Disco Inferno: reality meets fantasy at "Chamber 54"

It’s not often you have the Mayor, the Premier, the federal Minister of Environment, and the provincial Lieutenant Governor in the same room. So when that precise cast of characters enters to the blaring tunes of “Disco Inferno”, introduced by a man in dark sunglasses and a white polyester suit, the feeling is positively surreal.

But real it was.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual “salute to excellence” gala recently at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Top business and government leaders gathered to honour their own, and welcome Mrs. Lois Mitchell as new chair for the board of directors. The evening’s theme was Studio 54, re-named Chamber 54 and billed as “a world where fantasy mingles with reality and all labels will be left behind.”

It remains unclear as to just whose fantasy would have acting CEO of the Chamber, Geoff Pradella and president of ATCO Gas Brian Hahn compete on centre stage for the title of “disco king”, but one of them certainly took home that label during the evening's events.

Throughout the function, the Saturday Night Fever-styled host who called himself Dirty Martini, urged a black-tie audience to shout “get down!” every time he said “Chamber 54”, and requested that all the ladies give catcalls any time he appeared on stage.

After a four course dinner, which included Alberta beef tenderloin and a caramel flavoured banana trifle mousse, tributes were paid to the immediate past chair, Mr. Hahn (who left the position to assume leadership of ATCO) and the incumbent, Mrs. Mitchell. Speeches were made by Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Premier Ed Stelmach, and Minister of Environment Jim Prentice, who is also the Regional Minister for Southern Alberta. Most leaders encouraged young entrepreneurs to take a “long view”, saying the tough times ahead could be overcome by optimism and patience. Despite their high spirits, the honourable members of government were noticeably absent from the dance floor later that night.

Among the other party-goers were: local television personality Dave Kelly, chair of the gala committee Kathy Pawluk, the Honourable Norman Kwong, president of The Calgary Foundation Eva Friesen, partner at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP Joe Lougheed, associate director of communications for Sunshine Village ski resort in Banff Doug Firby, team lead of community affairs for EnCana Vicki Reid, Steve Hogle and Bonni Clark of the Alberta Research Council, Judy McVean of Petro-Canada, and a host of MLAs from across the province.

Sherrold and Pat Moore, pillars of philanthropy and community spirit in this city, were honoured in a brief speech by Steve Snyder, who received the Sherrold Moore Award that evening. Mr. Snyder, president and CEO of TransAlta, was responsible for an ambitious project and strategy to end homelessness in ten years. With a firm plan, revitalized political will, and the best in corporate and non-profit talent, his initial committee became the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and his vision is well on its way to fruition. Cynthia Williams, a television producer, and the late Ian Anderson, former chair of the Chamber’s Natural Resources Committee, were also recognized with awards.

Published in National Post, February 7 2009