Joel Schlesinger © Postmedia Network Inc.
Originally published in the Calgary Herald on Jul. 30, 2024.
There are two kinds of businesses in Calgary — those up to the challenge, and those that have yet to take it on.
The Calgary Corporate Challenge, that is.
This organization, with the motto ‘Where Professionals Play Together,’ is preparing a range of activities for Calgary businesses during its September Games.
“It takes place over 15 days,” says Jacquie Li, executive director of Calgary Corporate Challenge, which was launched in 1996. “We run 20-plus events — everything from soccer and volleyball to trivia and cribbage.”
The September Games feature about 130 participating companies and non-profits. There’s always room for more — though not for this year’s Games. Li notes registration for 2025 starts Oct. 1 and runs until April because it takes months to get companies organized and to schedule all the events with so many participants.
The Games are great for company morale, she adds.
“If you’re the leader of a company, the event is really an opportunity to show your employees that you want to invest in them and ensure they feel a strong connection to one another,” Li says.
Besides the September Games, Calgary Corporate Challenge organizes other events, like July’s Step Challenge, in which companies compete to see how active their employees are versus other participating firms.
More than anything, be it the September Games or its annual slo-pitch tournament, Calgary Corporate Challenge helps workers forge stronger bonds in their own workplace and with other organizations in the city.
“It’s a really organic way to build relationships,” Li says. “Everyone participating has their company name on their T-shirts, and so it’s very easy to ask, ‘What does your organization do?’”
Of course, don’t just take her word for it, she adds.
“Come check out the Games this September and see what it does for companies and employees, and what it can do for your company next year.”
Learn more at calgarycorporatechallenge.com.
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.