18 Years of Western Spirit: Sneak-a-Peek Saloon Kicks Off Stampede Season in Style

 

There's something special about traditions, especially when they bring people together. On July 3rd, we proudly hosted our 18th Annual Sneak-a-Peek Saloon, and despite a few early raindrops, the night quickly turned into a picture-perfect celebration of community, collaboration, and Calgary Stampede spirit.

A Classic Stampede Kickoff – Rain or Shine 

What started as a straightforward presentation quickly turned into a high-energy, interactive Q&A.  As guests arrived, umbrellas and cowboy hats mingled in true Alberta fashion. The evening started out wet, but it wasn't long before the clouds parted and the skies cleared into a gorgeous rooftop evening. The fresh air, glowing skyline, and golden hour sunlight created the perfect backdrop to reconnect and unwind.

A Full House of Familiar Faces

We were thrilled to welcome a fantastic turnout of customers, partners, and iON representatives. It was incredible to see so many of our industry peers come together, not just to network, but to celebrate everything we've built together. For many, this event has become a staple- the unofficial launch of the Stampede season and a chance to connect outside the boardroom.

Security Talk, but Make it Saloon Style

While the vibe was relaxed, the conversations were anything but surface-level, Many of the evening's discussions dove deep into cybersecurity challenges, industry trends, and  the evolving threat landscape. Whether chatting about third-party risk, cloud security strategies, or the latest tech innovations, it was clear that the Sneak-a-Peek Saloon remains a place where relationships are built and business gets done.

Fair Food, Cold Drinks, and Great Company

No stampede-style event is complete without classic fair food, and this year's menu didn't disappoint. Guests enjoyed crowd-pleasers like fried fritters, chicken sliders and smoked brisket, washed down with ice-cold drinks from the bar, including our signature drink, the Palo Alto Pineapple Puncher. The western-themed decor, complete with iON's custom western bandanas, and country music made it feel like  you'd stepped right into a downtown saloon, just steps away from the midway.

 A round of Applause for our Sponsors 

We owe a huge thank you to our sponsors for the evening. Our platinum Sponsor, Palo Alto Networks; Gold sponsors, CrowdStrike, Cyera, Fortinet, Proofpoint, Rubrik, Claroty, and Wiz and Silver sponsors, Immersive, Forescout, F5, Cloudflare, CyberArk, Netskope, Qualys, and Zscaler. It's because of our sponsors that we have the opportunity to bring people together in a fun and meaningful way.

 A Prizes, Cheers, and a Toast to 18 Years

We Throughout the night, guests had the chance to win some exciting door prizes, adding even more energy to an already lively event. The room buzzed with laughter, cheers, and countless toasts to partnerships, milestones, and another successful year ahead.

 A Tradition That Keeps Getting Better

W The Sneak-a-Peek Saloon has always been more than just a party. It's a celebration of the strong, collaborative spirit that defines our industry and our city. As the first big event to kick off the Calgary Stampede each year, it sets the tone for the 10 days ahead: full of energy, connection, and a whole lot of western charm.

To everyone who came out and made this year's event such a success, thank you. Your presence, Your energy and your conversations are what make this tradition so special. it truly wouldn't have been the same without you.

Until next year-

Yahoo, and happy Stampede!