We want to recognize and celebrate some of the award wins and highlight notable news from our local tourism industry that occurred over the past few months.
Award Wins
2022 Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award
On February 24, Robert Louie, owner of Indigenous World Winery and Distillery and former Westbank First Nation (WFN) Chief, received the 2022 Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business' Central Canada Business Forum. The award "honours Indigenous business leaders who have built full and rich careers" and "pays tribute to outstanding Indigenous business people across the country who are well-advanced in their careers and have built a legacy that serves as an example of excellence." Click here to learn more about Louie's remarkable career and achievements.
2022 Canadian Whisky Awards
Okanagan Spirits, BC's original craft distillery, was named Artisanal Distillery of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards. The family-owned distillery, which has locations in Kelowna and Vernon, also took home three gold medals, two silver, and one bronze.
2022 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)
Two Kelowna area distilleries took home awards in the 2022 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition, presented by Artisan Distillers Canada:
- Indigenous World Winery and Distillery was awarded a Bronze medal with Distinction in the Vodka – Classic category along with a Bronze in the Whisky – Single Malt category. Indigenous World was also awarded Bronze in the Branding category for its Indigenous World Vodka.
- Urban Distilleries took home two Bronze medals—one in the Gin – Contemporary category and one in the Whisky – Single Grain category.
Notable News
Community
- Updated census data released by Statistics Canada shows Kelowna is the fastest growing Census Metropolitan Area in Canada.
- Kelowna landed in the 4th spot on DestinationThink's list of 50 Most Loved Travel Destinations for Canada and in the 96th spot on the 100 Most Love Travel Destinations Around the World list; both lists were ranked based on consumer sentiment for 2021.
- For the sixth year in a row, Kelowna landed in the Top 10—spot number 4 for 2022, to be exact—list of BC's best cities for work.
- Finalists for several local business awards have been announced:
- The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2021 includes finalists in the Excellence in Tourism Category: O'Rourke's Peak Cellars, Oyama Zipline Forest Adventure, and Smile Cycle Tours.
- Visit the Chamber website for a full list of finalists and to purchase tickets to the Business Excellence Awards Gala, which is set to take place on March 30 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort.
- The Greater Westside Board of Trade's (GWBT) 2022 Key Excellence Awards is set to take place on March 10 at The Cove Lakeside Resort. Finalists for the Tourism & Hospitality Award are Jason Parkes Customs, Wings, The Landing Kitchen + Bar, and A View to Remember Bed & Breakfast.
- Visit the GWBT website for a full list of nominees and to purchase tickets.
- The 2021 Lake Country Business Excellence Awards will be handed out on March 3 at the Creekside Theatre.
- Tickets to the event, whose theme is The Great Gatsby - Bringing Back the Roaring '20s, can be purchased online.
- The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2021 includes finalists in the Excellence in Tourism Category: O'Rourke's Peak Cellars, Oyama Zipline Forest Adventure, and Smile Cycle Tours.
Holiday Initiatives
- Eldorado Resort partnered with Kelowna’s Food for Thought for the First Annual Tree of Dreams Event, which raised $7,000 for the fight against child hunger.
- The Tree of HOPE raised $400,000 for the NOW Canada Society and Karis Support Society.
Industry
- The Honourable David Ross Fitzpatrick was appointed to the Order of Canada at the end of 2021 "for his lifelong dedication to the cultural and economic development of the Okanagan, and for his leadership and conservation efforts in the region." In 1986, Fitzpatrick purchased a winery east of Kelowna and renamed it CedarCreek Estate Winery—today, he and his family own and operate Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, which sits on the historic Greata Ranch site. Fitzpatrick was also a member of the Senate for 10 years, representing Okanagan-Similkameen.
- On January 1, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) Director, Sam Sammadar, who also sits on Tourism Kelowna's Board of Directors, became Chair of Airports Council International – North America. He is only the second Canadian to be named Chair and the first-ever representing a Tier 2 airport.
- In mid-January, YLW announced that a new airline, Lynx Air, will begin providing service to Kelowna twice a week from Calgary and Vancouver in April 2022. Later in the month, it was announced that YLW will receive millions in funding from the Federal Government; an announcement regarding additional funding was made near the end of February.
- Tourism Kelowna's Director of Community & Visitor Engagement, Chris Lewis, was elected as a Director on the Tourism Industry Association of BC's Board, while Director of Marketing and Communications, Chris Shauf, was reappointed to Destination British Columbia’s Tourism Marketing Committee.
Sustainability
- Quails’ Gate Estate Winery recently announced its certification by Sustainable Winegrowing B.C. (SWBC), which recognizes the winery's commitment to environmental responsibility and dedication to farming sustainably.
- Sandman Hotel & Suites Kelowna is piloting a 'Go Green' program for the hotel group; the initiative was spearheaded by the British Columbia Hotel Association and is supported by sustainability consultants GreenStep Solutions and Rethink2gether.
- Prestige Hotels was named one of 10 Sustainable Businesses to Watch in Canada in the fall edition of Saving Earth Magazine
- Kelowna-based Pela was ranked as the top Clean Technology company in Canada in Deloitte's 2021 Technology Fast 50 program.
Food & Drink
- In mid-December, Aura Rose and Wouter van der Hall, owners of House of Rose Winery, set out on their retirement. Aura and Wouter purchased House of Rose in 2009 from Aura's father, who started the winery in 1993. During their 12 years at the helm, they welcomed visitors and locals alike to the charming, farm-based winery, including at events like their beloved, annual grape stomping party.
- Four Kelowna area restaurants—BLOCK ONE Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate Winery, Home Block at Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill Family Estate, and Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar—were included in OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in Canada for 2021.
- Copper Brewing recently purchased MTL Restaurant; this has allowed the brewery to expand its kitchen space and launch a new, expanded food menu, created by Chef Dereck Johnson.
Recently opened:
- Hooligan's Ales & Eats
- Leopold's Tavern
- OEB Breakfast Co.
- Orchard Room (reimagined space and concept)
- The Hatching Post
- WA SKEW’R Sushi & Bar
- Yuzu Bowl and Bistro
Coming soon:
- Maestro’s Mediterranean at Eldorado Resort
- King Taps
Join us in congratulating all the award winners and recognizing all those who achieving great things and delivering exceptional experiences to visitors and locals alike!
Have an award win, achievement, or notable news to share? Email us all the details so we can include the information in our next roundup.
