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PRODID:-//Tourism Industry Association of Ontario//Silkstart Technology 
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TZID:America/Toronto
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260308T020000
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261101T020000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Big Applause Awards
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260513T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260513T113000
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260430T201730
UID:69f3b8da57912605eb670994
DESCRIPTION:A morning celebrating the people and ideas driving tourism 
 forward. Exceptional visitor experiences are created by people who make 
 this place better. The Big Applause Awards recognize tourism professionals
  across the Explorers&rsquo\; Edge region who show up through the 
 challenges of fall and winter with patience\, professionalism\, 
 leadership\, and genuine care &mdash\; helping make visitor experiences 
 across our region truly memorable. On behalf of Explorers&rsquo\; Edge\, 
 congratulations and thank you to all of this year&rsquo\;s nominees and 
 nominators. The submissions were thoughtful\, inspiring\, and a strong 
 reminder of the incredible people helping shape tourism and hospitality 
 across the great Canadian wilderness just north of Toronto. We are pleased
  to share that the top finalists have now been selected: Norah Fountain\, 
 recognized for long-standing tourism leadership\, visitor support\, 
 destination marketing\, chamber growth\, and strengthening Muskoka Lakes 
 as a year-round destination. Michael Dorbyk\, recognized for welcoming 
 hospitality\, inclusive community space\, live event programming\, local 
 business support\, and memorable guest experiences. Stefan Ottenbrite\, 
 recognized for regional tourism promotion\, shoulder-season events\, the 
 Bala Cranberry Festival\, event amplification\, and tourism advocacy. 
 Jacki MacPherson\, recognized for resilience\, entrepreneurship\, 
 community generosity\, local collaboration\, and visitor experiences 
 rooted in Muskoka&rsquo\;s stories and history. April Denman\, recognized 
 for initiative\, community-building\, downtown leadership\, impactful 
 events\, and local pride. Emily Brown\, recognized for visitor services\, 
 Muskoka Oktoberfest\, shoulder-season programming\, event promotion\, 
 social media\, and tailored visitor recommendations. The top honouree will
  be announced live at our Big Applause Awards breakfast on May 13 at 
 Grandview\, where we will gather to celebrate the nominees\, finalists\, 
 and winners. Following the awards celebration\, we are pleased to welcome 
 two timely presentations\, Navigating Change in Tourism Discovery: A 
 Strategic Update from Destination Ontario &amp\; Cell for Success: 
 Geofencing to Grow Your Destination. Attendees are asked to bring their 
 cell phones and be prepared to participate throughout the morning by 
 providing input and feedback as part of the session. Date: Wednesday\, May
  13\, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM &ndash\; 11:30 AM Location: Grandview Golf Club 
 &ndash\; 245 Grandview Drive North\, Huntsville\, ON Tickets: $10 per 
 person Continental breakfast provided Reserve your spot: Big Applause 
 Awards 2026 Tickets\, Wednesday\, May 13 &bull\; 9 AM - 12:30 PM | 
 Eventbrite 
LOCATION:245 Grandview Dr N\, Huntsville\, ON P1H 1B4\, Canada
PRIORITY:5
URL:https://www.tiaontario.ca:443/events/big-applause-awards
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