Building Bridges at the Calgary Stampede 2025
This July, the Canada-Israel Chamber of Commerce (CICC) had the honour of participating in one of Canada’s most celebrated cultural events—the Calgary Stampede. Known for its vibrant energy and deep-rooted tradition, the Stampede surpassed our expectations as a powerful platform for fostering dialogue, creating new partnerships, and accelerating momentum for our re-energized CICC.
With millions of visitors attending the Stampede and Calgary buzzing with corporate, political, and family-friendly activities, this iconic two-week period evolved to a strategic launchpad for meaningful economic engagement between Canadian and Israeli communities.
A Reintroduction with Purpose
As part of our renewed mission to foster business, innovation, and collaboration between Canada and Israel, the Stampede marked a timely opportunity to reintroduce the CICC and outline our evolving goals. With our presence, we aimed to bring visibility to sectors ripe for cross-border growth—particularly agri-tech, clean energy, AI, and sustainable infrastructure. The event’s rich tapestry of industries and interests made it an ideal venue for starting meaningful conversations.
A Collaborative Approach
We’re especially grateful to the Embassy of Israel in Canada and Ambassador Iddo Moed for hosting us for the ShukTech event and championing a truly collaborative approach to networking. The Embassy’s support and shared commitment to dialogue helped shape a space where ideas flowed freely, introductions were made with intention, and long-term partnerships began to take root.
The Embassy’s and the Ambassador’s presence underscored the importance of diplomacy in economic development, and their advocacy helped elevate the tone of our engagements throughout the Stampede.
From Rodeo Grounds to Boardrooms
Despite its Western flair, the Calgary Stampede drew a diverse crowd of professionals and decision-makers. We connected with tech entrepreneurs, government leaders and policymakers, agri-business owners, and startup founders—all with an eye on global opportunity.
The conversations ranged from shared R&D models and market expansion strategies to exploring innovation ecosystems in both countries. These exchanges reminded us that the Canadian and Israeli business landscapes—though different in scale and style—have countless points of convergence.
A Glimpse of What’s Ahead
The insights and enthusiasm generated at the Stampede have already sparked planning for upcoming roundtables, trade delegations, and collaborative projects. There’s a palpable excitement surrounding the revitalization of Canada-Israel commercial ties in a way that’s thoughtful, inclusive, and forward-looking.
We left Calgary with fresh energy, a growing network, and a reaffirmed belief that tradition and innovation aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re complementary forces. And when placed in a context like the Stampede, that combination creates something unforgettable.
Moving Forward
As we continue this new chapter for the CICC, we carry the momentum of Calgary with us. It’s just the beginning of a series of engagements we’re planning across Canada to spark conversation, build relationships, and support economic growth that benefits both countries.
We invite our members and supporters to stay tuned for updates, join upcoming events, and continue shaping a future that thrives on collaboration and shared values.