OVTA Celebrates Tourism Awards and 60th Anniversary
SOUTH ALGONQUIN – On Tuesday April 25, the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) held its 2017 Ottawa Valley Tourism Conference & AGM at beautiful Spectacle Lake Lodge near Barry’s Bay. Sixty members, guest and dignitaries were treated to a full day event which included Ontario’s Highland’s Tourism Organization’s (OHTO) Come Wander Stakeholder Session and celebration of the Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards and the OVTA’s 60th anniversary.
Guest speakers OHTO President Nicole Whiting and Marketing Manager, Julie Mulligan officially launched the Come Wander brand at the event. Well received by those in attendance, the presentation concisely highlighted how OHTO be will communicating their brand message through a content marketing approach and how OVTA members can feed into this platform and utilize the Come Wander branding now and in the years to come.
This year’s event also had the OVTA and guests celebrate a major milestone in their history: 60 years of tourism promotion of the Ottawa Valley! Attendees celebrated with a cake, a memorabilia table, and commemorative certificates for those who have been loyal OVTA members for 25 years or more. In 1957, in the Upper Ottawa Valley Travel Council was formed to promote tourism in the Ottawa Valley. Later in 1976, the Madawaska Valley Travel Council would merge with them to form the Renfrew County Travel Association. 60 years later it would be known as the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association.
Following the anniversary festivities, the annual Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards ceremony commenced, announcing the 2017 Winners:
• Deedee Sanderson (Madawaska Valley), 2017 Marilyn Alexander Tourism Champion Award
• Horse Country Campground (Whitewater Region), 2017 Business of Distinction Award
• Ottawa Valley Craft Beer Festival (Laurentian Valley), 2017 Special Event of the Year Award
During the Annual General Meeting portion of the day, OVTA members elected the Board of Directors, which is comprised of membership representatives from various sectors of the local tourism industry.The President and Vice President were elected at a meeting of the Board of Directors meeting held immediately following the AGM.
• President – Chris Hinsperger – Bonnechere Caves, Eganville
• Vice President – Cyndy Phillips – Town of Petawawa
• Byron Hermann – The Fans of Calabogie, Calabogie
• Arlene Jamieson – Venture Interiors, Renfrew
• Dennis Blaedow – Chutes Coulonge Park – Mansfield, QC
• Paul Nopper – Township of Madawaska Valley
• Damien McCarthy, GearHeads, Petawawa
• Dale Gagne, Best Western Pembroke, Pembroke
• Liz Murphy, Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie
• Sharon Mahussier, Spectacle Lake Lodge, Barry’s Bay
• City of Pembroke Representative (appointed by City Council) – Councilor Patricia Lafrenière
• County Representative (appointed by County Council) – Mayor Glenda McKay
• County Representative (appointed by County Council) Reeve Glenn Doncaster
In reflection of the event, OVTA President Chris Hinsperger had this to say: “Today was an amazing day. It is a great testament to the strength and support of our OVTA family to see so many attend to celebrate, learn and network this year. Cheers to 60 more years of collaboration!”
The OVTA is the official destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents more than 235 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and events, accommodation, dining and retail establishments, craft breweries, rafting companies and outfitters, artists and galleries, and municipalities, as well as media and industry suppliers. The OVTA is supported by the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County municipalities and the City of Pembroke.
