April 16, 2015
26th ANNUAL SASKATCHEWAN TOURISM AWARDS
OF EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s tourism sector honoured businesses and individuals at the 26th annual
Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which was celebrated in Saskatoon on April 16 at the
Radisson Hotel Saskatoon.
“The Government of Saskatchewan applauds the achievements celebrated tonight,” Minister Responsible for
Tourism Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said. “It is a pleasure to acknowledge the important role that the
Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence recipients and finalists play in making Saskatchewan a great place
to work, live and visit. They are innovative, hard-working ambassadors for our province and demonstrate true
Saskatchewan spirit.”
“Tonight’s gala was a celebration of the special people, places and events that make Saskatchewan such an
inviting, memorable destination,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “Tourism Saskatchewan
considers it a privilege to host this annual showcase of excellence and achievement among Saskatchewan’s
tourism sector. Each of the award recipients and finalists is a champion for tourism in this province. Their
stories are unique and inspiring, and reflect the richness of tourism experiences that have a deep and lasting
effect on visitors.”
A 15-person external panel selected the 33 finalists and 11 award recipients. The Chairman’s Lifetime
Achievement Award recipient was selected by Norm Beug, Chair of Tourism Saskatchewan’s Board of Directors.
The winners of the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence for 2014 are:
 Rookie of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club
Grant Hall Hotel, Moose Jaw
Grant Hall Hotel opened in November, 2013 after an ambitious 10-year restoration that rescued the
Moose Jaw landmark from the wrecking ball and transformed it into a property that addresses a range
of local accommodation needs, including retirement and assisted living, and provides comfortable,
luxury lodging. An exquisite boutique experience, Grant Hall Hotel has 22 rooms and four executive
suites. The property, restored to its original, elegant grandeur, is a valuable addition to downtown
Moose Jaw and to the city’s wealth of tourism resources. Local dining options were enhanced by the
opening of the Grant Hall Dining Room & Lounge in 2014. From the onset, management and staff have
been dedicated to a culture of service. Their impressive standards and unparalleled service are
reflected in high guest approval ratings and positive online travel reviews.

Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Living Sky Winery, Perdue
Owned and operated by Sue Echlin and Vance Lester, Living Sky Winery is an award-winning producer
of fruit wines. Since 2010, the winery has been committed to producing excellent wines, building
community and providing customers with a superior experience. From developing tasting menus at
Saskatchewan events to working with a variety of partners, Living Sky Winery has consistently placed
customer service at the heart of its business. Employees receive thorough training in the company’s
products and are proud to give customers the best service possible. Growing almost everything on site
means that Living Sky Winery enjoys exceptional quality control over every aspect of production, which
gives Echlin and Vance confidence in their product. The winery also strives for excellence in online
customer service, with a next day shipping policy on orders and a 24-hour guarantee on responses via
social media.

Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Insightrix
Natalie Matheson, Waskesiu Marina Adventure Centre, Waskesiu Lake
As Waskesiu Marina Adventure Centre’s Lead Guide, Natalie Matheson is responsible for the delivery
of personal, corporate and school group water-based guided tours. She has a degree in Ecotourism and
Outdoor Leadership, and applies impressive knowledge and a positive attitude to deliver a guest
experience that exceeds expectations. Her hard work and dedication have elevated the level of service
offered by Waskesiu Marina Adventure Centre. Client safety is first and foremost. Matheson’s skill and
professionalism are essential to balancing clients’ desire for adventure with the need for a safe
outcome. She has extensive knowledge of Prince Albert National Park and is always willing to share her
knowledge to enhance the visitor experience. An inspiring team player, Matheson instils confidence in
new staff and helps employees expand their skills.

Tourism Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Transcontinental Printing
Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel, Saskatoon
The Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel, family owned and operated by Cavalier Enterprises Ltd. and
franchised under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, employs over 250 full- and part-time
associates who are deeply committed to the property. By nurturing a meaningful and collaborative
work environment, the hotel has achieved strong employee engagement and loyalty. Its most senior
employee has been on staff for 46 years. An engaged workforce is a factor of outstanding guest
experiences, as demonstrated by hotel’s long history of leading the Saskatoon market share. The
property’s passion for excellence in human resource practices and customer relations shows in its
designation as an Employer of Choice. The Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel and its associates are
involved with a number of organizations that support environmental practices. As well, the hotel
actively supports a number of local charities and community programs.
2

Gil Carduner Marketing Award
Sponsored by Phoenix Group
Cypress Hills Destination Area, Maple Creek
The Cypress Hills Destination Area, Inc. (CHDA) is the official tourism and destination marketing
organization for the Cypress Hills and surrounding area. Its campaign goals for 2014 included increasing
visitation during non-peak periods and encouraging travellers to explore less-familiar areas. Traditional
marketing strategies were employed, including print advertising and producing an Insider’s Guide and
map of CHDA partners. Online tactics engaged a number of bloggers and writers, whose positive
accounts of the area’s tourism offerings were shared across social media channels. The CHDA utilized
an innovative approach to moving people around the area by creating the Saskatchewan Skies
GeoTour. An aggressive effort to expand engagement on social media yielded dramatic growth in
Facebook fans and Twitter followers. Strong attendance at events and a 43.8 per cent increase in
visitation to Grasslands National Park further underscore the campaign’s success.

