Airdrie, AB

The City of Airdrie, just north of Calgary, is experiencing unprecedented growth with near doubling of real-estate prices. City Council, staff and citizens are increasingly interested in sustainable growth and development which has led the City to work with The Natural Step in creating a municipal sustainability plan, as part of its Sustainable Communities Program.

Airdrie will be using the Alberta Urban Municipal Association (AUMA) Municipal Sustainability Planning Guidebook which is based on The Natural Step Framework. The Natural Step will continue to provide training and coaching to the City of Airdrie as their municipal sustainability plan is developed. Airdrie has committed to engaging its citizens, participating in peer to peer networks and sharing the outcomes of their process.

Wow! what a Kick off, the first day of the annual AIRDRIE Home and Garden Fair held at the Twin Arenas in Airdrie Alberta was a Rip Roaring success. Everything was kicked off by a Stampede style Chuck Wagon Breakfast in the company of Royalty. The Calgary Stampede Queen and 2 Princesses,were present at the Breakfast, along with City, Provincial and Federal government dignitaries.

These were the Best Flap Jacks this writer has experienced at one of these outdoor breakfasts and by the size of my belt you can tell I've been to more than a few. ALI-OOP was there in good form , he's the mascot from The Scoop Newspaper, along with Al and Lois Jones the Proprietors of The Scoop, you should really advertise with these folks if you can they are wonderful business people to deal with.

The Calgary Stampede Board sent folks out to run the Breakfast and throw lariats around youngsters, Oh and then they'd Brand them. Don't worry it was an ink stamp, just so the parents wouldn't complain ;)

After a great breakfast and visiting with numerous Business Friends, Past, Present and Future customers , I went inside and took a look inside the Twin Arena's at the large number of exhibitors booths. You might have thought the tight economic times may have dissuaded some if the business people to save their shekels and stay home. Not in Airdrie business small and large were out with some truly fascinating Booth displays and everyone I spoke with was very positive about 2009 and where Airdrie is headed as a City in Alberta. There were booths covering ever aspect of business including a Fresh Pies being sold to support the Lioness Christmas Hamper and of course our Century 21 booth presided over this morning by Bonnie Wegerich our Broker and President of the Calgary Real Estate Board, and did I mention FRESH PIES, there goes that belt size again.

I had the opportunity to man our booth I the afternoon, what a blast, met tons of great Airdrie folks and even got a chance to do some magic for the local kids. We still have another full day of FUN and FRIVOLITY at the Annual Airdrie Home and Garden Fair, why not come out and join the fun, we re all looking forward to seeing you there.

The Airdrie Hunting and Fishing Association was formed last February by Wes David and aims to get Airdrie’s youth and families involved in more outdoor sporting activities.

The main goal is to get kids and families involved. It’s not just about going out and hunting. It’s about all outdoor sports from fishing right down to gopher hunting.

The association met for the third time on April 21 and implemented a new program called Garbage for Gophers.

Airdrie has grown enough now and there are enough young people to get involved in the outdoors rather than Xbox and GameCube and stuff. It’s a good way to get them out. One common stereotype a hunting and fishing association gets is that it’s an old-boys club, usually dominated in numbers by men, but that’s something this association wants to avoid.

One hope is that the association will implement initiatives, like stocking the local ponds around Airdrie with fish.

There is a chance the association would affiliate with Alberta Fish and Game in an effort to get their name and voice heard by more people.

The last meeting held at the Local Bass Pro Store in the New Cross Iron Mills Mall, in Balzac was well attended on April 21, 2009.

MY QUESTION - has anyone received a benefit from doing a trade show? Every year our office participates in a local Trade Show. Many an agent has commented that they have received no benefit from doing a trade show.

Great Expectations? New Leads? Or just getting exposure to the public shows that you're out there. I personally enjoy the annual Trade Show - I get my face out there.

SO has anyone out there have any suggestions to boost moral and enthusiasm for the hours spent at a Trade Show?

Airdrie Terri Signing Off....for now

www.terristephens.com

It's Spring Time in the Rockies, well close to the Rockies, Airdrie's Spring brings our Annual Home and Garden Fair. This year as usual it is being held at our Twin Arenas Complex. There will be Fun and Entertainment for all, it runs from April 25th to April 26th, 2009. From 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sunday.

What a great deal to only $3.00 per person and Kids get in FREE, Come and Join us for the Stampede Style Breakfast at 8:00 am on Saturday, Hosted by The Scoop & Calgary Stampede Promotion Committee. Oh, and I'll be there look for me and

say Hi, I'll be wearing my Hat.

Parking is plentiful but with the large number of people parking gets full early, why not take the FREE Shuttle Bus from the south parking lot of Airdrie Superstore starting at 11am.

I look forward to meeting all my Present , Past and Future Clients again this year look for me at the Breakfast and also at the Century 21 booth on Saturday between 3pm ad 5pm. Boy am I excited!

Bill