Join us in congratulating Ian Allison, President & COO of Cavalry FC (also the Senior Vice President of Sport and Media Services at Spruce Meadows), who is being recognized at the 2026 Business in Calgary Leaders Awards for his work with Cavalry FC over the last nine years.
The Business in Calgary Leaders Awards recognize outstanding business leaders whose personal integrity, innovation, community involvement, philanthropy and leadership contribute to Calgary’s continued growth and success. This year marks the program’s 18th year celebrating business excellence in the city.
Allison has been a cornerstone of Spruce Meadows’ operations and management for 51 years, serving in a variety of capacities throughout his career and contributing significantly to the organization’s development and international reputation.
In 2018, Allison was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Cavalry FC (Spruce Meadows Sports & Entertainment).His contributions to sport and broadcasting have also received national recognition. In 2022, Allison was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as joint recipient, alongside Nancy Southern, of the Bell Memorial Award, recognizing the team that pioneered equestrian sport broadcasting.
He is also an internationally recognized on-air commentator and analyst, covering events including the Olympic and Pan American Games, as well as Spruce Meadows productions.Allison’s extensive experience in sport governance includes longstanding involvement with the Spruce Meadows Organizing Committee, FEI Nations Cup and Jumping Committees, the International Alliance of Equestrian Organizers and the Alliance of Jumping Organizers, where he served as President and Chairman.
Most recently, he was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Canadian Premier League, where he chairs the Governance and Risk Committee.As President of Cavalry FC, Allison has helped guide the club through an extraordinary period of success. Cavalry FC captured the Canadian Premier League Championship in 2024 and earned Canadian Premier League Regular Season honours in 2019, 2023 and 2026 establishing itself as one of the league’s leading clubs.Cavalry FC will be appearing in the 2026 CPL Finals taking place on ATCO Field on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Spruce Meadows and Cavalry FC congratulate Ian Allison on this well-deserved recognition and celebrate his longstanding contributions to sport, business, broadcasting and the Calgary community.
Read more about Ian Allison in the November issue of Business in Calgary, page 56: https://businessincalgary.com/
