For Immediate Release

Saskatoon Businesses Recognized For Excellence in Tourism. Tourism Saskatoon and multiple Saskatoon businesses have been named finalists for the 2017 Tourism Saskatchewan Awards of Excellence.

Saskatoon, SK - March 5th, 2018 - Tourism Saskatoon is celebrating a tremendous start to 2018. First the city was featured as #18 on The New York Times' 52 Places to Go list, as well as was recently recognized as a top Canadian destination in the Globe and Mail, Vacay.ca, Family Fun Canada, and The Huffington Post. Now the organization has being named as finalists in Tourism Saskatchewan's prestigious Awards of Excellence. Tourism Saskatoon is thrilled to be named in two categories: Tourism Employer of the Year and Rookie of the Year for their production of the FIBA World Masters 3X3 World Tour event. Tourism Saskatoon will be recognized at the gala event held in Regina on April 12th.

Tourism Saskatoon is a finalist alongside many well-deserving Saskatoon partners in multiple categories. The list of 33 finalists were taken from 100 nominations received in 12 award categories that acknowledge quality in marketing, service, business practices, human resource development and other areas in support of the tourism industry.

"I am impressed by the number of highly qualified members of Tourism Saskatoon that have made the finalist stage for the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence this year. I was doubly pleased to have Tourism Saskatoon be recognized as a finalist for both the Employer of the Year, and for the exciting World Masters 3X3 Tour that we hosted for the first time last July. My congratulations to all the provincial finalists, and for those who were nominated", said Todd Brandt, President and CEO of Tourism Saskatoon.

Tourism is the world's largest industry, bringing in more than half a billion annually into our local economy.

The Full List of Award Finalists:

Rookie of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club
FIBA 3x3 World Tour, Saskatoon
Spiritwood Area Recreation, Culture and Sports Annual Bull Riding Competition, Spiritwood Waskimo Winter Festival, Regina

Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Black Fox Farm and Distillery, Saskatoon
Ghostown Blues Bed & Breakfast, Maple Creek
Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford

Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Harvard Broadcasting Regina
Calla Michell, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Chris Standing, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon
E Haffermehl, Aroma Restaurant, Radisson Hotel Saskatoon, Saskatoon 

Tourism Employer of the Year Award
Sponsored by DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre, Regina
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, various locations
Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatoon

Gil Carduner Marketing Award
Sponsored by Phoenix Group
Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club, Regina
Town of Eastend, Eastend
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon

Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award
Sponsored by Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Grotto Gardens, Maple Creek
Historic Reesor Ranch, Maple Creek
Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association, Saskatoon

Travel Media Award
Sponsored by Vendasta
Jim Byers, Toronto, ON
Ashlyn George, Saskatoon
Craig Hilts, Swift Current

Community Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Arts Board
2017 Living Skies Come Alive International Fireworks Competition, Moosomin
Gateway Festival, Bengough
YXE Eats, Saskatoon

Marquee Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by CTV
Canadian Western Agribition, Regina
Ness Creek Music Festival, Big River
Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling, North Battleford

Business of the Year Award (Under 20 Full-time Employees)
Sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Historic Reesor Ranch, Maple Creek
Prairie River Cruises Ltd., Saskatoon
Waskesiu Marina Adventure Centre, Waskesiu Lake

Business of the Year Award (Over 20 Full-time Employees)
Sponsored by The Western Producer
d3h Hotels Inc., various locations
Grassroots Restaurant Group, Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, various locations

CONTACT:
Aviva Kohen
Director of Media
Tourism Saskatoon
Direct: (306) 931-7585
akohen@tourismsaskatoon.com
Todd Brandt
President and CEO
Tourism Saskatoon
Direct: (306) 931-7574
tbrandt@tourismsaskatoon.com