Calgary submission offers Amazon a turnkey option for HQ2

CALGARY, Oct. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Calgary Economic Development delivered its bid to Amazon today to be the location for its second headquarters and while details of the submission are confidential, the bid did confirm we're not saying we'd fight a bear for you ... but we totally would.

The 200-plus page submission was hand delivered to Amazon today in Seattle.

Calgary offers Amazon a unique value proposition for HQ2 with top quality human resources, turnkey real estate solutions, a low cost of doing business, and an exceptional quality of life. As our sales pitch suggests, we will do more to help Amazon than any other city.

For the record, the "fight a bear" reference is a metaphor. No bears were harmed in the development of this bid.

"We have had tremendous community input into our bid and it reflects the work ethic and creativity of Calgarians," said Mary Moran, President & CEO, Calgary Economic Development. "We've said from Day 1 we're in this to win it and after compiling the submission, I'm more confident we have a unique offer that meets Amazon's business needs."

To capture Amazon's attention, a 120-ft. by 10-ft. banner was unveiled on a building under construction near its Seattle headquarters with the slogan we're not saying we'd fight a bear for you ... but we totally would. Other cheeky, bold messages intended to break through the clutter of bids from other cities appeared in chalk on nearby pedestrian sidewalks.

"One of Amazon's top priorities is the ability to build a quality workforce. Between our public schools and post-secondary institutions, and the way we welcome people from around the globe, Calgary can help Amazon connect with the world," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "We are consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the world in which to live. Calgary has a quality of life that will help Amazon attract the very best people."

Almost 1,400 people joined the online community #LoveYYC and developed more than 400 submissions for "elevator pitches" to sell Amazon on Calgary. At a Calgary Flames NHL game, the week before the bid was submitted, close to 19,000 people chanted "Come On, Amazon!"

The business community is backing Calgary's bid.

"We have letters of support from more than 100 CEOs that explain how the entrepreneurial energy and can-do attitude in Calgary contributes to an innovation ecosystem here that has helped their companies succeed ? in many cases on a global level," said Adam Waterous, Managing Director & CEO of Waterous Energy Fund, and a member of the HQ2 Executive Committee.

Calgary Economic Development hosted a media briefing today to explain key elements of its bid. Copies of the submission will not be available to media as we cannot disclose any commercially sensitive information.

More information on Calgary's bid for HQ2 can be found at www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

SOURCE Calgary Economic Development Ltd.