Bow Valley tourism operators cleaned up at the annual Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s annual awards
In addition to being nominated as finalist in various categories, winners last week included the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for community leadership, Banff Lake Louise Tourism took home the prize for marketing campaign of the year for its Sculpted in Time series and Canmore Uncorked was named event of the year.
Canmore Business and Tourism president Andrew Nickerson was on hand to accept the award in Ottawa and said given the fact Uncorked is just two years old, it is quite an honour.
“I am really happy and thrilled to have won the award,” he said. “For us, it is the surprise that we have been able to make it as a finalist both years of the festival after it started.
“I would have never imagined winning this award. I think it speaks volumes to the way we have gone about the festival.”
Uncorked was nominated last year for event of the year at the TIAC awards, but did not win. This year it was up against the Canyon Lights Festival in B.C. and the Ness Creek Music Festival in Saskatchewan as finalists.
Nickerson said credit for the 10-day food and wine festival goes to the food and beverage industry, which worked together for the inaugural and second annual events. He said Uncorked started big and bold and the award recognizes that.
“We hope that the community recognizes the incredible food and beverage industry in Canmore as this award is a huge endorsement of those talents and what we have here,” he said.
The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
“Tonight’s awards have done an excellent job of representing our Canadian tourism industry to the fullest,” said TIAC president and CEO Charlotte Bell. “I am honoured to be a part of recognizing the outstanding innovation, dedication and expertise all of our nominees and winners have put forward.
“It is crucial not only that these accomplishments are recognized and celebrated, but that we learn from these successes to prepare for Canada’s continued future as a world-class destination,”
Uncorked tickets for 2016 are currently for sale.
