Okay, so I’m a firm believer in professional development. So, when I signed up for a web design conference in Calgary, I was excited.
But, oh my gosh, the experience was a complete disaster. The venue was cramped, the Wi-Fi was worse than dial-up, and the coffee was lukewarm and tasted more like bitter water than anything.
I felt like I was back in the 80s, and not in a good way. I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
We heard horror stories from others about poorly organised events and uncomfortable seating; it was enough to make us want to curl up in a corner and cry.
We’re not the only ones who want a conference experience that isn’t a complete waste of time and money.
So, we popped into a few conference centres ourselves and compiled a list of the best in Calgary—the ones that will make your next event a resounding success.
How much does it cost to have an event at a conference centre in Calgary?
It costs at least 50 CAD per person to have an event at a conference centre in Calgary. The total cost will vary depending on the venue you choose, the type of event, and the number of guests.
Table of Contents
1. Metropolitan Conference Centre
Address: 333 4 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403-266-3876
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
The Metropolitan Conference Centre is designed to host everything from intimate meetings of 10 to grand conventions of up to 800 guests. Talk about versatility!
Right off the bat, we snagged free street parking near the venue.
Walking inside, the design of this place is sleek and modern. Plus, their ergonomic seating was super comfy—something we all appreciate during long meetings.
We were also greeted by a few event coordinators who assured us that their team is pretty hands-on. They helped with coordinating everything from logistics to catering options.
Several people we interviewed echoed these statements. They said the staff made sure their events went smoothly.
Plus, the conference centre offers a tempting menu. It includes Italian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. Even better, if you have a favourite local spot, they’re cool with outside catering too.
They also have solid tech options like satellite and video conferencing. This makes it easy for remote attendees to join in.
While the main conference rooms were impressive, the breakout rooms could use a little TLC. The condition of those rooms was a bit disappointing—outdated furniture and some wear and tear.
The ease of logistics and pricing can’t be beat!
“We recently held a 4-day workshop at the Metropolitan Conference Centre which by all accounts was a great event. The booking staff were helpful and courteous describing the different options for us, the set-up and AV staff were knowledgeable and informed, and the catering staff were on-time and flexible with our last minute changes. We held this same workshop at the Metropolitan Conference Centre ten years ago and then moved it to Banff for the last decade. We have decided that next year we will be back at the Metropolitan Conference Centre, as the ease of logistics and pricing can’t be beat! Special mention should go out to Jason. He is without question the best host and representative that the Metropolitan Conference Centre has to offer. He has been there for at least 15+ years, and it shows.”
– Paul Bryden, Google Reviews
Staff are always professional
“Good place for a conference or meeting. Staff are always professional.”
– Erich Stilling, Google Reviews
2. White Diamond Conference Center
Address: 130 3 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 368-999-2989
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 10:30 AM to 3 PM
White Diamond Conference Centre accommodates groups ranging from 100 to 500 guests. They’re great for everything from conferences to team-building activities.
Many who hosted networking events here couldn’t stop raving about the ambience. As soon as we walked in, natural light flooded the space. What’s more, the stunning view of the downtown Calgary skyline is hard to beat.
Moreover, several companies enjoyed the tech at their disposal that made their corporate events a success.
Whether you’re showcasing a new product or leading a training session, the conference room is equipped with projectors and screens. They’re perfect for presentations or workshops.
In addition, the in-house audio-visual equipment includes microphones. It ensures clear communication throughout events.
Others complimented the variety of the catering here. From buffet-style meals to plated options and even vegan and gluten-friendly choices, there’s something for everyone.
However, we did run into one major downside: parking. It’s pretty limited, which can be a bummer for big events.
The service they provide is really good
“We booked White Diamond for 250 people gathering, the entire experience working with the owner and his team was simply amazing. From picking up crockery to table clothes, stage setting background, providing cheffing dishes at eleventh hour. The service they provide is really good. They provided free parking at Harry Hays building for all our guests. They also allowed to use the space till late night like 2am. So there are very little banquet halls in Calgary who can provided the service they provided.”
