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Big winners at Tourism Awards [Winnipeg Free Press (Canada)](Winnipeg Free Press (Canada) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Eleven individuals, organizations and events were honoured Friday as Travel Manitoba announced the 16th annual Manitoba Tourism Award winners. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to the provincial tourism industry. That includes promoting the province as a tourist destination, providing memorable service to visitors and developing the tourism industry. "Manitoba's success as a tourism destination is linked directly to the achievements of those businesses and individuals who have been recognized by the Manitoba Tourism Awards," said Travel Manitoba president and CEO Colin Ferguson. Nominations for the awards are submitted by industry peers, and the finalists and winners are selected by an industry-based judging panel. Winners received a trophy and the right to use the Manitoba Tourism Award symbol for advertising and promotion, as well as promotion on Travel Manitoba's website. This year's winners, who were presented with their award at a gala luncheon, are: Aboriginal Tourism Award APTN Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration: An annual celebration at The Forks that recognizes and includes all First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples with its Celebration Village and Cultural Stages. Aspiring Youth Award Laura Wiebe: An award-winning tourism researcher who led the Fort Garry Hotel's marketing department before taking a position as hospitality instructor at Red River College. Event of the Year Award -- under $5,000 Actif Epica: A one-day active-living celebration involving communities along the Crow Wing Trail in southeast Manitoba. Event of the Year Award -- over $5,000 Icelandic Festival of Manitoba: Gimli's annual signature summer event features diverse programming along with cultural events that keep the Icelandic culture strong. Marketing Excellence Award Winnipeg Art Gallery -- 100 Masters: Only in Canada: A creative marketing campaign by Doowah Design to promote this "once-in-a-lifetime" exhibit resulted in record-breaking attendance. Partnership Award Frontiers North Adventures: Collaboration with Polar Bears International brought polar bears to people around the world via Google Street View and Google Treks. Product Development Award Raw: Almond: The first of its kind in the world, this pop-up restaurant combined cultural and culinary tourism with winter, architecture and philanthropy. Service Excellence Award Dwight Allen: Operating tours in Churchill for almost 30 years, Dwight currently operates the Polar Inn & Suites and Sea North Tours. Sustainable Tourism Award Second Nature, Adventures in Discovery: Dedicated to reconnecting visitors to the world around them through custom travel and group experiences, interpretive planning and design, and experiential tourism development training. Volunteer of the Year Award Diane Dube: Co-ordinates and manages many tourism events and attractions in St. Georges, including Musee de St. George, Festival des crches, and the local 4P Festival. Winnipeg Airports Authority Award of Distinction Philippe Mailhot: Director of the Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum since 1989, a long-time ambassador for tourism and expert on the history and heritage of St. Boniface and Manitoba. (c) 2014 F.P. Canadian Newspapers Limited Partnership |