Award Categories 2025

Edmonton Tourism Judges reserve the right to move nominations to other award categories if they view the nomination as better aligned elsewhere, eliminate awarding if insufficient nominations are received in an award category, and include nominations from jurisdictions outside the Edmonton greater metropolitan region if the nominee has a strong presence in the Edmonton and greater region marketplace.

Events must have occurred during the 2024 year.

Cultural Experience Award

  • Recognizes a tourism business or partnership committed to developing, promoting, and delivering an authentic, innovative, and enriching cultural tourism experience.

Sustainable Tourism Award (budget over $500K)

Honors excellence in practicing and promoting sustainable tourism, including efforts to go green, reduce carbon footprints, support sustainable destinations, care for the environment, and embrace community-based tourism. The focus is on long-term sustainability for future generations.

Sustainable Tourism Award (budget under $500K)

Recognizes outstanding efforts in promoting and practicing sustainable tourism for smaller-budget initiatives, focusing on eco-friendly practices, reducing environmental impact, and supporting local communities for long-term tourism sustainability.

Great Place to Work Tourism Award

Awarded to an Edmonton-based tourism business that fosters equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Recognizes leaders who support workplace and personal life balance, encourage well-being and improve productivity through innovation.

Sports Event of the Year Award (budget over $1M)

Celebrates an exceptional sporting event showcasing athletic skill or an experience related to a sport. Entries may include marathons, races, team sports, or competitive events and should highlight audience engagement strategies like activations.

Sports Event of the Year Award (budget under $1M)

Honors a standout sporting event or experience showcasing physical prowess, from marathons and races to team sports. Submissions should include how activations or strategies engaged spectators on a smaller budget.

Business Event of the Year Award

Recognizes excellence in planning business events, meetings, or conferences. Judging is based on creativity, effectiveness, relevance, speaker choice, technology use, audience engagement, and alignment with event goals.

Spring/Summer Festival of the Year Award

Celebrates the best spring/summer festival, judged on its ability to generate excitement and engagement. Entries should highlight innovation, creativity, and how the festival strengthened its brand image.

Fall/Winter Festival of the Year Award

Awarded for the top fall/winter festival that successfully creates excitement and engagement. Submissions will be judged on originality, creativity, and how the event enhanced the festival’s brand.

Destination Event of the Year Award

Recognizes an event (non-business or festival) that exemplifies Edmonton’s spirit and draws tourists to the city.

The Culinary Tourism Award

Honors an event, program, or organization that showcases Alberta’s unique food and drink culture, promoting food tourism through community involvement and the region’s culinary heritage.

Attraction of the Year Award

Recognizes an outstanding attraction, such as theme parks or guided tours, that excels in offering a top-tier visitor experience and leads in applying industry best practices.

Best Tourism Influencer Award

Honors an influencer, such as a celebrity, social media personality, or industry expert, who promotes tourism to Edmonton and enhances the city’s visibility through their platform.

Hotelier, Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognizes an individual for significant contributions to the hotel industry, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and dedication. The recipient must be a current or retired member of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels.

The Peter Ogilvie Tourism Innovator Award and Bursary

This award is being given in honour of the late Peter Ogilvie, Executive Director of Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Ltd. and the creator of the Edmonton Tourism Awards.
This award includes a $3,000 (CDN) bursary to attend a leadership course or training of their choice.