Awards & Criterion | Edmonton Tourism Awards

AWARD CATEGORIES AND CRITERION

Awards

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD

The Sustainable Tourism award recognizes excellence in the practice and promotion of sustainable tourism and includes for such things as going green, reducing your carbon footprint, supporting sustainable options in destinations, taking care of places, supporting community-based tourism and initiatives, respecting the practices of local people, reducing waste and so on. Sustainable tourism is focused on the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry providing for tourism opportunities for generations to come.

The recipient of the Sustainable Tourism award will be a tourism and hospitality organization or business that:

Demonstrates the three pillars of sustainability of economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity.
Demonstrates an understanding on its impact of the natural and cultural resources, and the economy of the City of Edmonton.
Meets the needs of present visitors while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR TO THE COMMUNITY TOURISM AWARD

Presented to a tourism business or organization in recognition of their overall outstanding contributions to the community through initiatives, employee volunteerism and financial or in-kind donations which directly benefit the City of Edmonton.

The recipient of the Outstanding Contributor to the Community Award will be awarded to a tourism and hospitality organization or business that is:

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE TOURISM AWARD

Cultural Tourism products and services are important factors in sustainable development, contributing to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, the extension of the tourism period, as well as increasing culture and heritage awareness among tourists and host communities, regional GDP, and its multiplier effects. The Cultural Experience award will recognize a tourism industry business and/or partnership that has shown a commitment to the creation, promotion, and delivery of an authentic, innovative, and enriched cultural tourism experience.

The recipient of the Cultural Experience Tourism Award will be a tourism and hospitality organization or business that demonstrates they:

Are committed to sharing an authentic and realistic cultural activity.
Contribute to the promotion and advancement of the cultural activity in the City of Edmonton.
Generate/stimulate tourism and economic activity in the City of Edmonton.
Educate visitors/participants/spectators on the cultural activity.
Actively demonstrate a respect for the ecology, economy, and culture of the host community.

GREAT PLACE TO WORK TOURISM AWARD

Presented to an Edmonton based member of the tourism industry who has made a commitment to foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. A leader who embraces innovative ideas to move the company forward while supporting and encouraging workplace and personal life balance improving well-being and productivity.

The recipient of the Great Place to Work award will to a tourism and hospitality business that:

Communicates in a meaningful and respectful manner.
Delivers incentive programs that reward employees.
Promotes empowerment and personal growth.
Provides employee training, education, and professional development.
Provides for fair compensation and benefits.
Provides for work-life balance.
Is fair and respectful and encourages integrity.
Embraces workplace diversity.
Provides for a positive, safe, and secure workplace environment.

TOURISM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Tourism Business of the Year award will be given to a tourism organization or business that typifies industry best practices in all areas of its operations and thus is an example of overall business excellence in the tourism industry.

• Large Tourism (greater than 100 employees)
• Small to Medium-sized Tourism (99 or less employees)

The recipients of the Large Tourism or Small to Medium-sized Tourism awards will:

Have a business strategy that demonstrates long-term viability.
Show a commitment to visitor, participant, spectator satisfaction.
Have plans for growth, innovation and product or service development.
Contribute to or improve the tourism industry.
Demonstrate excellence in human resources development.
Work to create an environment that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

BEST IN CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

This award is for any tourism and/or hospitality team who works together to deliver an amazing customer experience from beginning to end. Public and private sector teams, retail teams, restaurant teams, hotel teams, tourism teams, – any team who work together to deliver a brilliant customer experience.

The recipient of the Best in Class Customer Service award will be a tourism and hospitality organization or business team that:

Demonstrates timeliness when responding to customers.
Demonstrates respect and conscientiousness.
Goes above and beyond expectations.
Solves problems with confidence and tact.
Demonstrates resourcefulness in meeting customer needs.
Effectively addresses customer complaints.
Demonstrates leadership excellence in customer service.
Improves/increases business performance through targeted customer service initiatives.
Introduces new systems and processes to transform and measure customer satisfaction.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes the very best Edmonton restaurant in food, drink, and hospitality. The recipient of the Restaurant of the Year Award is a restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations.

The recipient of the Restaurant of the Year Award will demonstrate excellence in:

Decor: the nominated restaurant will have a well-designed and meticulously maintained space. The décor is appropriate for the location and suits the theme of the food.
Cleanliness: All areas of the restaurant must be kept clean, including the front of the house, the back of the house, employee areas, restrooms, and any other areas that are not visible to diners. Cleanliness also extends to employee hygiene.
Food and variety: The food served in the nominated restaurant has distinct and well-balanced flavors. Food is served with quality ingredients and the menu is frequently updated with new, seasonal dishes.
Service & Experience: The nominated restaurant is adequately staffed at all times and the service staff are welcoming and professional.
Consistency: The quality of the food, service, cleanliness, and décor of the restaurant is constantly presented at the highest level.
Value: The pricing structure appropriately reflects all characteristics of the restaurant – food, service, and the atmosphere of the nominated restaurant.

EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to the tourism and hospitality group or organization who, through the production of an event, best exemplifies the spirit of Edmonton and generates tourism visitation to the City of Edmonton.

The recipient of the Event of the Year award will be a tourism and hospitality organization or business that hosts/organizes an event that:

ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award honours the best attractions, from theme parks and zoos to guided visits. It recognizes venues that stand out for their appeal to all types of visitors. The Attraction of the Year Award will be presented to a tourism business or organization that provides an outstanding attraction that is a leader in applying industry best practices in all aspects of operations.

The recipient of the Attraction of the Year Award will go to a tourism and hospitality organization that:

SPORTS EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to the individual, group, or organization who, through the hosting of a sporting event, has made significant contributions to the tourism industry in Edmonton.

The recipient of the Sports Event of the Year award will have met one or more of the following criteria:

HOTELIER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Hotelier Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution of energy, service, and talent towards the growth of the hotel industry, through volunteer work, service, or business accomplishments. Focusing on hotel tourism building, the recipient demonstrates leadership, vision and innovation built on a solid foundation of strong values and sound business strategies. Individual must be a retired or current member of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels.

Nominees for the Hotelier Lifetime Achievement Award should be an individual who:

Dedicated the majority of their professional career to the hotel sector.
Made an outstanding personal contribution to the hotel sector.
Helped to create growth in Edmonton’s hotel sector through innovation, astute business practices and the development of new opportunities.
Demonstrated leadership in the hotel industry through their engagement with tourism partners at the local, provincial and/or national level.
Left a positive and lasting legacy with the people with whom they have worked. (Nominees are generally retired or in the twilight of their hotel careers.)
Must be a current or retired member of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Ltd.