Changing Places: How Calgary’s Growth, Events, and Public Spaces Shape Signage Opportunities
Thursday, September 17 | Day 1
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM | Lunch Panel
Changing Places: How Calgary’s Growth, Events, and Public Spaces Shape Signage Opportunities
Calgary is changing quickly through events, development, tourism, construction, and public-space investment. For sign companies, that change is not just background noise: it shapes what clients need, how projects are planned, and where signage creates value. Find out what can sign companies can learn from the people shaping Calgary’s growth.
Speaker: Jim Laurendeau
Executive Vice-President – Park Development & Operations
Jim joined the Stampede in 1999 and held increasingly senior roles in various departments before being appointed Executive Vice-President in 2024.
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In his current role, Jim is responsible for development on Stampede Park, including the build-out of the Youth Campus, the extension of 17th Avenue through Stampede Park, the design and construction of the BMO Centre expansion, the introduction of a hotel, and numerous other initiatives. In collaboration with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and The City of Calgary, Jim and his team are working to develop the area as part of Calgary’s Culture & Entertainment District. As well, Jim oversees the organization’s operations related to public safety, maintenance, parking, and environmental stewardship.
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Previously, Jim led the programming of the 2012 Centennial Stampede, mobilized the organization’s 2013 operational response following the worst flood in Canadian history, and led the Stampede’s safety response during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the Past President of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions and a Roll of Honour inductee in that organization.
Speaker: Clare LePan
Vice President - Communications & Strategic Partnerships at CMLC
Now 15 years into her tenure with CMLC, Clare is a member of the executive leadership team, helping guide the organization's strategic direction and ensuring communications, engagement, and partnerships support CMLC's city-building mandate and long-term objectives. She leads strategic communications and engagement programs for East Village and The Culture + Entertainment District and oversees CMLC's strategic partnerships, fostering collaboration with public, private, and community stakeholders to advance transformative city-building initiatives. Under Clare's leadership, the organization's Marketing & Communications team undertakes all corporate communications, community engagement, place branding and marketing, research, programming, and safety & vitality initiatives.
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She also oversees strategic communications for several of Calgary's most transformative city-building projects, including the Werklund Centre Transformation, Olympic Plaza Transformation, and the BMO Centre expansion and Central Library. Clare has also played a key role in the initiation, communications, and public engagement efforts supporting CMLCs entry into Transit Oriented Communities in Calgary, helping advance understanding and support for more connected, community-focused development.
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Equipped with a BA in Communications (Public Relations) and backed by several years of experience with a local marketing agency specializing in strategic communications and marketing for land developers across Canada and the U.S., Clare is also responsible for building and managing relationships with CMLC's city-building, developer, government, and community partners in support of the organization's strategic plan.
Clare is a member of ULI Alberta (a Canadian District Council of the Urban Land Institute) and the global City Nation Place Advisory Group. She recently participated as part of the City of Calgary's Downtown Safety Leadership Table.
Speaker: Nando DeGirolamo
Principal, Owner, and Creative Director of BOND Creative Inc.
Nando DeGirolamo is the Principal, Owner, and Creative Director of BOND Creative Inc., bringing more than 30 years of experience in environmental graphic design, signage, wayfinding, and brand implementation. Throughout his career, he has led the planning and creative development of complex wayfinding and signage programs that improve user experience while strengthening organizational identity.
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His portfolio spans municipalities, healthcare, post-secondary education, transportation, cultural institutions, recreation, and commercial developments. Notable clients include the City of Calgary, BC Ferries, Calgary Stampede, SAIT Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, the University of Lethbridge, Alberta Children's Hospital, WinSport Canada, Calgary Transit, and the Town of Cochrane.
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Nando played a key role in developing the Calgary Stampede's master brand and environmental graphics program, integrating branding, signage, donor recognition, sponsorship, and experiential design into a cohesive visitor experience. His work reflects a balance of strategic thinking, creativity, technical expertise, and practical implementation.
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Known for his collaborative leadership style, Nando works closely with clients, architects, consultants, and project teams to establish clear objectives, align stakeholders, and guide projects from concept through implementation. His expertise includes master planning, wayfinding strategy, creative direction, signage systems, donor recognition, project management, and implementation planning.
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As Principal of BOND Creative, Nando provides creative leadership across all projects, overseeing strategic planning, design direction, client engagement, project delivery, and quality assurance to ensure successful outcomes that are innovative, functional, and enduring.