Calgary Telus Convention Centre (CTCC) is one of two convention centres in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, alongside the larger BMO Centre at Stampede Park. The facility is operated by the City of Calgary and offers 122,000 square feet of convention space, over 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, five pre-function areas and 36 meeting rooms.
In December 1996, the facility was renamed as Calgary Telus Convention Centre due to a naming rights agreement with Telus.[1] In 2000, it was expanded with the addition of the north building.[3]
Criticisms
Homelessness and safety concerns in surrounding area
The area surrounding the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre has experienced persistent visible homelessness and related public safety concerns, with residents, businesses, and visitors reporting reduced safety in downtown spaces near the Centre.[4][5] The Downtown Safety Leadership Table, convened by the City of Calgary, identified gaps in shelter capacity, mental-health and addictions supports, and daytime services as key drivers of safety and perception issues in the downtown core, and recommended increased outreach, maintenance, and coordinated supports to improve safety and vibrancy.[6]
Hosting of Tucker Carlson event and Rainbow Registered deregistration
On January 24, 2024, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre hosted a live speaking event featuring American political commentator Tucker Carlson, joined by Premier Danielle Smith and W. Brett Wilson. The event drew criticism from local advocacy groups and members of Calgary’s LGBTQ+ community, citing Carlson’s history of controversial statements and rhetoric. Prior to the event, the Centre had been listed as a safe space Rainbow Registered facility, a national accreditation recognizing LGBTQ+ inclusive businesses in Canada. Following the event, the Convention Centre was no longer listed in the Rainbow Registered directory, prompting public concern over its commitment to inclusivity and if it is no longer a safe space.[7][8][9]
December 2023 cyberattack
On December 6, 2023, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre was targeted in a ransomware attack attributed to the 8BASE group. The breach affected the Centre's official website, and the data that was stolen was reported involving employee, customer, and third-party information. The leak size remains undisclosed, and the incident was tracked by cybersecurity platforms including Ransomware.live and Breachsense. The attack raised concerns about the Centre's digital infrastructure and data protection protocols, particularly given its role as a temporary COVID-19 vaccination site at the time.[10][11]
Calls for reevaluation of the Centre's future
In March 2020, Calgary city councilor Ward Sutherland publicly proposed reevaluating the future of the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, following the resignation of CEO Clark Grue. Sutherland questioned whether Calgary needed two major convention venues, given the $500-million expansion of the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, which would more than double its capacity to nearly one million square feet. He noted that the BMO Centre would offer more modern facilities, greater flexibility, and significantly higher capacity, making it better suited for large-scale events. In contrast, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, with only 122,000 square feet, was described as outdated and underutilized. It was suggested that the city consider selling the property, calling it “prime real estate” with potential for private redevelopment. This sparked debate about the Centre’s role in Calgary’s downtown revitalization and whether the area could evolve into a dedicated arts district.[12]
Emergency shelter conditions during COVID-19
In March 2020, the Convention Centre was repurposed as an emergency shelter to support Calgary’s homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the move was praised for its urgency, concerns were raised about overcrowding, lack of privacy, and inadequate sanitation. Images circulated at the time showed rows of cots spaced across the exhibition hall, prompting public reactions that described the conditions as stark and dystopian. Advocacy groups noted that the facility was not designed for long-term shelter use and called for more sustainable housing solutions. In subsequent years, criticism has continued regarding safety concerns, as the growing unhoused population around the Centre has led to increased scrutiny of its role in downtown public space management and safety.[13][14]
Wrongful arrest lawsuit linked to political event
In 2017, a former campaign organizer for Jason Kenney filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest while attending a Progressive Conservative leadership convention held at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. The plaintiff claimed that security personnel employed by the Convention Centre forcibly detained him without cause, violating his Charter rights. The arrest was allegedly politically motivated, and the lawsuit named both Calgary police and Convention Centre security in its claims. The incident raised questions about the Centre’s coordination with law enforcement and private security during high-profile political events.[15]
Facilities
The main level of the north building has seven meeting rooms adjacent to a large pre-function area and two meeting rooms with a semi-private pre-function area. The upper level contains the exhibit hall.[16][2]
The lower level of the south building houses Macleod Hall, four meeting rooms and a large pre-function area. The Ideation Centre, consisting of four meeting rooms with a pre-function area, occupies the main floor, while the upper level houses nine meeting rooms.[17][2]
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