The finalists for the 2024 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards have been announced. Each year the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association hosts an awards ceremony, highlighting individuals, organizations and events who that support the local tourism industry. The winners will be announced during the Ottawa Valley Tourism Conference and annual general meeting being held on April 16th at the myFM Centre in Renfrew.
Nominations in the following award categories were received from across the Ottawa Valley: Tourism Champion, Business/Organization of the Year, Event of the Year, Sustainability Champion Award, New Tourism Product Award and the Tourism Marketing Award. A judging panel comprised of members of the OVTA Board of Directors and Warden Peter Emon were tasked with the challenge of selecting a winner for each category.
The finalists in each of the six categories include:
· Tourism Champion: Ron Moss of the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance.
· Business/Organization of the Year: Laurentian Valley 50+ Fit and Feisty and Somewhere Inn Calabogie.
· Event of the Year: Hello or High Water whitewater races in Petawawa, 2023 Renfrew Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival, Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association’s Spring Chicken race, Pembroke Regional Silverstick Tournament and Whitewater Brewery’s grand opening Riverside Pub.
· Sustainability Champion: Anupaya Cabin Co. in Deep River, Eva’s Café in Round Lake Centre and Whitewater Brewing Co.
· New Tourism Product: Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork in Douglas and Rio Tap & Grill Summer Music Series in Eganville.
· Tourism Marketing: Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization, Sour Jo’s Bakery in Cobden and Somewhere Inn Calabogie.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate,” says Tourism Awards Co-Chair, Chris Hinsperger. “These awards help demonstrate the importance of our Ottawa Valley tourism industry on our local economy and celebrating our community’s assets.”
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)