Calgary To Host The 2016 JUNOS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (CARAS) has announced that Calgary, Alberta will play host to the 45th annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week celebrations in 2016. Calgary first hosted to JUNOs in 2008 and after a successful community-based bid led by Tourism Calgary, the city will again welcome Juno Week March 28 – April 3, 2016.
“We’re delighted that the JUNO Awards will be returning to Calgary for the first time in eight years,” said Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary. “2016 will be a great year for music in Calgary as we highlight Canada’s best musical talents during JUNO Week, followed by the opening of the highly anticipated National Music Centre later in the year.”
Hosting a major national event like the JUNO Awards falls in line with the Alberta Music Cities Initiative (AMCI) and the Fertile Ground 2014 report, which outlines several recommendations on how music can be positioned as a vehicle for the diversification of Alberta’s economy and a tool that municipalities can use to stimulate economic growth, increase investment, retain youth, and drive tourism.
In 2008, the Juno Awards generated a total economic impact of $11.3 million for the city of Calgary. From 2007 to 2014 the JUNO Awards have created a total economic impact of almost $88 million combined from its hosting cities like Toronto ($14 million), Regina ($10 million) and Calgary.
“To bring the industry to Calgary and let them see the NMC is just too good of an opportunity to have go by,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO of CARAS/The JUNO Awards, when speaking with The Calgary Herald. “It just feels like such a great opportunity to be in Calgary around the time to help them launch that.”
When it is completed, the new 160,000-square-foot facility will house the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as community and education programs.
“I’m thrilled Calgarians will once again be hosting the JUNO Awards,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who will be in attendance at next month’s JUNO Awards in Hamilton, ON. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Calgary and our music and culture scene.”
The 45th annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast on CTV from The Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, April 3, 2016.
