Nominations pile up for tourism awards
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/05/2025 (302 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
This year’s Tribute to Tourism Awards Gala will feature one of the highest number of nominations that Tourism Westman has ever had, organizers say.
There are 29 nominations in nine categories, including marketing excellence, volunteer and employee of the year, and events of the year.
“We’re really happy with having one of the highest numbers we had in some time,” Michelle Frechette, the organization’s regional tourism co-ordinator, told the Sun.
“It’s such a great way to celebrate all the accomplishments and all of the people who do such a great job with tourism in Westman every year.”
The awards gala is scheduled for June 11 at The Backyard on Aberdeen in Brandon, beginning at 6 p.m. It recognizes significant contributions to tourism development and promotion in the Westman region.
Nominees are representing Brandon, Boissevain, Carberry, Killarney, Minnedosa, Oak Lake, Reston and Souris.
Killarney, Minnedosa and Oak Lake are vying for event of the year with a spend of more than $10,000. Killarney was nominated for its outdoor concerts, Oak Lake for the Rural Municipality of Sifton Harvest Festival and Minnedosa for Fun Fest.
Competing in the category of event of the year with a spend under $10,000 are Carberry, Brandon and Souris. Hoedown with Hicktown was held in Carberry, Wheat City Nuit Blanche and the Brandon Indigenous Cultural Celebration in Brandon, and the Peacock Calling Competition in Souris.
The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is up against the 2025 U Sports Men’s Volleyball National Championship for Brandon event of the year.
For marketing excellence the choice is between Boissevain, Carberry, Minnedosa and Souris.
Partnerships are also recognized, with Brandon, Carberry and Killarney vying for that award.
The Indigenous tourism award will go to Boissevain for its bison mural or to Brandon for National Indigenous Peoples Day and 2024 Truth and Reconciliation Week.
In the small businesses of the year category, there are five contenders — Brandon Downtown BIZ, Brandon’s Chez Angela Bakery and Café, Boissevain Bake Shop, 49 Degrees in Souris and Inspire Studio in Minnedosa.
Two women are up for employee of the year — Reston’s Whitney Hodgins and Brandon’s Emmy Sanderson.
Three people and their communities are represented in the volunteer of the year category, with Aly Wowchuk from Brandon, Shealee Smith from Carberry and Minnedosa’s Lorna Hislop.
The panel of judges is going over the award criteria, comparing them with the nominees for each category, said Frechette.
“The panel is made up of people who are in the tourism industry and know the importance of promoting Westman, and that’s why these awards are strictly for Westman. It’s such a beautiful and diverse region, and we have so many great rural communities along with Brandon, which is such a great city.”
For more information about the 2025 Tribute to Tourism Awards Gala, send an email to info@tourismwestman.ca. or visit https://www.tourismwestman.ca/.
» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com
» enviromichele.bsky.social