Congrats to the Winners!

*nominee group shot (full list of nominees in previous news section post)

Award recipients are…

Event of the Year (budget over 10k) – sponsored by CJRB Radio: This Tribute recognizes a hallmark festival or event that creates a substantial economic impact within the local community, attracts visitors from outside the region/province/country, generates regional/national media attention and positively promotes Southwest Manitoba.

Killarney Community Events Committee Outdoor Concert

*pictured left to right are: Ryan Heinrichs, Jay Struth, Mayor Janice Smith, Liana Smith & presenter Betty Sawatzky (CJRB Radio)

Now in its fourth year, this event’s committee has organized to coordinate the presentation of annual community concerts in support of multiple local non-profit agencies. Drawing crowds in excess of 3,500 for their first three events, the concerts have generated close to $48,000 in community revenues distributed among community organizations. The event is made possible through the support and participation of more than 55 businesses and sponsors. An event that sees the population of its host community double for one day a year, it has grown to be recognized locally as the town’s premiere event of the year!

Event of the Year (budget under 10k) – sponsored by Pinnacle Event Rentals: This Tribute recognizes a hallmark festival or event that creates a substantial economic impact within the local community, attracts visitors from outside the region/province/country, generates regional/national media attention and positively promotes Southwest Manitoba.

Hoedown with Hicktown – Carberry

*pictured left to right are: Alyssa Hall, Shealee Smith, presenter Shonah Rathwell (Pinnacle Event Rentals) and Deanna Letkeman

Launched in 2023 as a signature fundraising event for its communities Splash Park Committee, the second annual event in 2024 proved to be an even bigger success. Partnering with a well-known Manitoba band, the event has incorporated elements to ensure not only achievement of the fundraising goals of the core project, but also collaboration with other local non-profits to maximize the event’s social impact on the community. Attendance for the event saw 100% capacity of the local campground, local bed and breakfast venues, as well as an escalation in customer visits for the local restaurants and other businesses.

Brandon Event of the Year (over 10k) – sponsored by Brandon Tourism/Brandon First: This award is presented to a hallmark festival or event that creates substantial economic impact within the City of Brandon, attracts visitors from outside the City/Province Country, generates Regional/National media attention and positively promotes the City of Brandon.

U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship – Brandon

*pictured left to right are: U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship Committee Members & presenters Sara Girard/Lanny Stewart (Brandon First/Brandon Tourism)

Held over four days and drawing a combined 6,803 spectators, this event ended on a high note for local attendees as it concluded with the Brandon University men’s squad winning their first  national title in the program’s 20-year history. Through this event, which implemented the time and talent of 125 volunteers, Brandon demonstrated its capacity to host national events of this scale. It has been estimated that the tournament yielded a $1.05 Million impact on the local economy and the City of Brandon declared the week of March 23 dedicated to the events champions – the Brandon Bobcats!

Marketing Excellence – sponsored by Travel Manitoba: This award is presented to a business, organization, event, or attraction that has developed an effective traditional, digital or social media marketing campaign that increases tourism to Southwest Manitoba.

The Town of Carberry

*pictured left to right are: Debbie Rea (Town of Carberry Councilor), Presenter David Wolodarsky (Travel Manitoba), Karra Burney and Bill Kalinowich (Deputy Mayor, Town of Carberry)

Leaning heavily into their community tagline to ‘Discover. Grow. Belong’, this community engaged in a focused marketing campaign to increase awareness of their community within the Province, as well as foster an increased sense of pride and connectivity among their residents, merchants and community leaders. Through social media, strategically place local signage, attendance at tradeshows in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Shilo, as well as active implementation and distribution of branded apparel and promotional items, the campaign maintained visibility throughout the year. The community was encouraged to see a 25% increase in visitation to the community as well as increased revenues reported by local merchants. Equally exciting was a 40% increase in social media followers and a 50% increase in user generated content.

Partnership – sponsored by Manitoba Tourism Education Council: The Tribute recognizes alliances that demonstrate a co￾operative approach to tourism development and promotion.

