Calgary becoming a business travel hotspot
Monday, October 15, 2012
In today's challenging economy, it is more important than ever for American companies to forge relationships with their counterparts north of the border. According to The Financial Post, the Canadian city of Calgary is becoming one of the busiest destinations in Canada for business travel.
The lifeblood of industry
With more corporate headquarters than any other city in Canada, Calgary recently surpassed Vancouver as the third most popular destination for business travelers in the country. In addition to established financial and technology companies, Calgary is rapidly becoming a hotbed of entrepreneurship, with many small companies emerging in some of Canada's most agile industries, including software development and alternative energy.
For business professionals visiting Calgary, corporate housing is an ideal solution to finding a place to stay. Kent Bennett, manager of membership savings at the Canadian Professional Sales Association, told the news source that hotels often reach capacity far in advance of many professional exhibitions and conferences. Rather than waste time and money trying to find a hotel near the city center, serviced apartments are an ideal alternative for today's busy business professionals.
Generation gaps
Although entrepreneurship in Canada is taking off in a major way, it is not just young technology professionals who are making the leap and launching their own businesses. According to Equities.com, many members of the baby boomer generation have caught the entrepreneurial bug and are striking out on their own. A recent survey by TD Canada Trust indicates that approximately 54 percent of baby boomers have either considered or launched their own business venture prior to retirement.
"There are many benefits to being a small business owner, and this is clearly on the minds of boomers across the country," said Dan Demers, vice president of TD Canada Trust, as quoted by the news source. "While thorough planning, access to finances, hard work and passion are a must for all business owners, there are specific considerations boomers should think about before starting a small business at this stage in their life."
International opportunities
In addition to the rising number of entrepreneurs across Canada, foreign investments could also drive the need for corporate housing. According to Canadian Business, the Indian market could represent a significant growth opportunity for Canada's aerospace sector. Rana Sarkar, head of the Canada-India Business Council, said that India's moves to ease restrictions on foreign business ownership could present unique investment and business travel opportunities in Canada.