08.28.2023

Celebrating Pride at WCD with Jonathan Tieh, Graphic Designer Our team truly believes in the power of diversity and inclusion to strengthen our communities and create a world that leads with kindness and acceptance. As we gear up to celebrate Calgary Pride, we sat down with one of our 2SLGBTQ+ staff members, Jonathan Tieh [he/him], to delve into his personal experiences, reflections, and insights about what Pride means to him. Q: What does Pride mean to you? A: "Pride means allowing yourself to be your true self—unapologetically you. It represents my ability and freedom to be who I am and openly love the people I choose, without stigma and shame. The dictionary defines pride as 'a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people.' That's what it's all about, respecting each other—but most importantly, yourself. In whatever you do and whoever you love." Q: How do you celebrate Pride? A: "As a first-generation Asian-born Canadian growing up Queer in a Christian, conservative household, I did not know many 2SLGBTQ+ community members and I felt that I could not relate to many people. I wanted to hide from myself and blend in. I wanted to be 'normal'. But truth be told, we are all unique individuals, and I want to celebrate coming together to share our differences. Our characteristics make us who we are, no matter our religion, ethnicity or race." "I celebrate Pride by being with my closest friends who have uplifted me through years of turmoil and judging myself for being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Ever since moving to Calgary three years ago, I've felt so much pride and love from the community, especially WCD, that I now call home. I celebrate Pride every day by surrounding myself with loved ones and positive vibes. Other ways I celebrate our community include going to the Pride parade, and supporting other queer artists at drag shows and art shows in the city." Q: How do you show support for diversity and inclusion in the workplace year-round? A: "I show support by showing up to 2SLGBTQ+ events that WCD supports and sponsors. It's important to be around like-minded people, and I love that WCD does the same by being inclusive and fostering a culture that is welcome to every age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Treating people in a way they wish to be treated rather than the way you wish to be treated is another way I try to make people feel included." Q: What is your advice to businesses who want to be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community? A: "To always be inclusive and make a space welcoming for people of all sexual orientations. Advocate and educate people and spend some time learning about the history of Pride, a movement preceded by the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York. Businesses should be asking if there is something they can do to make their 2SLGBTQ+ coworkers feel like they are welcome and valued. For example, is there a benefit that excludes 2SLGBTQ+ employees? Start a dialogue and make resources available to try and create a workplace where all employees will feel valued and accepted." Show Your Pride As we approach Pride month, let us all remember that the journey to inclusivity and acceptance is ongoing. Let's stand together as allies, celebrating our differences and embracing our true selves. Calgary Pride Week takes place August 26 - September 4, 2023. Learn more about the week's festivities and what you can do to get involved by visiting www.calgarypride.ca. Thank you to Jonathan for sharing his insights and experiences with us—and Happy Pride! 🌈

08.08.2023

As summer break winds down, teachers everywhere are gearing up for another exciting chapter. While lesson planning and curriculum development take centre stage, it's equally important to create an environment that fosters creativity, organization, and inspiration. That’s where we have you covered. As the exclusive printing partner to several of Canada’s largest school boards, we're your go-to for creating a personalized classroom experience. So, we've put together a comprehensive checklist to help teachers elevate their space and head back to school in style. Here’s your step-by-step checklist to a killer September kick-off: Print your classroom course materialsCreate a personalized notebookDecorate your classroom Fuel your day with a personalized mugOrder a custom calendarCreate a custom teacher's tote 1) Print Your Classroom Course Materials A successful school year begins with well-organized and engaging course materials. Instead of relying solely on generic handouts, consider the impact of personalized course materials – from custom worksheets to study guides – that reflect your unique approach to teaching. Plus, if you order your classroom materials from WCD before August 15, not only will you receive them by September 1—you'll also get a FREE personalized notebook. And on that note... 2) Create a Personalized Notebook Jot down lesson ideas, doodles, and reflections in a notebook that's as unique as your teaching approach. A teacher's desk is the heart of the classroom, where lesson plans come to life and creative ideas take shape. With a notebook made specially for you, you can make this space truly your own in a fun and functional way. Use our custom template made just for teachers, or create your own design that mirrors your personality and teaching philosophy! 3) Decorate the Classroom with Vibrant Posters Engage your students visually and foster a stimulating environment that encourages exploration and curiosity. A well-decorated classroom is a canvas for creativity and learning—and you can transform those beige walls into a vibrant educational masterpiece with just a few posters and prints. Whether it's motivational quotes, historical timelines, or scientific diagrams, you can bring life to any subject in creative ways. 4) Fuel Up with a Personalized Mug Energizing your day of teaching begins with a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea—and what better way to enjoy your favourite beverage than with a mug made just for you? Showcase your name, motivational quotes, or even subject-specific graphics as a fun way to sip and savour while creating conversation with students and fellow teachers. It’s a way to self-express, reminding you of your dedication to your students and your craft. 5) Manage Your Time with Customized Calendars Balancing lesson planning, grading, meetings, and personal life can be a juggling act. Stay organized and in control with a customized calendar made just for you. Tailor your calendar to include professional development days, to-do lists, and other special notes meaningful to your day. Whether it’s a miniature standing desk calendar or an oversized wall calendar, you'll navigate the school year with confidence and ease, ensuring that no important task slips through the cracks. 6) Get a Personalized Tote Bag for Teaching Essentials From textbooks and lesson materials to personal items, a teacher's tote bag is a lifeline throughout the day. Choose a design that resonates with you and add your name or a motivational slogan. Not only will you have a functional bag for all your essentials, but you'll also make a statement among students. Claim Your FREE Personalized Notebook! Teachers across Canada—we’ll send you a FREE personalized notebook for ordering course materials through WCD prior to August 15, 2023. To claim yours, simply submit your order online. For support, email clientservices@wcdconnect.com.

