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Tourism Northern Ontario celebrates award winners

Ten awards were given out during the annual summit.
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Sail Superior of Thunder Bay was among 10 award recipients at the Tourism Northern Ontario summit, held Nov. 15-17.

More than 300 delegates from across Northern Ontario gathered in Thunder Bay Nov. 15 to 17 to celebrate the best in tourism.

The annual summit, hosted by Tourism Northern Ontario, culminated in an awards gala, during which 10 awards were given out to Northern Ontario stakeholders.

"The Northern Ontario Tourism Summit continues to please attendees year after year. It is so important to come together as an industry not only to learn together, but to learn from each other and celebrate the fantastic individuals in this sector,” said Marty Kalagian, chair of Tourism Northern Ontario, in a news release.

“Our growth and prosperity, both individually and as a whole, depends on our ability to work together by fostering new and existing relationships. We can't wait to see everyone next year in Sault Ste. Marie."

The industry was recognized over the course of two awards ceremonies: the Tourism Northern Ontario Industry Leaders awards and Nature and the Nature Outdoor Tourism Ontario awards.

Winners of the Tourism Northern Ontario Industry Leaders awards include:

  • Investment Attraction: Radical Gardens (Timmins)
  • Workforce Development and Training: Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre (Sault Ste. Marie)
  • Product Development: Lake of the Woods Brewing Company (Kenora)
  • Marketing and Communications: Joe Barefoot, Bear Den Lodge (Bigwood)
  • Tourism Innovator of the Year: Gregory Heroux, Sail Superior (Thunder Bay)

Winners of the Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario awards include:

  • Bob Giles Award: Bill Chambers, Pine Grove Resort Cottages (Port Loring)
  • Executive Director's Award: Bob David, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
  • Preferred Supplier of the Year: Rod Duhaime, Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre (Sault Ste. Marie)
  • President's Award: Brenda Baughman
  • Tourism Champion Award: Luke Wassegijig, Wikwemikong Tourism (Wikwemikong)

Tourism Northern Ontario is the largest of 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It coordinates, aligns, and invests in sub-regional programs and leads in identified pan-Northern management functions.