Six wins for New Brunswick at National Tourism Awards Banquet
Nov. 3, 2009
SAINT JOHN (CNB) - Six New Brunswick entrants were selected as winners of the 2009 Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Globe and Mail National Awards for Tourism Excellence, representing the best of Canada's tourism industry.
"It takes a team effort to deliver the quality tourism experience that New Brunswick is proud to offer visitors when they come to our province” Tourism and Parks Minister Stuart Jamieson said. “These awards recognize the commitment that exists within our industry to build on the unique services and products we already have, ensuring continued growth of this sector, which is important to our economy.” "I congratulate the winners as well as the finalists from our province.
A total of 13 New Brunswick entrants were identified as finalists by a panel of tourism industry leaders from more than 125 nominations submitted. The awards were presented at an awards dinner Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, held in Saint John during the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Leadership Summit.
“New Brunswick’s strong showing each year at these awards is a testament to our industry’s dedication to excellence, said Joanne Bérubé-Gagné, president of the Tourism Industry association of New Brunswick. “Your success inspires excellence across our industry and showcases New Brunswick as a premier travel destination.”
The winners are:
New Brunswick Tourism and Parks & LG2 - Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
For the past 13 years Tourism and Parks and lg2, its advertising partner in Quebec, have built a strong, professional and recognizable brand for New Brunswick. Creative, on-target and innovative campaigns paid off with increased number of visitors from Quebec. The province also offers support to various partners to ensure that the infrastructure and experiences exceed visitor expectations.
“My Trip Planner” - New Brunswick Tourism and Parks & T4G Ltd. and - Online Innovation award
T4G is a project-based, information technology services organization with offices across Canada, in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Saint John and Moncton. More than 230 employees work with more than 100 leading firms in communications, retail, travel and hospitality, financial services, legal, government and other industries. Since its inception in 1995, the company has distinguished itself as an award-winning solutions provider.
Karl Doestch (Delta Fredericton)-Employee of the Year Award
The Delta Fredericton says that Karl Doestch is the kind of employee every hotel hopes to employ: friendly, flexible and conscientious. These qualities are critical to the running of any large enterprise, but are particularly important in the hospitality industry. The Delta Fredericton was proud to nominate Doestch for this award, and it considers him a credit to its organization and his community.
edVentures- Innovator of the Year Award
Fredericton's edVentures summer program is Atlantic Canada's largest and most diverse vacation learning program in craft and culture. The program hopes to provide an exceptional, hands-on learning experience from experienced instructors in an easy-going atmosphere.
Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc.-Business of the Year Award
Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. is one of Canada's largest, privately owned hotel management companies with 60 hotels throughout Canada and the United States. Pacrim won the 2008 Pinnacle Award as Canada's Hotel Company of the Year. It manages seven properties in New Brunswick: Crowne Plaza Fredericton and Moncton, Holiday Inn Express Magnetic Hill, Hampton Inn Saint John and Super 8 Campbellton, Caraquet and Dieppe.
Cape Jourimain Nature Centre- Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award
Cape Jourimain Nature Centre offers an opportunity to explore the area's rich past and to appreciate the delicate balance between nature and humankind. Education, appreciation and sustainability are fundamental mission cornerstones. Cape Jourimain features a number of innovative green technologies that reduce its ecological footprint and the environmental effect of thousands of visitors.
The TIAC National Awards for Tourism Excellence were developed by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the national private-sector advocate for Canada's $66.9 billion tourism industry, to recognize and foster Canadian tourism excellence. The awards are presented by the Globe and Mail. More details on the TIAC Awards and the winners and finalists are available online. 09/11/03
EDITOR'S NOTE: Background information follows on the finalists and winners. MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Harpelle, communications, Tourism and Parks, 506-444-4454 or paul.harpelle@gnb.ca .
edVentures wins prestigious award at National Tourism Awards Ceremony
November 4, 2009
Saint John (NB): edVentures Fredericton, developed by Fredericton Tourism, won the Innovator of the Year award at the National Tourism Excellence Awards hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) last night in Saint John.
The Innovator of the Year award recognizes a new tourism business, market, product or process initiative, or an unconventional approach to an existing market, product or process.
“When we set out to develop edVentures Fredericton, Fredericton Tourism had the goal of creating a national class program. This recognition from our peers in the national tourism industry is validation of our efforts and proof that we’ve created something truly innovative and unique” says David Seabrook, manager of Fredericton Tourism.
edVentures Fredericton is an innovative approach to the fast-developing experiential tourism trend. This program of weekend and week-long learning vacations in craft and culture, launched the summer of 2008, is the largest in Atlantic Canada.
This summer’s program included more than 120 workshops taught by some of New Brunswick’s finest and most engaging artists and artisans.
“edVentures Fredericton is a partnership between Fredericton Tourism and the cultural sector of Fredericton. It leverages the tremendous resources we have in our community and, as a result, is telling a story of Fredericton as a culturally dynamic space for the world to experience” said Councillor Dan Keenan, Chair of the Development Services Committee. "Council is proud of this innovative program, and we feel it demonstrates our greatest strength, and that is the creative thinking and initiative of our staff. This award is a well deserved acknowledgment of their work".
edVentures Fredericton’s principle partner is the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD) and also includes partnerships with the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, UNB
College of Extended Learning, and Kings Landing Historical Settlement.
“The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design is thrilled that edVentures Fredericton has received national recognition! edVentures Fredericton’s success reinforces the stature of Fredericton as one of Canada's leading cultural capitals, and supports the College's vision to become a centre of excellence in post-secondary visual arts education, and a key resource within the provincial culture sector” states NBCCD Principal, Michael Maynard.
“This national award will get the attention of tourism operators and travel media across North America and allows us to kick start conversations, hopefully resulting in increased visitations to our city” adds Seabrook.
Nominations were evaluated by a panel of experts, selected from among the tourism industry. This marks the second time this year edVentures Fredericton was recognized by the tourism industry. In May, edVentures Fredericton won the Tourism Excellence and Innovation awards for both Tourism Partnerships and Product Development from the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick, the first time a single tourism operator has won more than one Tourism Excellence and Innovation award in a single year.
Another Fredericton area recipient of an award last evening was Karl Doetsh, (Delta Fredericton) who won the Employee of the Year Award. The Delta Fredericton says that Karl Doestch is the kind of employee every hotel hopes to employ: friendly, flexible and conscientious. These qualities are critical to the running of any large enterprise, but are particularly important in the hospitality industry.
Other New Brunswick recipients of awards last evening included: New Brunswick Tourism and Parks & LG2 - Marketing Campaign of the Year Award; “My Trip Planner” - New Brunswick Tourism and Parks & T4G Ltd. and - Online Innovation award; Sandra Phinney (Tourism Toronto Travel Media Award); Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc.-Business of the Year Award; Cape Jourimain Nature Centre- Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award.
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edVentures Fredericton is entering its third year of operation with over 120 workshops offered as five weekdays, and one or two-day weekend formats (July 5 – Aug 20, 2010) by more than 60 of New Brunswick’s finest artists as instructors. Class sizes are small and intimate, giving students a one-on-one personal experience with your instructor. Most workshops are designed for adults and several children’s workshops are available.