Around 200 travel agents donned their Calgary Stampede cowboy hats and boots on Saturday night at Travel Alberta’s Experience Alberta travel agents’ event, themed Ranch, Rodeo & Rockies.
Held at the Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast, the evening saw agents treated to a behind-the-scenes tour to meet the cast and crew of the Australian Outback Spectacular, plus entertainment by Calgary Stampede country western singer Jake Mathews.
Videos of Alberta were played to showcase Ranch, Rodeo and Rockies and there was even a High Country Legends equestrian style horse performance, reminiscent of Alberta’s own mountains, ranches and Calgary Stampede.
It wouldn’t be an industry event without prizes.
Air New Zealand was the major airline partner for the evening, giving away two return airfares to the winner of the ultimate Ranch, Rodeo and Rockies prize, which also included Via Rail train transfers to Jasper National Park, a night in Jasper National Park, Brewster transfers down the Icefield Parkway, stopping at major attractions, including the Icefields Parkway Glacier Skywalk and Ice Explorer transfer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
The prize then ventured into Banff National Park for a night at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, before horse riding into the wilderness with Banff Trail Riders for an overnight stay at Sundance Lodge.
Finally, it was topped off with three nights at the annual Calgary Stampede including access to the chuck wagons, rodeo and nightly entertainment extravaganza.
The lucky winner for the evening was Travel Manager Connie Adams who was dancing like a foot-stomping cowgirl when her name was drawn by country western singer, Jake Matthews.
Experience Alberta is Travel Alberta’s travel agent engagement program, promoting events around the country, providing travel agents with an opportunity to learn about the Rocky Mountain province in Canada through direct experience, rather than traditional training methods.
The event was the third on the Gold Coast with numbers of agents exceeding previous years’ attendance. Experience Alberta Ranch, Rodeos and Rockies will return to the Gold Coast in February 2016.