Red Deer’s economy is due to get a $2 million boost every three years as the city hosts gatherings of municipal representatives from across the province.
On Monday, Red Deer city council approved a request from Alberta Municipalities to hold rotating conferences here every third year starting in the fall of 2024 and then again in 2027, 2030, etc.
Council was told more than $2 million of economic spin-off would result, based on the spin-off from Red Deer hosting the 2018 Alberta Municipalities conference. Councillors felt this would be a big economic boon going forward.
The 2018 conference brought about 1,100 delegates to the city, as well as additional guests, municipal staffers, and about 330 workers to run a 150-booth trade show.
City of Red Deer administration had recommended that council approve the associated expense of about $150,000 for hosting each event every third year. This cost — including at least $40,000 for a municipal reception, money for co-ordinating shuttle transportation between hotels and the meeting facility, and event promotion — will be worked into the operating budget of each year that a conference is due to be held.
The next Alberta Municipalities Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in the city from Sept. 23-27 in 2024. The annual conferences will otherwise be held in Edmonton or Calgary.
City council also approved Coun. Lawrence Lee to seek election to be a local representative on the Alberta Municipalities. Red Deer has not held a board position with the group since 2017. If Lee was elected as a director for cities of up to 500,000 population, Red Deer would have more chance to influence the group’s policy direction and programs.