– Azhar Syed, Google Reviews
Showed extreme dedication
“Ravi has revamped the entire place. He is so easy to work with. He is responsive, and was willing to go above and beyond for our corporate event. Ravi has an eye for success and we could not have been happier. He ensure our event ran smoothly and showed extreme dedication in making our event run without a hitch.”
– A Bir, Google Reviews
3. King George Conference and Event Centre
Address: 3750 46 Ave SE #331
Contact details: +1 403-246-1503
King George Conference and Event Centre is for anyone looking to host an event, whether it’s for a wedding or a good old-fashioned party. And it’s got ample parking, which is always a win in our book!
In terms of the actual event space, the conference room and banquet room can seat about 100 people each. We saw a group setting up for a corporate event, and they had everything they needed. This includes internet access and A/V equipment.
We also checked out the board room, which seats around 20. It’s intimate and perfect for those high-stakes meetings or brainstorming sessions.
The fact that everything is on the ground level and fully accessible is a big plus too; it means that everyone can join in without any hassle.
While the facilities are fantastic, the staff could use a bit of a boost in customer service. During our visit, a couple of staff members were not as friendly as we’d hoped.
Clean, reasonable prices
“Clean, reasonable prices and plenty of free parking.”
– Chuck Rose, Google Reviews
Nice facility
“Nice facility for meetings.”
– Andrew Pokolinski, Google Reviews
4. Ross Glen Hall
Address: 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW
Contact details: +1 403-440-8890
Operating hours: Open 24 Hours
If you’re on the hunt for a versatile and visually stunning venue, Ross Glen is worth checking out. They can comfortably fit up to 600 people in a theatre setup, 400 for banquets, and 270 for classroom-style events.
Whether you’re hosting a conference or even a trade show, this venue has got you covered.
As we strolled through the centre, we admired the vaulted ceilings and their huge southeast-facing windows. They really light up the room and create an inviting atmosphere.
Techwise, Ross Glen is equipped with SMART technology, an LCD projector, and five large screens.
They even have a high-quality sound system. This means you can seriously nail those multimedia presentations.
The setup is super flexible, with retractable dividers allowing for various configurations.
While the venue itself is impressive, a few people mentioned that the service can be a bit slow. This is especially true when it comes to assisting with setup.
The sounds and screens were great, loved the layout
“We had our October 2018 Young Living rally at Ross Glen Hall. This was a great venue for an event like this. The sounds and screens were great, loved the layout and not having to crane my neck to see the presentations! Would love to see more events hosted at this venue!”
– Tamara Jansen, Google Reviews
It was an excellent venue
“For our purposes it was an excellent venue, close to public transportation, sufficent size, great natural light, lobby is spacious with many good seating areas. Bathrooms were slightly out of the way.”
– Darren Mycroft, Google Reviews
5. MacEwan Conference & Event Centre
Address: 2500 University Dr NW
Contact details: +1 403-210-9375
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
MacEwan Conference & Event Centre has over 40,000 square feet of space. This means they can host everything from intimate meetings to grand banquets for up to 1,000 guests.
As we walked through the facilities, we couldn’t help but notice how spacious and flexible the setup was. The layout is pillar-free, which makes a huge difference if you’re trying to arrange seating or set up for a presentation.
We talked to a few event organisers, and they all raved about how easy it was to customise the space to fit their vision. Several people even mentioned how the natural light streaming in made their event feel warm and inviting.
As far as their tech goes, they offer complimentary high-speed internet and full audio-visual services. We checked out the sound system; it’s clear they’ve invested in getting it acoustically balanced by a specialised sound engineer.
While the audio was solid, the video projector didn’t quite deliver the brightness we expected. Some of the videos they displayed looked fuzzy, which could be a dealbreaker if you’re planning to showcase visuals prominently during your event.
Large, ambient space for events, conferences, meetings
“Large, ambient space for events, conferences, meetings, fairs and so on. We’ll maintained area!”
– Rakshit Narayanan Devaraj Baskar, Google Reviews
The staff were great
“Great amenities. The staff were great, and the food was good. The University of Calgary did a wonderful job.”
– Cliff Blackwell, Google Reviews
