New city logo focuses on Calgary's inclusivity, sunniest-city flex

Calgary introduced a new logo this week representing collective voices and a bright, sunny future. (www.blueskycity.ca - image credit)
Calgary introduced a new logo this week representing collective voices and a bright, sunny future. (www.blueskycity.ca - image credit)

The City of Calgary has a new logo that's about bringing people together, and looking up to a sunny, clear-blue sky.

Beadwork represents each individual Calgarian's story coming together as a whole, Calgary Economic Development (CED)  wrote in a release.

"The visual identity was inspired by beadwork which captures Calgary's story as a place of confluence where peoples, lands, cultures and ideas come together."

The logo was officially introduced at First Flip, the first Calgary Stampede breakfast Thursday morning.

"Stampede is about our city coming together to celebrate that community spirit. I can't think of a better time to share this milestone with Calgarians," Mayor Jyoti Gondek said.

The Blue Sky City branding celebrates Calgary's status as Canada's sunniest major city, with 333 days on average per year.

To date, $1.7 million has been spent on brand development and rollout, according to CED.

That includes research and engagement, photography and videography, and promotional materials for upcoming community events, among other things.

For the total brand development and rollout project budget, CED was given $1.8 million and Tourism Calgary was given $3 million, for a combined total of $4.8 million over four years.

An additional $1 million was allocated to Tourism Calgary for brand maintenance moving forward.

Research indicated Calgary's former logo didn't really land with people in or outside of the city.

This 'Calgary: Be Part of the Energy' sign welcomes visitors entering the city from the west.
This 'Calgary: Be Part of the Energy' sign welcomes visitors entering the city from the west.

This 2016 'Calgary: Be Part of the Energy' sign welcomes visitors entering the city from the west. (Google Maps)

"Calgary's story doesn't belong to any one group; it belongs to all Calgarians and it's a story about our collective voices that come together to tell a larger story about who we are as a city," said Brad Parry of Calgary Economic Development.

"That's why we intentionally engaged with all of our communities to unearth a story that we hope reflects the diversity of Calgarians and draws people to our city to visit, build a life or build a business."