WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Lived the Stampede Life

By WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd.

The WorldSkills Calgary 2009 team celebrated the 10-day Calgary Stampede in full-force this year, showcasing a global skills movement that will continue at the Competition in Calgary September 1 - 7.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 spokesperson and Canada's 'Most Trust Contractor' Mike Holmes kicked things off on July 3. He had the prestigious honour of leading the Stampede Parade as Parade Marshal along with eight local members of Team Canada: Daniel Reid (Cochrane), Devon DeBoer (Calgary), Craig Spady (Red Deer), Steven Dingwall (Calgary), Tiffany Vandermey (Calgary), Daniel Green (Drumheller), Matthew Chadder (Millarville) and Brad Chyz (Calgary).

Platinum Sponsor, Building Trades of Alberta, collaborated with WorldSkills Calgary 2009 on their Stampede Parade float, promoting both the Competition and the importance of building trades in Alberta. Members from both organizations walked the 5 km parade route, showcasing the award-winning float to 350,000 spectators lining the route and an estimated national television audience of over 1 million.

Food Network celebrity chef and WorldSkills Calgary 2009 spokesperson David Adjey also promoted the Competition at the Stampede. He shared his expertise at the ATCO Kitchen event on July 11 and 12, drawing the largest crowd to the 80 different kitchen presentations. Adjey says engaging students to find their passion at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 makes his work immensely gratifying.

A national television audience also watched the WorldSkills Calgary 2009- sponsored chuckwagon competing in the GMC Rangeland Derby, where rustic and historical chuckwagons race around a figure eight barrel obstacle before circling the half-mile track in a bid for the $100,000 top prize. Driver Barry Hodgson led his team of four horses, along with four outriders, finishing strong in 18th place. Hodgson also represented WorldSkills Calgary 2009 by serving pancakes off the back of the wagon at a free public breakfast at Fluor Rope Square (Olympic Plaza) on July 10.

Many Calgarians and international visitors alike had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with representatives from the 40th WorldSkills Competition, including CEO and President Richard Walker, at the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 trade show booth in the BMO Centre at the Stampede Grounds. Several thousand visitors over the week learned more about the Competition and offered up their services as volunteers.

With many international visitors in town, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 successfully engaged the global audience to spread the WorldSkills message. For example, three French travel agents flipped pancakes with the crew on July 10 and had fun experiencing Western Canadian culture while learning about the Competition. Paul Potts, Chief Executive of the Press Association in London, England, met with the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 marketing and sponsorship team and lent his support to the 41st WorldSkills Competition in his hometown in 2011.

For more information please visit: www.worldskills2009.com.