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Edon’s Picks

Nov 23
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A Year of Giving Back

By Edon's Picks, Office, People and Culture

Tuesday, November 28th will be the tenth anniversary of Giving Tuesday, a global movement of giving and generosity. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we thought we would look back at our moments of giving over the last year.

In December 2022, we launched our Notes of Thanks program as a way for our Team Members to recognize and thank one another. For every note awarded, $1 is donated to a local charity at the end of the month.

  • The first organization to receive such a donation was The Calgary Food Bank, who we are also lucky enough to count as one of our tenants.
  • Staff from the Calgary Head Office volunteered at the warehouse that month, sorting and bagging fresh produce.
  • Also in December, our Asset Management Department gathered over 350 pounds of non-perishable donations through the generosity of our tenants.

For the first part of 2023, we turned our focus to Indigenous organizations in keeping with our Indigenous Relations Policy. Through our Notes of Thanks program, donations were made to the following:

  • January – Spirit North, an organization that uses sport and play to promote health and wellness and to help develop essential life skills for Indigenous youth.
    • Also in January, we arranged for 2 scholarships of $1,000 each at NorQuest College for Indigenous students.
  • February – Indspire, a registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the benefit of themselves, their families, and their communities.
  • March – Native Counseling Services of Alberta. With services for Indigenous people by Indigenous people, NCSA has evolved to meet the needs of Indigenous people who often feel alienated by legal/court procedures.

We next wanted to focus on our tenants listed as registered charities. Again, through Notes of Thanks, we made donations to:

  • April – Momentum, a change-making organization focused on strategies that reduce poverty, such as financial literacy, skills training, and financial empowerment.
    • Also in April, we donated to the Fort McMurray Fire Department Charities Association in conjunction with their annual rooftop campout. Six firefighters climbed a fire truck ladder to the roof of Tim Hortons, (a tenant of ours at our Eagle Ridge development), where they spent 100 hours exposed to the elements, camping out to raise money for local charities.
  • May – Inclusion Alberta, a family-based non-profit advocating on behalf of those with developmental disabilities
  • July – Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society, providing protection and support against family violence and all forms of abuse.

The balance of our donations this year were made to organizations addressing current social or urgent causes:

  • June – Egale Canada, Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI issues. This donation was made in keeping with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and in conjunction with the start of Pride month.
    • Also in June, we arranged for 2 scholarships of $1,000 each at NAIT. These scholarship were open to Indigenous students in the Power Engineering and Skilled Trades programs.
  • August – We couldn’t ignore the wildfires that ravaged Alberta this year. These fires touched almost all of the 85+ communities in which we operate, so we made August’s donation to the Disaster Aid Canada Alberta Wildfire Emergency Support fund.
  • September – With kids heading back to school, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids was our organization of choice for September. BB4CK works to ensure no student goes hungry.
  • October – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In recognition of this, we donated to Wings of Hope, and organization that provides funding for essentials such as rent, groceries, utilities, medications and transportation for anyone receiving treatment from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.
    • Also in October, we made an additional donation to Indspire in conjunction with Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We ran a two-part campaign where 1) we donated $5 for every orange shirt our Team Members purchased through 49 Dzine, and 2) we donated $1 for every like, share, comment, or repost our Orange Shirt Day post received on Social Media.
  • November – We’ve been focusing our efforts in fundraising for Movember this month. Movember is a global campaign  focused on men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancers as well as mental health and suicide prevention. Edon put together a Movember team and we are well on our way to achieving our fundraising goal. We will also be making a donation to this worthy cause at the end of the month.
    • Also in November, staff from our Calgary Head Office once again volunteered at the Calgary Food Bank.

Upcoming for December 2023:

  • We will again be making a donation to the Calgary Food Bank through our Notes of Thanks program.
  • As well, our Asset Management Department will also be making a donation to the Calgary Food Bank on behalf of their tenants this holiday season.

