For ten days every July, the Calgary Stampede draws massive crowds, and every surface becomes a chance to tell a story. Wayfinding has to be clear at a glance, partner brands have to look sharp, and every installation has to be ready before the gates open.
This year, our team delivered three signature projects across the grounds: the Agriculture Zone building graphics and signage, the GMC Stadium partner sign, and the GMC Stadium Banded Peak Bar. Here’s a look at how each one came together.
Agriculture Zone: Transforming a Building
The Agriculture Zone is one of the most visited areas of the park, and its graphics had to do two jobs: welcome guests and guide them.
Large format building graphics wrap the exterior, pairing full-colour photography of farm life with bold “Agriculture Zone” lettering. Alongside the wrap, a full signage package keeps visitors moving, including directional signs, welcome signs, Agriculture Exhibits fascia banners, entrance canopy graphics, and pole banners. The consistency ties it all together, so guests know they’re in the right place from the moment they arrive.
There are limits. Cold weather installs are typically limited to small kiss-cut vinyl and temporary window graphics, since there’s a chance of failure. We tend to avoid installing below 0°C and are cautious between 0°C and 5°C.
GMC Stadium Partner Sign: Making a Statement at the Main Entrance
Few spots on the Stampede Park grounds get more eyes than the entrance to the rodeo and evening show, and that’s where GMC’s partner sign makes its mark. Mounted high on the concrete face of GMC Stadium in Stampede Park, the large format graphic celebrates 40 years of GMC and the Calgary Stampede being partners.
A sign this size has to read from across the Stampede, hold its colour and sharpness in strong July sun, and stay securely in place for the entire event. The dark, detailed truck imagery makes print quality especially important, since there’s no hiding behind a simple graphic when thousands of guests walk right past it.
Banded Peak Bar: A Fully Branded Environment
Inside GMC Stadium, the concourse is a busy, high-traffic space where guests grab a drink between events, so a bar here needs to stand out fast. The Banded Peak Bar does exactly that. Working inside an active stadium means installing graphics on very different surfaces, including concrete columns, painted walls and bar fronts, while keeping colours consistent and everything clean and tight. When it all came together, the bar felt like a destination within the stadium rather than just another concession stand.
The Ultimate Payoff
From building wraps to partner signage to a fully branded bar, event signage succeeds when it looks great and works hard. When the gates opened, every space was ready.