Time flies when you’re having a glorious time. And general manager Marcia Lyons can’t quite believe how quickly 30 months have passed since the “second debut” of Calgary’s expanded and vastly improved TELUS Convention Centre.

Since the Centre’s $69-million expansion was unveiled in May of 2000, Ms. Lyons and her team have been maintaining a superhuman work schedule, keeping one step ahead of an unceasingly high demand for bookings.

Hectic? No question. But the months have flown past in an atmosphere of sheer exhilaration, as the TELUS Convention Centre continues to write an inspirational Calgary success story.

TELUS Convention Centre general manager Marcia Lyons and her staff have welcomed people from all over the world.

“When the city approved our expansion plans, it was a dream come true,” remembered Ms. Lyons. “And when the work was complete, we were in awe at what the city had created here.”

From Day One, Ms. Lyons and the team literally hit the ground running.

They took possession of the 130,000-sq.-ft. facility on May 23, 2000. Within three days, the venue was looking its majestic best, playing host to a formal gala dinner (3,000 guests) sponsored by a major Calgary corporation.

Shortly thereafter, the TELUS Convention Centre welcomed the World Petroleum Congress, which attracted 3,000 delegates from around the globe.

“That was the highlight. It took a genuine team effort, and I was so proud of our 80 full-time employees,” enthused Ms. Lyons. Then, last June, the G-8 Summit moved in.

Business groups, professional associations, not-for-profit organizations, conventioneers and trade-show operators have all responded enthusiastically to the attractions of this versatile, state-of-the-art facility.

In point of fact, the numbers are a bit staggering. In 2001, the TELUS Convention Centre played host to 815 events, which brought in more than 300,000 delegates, or approximately 2.23 events (and 822 guests) for every day in the calendar year.

“Back in 1995, we attracted an average of 600 guests per convention. Today, that average has climbed to 1,200. We’re convinced we can get that number up to 1,500,” Ms. Lyons said confidently.

Such impressive statistics underscore an indisputable fact: the Centre’s success has meant a significant shot in the arm for Calgary’s already-vigorous economy.

By conservative estimate, those 300,000-plus delegates poured a minimum of $56 million into the cash drawers of Calgary merchants, services, hoteliers and restaurateurs.

Since dazzling Calgary afresh in May 2000, the TELUS Convention Centre has received the ultimate compliment, gaining wide recognition from industry professionals.

The Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) of Calgary cited it as the government/institutional Building of the Year for 2002.

In addition, the Centre has received citations from Meetings & Incentive Magazine, as well as Facilities and Destination Guide Magazine.

Clearly, the TELUS Convention Centre has assumed its rightful place among the top convention destinations on the continent.

Electronically speaking, the Centre places you at the centre of the known universe. Guests are invited to take advantage of the Centre’s fully equipped Business Centre, as well as full video teleconferencing capabilities, satellite downlink and fibre-optic services and SMARTboards, not to mention CAT-6 cabling and high-speed DSL lines.

User capacity for each is virtually unlimited. Meanwhile, accommodation is never an issue when your association or company sets up in the TELUS Convention Centre. Staff like to quip that, once you’ve reached your meeting room, you’re three minutes away from 3,500 beds. Three splendid hotels are directly connected to the Centre, via the city’s Plus-15 system of elevated walkways.

U.S. corporations and organizations, too, have been quick to capitalize on the Centre’s appeal, not to mention the attractive exchange rate on the Canadian dollar.

Direct flights to Calgary are available from 13 major cities in the U.S., and when our American friends touch down, they’re invariably dazzled by Calgary’s clean neighbourhoods and safe streets. (The fact we’re situated 40 minutes from some of the world’s most wonderful scenery, ski hills and golf courses doesn’t hurt, either.)

But the Centre is most certainly not reserved for the so-called Big Players.

“We do 450 meetings a year. We’ll do everything we can to make your group comfortable, whether it’s five people or 500,” Ms. Lyons said.

So if you haven’t been introduced, why not come downtown and experience the Centre first-hand. You won’t be the first to learn that the expanded TELUS Convention Centre (www.calgary-convention.com) truly has become all things to all people.