ABOUT CDA

What's Calgary Downtown Association?

 

Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) advocates for – and activates – an area with over 50 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, restaurant, entertainment, attractions, cultural and government buildings.

We’re Calgary’s largest Business Improvement Area (BIA) with more than 30 years’ experience and commitment to improving the daily Downtown experience for our members, their customers, residents and stakeholders.

Our members join us from over 2,500 businesses within Calgary’s 120-block Downtown Core. We’re non-profit, funded primarily by a levy on the business taxes paid by Downtown businesses.

Our Vision

Spearheading prosperity for Downtown businesses by intentionally shaping the character of Calgary.

OUR ROLE

CDA is a collection of residents, businesses and organizations that have come together to improve and promote the downtown community.

The symbiotic relationship between commercial and residential use downtown helps contribute to the character and health of a thriving and vibrant city. CDA works as a catalyst for civic improvement in a number of ways.

  • Advocacy for policies and practices that support economic vitality.

  • Enhanced economic development of our area through promotion and marketing resources.

  • Improved physical environment for public and commercial spaces.

  • Collaboration with The City of Calgary in delivery of municipal services.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024)

We’re governed by up to 12 member Board of Directors that are elected for a three year term. 

All Directors are downtown ratepayers in good standing with the City of Calgary and Calgary Downtown Association. They’re nominated by a minimum of five business representatives within the Calgary Downtown Association’s boundaries, and are elected at our annual AGM.

  • Colton Lewis

    Chair

    CLEO Energy Corp.

  • Tyler Varga

    Vice-Chair, Treasurer

    ARC Financial Corp.

  • Ken Flores

    Director

    Fairmont Palliser

  • Paul Bazay

    Director

    Sajak & Farki

  • Ramona Biggar

    Director

    Brookfield Properties

  • Scott Boyd

    Director

    Calgary Police Service

  • Cindy Dolland

    Director

    Scotiabank

  • Mark Mielke

    Director

    MLT Aikins LLP

  • Marc Stevens

    Director

    Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Mark Garner

    Executive Director

    Calgary Downtown Association

 

Treaty 7 Territory Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Learn more

External Whistleblower Policy

Calgary Downtown Association (“CDA”) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. We do this by conducting our business with maximum integrity and by achieving full compliance will our bylaws, rules and regulations. In line with this commitment, the CDA provides an avenue for its stakeholders, rate payers, and other members of the public to report any concerns they may have about the CDA’s activities and to be assured that they will be protected from reprisal or victimization for reporting their concerns in good faith.

Download our policy (PDF)