Killarney Lake Action Committee/Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain

*pictured left to right are: Mayor Janice Smith, presenter Michelle Frechette (Tourism Westman – on behalf of MTEC) and Betty Sawatzky

Formed with an initial goal to curb the growth of algae blooms which was negatively affecting fish ecosystems and creating beach closures due to high levels of toxic algae, this partnership focused their efforts to address the challenge by installing an aeration system and have ensured the health of the lake for all to enjoy. This has resulted in the Killarney’s 3 campgrounds being full right to the end of summer and visitors swimming, boating and fishing throughout the summer once more! Additionally, land value has increased substantially since the installation, with local cottages available for purchase getting snatched up immediately. This collaborative effort has increased tourism substantially in the area and increased the draw for families to the community as well. Furthermore, these groups researched ultra-sonic and nano-bubbler technologies which consider the ecological effects to plant and animal life in the lake; with the pilot project being approved for the near future.

Employee of the Year – sponsored by Community Futures Westman:  This award recognizes a front-line employee in the tourism industry who demonstrates service excellence and has made outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.

Emmy Sanderson – Brandon

*pictured left to right are: Presenter Rand Tashman (CF Westman board of directors), Bill Hogan (CF Westman) & Emmy Sanderson

This nominee’s passion for the community she serves is evident in her approach and how she wants to see her neighborhoods seen by others. Initiatives such as the summer photo contest, downtown lunch side visitors but also to create ambassadors of residents within the community. Since October 2023, her efforts have included not only the public-facing work to reach as many residents and visitors as possible, but also ardently lobbying behind the scenes with public and private sector officials to champion her mission. She is recognized by her peers for her outstanding performance, dedication and tireless enthusiasm – and is recognized by many as her community’s cheerleader and champion!

Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Filmed by Silas: This Tribute recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community without financial compensation.

Aly Wowchuk – Brandon

*pictured left to right are: Aly Wowchuk & Presenter Silas Hoefer (Filmed by Silas)

Recognized by her peers as a longtime history buff with a bright positive personality, this nominee’s efforts have touched the lives of many. Her service has included roles as chair of Brandon Pride for many years and a positive advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a member of the National Indigenous People’s Day committee, Bee City Canada and for the Brandon Urban Aboriginal People’s Council. She has hosted events such as ‘Show & Tell – A History of Pride in the Wheat City’, organized Free Music Fridays at Chez Angela, participated in weekly walks with the Brandon Bear Clan, organized the kid’s zone at the Salamander Festival and participated as a performer during Gossip in the Graveyard – a historical tour of the Brandon cemetery, among other activities. She was awarded with a star blanket this year for her endless contributions to the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council.

Indigenous Tourism – sponsored by The Backyard on Aberdeen by Aida’s Catering: This award recognizes excellence in the delivery of a product or service that demonstrates cultural authenticity and sensitivity to the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of the community.

Truth & Reconciliation Week – Brandon

*pictured left to right are: Natashia Marion & presenter Aida Harrison (The Backyard on Aberdeen/Aida’s Catering)

Developed through the collaboration of a multi-agency committee, this event held at Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre offered a full week of immersive learning experiences, cultural teaching and created safe spaces for residential school survivors to share their stories. More than 750 students from the Brandon School Division, Rolling River First Nation and Southwest
Horizons attended and were offered lessons in jigging, beading, fiddling, singing, drumming, smudging and language classes. A weekend cultural camp was host for 45 youth in foster care and their families. Each evening was dedicated to a children’s activity. It is estimated that a few thousand participants took part in events over the course of the week-long engagement!

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by The Green Spot: This award recognizes a tourism business, facility, event or attraction with less than 20 employees that provides exceptional visitor experiences that result in a high level of customer satisfaction through the experiences or services provided.

Boissevain Bake Shop

*pictured left to right are: Alex Moody & presenter Bernie Whetter (The Green Spot)

This well-loved business has seen record growth over the past three years since the business was purchased by its new owner, an Assiniboine Community College culinary arts graduate. Offering traditional baked favorites and in-house specialties, the café has also helped to fill the need for fresh, made-from-scratch meals suitable for dining in or on the go. Leading a small team of seven staff, this nominee is not only invested in his products, but also his people. Creating an inviting environment, quality cuisine and ambassadorship to promote local attractions and amenities to inspire longer guest stays in the community, this nominee not only attracts clientele to their own shop but is also enticing visitors from around the globe to stop and spend in Boissevain.

Thank you to our special guests, sponsors and all who showed up to celebrate with us!