Promoting community and cultural diversity at GlobalFest Calgary
Between August 17 – 26, 2023 Westland Insurance participated as a Passport Pursuit Presenting Partner for the annual GlobalFest in Calgary, Alberta. GlobalFest is a not-for-profit community development agency dedicated to celebrating, showcasing and promoting ethno-cultural diversity and artistic excellence. Sponsoring the event aligns with Westland’s core value of community, as GlobalFest offers enrichment and connection among community members while simultaneously enhancing Alberta’s reputation as an international destination.
Westland hosted a tent during the festival where at least two staff from a Calgary or surrounding area branch volunteered and represented Westland each night. Our volunteers spoke with festivalgoers about Westland, gave away promotional items and hosted the popular Passport Pursuit contest. For this contest, participants had to answer region-specific trivia questions in their paper or digital passports that could be picked up at the Westland tent. The contest’s prize was two Business Class return airfare tickets for anywhere in the world that Air Canada flies. On the finale night of the festival, Westland hosted a VIP tent and event for clients from Calgary and the surrounding area branches. Our clients enjoyed an exclusive section on the festival grounds to watch the finale fireworks display as well as a catered private tent to meet and mingle.
While one of the event’s main focuses is an international firework competition, GlobalFest offers more to its festivalgoers than just a chance to see fireworks: the event elevates international fare through local restaurants; the night market hosted by local vendors showcases authentic keepsakes and clothing for purchase; live music and dancing from around the world could also be experienced at the performance stages; children’s programming and community activation spaces were also present at the event.
GlobalFest takes place in Moh’kinsstis Treaty 7 territory, home to the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations, and home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. GlobalFest is dedicated to facilitating discussions around racism, discrimination, oppression and justice, through forums and educational programming. This aligns with Westland’s Amplifying Communities pillar of diversity, equity and inclusion. Supporting events like GlobalFest helps us to support and engage communities as well as work towards a more inclusive society.
