Still much to give thanks for despite the strange year in Calgary business
The end of the year gives time to reflect over the past 12 months of writing these columns and the people who have been so helpful keeping me informed about the business activities of this exciting city.
It also allows me to think about people who were strong contributors over the more than 20 years of Around Town since then-business editor Ron Nowell gave me the opportunity to share good news with readers that I really enjoy digging up. I have fond memories of business discussions with the likes of
Art Smith, Larry Ryder, Arlene Flock, Chris Richardson, Sam Switzer, Tom Donaldson, Bill Partridge, Rosemarie Enslin, Myrna Dube, David Swanson, Roger Jarvis, Gerald Knowlton, Helmar Basedow and Gustavo Yelamo, who welcomed at Centini for many years before retiring to run a B&B at Union Bay on Vancouver Island.
I have had the pleasure of meeting so many new business people again this year, but 2020 has been strange — for the first time I have had to conduct many interviews by telephone. When I meet people for the first time, I like to watch body language, check the family photos on the credenza and look over the office.
But I did manage to visit with some interesting entrepreneurial types between restrictions, enjoying chatting with Jess Brousseau and Ian Gregory, who offer their fine printing skills at Feast Letterpress; Katia Sayegh of Yara Flower Art; Iris Lui of Hutch Kitchen and Hutch Cafe; and Chinook Cheese owner Tarif Hamad, who introduced me to the tasty foods of the Levant. I also appreciated being reconnected with Mogens Smed of Falkbuilt, Archie Roberts of Roberts Residential and his brother, Bill, who became CEO of Nobal Technologies, and PR specialist Bill Watson, who returned to Calgary after many years in the Maritimes.
Fortunately, there is still a long list of many who have been supportive for a long time. I particularly enjoy a number who — not during COVID restrictions — I meet with regularly to sip a pint or have a coffee with, including Kevin Gregor, Gerry Garvey,
Ron Kurczaba, Pat Ottman, Brad Regier, fellow columnist Richard White and Terry Moore.
Some people are difficult to reach without texting first, but I can always expect a quick response from George Brookman, Sandra Georgetti, Bernie Bayer, Peggy Perry, Mike Warner, Patricia Verburgt, Niha Prasad Kroliczek, Tony James, Paige O'neill, Peter and Justin Mayerchak, Doug Porozni, Cathy
Orr, Chris Saunders, Michael Evans, Ross Roy, Sean Flathers, Rick Andison, Melvin Foht,
Mike Kehoe, Jon Mook, Hannes Kovak, Randy Mowat, Melodie Creegan, Todd Throndson, James Robertson, Jason Cottle, Glen Clark, Fred Clemens, Kevin Deeks and Laureen Regan.
We have some fine communications professionals in this city who not only know how to reach me but also understand what most interests me, including
Bob Sumner, Paula Worthington, Bonnie Elgie, Noelle Aune, Giselle Danis, Ellen Parker, Erica Morgan, Cassandra Mcauley, Shauna Macdonald, Lana Rogers and Shael Gelfand.
Longtime relationships are very much appreciated; I can always count on Phil Libin,
Frank Sisson, Jim Button, Mark Wilson, Jan Eden, Paul Van Ginkel, Bert Messier, Gerry Wood, Bill Chomik, Patricia Phillips, Cody Clayton, Peter Wallis,
David Rutledge, Mike Shaikh, Garry Beres, Glenn Tibbles, Vince Dods, Victor Choy, Scott Taylor, Harvey Thal, John Dong, Marc Rosso, Lou Maceachern, Jerilyn Wright, Chris Ollenberger, Ross Glen, Chris Law, Bill Mitchell, Clark Grue, Raymond Kan and Kim Mcconnell.
I can rely on Gerard Carlier to keep me apprised of what is happening in our consular corps, although in 2020 I missed seeing many of them at events such as the Fourth of July Garden Party and British Day with Consul General Caroline Saunders at Spruce Meadows, as well as receptions at the home of Japanese Consul General Kobayashi and teas with Chinese Consul General Lu Xu. I thank you all for your support and friendship and look forward to many interesting discussions with you and an expanded group in a hopefully more normal 2021.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/ business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or by email at info@davidparker.ca.