Calgary Canada
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the economic hub of western Canada, built on oil and gas wealth but increasingly diverse in its economy and population. The downtown core is compact and walkable, centred around Stephen Avenue and the Beltline neighbourhood, with a covered pedestrian network connecting most major buildings - useful in winter but barely needed in July when the city hosts PETS 2026. The surrounding landscape is one of the most dramatic of any major Canadian city: the Rocky Mountains are visible on clear days from the city centre, and Banff National Park is 90 minutes west by car. The city hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics and has retained strong sports and outdoor culture, with the Calgary Stampede rodeo and festival drawing visitors every July. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is well connected to most North American hubs and has direct routes to London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, making it reasonably accessible for European researchers. The TELUS Convention Centre in the downtown core is the main conference venue and is surrounded by hotels and restaurants within easy walking distance.
- Banff National Park - 90 minutes west by car or Banff Airporter shuttle, one of the most spectacular national parks in the world. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway are all within reach on a day trip from Calgary.
- Studio Bell and National Music Centre - A striking contemporary building in the East Village neighbourhood housing the National Music Centre, with exhibits on Canadian music history and interactive instruments.
- Calgary Zoo - A well-regarded zoo on St George’s Island along the Bow River, easily accessible from downtown and worth a half-day.
- Stephen Avenue Walk - Calgary’s main pedestrian street in the heart of downtown, lined with restaurants, bars, and heritage sandstone buildings from the city’s early boom years.
- Inglewood neighbourhood - Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, a 15-minute walk from the convention centre along the Bow River, with independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
- Prince’s Island Park - A riverside park island directly north of downtown with walking and cycling paths, popular with locals on summer evenings.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is 17 kilometres northeast of downtown. The 300 BRT express bus runs to the city centre for around 3.65 CAD and takes 45-60 minutes. Taxis and rideshare run around 35-45 CAD. There is no rail link from the airport to downtown.
The CTrain light rail system runs two lines through downtown and is free within the downtown fare zone - the most useful route for conference attendees connects the convention centre area to the Beltline and Inglewood neighbourhoods. Rideshare (Uber) is reliable throughout. The city is spread out beyond downtown so a car is useful for anything outside the central area.
July (PETS 2026 dates) is one of Calgary’s best months: warm and dry at 23-28C with long daylight hours and low humidity. Summers are reliably sunny. The Calgary Stampede runs the first two weeks of July and brings significant crowds and higher hotel prices - PETS dates (July 20-25) fall after the Stampede, so this is less of a concern.
Map
1 upcoming conference in Calgary
Our picks in Calgary
A curated selection of hotels chosen for location, value, and fit for conference travellers.
Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
635 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G2, Canada
Modern four-star Canadian boutique chain hotel in the East Village, a 15-minute walk from the convention centre along the Bow River pathway...
Fairmont Palliser
133 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2M3, Canada
Calgary’s landmark grand railway hotel, built in 1914 and connected to the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre via the +15 skybridge - the...
Hampton Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown
327 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1J1, Canada
Three-star Hilton with complimentary hot breakfast and indoor pool in the downtown core, a 10-minute walk from the convention centre - the...
Hotel Arts
119 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G8, Canada
Boutique four-star hotel in the Beltline neighbourhood with an outdoor heated pool and rotating art installations throughout the property - well suited...
Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
110 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5A6, Canada
Reliable four-star Marriott directly adjacent to the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, making it the most practical option for PETS attendees who prioritise...
Community Notes