Tourism Kelowna has been named one of three finalists for the Professional Excellence DMO or Sector Association Award at the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards, alongside Sunshine Coast Tourism and Tourism Fernie Society. The award recognizes a community DMO or Sector Association for demonstrating leadership, innovation, accountability, and collaboration with the tourism industry in British Columbia.

“Tourism Kelowna is honoured to be shortlisted for this award, as organizational excellence and membership care are not just strategic goals but the core of our mission,” says Lisanne Ballantyne, President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “This recognition highlights the passion and dedication of our entire team, as well as the trust placed in us by our stakeholders. Our goal is to make the community proud of their destination marketing and management organization. We strive to lead as a high-performing organization, fostering a sustainable, welcoming, four-season tourism economy – all achieved through collaboration with our engaged members and industry partners.”

As noted on the BC Tourism Industry Awards webpage, the Professional Excellence DMO or Sector Association Award sought nominees who were proven leaders, examples of professionalism and best practices that provide measurable value to their members, as well as the local and provincial tourism industry.

The nomination submission showcased Tourism Kelowna's collaborative work with other regions, sectors, and industry partners, outlined how the organization has increased visitation in a profitable way, and highlighted the ways in which the DMO is accountable to its members and stakeholders. It also outlined Tourism Kelowna's achievements within specific categories, including innovation, accountability, performance reporting, and more.

Some of the successes outlined in the application included:

  • Executing leading destination marketing initiatives. In 2024, our “Explore More of Kelowna in All Seasons” video received a Silver Dolphin award at the 2024 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards in the ‘Tourism Films Destinations – Cities’ category.
  • Continuing to implement its Economic Sector Strategy through the OKGo campaign, a partnership with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and Accelerate Okanagan to highlight the region’s key sectors, showcase the Central Okanagan as a destination of choice for business events, and drive economic growth.
  • Working collaboratively with the City of Kelowna and partners to secure major events, such as the upcoming 2025 Montana’s Brier and 2025 CCMA Awards and Country Music Week, and supporting the Kelowna Rockets’ successful 2026 Memorial Cup bid.  
  • Upgrading Tourism Kelowna's website using artificial intelligence, so travellers and locals can communicate with KAITI (Kelowna Artificial Intelligence Tourism Information), a chatbot that is available 24/7.
  • Partnering with Destination Canada to promote Kelowna as a business events destination of choice through events like PCMA, IMEX America, and Innovate Canada.

This is the second year in a row that Tourism Kelowna has had a successful nomination, as the organization was a finalist for the Community Contribution & Impact Award in 2024. Tourism Kelowna was previously awarded the DMO Professional Excellence Award at the 2019 BC Tourism Industry Awards. 

The 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards will be handed out at a gala on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, as part of the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference.


LIST OF FINALISTS
Indigenous Operator or Experience
  • Ahous Adventures
  • Haida Style Expeditions
  • Talaysay Tours
Sustainability Excellence
  • Eagle Wing Tours
  • Prince of Whales
  • Sea to Sky Destination Management Council
Employees First
  • Pemberton Valley Lodge
  • Point Group Hospitality
  • The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler
Tourism Woman of the Year
  • Amy Thacker, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association
  • Jikke Gyorki, Tourism Fernie
  • Talaysay Campo, Talaysay Tours
Community Contribution & Impact
  • Eagle Wing Tours
  • Prince of Whales
  • Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association
Inclusive & Accessible Tourism Experience
  • Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours
  • Reel North Adventures
  • Vancouver Aquarium
Remarkable Experience
  • Echo Valley Ranch and Spa: The Signature Experience
  • Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa: Pacific Mist Spa: The Healing Caves
  • Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort and Ranch: ”Find Your Wild” Experience
Innovation
  • Airble Aviation Inc.
  • Northern BC Tourism Association
  • Outland Adventure Vehicle Rentals
Culinary & Agritourism Experience
  • Maple Leaf Adventures
  • Nimmo Bay Resort
  • Tourism Richmond