We sincerely thank everyone who has participated in our Notes of Thanks program this year, as well as our Food Bank volunteers, those who participated in our Orange Shirt campaign, our Movember Team and supporters, and everyone who contributed to such a wonderful year. We look forward to another great year of giving in 2024.

Aug 15
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All Hail the Queens

By Edon's Picks, Office, People and Culture

Our Alvéole beekeeper, Preston, recently shared some photos of our beautiful queen bees. We’ve pointed them out in the photos; look for the long ladies near the centre of each.

Preston returned to the hives last week for one final inspection before the honey harvest begins. The bees will be left with as much honey as they need for the winter, while the surplus will be jarred, branded, and shared with Tenants in the Asset Management portfolio.

You can check in on our hives at any time using the links below. Much of the information is similar – they are located in the same area after all – but the photos are all charmingly different, as are the size and statistics of each colony. 

Jul 17
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Giddy Up and Yahoo!

By Edon's Picks, People and Culture

Our Stampede Breakfasts were bigger and better than ever this year, with an estimated 1,700 guests attending over the three days.

There was some drizzle, some sun, and even some smoke, but regardless of the weather everyone had a great time.

We welcomed back Glen Brown & Headin’ West as our musical entertainment this year, and were also excited to bring in three-time World Hoop Dance Champion Dallas Arcand, who wowed everyone with his dancing and storytellig.

We want to thank everyone who attended, and those who volunteered to help make this year’s events so successful. We couldn’t have done it without you.

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Jun 20
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Providing Opportunities for Indigenous Students

By Edon's Picks, People and Culture

As part of the path to reconciliation, we’ve taken steps to put our Indigenous Relations Policy into practice. We’ve partnered with two post-secondary institutions in Alberta, arranging for grants and scholarships available to Indigenous students to help their reach their education and career goals.

Earlier this year, we announced our partnership with NorQuest College, where we arranged for two scholarships of $1,000.00 each to any NorQuest credit program. Successful applicants will be those with Indigenous Heritage (First Nation status or non-status, Metis, or Inuit), with an academic standing of 75% or higher, and who have supplied a personal letter describing their education and career goals. These scholarships are now open for application. 

We’re also partnering with NAIT, and will be offering an additional two $1,000 grants for the 2023/2024 disbursement year. The first grant will be made available to Indigenous students enrolled in the Power Engineering Program, while the second will be available to those in the skilled trades, enrolled in the Electrician, Plumber or Carpentry programs. These grants will be open for application soon, so those who are eligible and interested should keep an eye out for them HERE. Again, the successful applicants will be Canadian citizens with First Nations status or non-status, Metis, or Inuit heritage.

We are very excited to be able to announce these grants in conjunction with National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for highlighting and celebrating the history and heritage of Canada’s First Nations Peoples.

We wish all applicants the best of luck and hope our contributions help you reach your goals.

May 15
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Unleashing Innovation with In-House App Development

By Edon's Picks, People and Culture

Technological solutions have become essential for companies looking to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape, and Edon is no exception. We now have an in-house team dedicated to adapting the latest technologies for practical applications within our services; Property Management, Asset Management, Facilities Management, and Project Management have all benefitted from their efforts and from the latest in technological advancements.

Through of series of apps and other tools developed by our team, we’ve succeeded in creating capacity for all departments, allowing more time for tenant/client focused activities and value-added work. Artificial intelligence can now read and process invoices, speeding up vendor payments. Staff in the field can easily schedule work, report incidents, and even submit purchase order requests on their phones through our app launcher, cutting down the time it takes to complete projects. Log entries can be updated digitally, reducing the need for paper records and providing better access to those who use them.

By developing these tools in-house, we’re able to design them to suit our business and our staff. We recognize that the communities in which we operate have diverse cultures, which may lead to language barriers if left unaddressed. One way we’re overcoming language barriers is to build in translation options; our Team Members can feel more confident when entering mileage, expense reports, or timesheets, for example, using their native languages. Our apps can be translated into Spanish, French, Filipino, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese, just to name a few.

Providing our Team with the digital tools they need to excel will continue to be a focus as technologies expand. Leveraging the power of apps and advanced technology will allow us to continue to deliver exceptional tenant and client experiences.

Apr 14
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Home is Where the Hive is

By Edon's Picks, Office, People and Culture

Alberta is home to over 200 bee species, and our office rooftops are home to one of them. 

A few years ago, we partnered with Alvéole, an urban beekeeping company which aims to promote the importance of bees in the urban environment. Hives were first installed on the roof of two of our Calgary office buildings, Airstate Centre and Atrium I, and a third hive was later installed at Atrium II. These hives are registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and tended by a dedicated Alvéole beekeeper to ensure the ongoing health of the colony.

Rooftop hive at Atrium I

The bees are singularly focused on maintaining hive development by bringing nectar, pollen resin and water to the colony, and only sting when they feel their colony is threatened. As their colonies are located well away from our tenants and clients, there is little chance of the bees encountering the type of aggression that would see them resort to stinging. As well, Alvéole works with a special breed of Italian bees known for their mild temperament and docility – keepers wear little to no protection. 

Over the past couple of years, the tenants have been given opportunities to learn more during online seminars, as well as being invited up onto the roofs (following all safety protocols) to interact with the beehives through clinics run by our Alvéole beekeeper. The honey produced from these hives is given back to our tenants as holiday gifts, new tenant welcome gifts, and as swag at events, further enhancing their apian experience. These types of interactions are allow us to offer something unique and meaningful to our tenants while encouraging bees to flourish in an urban environment.

Honeybees from the colony at Atrium I

The hives have been wrapped up tight for the winter, but the bees are starting to emerge. You can check in on them by visiting the blogs for each hive: 

Airstate Centre

Atrium I

Atrium II

Mar 20
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Offering Additional Services

By Case Studies, Edon's Picks, Office

Our Caretakers are part of our Integrated Services and one of our Centres of Excellence. An army of day porters and evening staff keep lobbies, washrooms, floors, and common areas spotless. But what happens when tenant spaces need some extra attention not covered under their routine suite cleaning? By offering these services in-house, we can offer worry-free solutions in a number of ways.

 

Cost and timing are generally the largest considerations when selecting a service provider. We can often perform the service quicker and at a lower rate than an external vendor. As these services are supplemental to our primary business, we can eliminate the need for call out fees, consultation or quote fees, and other surcharges.

For example, in 2021 we were contacted by a tenant looking to have some additional cleaning done over their Christmas holiday closure as follows:

  • Front Desk/Reception – carpet shampoo, steam clean 2 chairs, and wash the walls
  • Kitchen – clean and sanitize the fridge, microwave, walls, and sink
  • Washroom – clean and sanitize the walls, floors, toilet, and sink

The job was scheduled for the holiday closure and completed for the reasonable price of $425.00.

During the pandemic, we also offered electrostatic disinfecting spraying. Some tenants made use of this service daily, particularly those with classroom settings, while others requested occasional disinfections if notified of a positive case. The cost to tenants was nominal when considering the alternatives of temporary closures, lost business, or staff/clients becoming ill from exposure.

Quality is also a key factor. By performing the work in-house, we ensure tenants and clients receive the quality and care they expect. Keeping in mind Property Managers have an invested interest in the maintenance of their spaces and tenant relationships, it makes sense to use in-house staff for additional services. By engaging our Caretakers to perform a move-out cleaning for a vacating tenant, for example, we can expect the job to be done to the Landlords expectations and ensure no nasty surprises in the final walkthrough.

Health and safety are important to us. Edon is COR certified and maintains a robust health and safety program. Our Caretakers strictly adhere to our policies and procedures, so we are better able to control the risks of worker illness or injury. They are also familiar with the tenant spaces and have regular access as part of their daily tasks. Therefore, tenants do not need to arrange for security clearance or building access for an external vendor and can trust our staff to operate safely and securely in their space.

