The Great Excursions Company Wins a Tourism Saskatchewan Award of Excellence

March 30, 2007

(Updated on April 20, 2007. Please note that Great Excursions went on to win the award on April 19)

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR SASKATCHEWAN TOURISM AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Tourism Saskatchewan is pleased to congratulate the 46 finalists whose contributions to Saskatchewan's tourism industry in 2006 will be recognized at the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala on April 19, 2007 in Regina.

"The impressive accomplishments of these finalists, along with the scope of nominations submitted, reflect the remarkable vision, spirit and talent that drive our province's vibrant tourism industry," says Carol Lumb, Acting President/CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan. "Saskatchewan's fourth largest industry, tourism engages people in communities, large or small, throughout the province. All of the finalists and nominees are to be commended for demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment."

A 12-person provincial tourism industry committee selected the following finalists from more than 100 nominations:

Rookie of the Year:

Gallagher Centre, Yorkton

KÕNA-FEST, Regina

Old Man on His Back Interpretive Centre, Eastend

Service Excellence (Individual):

Linda Caswell, Shell Lake Esso

Chantelle Gartner, Macklin & District Bunnock Tourist Booth

Tom Kiefer, Nagel's Audio Visual Services, Regina

Service Excellence (Business):

Creative Compliments, Saskatoon

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation

Western Development Museum, North Battleford

Corporate Partner of the Year:

Regina Leader-Post & Saskatoon Star Phoenix

SaskTel

Yorkton Exhibition Association

Tourism Media Award for Travel Journalism:

John L. Perret, Saskatoon

Dave Smallwood, Air Ronge

Yorkton This Week

Gil Carduner Marketing Award (Budget of Under $20,000):

The Great Excursions Company, Regina

Gil Carduner Marketing Award (Budget of Over $20,000):

Hatchet Lake Lodge, Prince Albert

Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation

Promotional Marketing Campaign - Event or Festival

(Budget of Under $20,000):

Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon

Windscape Kite Festival, Swift Current

World Junior A Challenge, Yorkton

Promotional Marketing Campaign - Event or Festival

(Budget of Over $20,000):

2006 PotashCorp Vanier Cup, Saskatoon

2006 Tim Horton's Brier, Regina

Canadian Western Agribition, Regina

Promotional Marketing Campaign (Association, Bureau or Region):

Action Southwest Tourism Leadership Team - "Experience Saskatchewan's Great Southwest" Campaign

Tourism Regina - "Shop, Stay & Play" Campaign

Tourism Regina - "The Perfect Drive" Campaign

Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award:

George Fleming, Hatchet Lake

Kyle McDonald, Kipling

Laurel Yanke, Yorkton

Land of Living Skies Award:

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Battleford

Sundogs Excursions, Waskesiu Lake

Spirit of Saskatchewan Award:

Danceland, Watrous

Historic Reesor Ranch, Maple Creek

Robertson Trading Company, La Ronge

Creative Excellence Award:

Allen Sapp Gallery, North Battleford

Bredenbury Lights, Bredenbury

Kyle Riabko, Saskatoon

Business of the Year (Under 50 Full-time Employees):

Connossieur Limousine Service, Saskatoon

Dakota Dunes Golf Links, Saskatoon

NorSask Aviation, La Ronge

Business of the Year (Over 50 Full-time Employees):

Elk Ridge Resort, Prince Albert National Park of Canada

IPSCO Place, Regina

TCU Place, Saskatoon

The Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala will be celebrated onstage at the Conexus Arts Centre. The Chairman's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will also be announced that evening.

To purchase tickets, contact Nancy Rathgaber (306)787-9844 or email nancy.rathgaber@sasktourism.com.

For more information, contact:

Susan Parkin
Tourism Saskatchewan
 susan.parkin@sasktourism.com