Banff Hall is now a new working and meeting space for The Calgary Airport Authority employees

You may have noticed that Banff Hall is open again. It has been recently converted from its former retail and public lounge use to a meeting and work space for The Calgary Airport Authority employees.

“We have close to 300 employees working for the Authority and we are literally busting at the seams on the mezzanine level for office space and meeting rooms. The airport was built many years ago when our employee number was much smaller and we simply do not fit in our office space anymore,” says Michael Hayward, Vice-President, Marketing and Guest Services.

The Authority made very minor changes to this space and leveraged pre-existing furniture in order to repurpose it for our airport’s current need. We also added the new Experience Lab (on the right side of the space) to test new airport technologies that will lead to a better airport, and therefore a better guest experience.

The Authority is a business like any other and needs to be flexible to meet the current needs of a modern airport and changing needs of those who use the airport. The priority continues to be identifying new, creative, innovative ways to improve guest experiences throughout the facility, which also means giving employees a space and environment that empowers them to do their best work.

The reality is that the use of space at airports around the world has changed since 9/11. Regulations have changed in the last 18 years to keep us all more safe and secure. Therefore, our research indicates that guests want to get through security as soon as possible, then relax and wait for their departure. With that, our emphasis is shifting to providing improved shopping, dining and lounging options post-security.

There are still numerous places to lounge and relax pre and post-security. Prior to entering the screening locations, the mezzanine food court offers lots of natural light and great views of the planes coming in and leaving. There are also 100+ brown leather, cozy chairs for relaxing and resting all throughout arrivals, departures and the mezzanine area.

How can TeamYYC support the new space?

• Have a meeting with an Authority employee? You are welcome to meet in Banff Hall, as long as you are with an Authority employee.
• We may on occasion, use the Banff Hall for events that will be open to TeamYYC so we look forward to your participation and attendance at those events.
• As we bring new airport technologies and products in the Experience lab (on the right side of the space), we will need TeamYYC members to review, assess and trial these items.

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