E504 – Jeff Munro Parry, Alberta’s Lost Potential in Arts and Creative Growth
“I’m in the business of creating entertainment people want to buy tickets for.”
Jeff Parry’s name is synonymous with some of the biggest shows to come out of Western Canada. From early concerts and tribute bands to large-scale immersive experiences, Jeff has built a career backing great creative ideas with business acumen and serious risk tolerance. In this conversation, he shares the real costs behind mounting a production, how monopolies like Live Nation have squeezed independent promoters, and why Alberta continues to miss the mark when supporting local creators. Jeff reflects on years of lobbying for a live entertainment tax credit in Alberta—similar to what the film industry receives—and why he’s now shifting his focus to jurisdictions that invest in talent. He also shares the behind-the-scenes story of the Van Gogh immersive exhibit, including how it scaled across North America and why it never launched in Calgary despite Jeff’s efforts. His frustration is matched only by his love for the work, making this a thought-provoking episode for anyone interested in the intersection of business, culture, and economic development.