07.31.2023

It's been a busy start to the summer for WCD—full of community, connection and downright fun! As we dive into August, our team is reflecting on the past few months, instilled with a newfound sense of excitement and opportunity for the second half of the year. For us, this season has been a reminder that the true driver behind everything we do is connection. In celebration, here's a behind-the-scenes look at our summer, so far. 1) Pride in Art This June, our team gathered at the stunning Sky Garden on the 54th Floor of The Bow Building for 2023's Pride in Art—an art exhibition and networking mixer for local LGBTQ2S+ artists and the community. As proud sponsors of Pride in Business, WCD was honoured to support this artful and inspiring event for the second year in a row. 2) West Canadian Cup On Sunday, July 2, we gathered with clients, partners and staff for the 37th Annual West Canadian Cup at Spruce Meadows. This iconic event has become a coveted tradition for WCD, bringing together business and community leaders to connect and enjoy a morning of world-class equestrian show jumping. 3) Calgary Stampede As a Calgary-born business located just minutes from the grounds, the Calgary Stampede has always been special to the WCD team—but even more so this year with our appointment as the organization's Official Print Partner. It's a title we were proud to live up to, helping the Stampede share its story and connect with its customers, volunteers, and stakeholders through high-quality print, signage, and creative design. The best part? After a busy season of preparation, watching it all come to life and immersing ourselves in the atmosphere we'd helped to create. Here are a few of this year's highlights: The Great Indoors Volunteer Lounge Volunteers are the backbone of the Calgary Stampede. Creating a calm, inviting environment for them to kick back and enjoy a delicious meal in the midst of their shift is important to the Stampede, and we love helping make that happen. Transforming the volunteer lounge with signage and creative decor, our Great Indoors theme is a play on bringing the outdoors inside. This year, our Creative Services team designed a Western naturescape that brought the space to life in vivid colour. Stampede Pride Day This year, WCD was proud to sponsor Calgary Stampede Pride Day—a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and community. The Nashville North tent came alive as attendees sported Calgary Stampede rainbow boot stickers and rallied in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community. The energy was electrifying, with sensational drag performances to boot! It's a 'Yahoo' From Us Happen to see a 'Yahoo' sign or two pop up around Calgary in July? It's entirely possible they were produced by yours truly! From vibrant lawn signs to fun stickers and window clings, we helped Calgarians show off their Stampede spirit in style. To the Chuckwagons! We were honoured to print this year's iconic chuckwagon tarps, showcasing the vibrant colors and designs of the participating teams and their sponsors. These tarps are more than meets the eye—they represent the rich heritage, fierce competition, and true community spirit of the Calgary Stampede. Plus, we got to meet some superstars! We were especially excited to collaborate with MobSquad, who comissioned Indigenous artist Nahanni Giuricich of the Sayisi Dene First Nation to design their eye-catching tarp. We worked closely with Nahanni to ensure her vision and the integrity of her concept translated beautifully to MobSquad's chuckwagon box, tarp and barn area. Thank you to our incredible community for making this a summer to remember. To stay up with the latest exciting news and events, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook!