Released on March 5, 2019
Tourism Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the names of 36 finalists and three Tourism Builders for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence for 2018.Nearly 90 nominations were received in the 13 award categories that acknowledge quality in marketing, service, business practices, human resource development and other areas.
The finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the 30th annual Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which will be celebrated on April 11 at Teachers’ Credit Union Place in Saskatoon. The gala will be held in conjunction with the HOST Saskatchewan Conference, which takes place earlier that day. Recipients of the Tourism Builder Award will also be honoured that night.
The Tourism Builder Award recognizes individuals who have made tourism an important part of their life’s work and have helped position Saskatchewan as a welcoming destination.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to congratulate the 36 award finalists and three Tourism Builders,” Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Gene Makowsky said. “They demonstrate impressive leadership and unwavering commitment to providing visitors with remarkable experiences. The gala on April 11 will be a memorable celebration of their achievements.”
“Tourism Saskatchewan considers it a privilege to host this annual assembly that acknowledges excellence in marketing, human resources, business leadership, lifetime achievement and more,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “We strive to make the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence program relevant to tourism operators and businesses, and regularly update criteria and categories to reflect our industry. The 2019 gala will be a special evening, marking the introduction of the first Indigenous Tourism Experience Award.”
Tickets for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala are $120 (plus GST) or $800 (plus GST) for a corporate table of eight. The evening will start with a networking reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner service at 6:30 p.m. and the award presentations at 8 p.m. For more information about the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, visit Industry.TourismSaskatchewan.com. To order tickets, contact Nancy Hubenig at 306-787-9844 or awards@tourismsask.com.
The Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence finalists for 2018 are:
Business of the Year Award
(Over 20 Full-time Employees)
Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw, Regina/Moose Jaw
Regina Exhibition Association Limited, Regina
Remai Modern, Saskatoon
Business of the Year Award
(Under 20 Full-time Employees)
Sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Grotto Gardens Country Market, Maple Creek
Over the Hill Orchards and Winery, Lumsden
Tazin Lake Lodge, Tazin Lake
Community Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Arts Board
Cowtown Showdown, Maple Creek
2018 Saskatchewan’s OUTBACK KCRA Rodeo, Carrot River
Taste of Maple Creek Festival, Maple Creek
Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award
Sponsored by Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Escape Sports, Saskatoon
Government House Historical Society, Regina
Watrous Manitou Marketing Group, Watrous
Gil Carduner Marketing Award
Sponsored by Phoenix Group
Kinder Surprises Antiques, Davidson
Scott Lake Lodge, Scott Lake
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon
Indigenous Tourism Experience Award
Sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Aski Holistic Adventures, Cumberland House
Cowtown Showdown, Maple Creek
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon
Marquee Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by CTV
Ag in Motion, RM of Corman Park
Congress 2018, University of Regina, Regina
WBSC Junior Men’s World Softball Championship 2018, Prince Albert
Rookie of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club
Farm One Forty, Vanscoy
Poundmaker Storyteller’s Festival, Poundmaker Cree Nation
Wheatland Express, Cudworth/Wakaw
Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Harvest Eatery, Shaunavon
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, Manitou Beach
The Rockin’ Horse Cookhouse and Bar, Maple Creek
Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina
Brenda Peterson, Parks Canada, Grasslands National Park
Davis Hunks, 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company, Saskatoon
Katie Willie, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon
Tourism Employer of the Year Award
Sponsored by Regina Airport Authority
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre, Regina
Gold Eagle Casino, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, North Battleford
Prairie River Cruises Ltd., Saskatoon
Travel Media Award
Sponsored by Vendasta
Ashlyn George, Saskatoon
Robin and Arlene Karpan, Saskatoon
Amy Rosen, Toronto, ON
Tourism Builder Award
Sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan
Randy Fernets, Saskatoon
Scott Ford, Saskatoon
Shann Gowan, Swift Current
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For more information, contact:
Regan Mathiason
Tourism Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7815
Email: regan.mathiason@tourismsask.com