Fred Heal Tourism Ambassador Award
Sponsored by Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Adventure Destinations International, Saskatoon
Formed in 2003 by Saskatchewan businessman Jim Yuel, Adventure Destinations International (ADI)
owns a collection of fishing lodges in northern Saskatchewan. Three full-service outfitting properties
fall under the ADI umbrella – Selwyn Lake Lodge, Twin Falls Lodge and Thompson’s Camps Otter Lake
Resort. The company’s mission is to exceed the expectations of a diverse clientele seeking a unique
Canadian wilderness experience. Through its commitment to superior customer service, ADI has
earned clientele loyalty and sees an average rebooking rate of 70 per cent. ADI embraces opportunities
and partnerships to bring exposure to Saskatchewan’s north. The company invested resources into Fish
Camp: Past the Pavement, a reality television series that explores outfitting in northern Saskatchewan
through the eyes of film crews embedded in ADI’s operations. Season one’s 13 episodes aired on Wild
TV and the Sportsman Channel.

Travel Media Award
Sponsored by Saskatoon Media Group
Robin and Arlene Karpan, Saskatoon
Robin and Arlene Karpan are Saskatchewan writers, photographers and publishers. Their book The
Great Saskatchewan Bucket List: 50 Unforgettable Natural Wonders To See Before You “Kick the
Bucket,” published in 2012 and revised in 2014, highlights Saskatchewan’s most spectacular natural
attractions. Now in its fourth printing, it has sold over 11,000 copies and is still going strong. The Great
Saskatchewan Bucket List not only shows tourists 50 top natural wonders but helps them get to these
sites. They also wrote four pieces that appeared in The Western Producer in 2014, covering
Saskatchewan destinations from the coulees of Eastend to the wild landscape of Athabasca Sand Dunes
Provincial Park. The Karpans are well-recognized travel journalists and photographers who have both
been awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in recognition of their work.
3

Community Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Arts Board
Mortlach Saskatoonberry Festival, Mortlach
The Mortlach Saskatoonberry Festival is a delicious celebration of community, organized by the
Mortlach Community Development and Agricultural Society (MCDAS). Volunteer driven, the MCDAS
undertakes projects designed to beautify, promote and enhance the community and make the area an
attractive place to live and conduct business. The festival has grown substantially over the past seven
years and as many as 3,000 attendees enjoy a full day of activities and sample tasty saskatoon berry
delights. Local businesses, street vendors and community groups all benefit from the event, while
visitors take home warm memories, plus a pie or two. The festival regularly attracts people from across
southern Saskatchewan, and has welcomed visitors from other parts of Canada, the United States and
as far away as Europe and Japan.

Marquee Event of the Year Award
Sponsored by The StarPhoenix/Leader-Post
Windscape Kite Festival, Swift Current
The Windscape Kite Festival is an annual two-day event held each year in Swift Current on the weekend
closest to the summer solstice. For more than a decade, the festival has attracted kite enthusiasts from
around the world. A feast of amazing visuals colours the prairie sky, with designs ranging from
handmade kites the size of houses to gigantic flying creatures. Kite buggies race across the sky,
challenging the speed limit, while stunt kites flown in tandem deliver an impressive performance. In
2014, more than 9,000 people attended the festival, with nearly 50 per cent coming from outside of
Swift Current. Guests came from across North America and as far away as France and Germany. Event
organizers partner with local organizations, such as the Art Gallery of Swift Current and Swift Current
Museum, to engage the community and increase tourism value.

Business of the Year Award
(Under 20 Full-time Employees)
Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
LB Distillers, Saskatoon
LB Distillers is a premium micro distillery and tourism destination in Saskatoon. The company offers
hand-crafted spirits, cocktail bitters and liqueurs with an emphasis on locally sourced materials. The
distillery is proud to mash, ferment, distill and barrel-age its products in Saskatoon. In only two years of
operation, the distillery has sold 65,000 litres in more than 250 bars and restaurants, as well as off-sale
locations and SLGA liquor stores around the province. LB Distillers’ simple and straightforward values
have enabled the company to create outstanding products that showcase Saskatchewan’s amazing
grains and fruit and provide enjoyable experiences for customers.
4

Business of the Year Award
(Over 20 Full-time Employees)
Sponsored by The Western Producer
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, Manitou Beach
Located in the village of Manitou Beach, Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa is a 102-room hotel
complex and Canada’s largest indoor spa. Promoted in the tagline, The Dead Sea of Canada, the familyowned business’ main feature is its heated pool filled with mineral-rich water from Little Manitou Lake,
which is legendary for its buoyancy and healing powers. The unique properties of the water are a main
tourist draw for this village of just over 200 people, and Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa is one
of the prime attractions. Resort management recognizes the importance of its place in the community,
and works diligently to provide an experience that will continue to entice visitors. In 2010, the resort
unveiled a complete renovation. Enhancements have continued and some of Manitou Springs Resort
and Mineral Spa’s recent changes include upgrades to the Serenity Massage and Esthetics facilities and
a new menu developed for the Water’s Edge restaurant.

Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Tourism Saskatchewan
Arnold and Millie Strueby, Danceland, Manitou Beach
Arnold and Millie Strueby have dedicated the past 40 years to developing and serving Saskatchewan’s
tourism sector, particularly the area around Manitou Beach. As former mayor, Arnold spearheaded the
effort to incorporate Manitou Beach as a resort village, which led to the development of Manitou
Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. In 2000, the Struebys took possession of the famous Danceland and
expanded it to a year-round facility that attracts thousands of visitors annually. Arnold and Millie are
regular features at Danceland events and take great pride in welcoming visitors to the historic building
that is one of the few dancehalls in Canada still standing. During the summer months, close to 100
people stop by daily to hear the story of the iconic Saskatchewan landmark with its unique horsehair
dance floor.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Susan Parkin
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Tourism Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2927
Cell: 306-519-6675
Email: [email protected]
Tourism in Saskatchewan is a $2.12-billion industry, employing more than 57,000 people throughout the
province.
5