I kept hearing good things about Calgary when I was living in Edmonton, so they must be doing something right. Calgary probably would have been better for me from a professional standpoint but that's all water under the bridge now.

I think it takes decades of good leadership to build a city brand. My hometown of Pittsburgh has made some efforts towards this in order to attract business, since unemployment was so high there in the 70s and 80s. I think the results have been mixed, but for the most part it has managed to leave its "Smoky City" image of the past behind.

I think the point about buy-in from local residents is an important one. When I meet someone who is passionate about their city, it makes me want to know more.