Ask anyone to name three great Alberta innovations and you might hear about the Calgary Stampede, or Edmonton’s Klondike Days. Or, perhaps, the great Leduc oil find or the West Edmonton Mall.

Granted, these attractions do characterize our province, but they only scratch the prairie and barely reach the foothills. Alberta is truly much more. It has become a respected leader in technical innovation, and those achievements will be in the spotlight

during the IAAF World Championships this month.

Alberta House puts Alberta’s innovation and achievement on centre stage — and under one roof — during the 10-day athletics extravaganza this month.

Situated downtown at Edmonton City Centre West (formerly Eaton Centre), Alberta House boasts numerous displays illustrating the talents in technological advancements and their the results — the betterment of our lives. The displays cover various themes and industries including the environment, biotechnology, medical devices, health services, agri-food and agriculture, architecture, construction and, of course, resource development and information technology.

These games were perfect timing.

“We’re here to showcase leading technology in Alberta, not only to visitors, but to Albertans as well — especially the technology that is exported internationally,” says Maureen Mackay, manager of corporate services, information and strategic services for Economic Development Alberta.

“Some of the things Alberta does may not be known to many Albertans.”

Mackay adds that the games provide a great showcase opportunity for technology such as the high-temperature-resistant components that Alberta provides for the space shuttle.

The exhibits are as varied as the exhibitors: there’s no shortage of large high-resolution display screens at this venue. There are Internet enabled demonstrations, CD-Rom based software, Powerpoint presentations, videos and touchy-feely kind of stuff like Madentec’s Tracker 2000, a mouse-replacement device used by quadriplegics. The walls are decorated with a number of incredible photographs depicting technology at work, landmark sights and events from around the province.

Gem Inc. takes technology to a new level with a display of roof tiles and stucco made from recycled tires. Telephotogenics Inc. shows off ultra hi-resolution 360-degree imaging. Award-winning Yotta Yotta – the storage technology people — have a CD that describes what the heck a yotta is (it’s a trillion terabytes).

For speed freaks, check out the speed distance monitor that came out of University of Alberta, contributed by Dynastream. This product has been picked up by shoe-king Nike (maybe we’ll see Tiger wearing one). Tie it to your shoe and it wirelessly sends info to your watch. Another wireless device is demonstrated by BW Technologies. Instead of speed, it monitors hazardous gas.

Some of the interactive CD-Roms include information on forest fire training, biotechnology and agriculture. You can even take a low-cal virtual tour of the Leduc food-processing centre. For those into games, you can play with Eleven Engineering’s Airplay, the first cordless game controller that uses radio waves and is compatible with Sony’s Playstation.

The setup is designed to encourage you to look, touch, play and interact, but if you have any questions, the venue is manned by provincial economic development staff — the people in the white golf shirts who are well-prepared to answer your questions.

Alberta House can be found in the old Montreal Trust branch at 102nd Street at 102nd Avenue. Hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Aug. 12. Admission is free.

* DID YOU KNOW?

I picked up a few neat “did you knows” during my visit to Alberta House. Albertans really are the most “connected” in Canada. Calgary and Edmonton are ranked first and second among 15 cities for Internet use. With the advent of the Alberta SuperNet, more than 422 communities will be connected within three years. And did you know the terms “software” and “global village” were coined by Albertan Marshall McCluhan.

* PASSPORT PROGRAM

If you like to collect pins (and who doesn’t?), pick up your free passport. It’s a badge you wear around your neck that sports an Alberta pin and room for two more. A program developed in conjunction with the city of Edmonton, it’s designed to encourage you to visit the two other houses — Canada House, located at the Edmonton Art Gallery, and Edmonton House, situated at city hall. It’s the only way you can get the other two to complete your set.

There are too many other things to list and I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun. There are still a few days left, so why not trot down? You’ll gain a better appreciation, learn a little more and get pinned!

Web Watch:

www.alberta-canada.com

(Greg Gazin is president of Parallel 2000 Corp. He can be reached at greg@businessedge.ca.