"A PASSION FOR SCENTS AND SENSIBILITIES"
Laura Gadowsky
Northlands Board First-Vice Chair,
Chair, Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy's Benevolent Foundation
"Meet Laura Gadowsky, First Vice-Chair of the Northlands Board and Chair of the Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy's Benevolent Foundation. As a professional meeting planner Laura revels in the sensory experiences at Northlands from the aroma of Cotton Candy on the midway, to glittering galas and the roar of a rodeo crowd. Laura's sensibilities are fully engaged by the culture of community at Northlands."
Q&A – Laura Gadowsky
What keeps you involved as Northlands volunteer?
What I love most about being a volunteer at Northlands is that there is something new, something exciting happening everyday. All through the year there are so many different things going on that it infuses our city and nearby communities with a real sense of vibrancy, pride and togetherness. I am also so very proud of the many amazing people at Northlands; they work so hard to make sure our city experiences world-class concerts, a fantastic summer fair, the biggest rodeo in Canada and so much more.
What events at Northlands really stand out for you?
With all the things that happen at Northlands it's really tough to narrow it down but I can think of a couple that continue to enthrall me. I grew up on the coast and my dad worked at the exhibition in Vancouver. So, I just love Capital EX at Northlands. The sights, sounds and smells of the fair are absolutely captivating. When I walk down the midway I am always so drawn in by the smell of the hot dogs and onions fresh off the grill that I just have to indulge. There's also nothing like the smell of cotton candy and I just love watching it being made. And who can resist the mini-donuts?
My other favourite event at Northlands is the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Even though I grew up as a city girl, I also consider myself a rodeo girl. I just love the rodeo and CFR is such an incredibly vibrant atmosphere with the roaring crowds and amazing competitors. There is a real sense of family and community at CFR and that makes it such a great time of year to be at Northlands.
Tell us about the Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy's Benevolent Foundation?
I have been lucky enough to be the chair of the benevolent foundation for a number of years. The foundation is made up of members from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Northlands and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. For me, the foundation is a really rewarding way to give back to some truly outstanding people, families and athletes. Many of our cowboys and cowgirls make a living and support their families through rodeo. For many of them it's really difficult to get insurance and as a result they have very little in the way of financial support when they get injured. Because they depend on rodeo prize money to support themselves and their families they often try to rush back too soon from some pretty serious injuries and end up getting hurt again. It can become a vicious cycle. What the foundation does is help them by providing funds that reduce some of the financial pressure associated with being injured. The goal is to give them the time they need to get better and eventually get them back to competing. We have been lucky enough to help over 200 rodeo families over the years and I hope make a real difference in their lives.
As a meeting professional planner what impresses you about the events at Northlands?
As a person who organizes events for a living I like to think that I have a higher level of expectation than most people but I continue to be absolutely blown away by the number of exceptional things that Northlands does with its events. Each time I walk into a room, even when I have been in the same room many times before, there is always something new and exciting. The teams here are absolutely outstanding in making sure that each event has something that is truly special. It can be the atmosphere, the décor, or simply the sheer energy in the room. With so many different things being done here everyday, that takes a lot of hard work and a lot of talent.
What is also great about events at Northlands is the venue itself. With such a vast expanse of space to work with there is the room to step out of the ordinary and deliver something that is really neat and funky. How many places can you take a Scrambler from the midway and make it the central focus of a gala dinner? The lights, the sounds, the movement and the atmosphere that can be created at Northlands are just phenomenal. We can do things here that are truly out of the box and memorable.
What should people outside of Edmonton know about Northlands?
I think getting the word out further afield about Northlands is critically important. The fact is that Northlands is so many different things to so many different kinds of people. To some people Northlands is Rexall Place, the site of so many incredible hockey memories. To others, we are Northlands Park and horse racing. And there are thousands of others who think of us as the summer fair or, the Canadian Finals Rodeo. What a lot of people don't realize is that we are all of those things and so much more. We are truly of the community here and have been for over a century. When visitors come here and want to experience something that represents the best of Edmonton, they will more than likely end up here. There are so many exceptional aspects to Northlands that there is quite literally something for everyone. Whether they are two, twenty-two or ninety-two there will be something for them at Northlands at some point during the year.
Why is Northlands so important to the people and community of Edmonton?
First of all, Northlands is Edmonton's place for meetings. This is the place where Edmontonians come together for business, for community and for fun. This is where memories are created for families and for an entire community. So Northlands is a big part of the social fabric of our community. And Northlands is also an incredibly vibrant conference space that brings people to our city from all over Canada and the world. But what makes Northlands really important to our community is how much Northands puts back into the community whether it's the revenue it generates and reinvests, the employment opportunities it provides or the support it gives to so many worthy causes.
What are your earliest Northlands memories?
One of my first memories, shortly after moving to Edmonton was attending my first Canadian Finals Rodeo. I had been to small town rodeos before but I had never been to CFR. I remember coming into the building and the place was just packed and the energy was phenomenal. To witness the best of the best and to be in a building that was just vibrating with excitement was electric. I remember thinking that I really wanted to be part of this place. My earliest memory as a Northlands volunteer was being a part of the Black Tie Bingo to raise funds for the Edmonton Rodeo Cowboy's Benevolent Foundation. Once I got involved as a volunteer, I was totally hooked. This place has a way of getting into your blood and making you feel like a special part of a very special community. I love what I do and when you love what you do, life is good.
