CALGARY — With Calgary’s high hopes of hosting Amazon’s HQ2 recently dashed, a recruitment fair by the tech giant to be held next week is raising some eyebrows in the city’s budding tech industry.

The online ad for the event, set for the first three days of next week at an unspecified Calgary location, is looking for software development engineers to move south of the border.

“We will be hiring for our offices in Seattle and the role will require relocation,” reads the ad.

StarMetro reached out to Amazon with questions, but did not receive a response by deadline.

Mary Moran, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, said the recruitment fair is tied to a major tech conference that is happening at the Telus Convention Centre this week.

“Our understanding is that they want to recruit out of that conference — not that they’re targeting Calgary talent,” said Moran. She said tech experts from all over the world will be in town for the conference, and that Amazon, as a major sponsor of the event, is hoping to tap into that global talent.

However, Stephen Wensley, CEO of Calgary tech startup Acuspire, said he and his employees have been getting targeted messages from Amazon headhunters since October, including for this upcoming event.

“Our startup is focused on job search and recruiting,” he said. “We see a lot of the activity that’s happening in the space, especially because we’re focused on Calgary.”

Wensley and his staff were receiving invitations to job fairs, and details on the kinds of offers Amazon is making.

“They’re paying for relocation expenses and really nice salaries and benefits packages. That kind of thing. The offers are easily accessible, they’re generous, and often they’re more competitive than what companies offer locally.”

He said he’s certain Calgary will suffer some brain drain as a direct result of Amazon’s recruitment efforts. His company is combating those offers primarily with flexibility on hours.

“Amazon is well known for being strict with break times and how much time you’re committing to your job,” said Wensley. “Their organization is much larger, more regimented — a startup can be more flexible.”

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Moran also noted that Calgary still has a lot to offer in terms of quality of life and affordability.

“In this case, it’s important for people who are considering this is that there is a quality of life and opportunity here that you won’t get in Seattle. Even when it comes to health care, it’s a bit different in the U.S. than it is here.”

BT Brodie Thomas is a Calgary-based reporter covering Work and Wealth. Follow him on Twitter: @metrobrodie

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