day event to start on time.

In conclusion, the Calgary Stampede organization has aligned itself as a life long partner of the City of Calgary and its communities and proven that it can withstand whatever challenges may come its way. By staying true to the values and beliefs that started over 100 years ago and adapting to the ever-changing needs of its customers, the Calgary Stampede has solidified its place in the marketplace. Therefore, it could be seen that the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Ltd. is in the Conservation Phase of its development.