November events at the Shaw Conference Centre

Shaw Conference Centre honours late architect Jim Wensley
—SCC will pay tribute to its designer by planting an oak tree in downtown river valley

In recognition of the life and work of former Edmontonian and convention centre architect B. James (Jim) Wensley, the Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) will have a Burr Oak tree planted in his honour. The Burr Oak symbolises strength, and at maturity, stands over 20 metres tall and 18 metres wide. Wensley’s tree and its accompanying plaque will be located in Louise McKinney Riverfront Park in Edmonton’s downtown river valley.

"Mr. Wensley designed the original convention centre over 25 years ago and it truly was an inspired concept to link downtown to the river valley,” says SCC’s Assistant General Manager Cliff Higuchi. “We hope the oak tree planted in his honour, just a stone’s throw from the convention centre, is something he would have appreciated.”

Jim Wensley graduated from the University of Alberta in 1952 with a degree in Civil Engineering, and from the University of British Columbia in 1956 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He started his career in Vancouver in 1958 and four years later returned to Edmonton with his family to start a very successful architectural business. Along with the Shaw Conference Centre, Wensley’s Edmonton accomplishments include Scotia Place, Oxford Towers, the original Southgate Centre and Mayfair Golf and Country Club, to name a few. After calling Edmonton home for nearly 30 years he returned to Vancouver in 1989 and opened B. James Wensley Architecture.

Following a brief battle with cancer, Jim Wensley died peacefully in a Vancouver hospital on October 15, 2009 at the age of 79. His life and work in Edmonton will be celebrated at a memorial service at the Shaw Conference Centre on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 at 3 p.m.

Media Contact:
Cathy Ennis
Communications Manager, External Relations
Edmonton Economic Development Corp (EEDC)
Phone: 780.917.7894
Email: Cennis@edmonton.com

The Shaw Conference Centre is one of Canada’s premier meeting, entertainment, and convention venues and is managed by Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). For more information, visit www.edmonton.com. Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who've experienced it at
www.edmontonstories.ca.

The following major events are scheduled at the Shaw Conference Centre during November 2009:

Nov. 5-7, 2009 – Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival
The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival features an extensive selection of wine, scotch, port, and beer samples from all over the world. The festival offers a chance to try new vintages, explore new products and gain valuable information from industry experts. For more information visit www.rockymountainwine.com

Nov. 6, 2009 – Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital: Spotlight on Research Breakfast
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death and disability among Canadians. Join the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for breakfast to learn about exciting research in this field and hear how patients at the Glenrose benefit from the Cardiac Rehabilitation program. For more information visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/670.asp

Nov. 7, 2009 – Denim & Diamonds Gala & Auction
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual fundraising event includes cocktails, dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions to raise funds for diabetes research. For more information visit www.jdrf.ca

Nov. 9, 2009 – A Conversation with Dr. Alan Greenspan
TAQA presents Dr. Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve System and a leading world expert on economics. Greenspan will speak about the changing global economy, the future of oil and gas and how both affect Canada. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, call 780.451.8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Nov. 10, 2009 – Tiesto
Dutch DJ, Tiesto will perform an array of electronic dance music. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, call 780.451.8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Nov. 11 – Stone Temple Pilots
The revival of the Stone Temple Pilots is coming to the Shaw Conference Centre. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, call 780.451.8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Nov. 13, 2009 – Redemption
Redemption is a live boxing event. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, call 780.451.8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Nov. 14, 2009 – Matthew Good
Canada’s own Matthew Good performs with Mother Mother at this all-ages event. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Call 780.451.8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca

Nov. 19-20, 2009 – Green Industry Show & Conference
With over 150 exhibitors, the Green Industry Show & Conference is the largest event on the prairies for landscape, nursery crops, garden centre, turf and tree industry professionals. The conference showcases 15 technical and educational speakers. For more information visit www.greenindustryshow.com

Nov 24, 2009 – EEDC 2010 Economic Outlook Luncheon
Edmonton and area politicians, business leaders and business educators are invited to join Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC) and five industry leaders to explore what 2010 could bring to regional and global economies. This year’s expert panel includes: Hon. Iris Evans, Minister of Finance & Enterprise, Government of Alberta; Leo de Bever, CEO of AIMCo; John Hokanson, a successful Edmonton entrepreneur; Dave Mowat, CEO of ATB Financial; and Dr. Mike Percy, Dean, School of Business, University of Alberta. For more information visit www.edmonton.com/outlook2010

Nov. 24-25, 2009 – InnoWest 2009: Value Creation through Innovation
Innovation has created value-added opportunities and new, high-technology enterprises in Western Canada, but globalization has also threatened many of these companies. The Centre for Innovation Studies brings together international experts and local leaders to speak about these issues and take questions from the audience. For more information visit www.thecis.ca

Nov. 26-29, 2009 – University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees
Experience the magical sights and sounds of hundreds of trees and festive decorations. Surrounding the displays are children’s activities, live entertainment, shops with holiday treats and special gifts. For more information visit www.festivaloftrees.ab.ca


Media Contact:
Crystal McPhee, External Relations
Phone: 780.917.7897
E-mail: cmcphee@edmonton.com