Offering additional cleaning services to tenants and clients makes sense. By offering a wide range of cleaning services, we can provide tenants with a clean and well-maintained environment with greater peace of mind.

Feb 22
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Great Team, Great Spaces

By Case Studies, Edon's Picks, Office

After the success of the lobby/atrium renovation at Atrium II, our Project Management Office (PMO) turned its sights across the street to Atrium I, another building in need of modernization.

Acting as Project Manager, the PMO oversaw all aspects of the renovation:

  • Translating the Landlord’s intent into a conceptual design
  • Leading the consulting team to develop, review and issue tender drawings
  • Managing building permit applications
  • Coordinating construction, including site inspections, financial tracking and change management claims
  • As the project wrapped up, they led the commissioning, deficiency walkthroughs and handover.

All areas of the lobby and atrium were enhanced, including floors, staircases, walls, and planters. The area was opened up with the strategic placement of upgraded lighting and glass half-walls leading to the stairs on the upper level. Seating areas were also reconfigured to make the space more conducive to working or meeting outside tenant offices.

The ability to oversee these projects internally provides us with many advantages, including greater control over quality and safety, and the control of finances to make sure we don’t go over budget. There is still the occasional hiccup as a material shortage caused a delay, but the bright and modern space was worth the wait.

There is immediate availability at both Atrium I and Atrium II. Find out more on our Property Listing page.

Jan 25
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Integrated Services, Exceptional Results

By Case Studies, Edon's Picks, Industrial

Advanced Energy Technology International (AETi) was looking for a bright and modern office space to welcome clients and provide employees with a desirable place to work. The space they were interested in, located in Calgary’s Airstate Business Park (a property managed by Edon), was anything but. .

After listening to and understanding AETi’s needs, our   Project Management Office (PMO) and General Contracting (GenCon) Divisions set out to transform the space into exactly what AETi envisioned.  Both the PMO and GenCon were instrumental in this renovation, from concept to completion – the PMO managing all facets of design, permitting, demolition and construction, and GenCon providing the materials and skilled trades to execute the work. The result is not only impressive, but a true reflection of AETi’s vision.

Such in-house, integrated services – like PMO and GenCon – are unique to Edon and provide several advantages, all of which AETi experienced first-hand. By self-performing the work, we eliminate multiple mark-ups and can therefore offer more favorable rates. Using our own forces also provides greater control over quality and safety and assures compliance with our ISO 9001:2015 (Quality) and COR (Safety) certifications. It also typically results in shorter schedules, so projects are completed faster.

The transformation of AETi’s new office space brought their vision to fruition and demonstrates the benefits of our integrated, in-house services. AETi has a bright and modern space, and our PMO and GenCon teams delivered another successful project.

Dec 20
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Electronic Recycling for Office Tenants

By Edon's Picks, Land, Office, Retail

Disposing of obsolete and unwanted electronics will soon be easier for many office tenants in Edon’s Asset Management portfolio. We have partnered with Technotrash Alberta Ltd., a leading Calgary-based firm that specializes in the primary stage of electronics recycling.  Our tenants will soon be able to responsibly dispose of electronic devices such as laptops, computers (and subsequent parts), televisions, microwaves, printers, fax machines, wires and cables, non-alkaline batteries, etc., simply by placing them in specified bins in their buildings.  

The ever-changing technological landscape has led to more electronic devices in use than ever. But with shorter and shorter useful lives, these devices need a place where they can “retire” without harming the environment. Keeping these items out of landfills means toxic elements, such as cadmium and mercury, will not leach into the soil. Also, reclaiming these and other materials reduces the need to mine them, thereby lessening both the effects caused by such activities and the drain on our natural resources.

As part of our journey to improve sustainability across our portfolio, we are thrilled to partner with Technotrash and offer our tenants a responsible way to recycle their electronic devices.